San Francisco

Last week we took hasty trip to San Francisco. We drove out to Sacramento, stayed with friends the first night and went into the city the next day. We'd been warned about how cold it can be there, but we had planned on buying t-shirts or hoodies for everyone anyway. So, we all ended up with San Francisco hoodies after that first day. We ate fish and chips and clam chowder at the Wharf, shopped at Pier 39, and watched a lame street performer for far too long.

On the second day we took a bus tour and would have seen Alcatraz, but the tour wasn't going there that day. So we got to see the city from the bus, accompanied by a fair amount of information overload. We made stops at the Golden Gate Bridge where we walked out as far as the first tower, the beach, and Twin Peaks or Hills or something like that. (I may have not paid attention to everything the bus driver said.)

The last day we were there we fed a parking meter way too many quarters and walked down to China Town, where we bought a few sweets, some cheap toys, and an authentic Chinese lunch. The hot and sour soup was delish. Then we booked it back up the hill to the car, where the meter was expired and the parking cops were 3 cars away from ticketing us.

It was great fun, in spite of not being willing to fork over $70 for the cable car ride.

China Town

Fisherman's Wharf


At the beach near Fisherman's Wharf

Ghirardelli Square

So grown up!

Last Sunday, Buddy was ordained a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood. I am so happy that he made this decision to receive the priesthood. Today he was able to collect fast offerings for the first week, and pass the sacrament. He did a great job with both, and even said "those jobs are kinda fun."

What can I say? I'm the typical proud mother!

ouch!

Last Saturday, I caught Lemur's head with my eye. He was messing around on the floor and I made the mistake of bending down over him. He jumped up right as I bent over, and the top of his head hit me right under the eyebrow. The above picture is what it looked like in the morning, after many hours of icing, and Motrin. Very swollen, and a little purple. It got much more purple, and darker throughout that day.

The picture below is what it looks like today--less swollen, and a hideous shade of yellow around the outer edges. This picture doesn't show it well, but the darkness and yellowness has also fallen under the eye. At least I didn't catch him with my nose, or a tooth.

I've never been hit in the eye like this before. I used to think I would be able to hold my own in a fist fight, but now I'm thinking I wouldn't last very long. Unless perhaps I got the first hit in.

12 years ago

Yesterday we celebrated Buddy and Missy's 12th birthday. I can't believe how fast 12 years has gone. It seems like just yesterday we were walking around a colicky Buddy, telling Missy not to chase the cat, talking them to the first day of Kindergarten, teaching them to ride a bike. Now they're going to be starting Jr. High.

5K and Kids' K

Ben signed everyone up for a race this week. Buddy, Ben, and I ran the 5K; and the rest of the kids ran the Kids' K. Missy led the race for a while, and came in close to first (maybe 4th or so), Bug ran fast the whole way and had a great time, too. Mister ran the whole way and did great. About half-way around, Lemur grabbed his chest and said to his dad "My whole body hurts! Let's walk." My sentiments, exactly.

Ben got a great time at about 20 minutes. Buddy was about 30, and I ran my usual for a 5K, which was 35 minutes. I didn't train, and it had been a couple weeks since I had run, so I can't complain, really.

I found this blog on a friends' blog. It's hilarious. Sad to say, I could contribute quite a few photos.

This past Thursday, Buddy found a bird who he lovingly rescued from the neighbor's dog. The kids were so excited to take care of this new "pet", and put it in the cat's kennel to try to nurse it to health. We got some birdseed that we sprinkled in with him and game him a small bowl of water. Buddy wanted it to stay in his room with him that night, but we convinced him that it would keep him up or wake him early, and that he would be better off in the garage.

The next morning, as I was trying to give it some water, it opened its mouth like a baby awaiting food. We were able to drop a few seeds into its mouth and gave it water dropped from a syringe. Yesterday it chirped and chirped at us and was so cute. The kids adored it and loved taking care of it. But, we just couldn't replace the mommy bird, and this morning it passed on. Buddy and Missy are absolutely heartbroken.