After the Sea Lions we decided to go for a walk down the streets of San Fran and find some lunch!
Tuesday, 27 October 2009
You don't want to smell this!
In the City
The walk was quite beautiful... most of the streets are quite the sight to see!
A Segway Tour group in the park... wierd to see these actually being used (The Concord Mall Cops use them too... yes, just like Paul Blart!)
In the City
After 2 hours of walking and nothing open or fit for little Aaron, we decided to head back to Concord to stuff ourselves full at Old Spaghetti Factory!
On my way home!
After a quick shopping trip with Katie and little Aaron, I was on the train, then the bus and then the plane back home! It went by too quick, but was a great trip!
Sunday, 25 October 2009
Alcatraz & San Francisco
Today Katie, Ian, Aaron and I got up bright and early to take the BART in to San Francisco for our Alcatraz Tour. We made it into the city right about the time we needed to be at the Pier so we ended up catching a cab as it was tough to get our bearings as to where and what transit would be best!
Alcatraz was really quite a beautiful island with amazing views of the city... incredible agave gardens... even the old buildings were quite the sight to be seen. We decided we didn't want to bother with the audio tour and just walked about.
We attempted to wander through the Fisherman's Wharf but there was a children's Halloween event going on so it was way to busy to spend any time enjoyably at. We did make sure that we stopped to see the Sea Lions... can I even explain the stink? No... I can't in nice terms on the blog... but lets just say it was the most foul thing ever!
As it was about 1 o'clock we decided we needed to find some lunch as none of us had eaten anything yet except for Aaron who had a snack on the Alcatraz boat, and we did not want to stay at the Wharf, so we headed to North Beach (Italian area) walking up these steep beautiful streets only to find that all they had was crowded little cafes on the sidewalks. We kept wandering and wandering and eventually got stuck in the middle of Chinatown which pretty much looked like what you picture a crazy busy New York street to look like. It was very chaotic and it was about this point where we all started feeling tired and frustrated. We got out of there as fast as we could and finally saw a McDonald's in the Banking District and said, yes... lets go there... and it was closed!!! McDonald's was closed... weirdest thing ever. We even came upon closed Starbucks! Long story short... after 2 hours of walking and finding no food, we got back on the BART and headed back to Concord to go to the Old Spaghetti factory where we all completely cleaned our plates!
The rest of this evening has been us all lazing about... I went out to Walgreen's and Safeway to see if I could find anything fun to buy... but still, other than a couple souvenirs at Alcatraz, my shopping has been minimal! Katie, Aaron and I will be off to the mall tomorrow and then I will head for home. I can't believe how quick time has passed!
Alcatraz was really quite a beautiful island with amazing views of the city... incredible agave gardens... even the old buildings were quite the sight to be seen. We decided we didn't want to bother with the audio tour and just walked about.
We attempted to wander through the Fisherman's Wharf but there was a children's Halloween event going on so it was way to busy to spend any time enjoyably at. We did make sure that we stopped to see the Sea Lions... can I even explain the stink? No... I can't in nice terms on the blog... but lets just say it was the most foul thing ever!
As it was about 1 o'clock we decided we needed to find some lunch as none of us had eaten anything yet except for Aaron who had a snack on the Alcatraz boat, and we did not want to stay at the Wharf, so we headed to North Beach (Italian area) walking up these steep beautiful streets only to find that all they had was crowded little cafes on the sidewalks. We kept wandering and wandering and eventually got stuck in the middle of Chinatown which pretty much looked like what you picture a crazy busy New York street to look like. It was very chaotic and it was about this point where we all started feeling tired and frustrated. We got out of there as fast as we could and finally saw a McDonald's in the Banking District and said, yes... lets go there... and it was closed!!! McDonald's was closed... weirdest thing ever. We even came upon closed Starbucks! Long story short... after 2 hours of walking and finding no food, we got back on the BART and headed back to Concord to go to the Old Spaghetti factory where we all completely cleaned our plates!
The rest of this evening has been us all lazing about... I went out to Walgreen's and Safeway to see if I could find anything fun to buy... but still, other than a couple souvenirs at Alcatraz, my shopping has been minimal! Katie, Aaron and I will be off to the mall tomorrow and then I will head for home. I can't believe how quick time has passed!
Saturday, 24 October 2009
Babysitting Aaron!
Today I got to baby sit Aaron! Katie decided to go with Ian to the College football game. Aaron and I dropped them off at the BART and the went shopping at Sun Valley mall! We only bought Aaron a little outfit as I have never taken a baby to the mall alone before and it would be a bit more challenging for me to do a real shop!! After the mall we went for a drive through Martinez. I was hoping to find a park we could get out at, but didn't find anything that great. It really was a beautiful area. Aaron and I went back to the house and played with the laundry and the mail (yes, there was mail delivery here on a Saturday!). Before we knew it, it was time to go get Katie and Ian at 4pm! Aaron did excellent, as did Katie, for their first babysitting adventure!
I decided to go for a walk to check out the local palm trees and Katie decided to join me... 2 hours later and we finally made it back to the house! There was so much to look at and we met a really friendly lady with this huge Oregon Post Cactus in her front yard. Apparently it is 60+ years old and only blooms at night time. She was very excited to talk about it and invited us back later this evening to come see it. I don't know if we are going or not, but it sure is an amazing cactus!
Ian BBQed a great steak dinner for us that was ready when we arrived back which was awesome! Anyhow, it was a fun day... and we are all looking forward to tomorrow's San Francisco adventure!
PS. Mom, that GPS is awesome!!
I decided to go for a walk to check out the local palm trees and Katie decided to join me... 2 hours later and we finally made it back to the house! There was so much to look at and we met a really friendly lady with this huge Oregon Post Cactus in her front yard. Apparently it is 60+ years old and only blooms at night time. She was very excited to talk about it and invited us back later this evening to come see it. I don't know if we are going or not, but it sure is an amazing cactus!
Ian BBQed a great steak dinner for us that was ready when we arrived back which was awesome! Anyhow, it was a fun day... and we are all looking forward to tomorrow's San Francisco adventure!
PS. Mom, that GPS is awesome!!
Arrived in Concord!
I arrived in Concord safe and sound yesterday just after lunch time. It was quite a trip! Everything went smoothy and it was nice to leave the pouring rain in Langley only to arrive in Summer time in California. The view out my plane window was quite amazing as we were flying over the Napa Valley... I have already seen some incredibly large palm trees that I am in love with... I had a homeless man help me buy a train ticket (I actually did need help so I didn't mind tipping the $1). The Oakland transfer point at Bart is a little scary... It made me think of every scary subway scene I have seen in movies over the years!
Little Aaron has been so much fun! He has gotten so much bigger and because I have been here for much longer than usual he has gotten really comfortable with me. After initially giving me a funny scrunched nosed 'who are you?' kinda look... he has been trying to feed me his mum mums and give me his water... we also bounced on my air mattress together and he masicred the bag of a little treat I bought for Cali at the Safeway earlier in the day (sorry Cali!!).
Katie and Ian have a beautiful home... Katie made me 2 awesome meals yesterday and we just spent the day around the house talking which was perfect as I was so tired from such a long trip (got up at 4:30am, left the house at 6am... drive, boarder, drive, plane, bus, train, transfer to another train arriving in Concord about 12:30) Sorry Mom! This trip is much longer and does cost more than going to Victoria!!
Currently its 8am and I have been up for an hour researching all the fun to be had in San Francisco... the rest of the family is still sleeping. Ian has football tickets for this afternoon, so Katie is still deciding whether or not to go. I think she probably will as Aaron was so comfortable with me yesterday! I will post more later! (and post pictures when I arrive back home!)
Little Aaron has been so much fun! He has gotten so much bigger and because I have been here for much longer than usual he has gotten really comfortable with me. After initially giving me a funny scrunched nosed 'who are you?' kinda look... he has been trying to feed me his mum mums and give me his water... we also bounced on my air mattress together and he masicred the bag of a little treat I bought for Cali at the Safeway earlier in the day (sorry Cali!!).
Katie and Ian have a beautiful home... Katie made me 2 awesome meals yesterday and we just spent the day around the house talking which was perfect as I was so tired from such a long trip (got up at 4:30am, left the house at 6am... drive, boarder, drive, plane, bus, train, transfer to another train arriving in Concord about 12:30) Sorry Mom! This trip is much longer and does cost more than going to Victoria!!
Currently its 8am and I have been up for an hour researching all the fun to be had in San Francisco... the rest of the family is still sleeping. Ian has football tickets for this afternoon, so Katie is still deciding whether or not to go. I think she probably will as Aaron was so comfortable with me yesterday! I will post more later! (and post pictures when I arrive back home!)
Monday, 12 October 2009
Happy Thanksgiving
Thanks to Stephanie for putting on a nice thanksgiving dinner! I think everyone brought a little something and it was alot of fun! (Check out Julie's blog for more pictures!!)
Here's my nieces eating my cupcakes! I always have to photograph this!!
I guess Katie, Ian and Aaron have to wait till November for thanksgiving being in the states now!! (hope you guys had a good time either way!)
Here's my nieces eating my cupcakes! I always have to photograph this!!
I guess Katie, Ian and Aaron have to wait till November for thanksgiving being in the states now!! (hope you guys had a good time either way!)
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Thanksgiving fun at the Pumpkin Patch!
Yesterday, a group of us, (Mom, Dad, Jeanie, Julie, Greg, Stephanie and I) spent time with Cali, Lilah and Declan at the pumpkin patch! Not everyone is going to be able to get together for Thanksgiving dinner tomorrow so this was the perfect opportunity to have some family fun!
Saturday, 3 October 2009
Minter Gardens & Wildcat Grill
After Mom's afternoon birthday party, I went with Mom and Elliott to Minter Gardens. Elliott and I took pictures while mom enjoyed all the flowers... then it was off to Wildcat Grill for dinner. I think Mom had a great time over all today!
Happy Birthday Mom!
Happy Birthday Mom/Nana! We had a lunch for Mom with all the family that could be here today so we ended up with 3/4 of the grandkids!
We all brought something to contribute... I brought cupcakes (whatelse?!)
We all brought something to contribute... I brought cupcakes (whatelse?!)
Good Luck Ian, Katie & Aaron
Ian, Katie and Aaron are now officially living in Concord, CA. Best of luck to you guys... it will be an adventure for sure! I can't wait to come visit and check things out... 3 weeks away!!
I picked up Mom and Elliott at the airport in Bellingham yesterday (that's their plane arriving). It sounds like they had quite the drive down to San Fransisco and were happy to see everyone get settled in their new home.
I picked up Mom and Elliott at the airport in Bellingham yesterday (that's their plane arriving). It sounds like they had quite the drive down to San Fransisco and were happy to see everyone get settled in their new home.
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