San Francisco and beyond

Chris had a 4 day weekend recently, and we took advantage of it. After work on Thursday, we drove up to San Francisco and stayed at a hotel on Lombard Street. We walked to dinner in the neighborhood, and had the most tastey Thai food. Yum! I'm such a sucker for Thai curry. The next day we went to the Golden Gate Bridge. It was the most perfect, beautiful day - upper 60s and gorgeous sunshine. It is 1.7 miles across the bridge. Our plan was to walk across the bridge and take a trolley or ferry on the way back. I wasn't able to do enough research before we went and found out there that there was no access to the ferry or trolley anywhere near where we came out on the other side of the bridge. So, we walked the 1.7 miles back. We got some good exercise, and it was a great way to enjoy the beautiful weather.

Golden Gate Bridge

Alcatraz

After our walk, we drove around the city. First we went down Lombard Street and saw some of the famous views. Some of the hills were so steep, I was a little scared to drive up them. Then we went down the crooked part of the street which was paved with bricks. It was pretty cool. We saw Coit tower and some other cool buildings. This was a good way for Chris and I to see the city, and Claire could catch a nap in the car. After our driving tour, we headed to Roxy's, a tiny sandwich shop that was recommended to Chris from one of his friends who is a native of San Francisco. We originally planned on going around the city some more, but Chris was a little under the weather and we were kind of tired. Also, we didn't want to get stuck in rush hour traffic there. We also were originally hoping to go to the temple in Oakland, but our babysitter fell through. Another time. We had a great time in San Francisco, and since we're only a couple of hours away, we will definitely go back.


Saturday morning, we went out for our usual bagels. Mmm. Later in the morning, we met our friends and followed them to a pumpkin patch. There were lots of huge, beautiful pumpkins. We got one that we're going to carve tonight for family home evening. We had a great time with our friends too.





Monday morning, we decided it was a beautiful day to go paddle boating in Monterey. There is a big pond across from the ocean and next to the Dennis the Mennace park that we sometimes take Claire to. We rented a boat for an hour and had a very relaxing ride. There's somethine extremely relaxing when you're in a boat, and all you can do is chat and relax with those you love. Ahhhh.




Overall, things are going great here. I am teaching more piano lessons and now have six students with another one possibly starting soon. It was so much easier to find students here than it was in Rochester. I'm really enjoying teaching students of various levels and ages. My youngest student is 5 and my oldest is probably in her 40s.

Claire is more entertaining than ever. Lately we've been working on potty training. She has been showing signs of readiness for a while, but I was too chicken to start, so I procrastinated. She has been very successful so far, going about once a day in her potty. We try more, but she doesn't always need to go. This morning though, she told me that she needed to go, twice, and she did both times! It was very exciting.

Claire was wearing a hoody her Oma sent her. She looks so much older in this pic!

A beautiful rainbow in our neighborhood one afternoon. There was a double rainbow for a while.

Cute pig tails. :)

We had the warmest weather we have had since we moved here last week. It was so warm (around 80) that I got out Claire's kiddy pool. She had a lot of fun. :)

Lovingly looking at the giraffe.

Cute outfit - touching her nutton.