Happy Birthday Daddy!

Friday:

Well, we were off to San Francisco to surprise dad for his 70th Birthday which is actually tomorrow. We could not very well tell dad we were there so Tex, Garrett, Tristan and I decided to stay in the city and see the sights. We started off by having some breakfast in Socceleto, then we stopped to get some pictures of the Golden Gate. Here are some shots from the first day.

Koit Tower - The building on the left is a tribute to fireman.

Tex and Garrett went to the top. I waited with Tristan because he was asleep.

After going to Koit Tower we went down to the wharf to grab some lunch and go to the aquarium. It was so much fun!

We found Nemo....



...and Dori...



Garrett and TJ went through the "tube". Garrett showed him all the fish.



We saw Jellies,


Schools,



and Sharks.



We even got to pet the sharks!



While we were in the aquarium Patti called she met with us and stayed the night.

After hooking up with Patti we grabbed a bite to eat and then went out to see the Sea Lions. Tristan would not quit watching them, it was so cute!

FOR ALL OF YOU THAT I TOLD SHE SHAVED HER HEAD WHILE IN INDIA, SHE LIED! SHE SHOWED UP WITH A WRAP ON HER HEAD AND ALL OF HER HAIR. THE BRAT!
I AM SO HAPPY SHE IS HOME!

Saturday:

We got up and grabbed a bite to eat and Tex wanted to take a Trolley ride to Union Square and do some shopping so we were off. Here are a few shots from the ride...

See this biker, he was going strait up the hills you see in the picture above. He STOPPED at a red light and balanced until the light changed without putting his feet down. It was incredible!

Once we got to Union Square we walked around and did some shopping. There was a group from China doing a production and there in the corner of the square was a cute little coffee bistro. You could tell it was going to be great. I have always said that I would never order a Cappuccino unless I was in Europe because it just is not the same but I was willing to try it here. There is nothing like a great cup of coffee with your sister after she has been gone for 2 months.

This picture should say it all!

MMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM

THE PARTY

WE ALL MET AT TAO TAO IN SUNNYVALE FOR DINNER

THE SURPRISE

Before dinner Sue gave a nice thank you to dad, the guests, and introduced the kids to make individual statements. All the kids stood and spoke to give dad thanks. Patti gave her heart, Steve was to character, I was the crier, Wendy was heartfelt, and Lesa would not go after my cry fest. It was very nice! Dad came around afterwords and thanked each one of us!

THE CAKE - WHAT? NO 70 CANDLES

After the party Tristan started to get fussy so we left sooner that we probably would have. Of course he fell asleep as soon as we hit the car so Tex took us all across the Bay to get a view of the city at night. What a sight!

Sunday:


We slept in and then we went back to the pier to get one more sourdough bread bowl with clam chowder. I swear this is my favorite! While we were eating we had a great view of all the boats on the bay. Tex got this great shot of this catamaran in front of Alcatraz. After a few stops it was back to the airport. Which I might add was my worse day at the airport EVER! First I could not find my Id. Then I got selected for a security check. Once I got through security I realized I left me credit card out side. So I went back out and found the card. Then I got tagged for security again. Luckily we showed up early. Then I am playing with Tristan in the stroller pushing him back and the last time I pushed him a little too hard and he bonked his head on the stroller. I was miserable!

SNEAK PEAK

On the 18th we had family pictures done by Tiffany Hix, a local "life" photographer. She puts a picture on her blog just to tease us. It is a must see! I can't wait to see the rest! Here is her site.

The site is gone but here is one of our photo's:

 

Another day of rest.

Sunday was so nice. We all got up and pretty much did our own things. dad and Sue went for a club bike ride. Steve, Gail and the kids went for a bike ride and Tex and I went for a hike while Lisa watched Tristan.

Tex is so funny! During our hike he was collecting walking sticks. At one point he had to pull one out of the creek and then he lifted a log and dropped it over the creek so he could get to the other side. He is so silly.





In the afternoon we dropped Hanna and Garrett off on the zip line they had the time of their life. It was great for them. They went together without us and really had a bonding experience! It was so nice to see. When we got home from picking up Hanna and Garrett there was a fox right outside our cabin, Tex got some great pictures of it.




After everyone got home Tex made a great steak dinner. After dinner it was time for smores!

What a great weekend!

A walk throught the neighborhood...

After everyone had some breakfast a number of us decided to go for a walk Dad, Sue, Steve, Gail, Carrie, Colin, Lisa and I walked through the neighborhood. Colin was the tour guide. We decided to walk up hill first because it would be easier to come down later. We passed by a couple of very pretty creeks. At the end of one of the dead ends, Dad and Carrie got in a snowball fight. It has been raining here quite a bit so it was nice to get out of the house.

Good Morning!

Today we all woke up rather sporadically. Of course Hanna and Garrett were last to wake up! Tex was teaching Tristan how to play the bongos. Colin took note and we decided to go wake up Hanna and Garrett. Here is the aftermath!

Dad & Tristan

Colin playing the bongos

Garrett your so pretty!

Hanna your hot!

Happy Birthday Dad!

So, it is the beginning of memorial weekend and we headed to Tamarack to surprise my dad for his 70th birthday. Tex, Hanna, Garrett, Tristan, and I met my brother and his family to race up to Tamarack before my dad, sue and Lisa got there. It was close, we barely made it in front of them. I must say that it did help that dad got stopped twice by the Idaho State Police. He only got one ticket thought:) Somehow he got out of the 2nd ticket by telling the officer that he just got a ticket. That never worked for me! Here are some of the pictures Tex took from our cabin.






After dad settled in from brush with the law, Sue made a wonderful BBQ'd salmon dinner. Everyone was tired so we went to bed early.