Sun and Fun in San Francisco

Enjoying sun and flowers in San Francisco

Last week I had to travel to San Francisco for a training class. John and Hannah joined me mid-week. While I was busy learning all about tools and techniques to perform audits (yes, I know, riveting) John and Hannah were enjoying Frisco. They started off the day with a visit to Chinatown and of course Dim Sum for lunch. Hannah loves anything with shrimp in it. Then it was off for a cable car ride and then dinner with Mom. We had some awesome tapas at Bocadillos. We recommend this one if you are ever in San Francisco.

Next they were off to Fisherman's Wharf. They checked out the tall ships (always John's favorite)and the carousel. Hannah decided that they should ride in the "big seats" because it is safer for Daddy. :) They stopped for churros (a new favorite for Hannah) and topped off the afternoon with an ice cream sundae at Ghiradelli. Dinner was more great tapas and organic microbrews at the Thirsty Bear.

Saturday, was really fun (Mom was free from training finally!.) We went to Golden Gate Park for the day. First stop was the conservatory to see the tropical plants (another of John's favorites). Next we went to the Japanese Tea Garden and the art museum. We topped off our visit to the park with lunch at the Cliff House on the beach. Ok food, but great views! We wrapped up the day with a return to the Thirsty Bear for beer and tapas before heading back to Seattle.




Chinatown in San Francisco


Far East Market - Chinatown in San Francisco


Hyde Street Pier in San Francisco


"How many more pictures Dad?" Hannah on Hyde Street Pier in San Francisco


"Dad, how's this pose?" Really, the pose was her idea. :)


Hannah trying out the Captain's chair on the tall ship at the pier


Riding the carousel (from a safe vantage point) at Hyde Street Pier


Hannah "thinking" on the cable car in San Francisco


Hannah writing her prayer to God after walking the maze at Grace Cathedral


Hannah trying to lick the ice cream cone at the conservatory in Golden Gate Park


Hannah making a wish in the tea garden


Hannah posing in the tea garden at Golden Gate Park


John and Hannah at the Japanese tea garden in Golden Gate Park


John and Hannah atop the ladder bridge in the tea garden


Tea Garden view


Pond at the tea garden


Tea Garden view


Japanese temple in the tea garden at Golden Gate Park


Golden Gate Beach near the Cliff House Restaurant

Do the Hokie Pokie

Didn't take long for this little girl to catch on. While at a recent skating party, Hannah heard the Hokie Pokie music come on and raced out onto the floor to do the Hokie Pokie! Thought I'd share a quick video. :)

Happy Easter!

This year this sweet girl "got it" on multiple levels. She understood that Jesus died for us and rose again. This year, she also got that the Easter Bunny is one great guy that brings you candy and hides eggs (with more candy). In fact she got it so well this year, that she went straight to bed last night (the Easter Bunny only comes when you are sleeping)and woke me up at 3:30am to tell me that the Easter Bunny had come. Yep, you read that right, 3:30 AM!

I put her back to bed, gave her the stuffed bunny the Easter Bunny had brought and told her she couldn't eat any of the candy until the morning. Fast forward 3 hours and she comes running back into our room to show us what the Easter Bunny brought her, one thing at a time! Then she races downstairs to look for eggs. She ran around squealing and yelling out "I found another one" for about the next 30 minutes. Too cute!

We also bought these eggs that talk this year that say things like "I'm over here." It was hilarious watching her race about then screech to a halt when she heard the egg again. :) She finally found all the eggs although we did have to count a few times to make sure we got them all - don't want any nasty surprises later.

After the egg hunt it was off to church in our Easter finest and then Easter Dinner at Gordon Biersch. May not be ham and scalloped potatoes, but it was good. Here are a few pictures to share the day with our friends and family far away. Love you guys!


Easter started early at our house. Thanks Grandma and Grandpa! I love my video, the candy, the little figurine and the silly putty too. The bag was great for putting eggs in too. Happy Easter!


Look at all these colors


Decorating eggs


The little artist hard at work


Beautiful Eggs


Daddy. Look!


Here's one!


Another one!


Man, that Easter Bunny is tall.


Not a bad haul for a rookie.



Enjoying the spoils of the egg hunt.