One of the all time best pictures

This pictures gets a post all to itself. It has to be one of my all time favorites of my hubby. Wow, Darin, you look good! You handsome devil you! I love you so much! Woo Wee!

 

More GGB

 
 
 
 

Golden Gate Bridge

 
 
 
 

Visiting San Fransisco

 
 
 
 

Visiting Fort Point and Gold Gate Bridge

 
 
 
 

Visiting San Fransisco

 
 
 
 

Visiting San Fransisco

 
 
 
 

Visiting the Snow Family

We have lived in the Central Valley for 5 years now. I can't believe it has been that long. Along the way we have met some really great people. Included in that bunch is the Snow family. They are a really neat family of 3 little boys and one girl. Jon and Cami are a really fun couple and we are always so impressed with them as parents. Cami is one of the kindest and most giving women I know. Well a year and a half ago they had to move! We were so sad to see them go. Last weekend we had the chance to go and visit them in the Bay. We had an absolute blast! We have never been to San Fransisco as a family and we wanted the chance to take our kids just in case we ever leave CA. The Snows were the best hosts and we are so glad they were willing to take on our wild herd of girls. I think they probably have to drive everyone around the bay when they come to visit so I am sure some of what we did was routine for them, but they were so kind and let us drag them all over. We loved seeing 3 of the 5 bridges-the San Mateo, the Golden Gate and the Bay. The girls thought the first bridge was like a roller coaster! We saw the most incredible section of coast line. For a flower lover, it was joyous to see places where flowers actually grow naturally on the side of the road- and no they were NOT weeds. I can see why so many nurseries lined the road. Then it was on to the beach. We didn't stay long, but just long enough for the kids to get wet! (I had to mention it Jon. I know it was your favorite part!) We have seen quite a bit of coastline and this was a very pretty section along Half Moon bay. We then headed to the Golden Gate bridge, but of course in typical bay style, we had to get stuck in major traffic. But the Celtic music helped pass the time, plus the graffiti on the houses allowed us to see the cultural side of SF. :o) Who knew there was that much graffiti in SF? But once we got there, the bridge was amazing. I have only been in SF one other time and that was for a wedding at the Oakland temple and we crossed over to San Fransisco for lunch and that was all. On that day, the fog was fairly thick and we couldn't even see the bridge. On this Saturday it was picture perfect weather. There was not an ounce of fog, nor were there clouds in the sky, just lots of sunshine. We walked to Fort Point under the bridge. It is an American fort built before the bridge was constructed. It was used with canons. The walls were THICK! And the view was spectacular. The stairs were spiral and it took all my will power to not be scared by them myself. I'm a wimp when it comes to heights and no railings! yea yea I know it is pathetic! Then we walked on to the bridge itself. We could see so clearly to downtown and the surrounding area. It was awesome! And we didn't even get arrested after Sarah threw a rock over the bridge. Eee gads! It only says all over the place that it is a misdemeanor to throw anything over the railings. Of course, big sister told her to do it. Yikes! Their curiosity got the best of them. Actually they hadn't read the signs and I had to explain that they could kill someone below if they pegged them with a rock from that far up. So glad no one was going under us at the time. Lesson learned by Mom and Dad. Make sure your kids read the signs!!!! Then we took oh about a 6 mile walk round trip to Fisherman's Wharf. It gave us a chance to gain a hearty appetite for fish and chips and clam chowder in sour dough bread bowls. The parks along the coast there go on and on and we got the chance to see some of the ritzy parts of SF along the way. On Sunday we enjoyed Church in Jon and Cami's ward. I was so impressed with Ellie. She went to sunbeams without me! I teach her in our ward and I thought for sure that she would throw a fit about not having me stay with her. I was so proud of her, she put on a brave face and I got to sit next to Darin in Sunday School and next to Cami in RS. How fun!!! I haven't been able to do either one of those things in such a long time! I had so much fun with Cami and their daughter Kate in RS. It made me miss Cami even more! They have the funnest boys and I adore their daughter Kate. She gave me a hug not long after we got there. I think she knew that it would melt my heart and make me her buddy for the weekend. I loved every minute she let me hold her. After Church, we headed to the Oakland temple. They have a touching presentation on the family that we participated in. (we highly recommend it!) Then we walked the grounds. At the Oakland temple you can walk on the roof and enjoy the views from there. It is gorgeous! I wanted to sign up to cut the hydrangeas!!!!! Thank you Cami and Jon for a very fun weekend with you and your kids. It couldn't have been better! Oh and one other side note. I had waited YEARS to see SF. I couldn't wait to take pictures. And of course what do I do? I leave the camera at home. I think my girls almost heard their mother say a few unpleasant words when I realized it on the way into SF. Thankfully Cami was kind enough to let us borrow her amazing Canon Rebel and in the end we got even better pictures than we would have with our camera. All I want for Christmas is a Canon Rebel, a Canon Rebel, a Canon rebel. Gee if I could only have a Rebel now, then I could really take your picture! giggle giggle! Please Darin?!?!?!
Forgive me if I put WAY too many pictures on here. I just can't help myself.

Last Day of School

It is always satisfying to watch our children grow. Nothing makes you realize how fast time is passing like the first and last day of school. This year's last day of school was really fun and I was very excited to have my girls all home with me. Their report cards were AWESOME. Abby, Kate and Sarah all did really well and we certainly had reason to celebrate. On the last day of school the girls got out at 12:30 so we called Darin and asked if we could meet him for lunch. We celebrated with a picnic lunch at a local park near his work. And then that night the girls had banana splits. We are so proud of you Kate, Abby and Sarah. Great job! You have worked hard and we hope you will always value learning. Love you much!