I "heart" San Francisco

Brandon and I celebrated our eighth anniversary this year in San Francisco. Our first night there we started to reminisce about our honeymoon and the pack that we made to go on a trip every anniversary to escape our chaotic lives. At the time it was our education and careers now it is kids and B's career. As much as we love our children...we have realized that getting away for a little while has always been so wonderful for our marriage and makes us better parents.

When we first got to San Francisco things were a little crazy. We got up to the rental car counter and they told us it would be $85.00 a day instead of the quoted price of $45.00 a day (whatever). When we got to the hotel we were told that we needed to pay $55.00 a day to park the car. Finally, we went straight to In-N-Out Burger because we were starving. We were under the impression that parking meters work like they work in SLC free on the weekends (even the car parked in front of us had the same idea). After In-N-Out we came out to the rental car to find an $80.00 ticket. Needless to say the rest of the trip we walked and cabbed it everywhere and payed the $55.00 a day for our rental to sit at the hotel.

Before we moved to TX In-N-Out was the only fast food place we would eat. Everything there is fresh, no hormones, and natural. We've missed it greatly living in TX.

After walking around Fisherman's Wharf, shopping, and taking naps we headed to the infamous "Cliff House" for dinner. The Cliff House is famous for its history. It was originally built in 1858 and depending who you talk to it has been renovated three to five times due to earthquakes, fires, the Depression, and new owners. It is perched on the Northwest edge of the San Francisco Peninsula.

Down below is a painting of the "Cliff House" after the first renovation. This is my favorite version of the Cliff House which is currently hanging in the Cliff House staircase.

The next few days were wonderful, and if you ask Brandon there was no relaxation just sight seeing and many other excursions. One of the days we went on a cruise off of the bay and then on to Alcatraz. This is where Brandon got carried away with the new camera but, I must say he got some pretty good shots.

I love the next few shots of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The Bay

Alcatraz

The Cruise Ship

One of the nights we ate at the Franciscan. This amazing ship like restaurant was built in 1957. It has mahogany walls and ceilings and twenty foot windows that overlook the bay and Alcatraz.

Overlooking Fisherman's Wharf from the Franciscan's upper balcony.

As mentioned in a previous post we spent our final day in Carmel. It was such a wonderful way to end the trip.


I must say being married to Brandon the past eight years have been the best eight years of my life. Happy anniversary B...I love you...and can't wait to spend many more years
with you. :-)

I can't say "Thank You" enough

I just wanted to thank Brandon and all of my friends and family that made me feel so special on my birthday. It seems that each year gets better and better thanks to all of you. :-)

This year Brandon and I spent the day in Carmel, California. Neither one of us had ever been there and my brother Breck made Brandon promise that he would take me. We were amazed at the beauty in this small little town in Northern California. Brandon and I both decided that we did not spend enough time there and need to get back soon. The beach is amazing, and the cobble stone streets added to the ambiance of the best little shops around. Thanks B for such a wonderful day...you're the best. :)

I also got a camera for my birthday that I felt I really needed. As you can tell in my photos up above...some turned out great others not so great...I'm still working out the kinks but absolutely love it.

The day after we got back a few of my friends got together with our kids. They completely surprised me with this cake. I feel truly blessed to have such great friends. I especially want to thank Meg's who made my day. After our cake eating event Meagan and I took off shopping with what seemed to be all over the state of Utah from Midvale to Lehi and back but, it was totally worth it. Thanks girls...you're the best and I miss you everyday.

Jamie, Meagan, Alyssa, Cydnee

I also want to thank everyone who called, emailed, blogged, or facebooked me on my birthday. I am so grateful that I have been blessed with the opportunity to live in so many places and to have met so many wonderful people. I know this is cheesy but, I often tell myself the best part of this life is sharing it with the people you love. :-)

Papa's work party at Wheeler Farm

It seems like between the time I started blogging our Utah trip Ike happened, the boys started school, and a whole slew of other things seemed to take place. So I am now back to wrapping up blogging our Utah trip.

While we were in Utah Brandon's dad's company had a work party at Wheeler Farm. Of course the entire family attended (Brandon's sister, her kids, us, and Papa and Grandma.) It was a blast. Each of the cousins had the opportunity to ride a pony, they served a yummy BBQ, and slid down huge slides. Thanks Papa for a fun night...we loved it. :)

Cousin Gabi

Cousin Grayson

Jace

Kai

Not an ounce of fear. :-)

Uncle Beano, Ninja Turtles, and Late Night Pizza

My brother Beano (Bryant) loves to spoil the boys every time we visit. He loves to buy them toys he knows I will never buy. Before Jace was even two years old he bought him a light saber that we "accidentally" left in Utah at grandma's house. Anyways, this time he bought them Ninja Turtle costumes and all of the weapons that come with it. The boys were ecstatic. They were so busy playing that it wasn't until 9:00pm that we realized we hadn't had any dinner. We quickly called up one of B's best friends Kurtis and his wife Jen and dragged them down to Litza Pizza for some late night pizza. :-)

Kurtis, Jen, Jace, Kai, Brandon