I am not dead....

In fact, quite the opposite.  So what's happened in the last 4 months?  And WHERE have I been?!  Well, I am not stuck in SF, which some may assume since the last post was day 3 there.  We did return & since then.....

Matthew turned 6 (cue birthday song, or just hum it to yourself.  You're doing it now, aren't you?!) My mom & I went to a Josh Groban concert - oh yeah!  All 4 kids have returned to school (hallelujah chorus heard 'round about) My BFF Jill came to town (woot woot.  No more sound effects, I promise) Our friends from WI came to visit & we spent a night at the beach visiting Judd & I visited Las Vegas with friends from AK  I decided to go against my gut & volunteered to be the PTO treasurer (And this folks is where I lay all my "no more time for blogging" blame)  Our entire house got recarpeted thanks to an upstairs bathroom flood  We had family pics taken by a fantastic photographer Jordan & Tessa were sealed & we had the whole fam damily here for a Thanksgiving feast  Had a fun visit to our favorite pumpkin patch We had a family trip to Disneyland  Judd is now the 1st Counselor for the Sunday School &  I am now the RS Midweek meeting Chair (Enrichment leader) Christmas was super fantastic & we had Judd's family for Christmas dinner  Judd has lost an amazing 50+ pounds & I have lost 30+  And last but not least Savannah has lost a tooth & Matthew has lost 2.  The only problem is the tooth fairy is a boy but demands he is a girl & therefore always forgets to leave money simply because he is in denial of who he really is (Judd says I'm the tooth fairy & I say he's the tooth fairy.  Nobody has been the tooth fairy & it's not really working well in our "the tooth fairy really does exist" talks.)  You think we would have this figured out by now.


So there you have it.  I am NOT dead just busy, which I know is a lame excuse because aren't we all?  Hopefully I will come back & you will see pics & read stories & everything will be all peachy again. 

XOXO,
Kara

San Francisco Day 3

Wednesday was our 3rd day there & we really wanted to see/do some stuff so it was a busy day!

Keith & Vicki were staying at the same place so we met up with them & walked to Fisherman's Wharf.

I love how they deal with the slopes & driveways/doorways.  Such a work of art.

We walked around for a little bit then found these boat tours.  It was $15 per person & it was the best $15 I've spent in a long time!  It took us over to the Golden Gate Bridge, under it & back around.  Then it went all the way around Alcatraz then back to the dock.

 I was frustrated with the fog then realized that's what you get in SF.

 Alcatraz

more Alcatraz

back at the dock

We then hit a little local cafe for a yummy fish & chips lunch.  And that's when we decided to rent Go Car's.

This was truly a Dumb & Dumber moment.  If you have seen the movie (who hasn't?!) then you know what I mean.  These cars (word used very loosely) were basically a motorcycle engine 50cc.  They had a talking GPS in them.  You just followed the nice GPS lady & she'd tell you where to go to see all of the sights.  She would also give random info along the way.  We started off our journey & tried a very steep hill right off & the people walking on the sidewalk were going faster than we were.  I was laughing so I hard I almost wet my pants!  It was honestly so so fun, I would do it again tomorrow!!

 According to GPS lady this is Robin Williams house in Presidio (sp?)

 Taking a break in Golden Gate Park

 The Painted Ladies that Haley is obsessed with.  She plans to live in the yellow one.

 Going down the infamous Lombard Street in our little Go Car.

I love the flowers growing up the front of the house.

We also got to see the high school O.J. Simpson went to, the Japanese Gardens, Alamo Square, Baker Beach & so many others I can't remember.  If you go to SF it's a must do!

After that we walked to Pier 39, the biggest tourist trap in SF, & had dinner at the Hard Rock Cafe.  After dinner we walked around the pier a little then got a taxi & went back to the hotel.  We were all way to tired to walk the hills to get back.

Pier 39

San Francisco Day 1 & 2

July 25-29 Judd & I were in San Francisco.  I have never been there so I was really excited about the trip.  Now that I have come & gone I would love to go back!  It's such a great city, so much to do & the icing on the cake was the weather.

Monday we flew out & arrived safe & sound with much wind & bright blue sunny skies.  We stayed on Nob Hill at the Fairmont which was a beautiful hotel.

Our view

We dropped of our stuff then headed out to pound the pavement.

China town was only a few (but very steep) blocks away.

 After exploring china town for a little bit we headed back to the hotel in time for our dinner then went back out for a little after dinner.

A church just a block away.

Tuesday we met up with Marilyn.  A little background...Marilyn is Judd's client & has been for 7 years.  Her husband past away at the beginning of the year.  They used to come to San Francisco often to visit & she's been wanting to go back but didn't want to go by herself.  So when she found out we were going she booked her flight & hotel (after close examination of ours) & asked if we could spend some time with her while we were there.  She's a sweet lady & has really attached herself to Judd & I.  She has no siblings & never had children.  She is literally all alone besides friends. Her hotel was just a few blocks away so we walked over to get her then we all walked to the Embarcadero where we boarded a ferry boat to go to Sausilito.

 I know this place is a tourist trap but it was so beautiful I couldn't help but be an ignorant tourist!  In the pic above you can see how at the curve in the road it just drops off to the water & you get a gorgeous view of San Francisco.

We roamed around window shopping & just shopping.  We had lunch at Poggio's which was Bob & Marilyn's favorite place to eat in Sausilito.  It was yummy!

 I can't remember the name of this island but the homes start around 5 million (we were told by many of the locals).  Such a good deal that we bought two.  I'm teasing, of course. 

After hours of fun we boarded the ferry to go back.  The pic above is of Sausilito.  I was just in awe at the fog.  It was just sitting there, so pretty!

That night we got all pretty & were bused to City Hall where we had dinner.

Honestly one of the most beautiful buildings I've ever seen.  And this is inside.

After dinner we walked across the street to the opera house.  It was kind of a recognition/entertainment thing.

They brought out Dean Winters who plays Meyham from the Allstate commercials.  They gave us a preview of his new commercials.  So funny!

We knew there would be a musical performance but every year they keep it a secret so everyone spends the first few days trying to figure it out.  This year was...

 Carrie Underwood

 She would talk in between songs & ramble, so much that her band would just start playing over her when they thought she should be done.  Such a sweet girl & a great singer.  Not to mention that she is GORGEOUS!

One more just because

4th of July fun!

Brett, Jenny & kiddos came for a visit 4th of July weekend.  They got here Friday night & we were all so excited to see each other.

Here are some crazy kids all squished on the couch, so happy to be together!

Saturday we attempted Multnomah Falls but there was no parking so we went to Marine Park to play & go for a walk.

We thought we'd attempt a kids group shot.  Not too shabby, no tears.

The kids played so well together all weekend long...

 Coloring

 piano playing

 A group slide run

 The boys visiting

 Cohen LOVED the slide

of course Adalyn did too

Sunday night my Grandpa came for dinner but aside from his great presence it was play time as usual for the kiddos.

the parachute is always a hit

 We got to skype with Jordan & Tessa

And make s'mores

And of course there were a few fireworks that night to celebrate

Monday morning our ward did a 4th of July breakfast.  Honestly the best breakfast!  There were pancakes, eggs, hash browns, sausages & so much fresh fruit that I was quite the happy camper!

Brett & Jenny left for home after the breakfast.  The kids played so well together & we had such a fun weekend with them!  We are so glad they came down & can't wait for the next visit!!

That night we went to Thayne & Brandy's house.  They put on a fireworks show that lasted several hours with a finale that was over 3 minutes long & required 2 men to carry it out to the street because it was built on a sheet of plywood.  It was crazy fun!

 Luke & Matthew enjoying the show

I hope everyone had a fabulous 4th of July!

Graduation & Choir

Thursday June 9th was Matthew's Preschool graduation.  This was his second year there & he just loved the teachers & all of his tutors.  They had a really cute "hoppin' on" theme with frogs & lilly pads.  It made me think of my grandma, she loved frogs.  Here's a few pics...

 Their cute little stage all decorated

 Singing with friends

 Getting his certificate

 Eating snacks with his good buds J & H

 Matthew & teacher Deb, who is such an amazing teacher!  She went a few nights before to Matthew's last T-ball game & cheered him on.

This is Miss "K" (her last name is too long to pronounce or even remember).  She is the teacher over the high school students (aka tutors).  She is such a great teacher too.  Unfortunately this was her last year, she's moving back to the Midwest to be with her family.

That night was Savannah's choir performance.  Her choir teacher is so dedicated, it was such a great program!

 They all dressed as clowns.  Did I need to state the obvious?

 Singing her solo

 This is Miss Nina, Savannah's bus driver.  She wanted to come & support some of her kiddos who ride her bus.  Such a nice lady!

And this was the sky when we got home.  What a beautiful way to end a fabulous day!