Spring into Summer!

I'm sure I made the connection earlier in life, but its lovely that the 2 transition seasons' names are also verbs.  (This is what my "baby brain" is doing to me.)

Devin, Yeti and I received some visitors this past winter/spring - one repeat visitor (Mom, on her 5th trip) and a few newbies to the Bay Area...

As it turns out, we once again live in the same state as Pete's best friend, Joey Schaad, and this coincidence was enough to entice him to visit in February.  That said, he spent 24 hours with me and the rest of the week fly-fishing in northern California with Joey.  To Pete's credit, he has visited me in each state we've lived - Arizona (Joey), Colorado (the Avalanche) and now California (Joey again.)  ;)

Pete had a whirlwind tour of the city and the perfect day for it!  We had a nice morning walk from our house up to Twin Peaks, breakfast complete with Irish coffee, and a drive through the city and across the Golden Gate bridge.

View from Twin Peaks

Breakfast at the Buena Vista Cafe

We're on one side of the bridge...

...we're on the other side.

That night Devin and I drove Pete up to Winters, CA and met Joey for dinner before the two boys continued north.

Later that week, 4 new guests arrived.  Mom, Dad, Patty, and Jim descended upon San Francisco for a long weekend filled with wonderful food, fabulous wine, sight-seeing, and of course, a nap or two!  The four of them did the Alcatraz tour, we spent a few days hanging out in the city, and 2 days in wine country.  I really only have a few pictures of their trip and most are from our time with wine.

Nothing on the vines at that time of year, but the mustard grass was incredible!

Yep - even surrounded by vineyards they couldn't forget about Words with Friends.

The boys were happy.

Upon our return to San Francisco.

That's all I have!  I feel bad because it's not the best representation of their time here.  We were busy and had a lot of fun!  Thank you so much for visiting Mom, Dad, Patty, Jim, and Pete!

Until next time...

Suz Comes Back to California

September 20-24

Toward the end of September, Mom came back out to California for a long weekend.  I surprised her with a trip south to Carmel and Big Sur, we visited Berkeley, and she ran errands with me - something that is so much better when your mom is with you.  

**As a side note, it's funny how I see my family: feast or famine.  I saw Jill a week prior to Mom's visit, and a week after Mom left I went to MN for a long weekend.**

Suz arrived in San Francisco on Thursday morning, and after a quick trip into the city to have a manicure and collect Yeti, we headed south on the Pacific Coast Highway (much like Devin and I did in July).  

Our first "stop" was the 17-Mile Drive at Pebble Beach.  What a stunning drive - makes me want to play golf.  Or at least know someone who likes golf enough to live there!  Here are some pictures:   

 My copilot - wanting to look at the scenery but also read about the sights we were driving past.

Mom liked my parking job.

Crazy cyprus trees. 

  The Lone Cyprus Tree 

The 18th Hole at Pebble Beach 

We made it to Carmel for the sunset and then checked into our little cottage at Forest Lodge.  It was such a lovely little place!  We found a great place for dinner and then called it an early night - very relaxing...

Bad mom - didn't bring Yeti a water dish!

On Friday, we took our time getting up, ate breakfast in our room, and then did a little shopping in Carmel.  Our timing was great: as we were out wandering around we saw the 747 with Endeavour fly over the city!  Pretty amazing but I was unable to get a picture.  :(

Eventually we left town and continued south on Hwy 1.  I wanted to get to Nepenthe for lunch and we did that before turning around and making our way back to San Francisco.  Some pictures:

Bixby Bridge

View from Nepenthe

Patio at Nepenthe

And this was parked in the Nepenthe parking lot... awesome.

After a late lunch we headed back to San Francisco.  It was a quick trip South, but we has such a nice time.  The rest of Mom's visit went quickly, as they always do.  I'm hoping that next time she comes out here she'll bring Dad with her!  I think he'll like Northern California!

Thank you for visiting Mom!  I love having you here...

S~S~S~J~J~J~V~E

June 28 - July 3

Chicago, IL circa 1999?

There are very few emotions that can compete with the happiness I feel when I am with my friends.

At the end of June, seven of my favorite people descended upon San Francisco for a Mother/Daughter weekend; an effort we have been making, almost yearly since 1998, to spend time together.  I have grown up surrounded by the unconditional love of this group of women, and for that I will always be thankful...

Stillwater, MN circa 2000                                                                                  Winnipeg, Manatoba circa 2002

San Francisco, CA 2012

We spent time walking (and walking) around San Francisco, tasting wine throughout Sonoma county, eating delicious food, talking, laughing, and pondering the ocean.

I am going to include pictures from the weekend, but to get a better idea of our time together, follow the links to Jess Williams' posts:

One 

Two 

Three

Four

Moshin Winery - our favorite

Redwoods

Lagunitas Brewery

Castro Theater for the Grease Sing-A-Long

Union Square

Near Fisherman's Warf

It was such a fantastic weekend - and of course it went by too quickly.  I am anxious to begin planning another trip for the 8 of us.  

I love you ladies.  Until our next adventure...