Trip to Cali part 2

Our vacation started Wednesday with a long drive to Northern California. Luckily it was overcast most of the way. It made driving so much nicer and the day so much cooler. But once we hit Donner's Pass, it got a lot cooler.



We stopped in Truckee for gas and the temperature was 36 degrees. We got to drive in a bit of a snowstorm as we came down the pass. But it really was pretty (and mind blowing to see snow the end of May).

We got there Wednesday night and spent the evening relaxing and unpacking the car. Thursday was a pretty lazy day. I went shopping with Merna, April and the little boys at the outlet mall. It started raining (hard) so we went home and spent the afternoon talking and playing. Friday we went to San Francisco and this was the first thing we saw.


It was really cool to go to San Francisco. As we drove through the streets I had many thoughts. First, I was amazed at how many streets, buildings, etc. reminded me of Uruguay.


Another thought was how much I wanted to be watching "What's Up, Doc?" with Barbara Streisand and Ryan O'Neal. Then we went down Lombard Street.


I know it's not a good picture, but I really felt like I was part of that movie. So cool. Maybe no one else will think it that cool. But I felt like I was in a car chase and was going to end up driving into the bay ("they drove in", "into the country?" "no, into the bay").


This is Joseph playing with the birds ("touch, bird" "Joejoe, touch bird") We could have only done that and he would have been perfectly happy.


Here are my two beautiful boys with the bay in the background. Alcatraz is to their right just out of the picture.


This is the closest we got to Alcatraz. Maybe without little kids it would be fun to go on a tour. But not really interested with the kids.

Following are some of the pictures of the pier. We really didn't take that many. But we did have fun. We went to the aquarium they have there. Pretty cool. It's small, but you get to walk under the aquarium and the fish are swimming over your head. So cool.


Joseph looking at the pier.

Joseph and I posing in front of the anchovies tank. The boys (Joseph and his cousin Jace) loved watching the fish go round and round.


Josh and Joseph watching the fish (and the sharks) swimming overhead.


More fish swimming round and round.


Joseph being a shark.


I don't even need to tell you what this is.


All the sea lions basking in the sun. I couldn't believe how many there were. Pretty cool.

After this we drove over to Ghirardelli Square. We didn't spend much time there (about 10 minutes) but we did get some chocolate. So yummy. I wish I would have bought more than just a little square.


Joseph enjoying his chocolate.


Lamps.


Here are Joseph and Jace enjoying blueberries together. Notice the blue stains on their mouths. These two had so much fun playing together (as long as the one wasn't taking a toy from the other). They shadowed each other almost everywhere. So cute to watch them having fun.


Jumping on the trampoline. Their favorite "downtime" activity.

Saturday the boys (meaning Jake and Josh) went white water rafting, while Merna and I took the kids to the Folsom zoo. Unfortunately I forgot my camera and I'm still waiting for copies. But they had a lot of fun. There is a little train that goes around the zoo that the little boys just loved. Then we went to the park right there and let the kids play.

They also had a car show going on at the time so Joseph had to touch every car there. I wish I had some pictures of that.

Sunday after church we went for a walk down to the lake about a mile from their house. It was just enough of a walk that we worked up a sweat by the time we got there.

The water was cold. But it felt good on our tired feet. Jace and Joseph had fun throwing rocks in the water. I think they were having a contest to see who could throw in the largest rock. For little guys, they sure threw some big rocks.

Here is a big part of the crew. Merna, Kallie, April and Jake.


Here are my boys enjoying the sun.


After we'd been there a few minutes, Jake said he'd give anyone who went all the way in $10. I need to reiterate that the water was quite cold. No one wanted to take him up on his offer. Shortly before we left I thought I might try it. I was wet from the waist down because of Joseph, so I figured it wouldn't be too bad to go the rest of the way in.


Here I am getting into deeper water.


When I hit that water I almost gasped. As I came up I was trying to get out of the water but I couldn't breath it was so cold. Great big adrenaline rush.


It probably took me 5 minutes to get out of the water I kept slipping and sliding on the rocks. I still have bruises on my legs. But it was so fun. And so worth it.

Then on Monday we went to the Jelly Belly factory. Again, I didn't take many pictures. But we had fun and the Jelly Bellies are so yummy. Fun fact: I found out Jelly Belly makes candy corn. That's about my favorite candy. And theirs is so much better than any other candy corn I've ever had.


After Jelly Belly we went back into the car. Joseph was doing such a good job in the car. He's never been in his car seat for more than an hour and a half. And almost every day he was in the car for two or more hours. What a little trouper.


He knows the routine now.


Getting ready for another trip.

We drove to the Sacramento temple to look around and take pictures. Joseph fell asleep in the car and wasn't too excited when he got woken up to take pictures.


Crying cuz Daddy got his hair wet with the water fountain.


Mesmerized by the water fountain.


Kallie mesmerized by the fountain.


Temples are pretty every where. I love the flowers and plants around every temple.


Joseph going for a walk with Daddy around the fountain.


Standing in front of the temple.


Pointing out Moroni. He knows what that thing is in Moroni's mouth and loves to make trumpet sounds when he points to him.


Merna, April and Kallie.


Okay, Mom, take another picture.

After the temple we went back and packed up the car. Then we went out to dinner at the best Mexican restaurant in the world. Dos Coyotes. If I lived in Cali I would eat there every...well, week at least. Maybe just once a month. But dang, it is good.

After dinner we came home. It was a LONG trip home. Joseph didn't sleep the whole way and most of the time he was awake, he was screaming.

We got home about 6:30 Tuesday morning. Then we slept for the rest of the morning.

We had such a fun trip. Totally thanks to Jake and Merna for turning their house over to us. Thanks to April for coming with us and taking care of Joseph in the car. We can't wait until the next vacation.


Joseph is perpetually on vacay with his Jelly Belly hat. Such a little cutie. He keeps asking about Jace and always asks "where's April?"