Staycation to SF!

As all of our immediate family is very close in proximity to us, we never have an excuse to travel during the holidays to visit anyone.  So, we decided to book a night in SF for a little mini two day staycation for our family while Josh has some time off.  It turned out to be a total blast filled with adventure, and we're ready to sign up for a weekend away with the fam again very soon.  We didn't really plan a single thing for our mini trip, and even booked the hotel the night before.  Once in the car, we choose to head to the Academy of Sciences in Golden Gate Park first, for a little animal and science fun to start the day.  They always do such a nice job for the holidays there too, with real reindeer, bubble snowfalls and giant balloon snowman, it's hard to stay away during Christmas. 

 

 

While it was quite chilly outside, we decided to take a walk through GGP afterwards, and of course, found a playground, and then the Conservatory of Flowers.  The Conservatory had a beautiful train display for the holidays which the kids loved of course.  

  

 

The kids were really excited about seeing our hotel, so we headed to Union Square around check-in time (with a detour along the way to see our old apartments).  Union Square at Christmas time is truly magical with the enormous tree, ice skating rink and Macy's all decked out.   We stayed right on the Square on the top floor which was certainly special!!  After learning that there was a THREE hour wait at the Cheese Cake Factory for dinner at 4:30 (what??), we picked a small diner up the street for some easy food, and then wandered around looking at the Christmas decorations when it was dark outside. 

 This sugar holiday display in our lobby was spectacular!

 milkshake treat!

 We all piled into one king bed....by the end of the night Josh was sleeping at the foot of the bed, and I was fully kicked off.  The kids love to cuddle, but they're just getting too big to all be in one bed.

Today we ate breakfast in bed (what a treat!), dropped our stuff in the car, and headed out for another day of adventure.   First up- A & C's first Muni bus ride down to Fisherman's Wharf.   We found a relatively empty bus which was a perfect first trip.

 

Lunch overlooking the water, treat stop at Ghiradelli, and then a lonnnggg wait for their first cable car ride!

 What a great two day break from being home with the holiday madness.  I'm already looking forward to our next weekend away adventure!

Cousin Time and Basketball

Late post:
We went up to visit with my Aunt Mary Ann and Cousin Tiffany and her kids earlier this week.  It's crazy, but my kids have actually never met Tiffany's kids, so it was sweet to have them finally meet each other.  Of course the two boys took a whole 30 seconds to be totally and completely comfortable with each other, and played the entire afternoon.  Here they are: Jake (6) and Aiden (7) putting on a show of Christmas music for us all.  I definitely have to make more of an effort to get down to Fresno to see my Mom's side of the family, as how can these two second cousins never see each other?? 

Later that day, Josh took Jake over to a Cal basketball game for the evening.  It sounds like it was a good game, and we even saw the players out shopping in SF the next day.  Jake is sporting his new Cal basketball shorts for the game.

Merry Christmas!!!

Wow, what a day Christmas was yesterday!!  I was up at 5 baking desserts for Christmas dinner when Jake came downstairs about 5:45am...quite early for him, but understandable.   He promptly woke up Josh and then ran up to wake up his sissies.  Here is what they woke up to:

Stockings came first- per their request, they were filled with blind bags, treats and craft stuff.

Then present time!   Santa fit two little bikes down the chimney for C & A this year, and Jake's special gift was his own Nook to read and learn on.

  lots of sports and workout gear were gifted this year!

 

After the wrapping madness was complete, the girls had to give they new rides a spin.  They LOVE their new bikes!

 
Around lunch time, both sides of our families joined us here for a Christmas celebration.  Like last year, it worked out great!   After an early dinner, some of us walked up to the Christmas light street near our home, and then returned for a good game of Christmas charades.

 

   The kids were SO happy to have both Cousin Emma and Tia Erica to run around and play with after dinner!  Watching Baby Duke toddle around the house was also a highlight for us all.

Merry Christmas dear family and friends!!  Thank you for all of your incredibly generous gifts!