A few pictures of James

So, I mentioned earlier that our camera died on Christmas Day.  Terrible timing, eh?  Actually, it was pretty great timing (well, besides the fact that we didn’t get many pictures on Christmas).  This way, Dan could take back all the presents I got him and buy himself a new camera instead:)  Haha.  I really only bought him 2 things . . . . a new coat and the iPad.  He decided he didn’t like the coat anymore (even though he really wanted it a few weeks before) and we just couldn’t justify keeping the iPad and buying an expensive camera as well (he got the Nikon D7000).  But Dan is really excited about his new camera, and of course I love the cute pictures he takes of our kids, so really, it’s a win-win!  Merry Christmas to the both of us! 

One day he took James outside in my parents’ backyard to play around with the new camera.  He got some cute shots of our little boy!

Pictures taken 12/28/11.  James – almost 21 months.

Marine World

Ok, I know it’s really called Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, but we still refer to it by it’s old name, Marine World.  This place is really fun because it has lots of rides, plus all kinds of animal shows.  They have a little zoo section as well, but we didn’t really make it down to that part of the park this time.  We were greeted by these holiday characters as soon as we entered the park.

The kids just love going on all the rides with their cousins.

It started to drizzle a bit . . . . good thing I had Annie’s hood to keep me covered!  I had to give it up when she got off the ride and wanted it attached back onto her coat. 

We escaped the rain by going to the dolphin show.  Gotta love those dolphins!

The Shuka Show is always a favorite as well.

Half the group went off to the big rides in the afternoon, so this is the mom/kid group:

Well, the rain was a little miserable during lunch and through the early part of the afternoon, but I think the kids had a fun day, and that’s all that matters, right?  I’m still glad we did it, but next time we’ll go in the summer:)

San Francisco

Thursday we headed up to San Fran!  It was our only good day to go, so we couldn’t be picky about the weather, but wow, was it foggy!!  Very common for San Francisco to be like this and when we were driving into the city it really took Dan and I back to the years we lived there.  But when you’re visiting just for the day and taking someone who hadn’t been since he was 12 (Spencer) you really really want a gorgeous clear day.  Oh well.  We still had fun! 

We started off on the Golden Gate.  When the skies are clear, the view from the bridge is breathtaking.  When it’s foggy, well . . . . we couldn’t see a darn thing!  We couldn’t even see the water below, which makes it a little creepy. 

“This fog’s as thick as peanut butter!”  “You mean pea soup.”  (Name the movie:)  I mean, seriously!  Look at how the bridge just disappears into the fog! 

Then we headed on over to the Palace of Fine Arts.

My sister, Ashley, with Kristen’s baby, Jacob. 

Feeding the ducks and birds with the only thing we had . . . . fish crackers:) 

The Newlyweds!

When we were just about finished walking around the Palace of Fine Arts, Brigham called saying they were almost there and to meet them at Pier 39 (Brigham and Steph’s family, and my mom, drove up a little later).  So we headed on over to Pier 39!

After eating lunch at a pizza place upstairs, the kids were very anxious to ride the carousel!  James kept saying, “Horsie Ride!”

And of course we had to go over and see the stinky seals!

From Pier 39 we walked our way through Fisherman’s Warf and into Bush Man territory!

And then up to Ghirardelli Square for our free chocolate sample:)  I was really wanting to go in and order hot fudge sundaes, but the line was crazy long!  Next time:)   

All of us except for Dad and Michael, who couldn’t come because of basketball.

Then one last stop before heading home . . . . Lombard St!  Always a blast.  Can you spot me and Ash hanging out the windows?

And here comes Katherine looking like Miss America!

And Steph!

Ash was sure having fun on all the steep streets!

We couldn’t stay in the city too long, because we had to get back for our cousin Johnny’s baptism.  Today was his 8th birthday, and we were happy we could be there.  We celebrated with cake and ice cream at the church following his baptism.  A great way to end the day!