Glad to be Home

Well we left Denver on the 8 am flight on Wednesday. Isabella was full of energy but well behaved on the airplane. When we left it was 28 degrees and we arrived to a sunny warm day in San Fran.

We took the train downtown and hung out around the Embarcadaro and Pier 39. We tried to find a spot to store the luggage while we did some sight seeing - but there was nothing available. Unfortunately we had to haul the luggage around with us. As you can see from the picture - Isabella hitched a ride.


We had an oyster lunch and checked out the sea lions then hung out at a park to rest a bit. One thing I love about San Fran are the colors - there are so many beautiful plants and buildings - everywhere you look is life exploding. Even the people are colorful. I love the diversity.

I may steal the idea of the little vine cottage and create one for Isabella at our home. She loved hanging out in it!

We hopped back on the train and headed for the Oakland/Alameda area. We stayed with Ashish (Jeremy's boss) and his family. It was really nice - Jill - his wife - took such great care of us. We were totally spoiled.


On Thursday, we hung out in Monterey at the aquarium there. I think we spent close to 5 hours. Isabella checked out all the fish and there was a lot of interactive exhibits just for kids.

Here she is at one of the many touching pools. She not only got to feel seaweed and kelp, but also starfish, sea sponges and coral to name just a few.



Here she is hanging out in a big clam. One play area she was able to put on flippers and hold a fluke to see how it may feel to be a whale and move.

We watched the sea otters eat and train as well at learn about how vast and important the ocean is.

After we were able to drag Isabella out of the aquarium we headed up the coast and had dinner at a place called the Fishwife. We had a fantastic and very relaxed dinner. Our reward was this breath taking sunset. I felt really lucky that I got such a beautiful picture. Cars were stopped all along the road and folks were just hanging out watching the sun as it slowly set.

Friday we decided that we wanted to hang out at the beach since that is not something we get to do every day in Colorado.

We hung out with Jeremy's friend from college - Sonny - and his son Oliver. Oliver is about 4 and a half. He and Isabella played wonderful together most of the time.

As you can see - Isabella had a blast in the sand and water. She and Oliver played fetch with the dogs out getting exercise, tag with each other, they built sand castles and fish cars for Izi's mermaid dolls.

The water was cold so I didn't bring Isabella's swim suit - expecting her skirt to get wet but thinking that she would still be able to wear it. We were at the beach for about 20 minutes when it was too wet and we decided to take it off and let her run around in her panties.

She loved to run in and out of the waves and look for sea shells. We even saw some seals playing just beyond the surf - how cool is that?

When we were getting ready to leave, Jeremy and I took the pail - filled it with water and washed all the sand off of Isabella. We turned around to pick up our stuff and head to the car. As I looked back - there was Isabella - burying her legs in the sand. We eventually gave up - wrapped her in a towel and strapped her in the car seat. Then headed to Sonny's house to hose everything down.

We made it back to Ashish and Jill's just in time to help make a few pizzas and drink some wine. They have 2 kids as well. Nikhil is 5 and Ajay is 3. They all played so well together. Isabella misses them already.

Saturday Ashish took Jeremy and I to Sonoma for some wine tasting while Jill took the kids to a school fall carnival. California wine country is so beautiful. Their colors are changing as well. We came home with 5 bottles of wine. We had lunch in a little town close by - I had some of the best heirloom tomatoes - man! I will be picking up some seeds soon and starting them so I can have some next summer. I have been hearing a lot about them lately - but nothing I can say will match how good they taste.

We headed back to pick up Izi and then we had to head back to San Fran. We had dinner with Sonny, Sasha and Oliver then called it a night.

Here is a picture of Isabella all tucked in at the hotel bed - it is about 10 o clock and she was still wide awake.

Our flight out of San Fransisco was at 6 am Sunday. Isabella thought is was so cool waking up at 'night'.

Sunday was a nice relaxing day. Jeremy finished his book and I almost finished mine. Once I have a chance I will tell you all about it. I think a lot of folks use their blogs to share their favorite music and books - I don't know - maybe someone can share their favorites with us as well.

The big kids came home tonight and it was crazy like normal. Samantha's hair is getting long and curly. Every time I look at her, her beauty takes my breath away. Daniel is still on restrictions but he is happy enough. He got to hang out with his girlfriend a bit and he was bragging how he got 2 Bs on his Calc tests. He is doing well in school (knock on wood).

I have more to say - but I am getting tired. It is almost 11 and now that the kids are home - the days start early.

I hope everyone is enjoying their fall weather (hopefully the snow is melting up there in WY).

Love to everyone!