Valentine's Traditions: Part I

Messy, Messy Valentines!

The Thursday before Valentine's Day I had a Valentine Activity Day for the kiddies at home. I knew Isabella and Ava would be coming home from school bearing all kinds of goodies from their class parties, so I wanted to make sure these little ones had a chance to join in the fun too.

Way to go Owen! He never gets a hold of markers-can you guess why? So he really made the most of this opportunity!

They were so funny about the placement of their heart confetti. It took them forever to get them "just right". They also made hearts and figures out of pink salt dough, which I baked later in the afternoon.

Happy Valentines Day!

Bizzare Sockless Party!

The other day Owen and Iris once again took refuge in Owen's Tupperware Cupboard, only this time they opened the door briefly to fling their socks out! I tried to grab the socks but they quickly snatched them back and closed the doors so I wouldn't have a chance to make them put them on again!

No Booster?

After our vacation we discovered we left Owen's booster chair at Joe & Jessica's house. That's a little tricky because he's definitely still at the age where he needs some seat-belt type apparatus to keep him from bolting from the table. Oddly enough though, for the first two meals of the day he did fantastic. Causing me to think, maybe he's already outgrown it at only 19 months! Then lo and behold dinner time rolls around and we cannot keep him seated for more than two seconds at a time! Needless to say, the chair is back!

8 Years Already?

The first weekend in February Samuel and I celebrated our 8th Wedding Anniversary in San Francisco!

We kicked off our trip at the place it all began...the beautiful Oakland Temple. On February 9th, 2001 Samuel and I were sealed for time and all eternity. It will always be the happiest day of our lives.

8 years later.
Not so fresh-faced but still so much in love!

After our session we crossed the Bay Bridge and entered the beautiful city of San Francisco. While I would never live here, I do love to visit.

We drove directly to Pier 39 and stopped for a quick to-go snack from a favorite eatery of ours, The Crepe Cafe. The Fresh Strawberry Crepe with Chocolate Chips is excellent, but this time we opted for the Turkey, Monterey Jack Cheese, Basil Pesto, & Avocado Crepe...yum!


We hit the road, crepe in hand, for Pier 33, where we had reservations for the 1:55 PM tour of Alcatraz! Neither of us have ever been, so we were excited to check it out.

The views from the ferry were beautiful, and we could not have asked for better weather! The sun was shining and the air was crisp and sharp! Sam was so happy he could get away with just wearing his t-shirt!

The island itself is gorgeous. And everywhere you turn, among the decaying buildings, are beautiful gardens.

The cell house is another story entirely. Very sobering. We each took headsets to take advantage of the audio tour, and I was so glad I did. The tour is narrated by former Alcatraz prison wardens and inmates, and it is chilling to hear them re-count what life was like there.


Our ferry docked just in time for dinner, and since we were headed back to Pier 39 we dined at the Crab House. I had read on "Yelp" that they are famous for their "Killer Crab" cooked in a secret garlic sauce. Sam and I love crab legs and we were not disappointed-especially considering we had a beautiful view of the sun setting behind the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. It was a perfect meal!

After dinner we finally headed to our hotel room to check-in. We were on the 15th floor in the Financial District, and we were surrounded by other high-rise buildings. By this time the sun had officially gone down, which means that much of San Francisco is just getting up! You'd think we would be exhausted, but all we really wanted to do was get out once more to catch the biggest event in town...

The 149th Chinese New Year Parade!

It's billed as the the 7th largest parade in the world, and it was all happening not two blocks up from our hotel! As we stepped out onto the sidewalk we heard the explosion of fireworks and music and we took off running-uphill!

As you can see, the floats were spectacular, but what really got us cheering was seeing Sam's former employer represented, "UPS"!
I had fun screaming,
"WHAT CAN BROWN DO FOR YOU?"

The end of the parade route was about 2 blocks south of us, so unlike the thousands of people making their way for the firework finale, we were already there. We saw men with row after row of fireworks draped around their necks and hanging to the floor taking their position, and we knew we were in for some serious noise. And sure enough, when those fireworks went off it was as though an ocean of sound was erupting all around us!

Normally, I don't want to be wandering the streets of a strange city late at night, but the conclusion of the parade meant that Chinatown was officially open for business. Hundreds of people poured into shops for snacks or souvenirs, or they tried in vain to get an open table at the many restaurants that were overwhelmed with customers.

Of course after all the excitement Samuel and I had the munchies! We had already purchased souvenirs for the kids, and a bag of my favorite snack in the whole world, "Sourdough Snacks" (more on those later), but now we wanted some serious Chinese food. Luckily, a restaurant that was emphatically not taking any more dine-in customers, was welcoming take-out orders. And not minutes later did we walk away with spicy General's Chicken, Chicken Chow Mein, and my favorite, Egg-Drop & Mushroom soup. It was finally, finally time to head "home" for the night!

I include this picture as a lesson, to all those who would wake up at 1 AM, after two evening meals of "Killer Crab" and Chinese food, with the brilliant idea to down 2 cups of hot cocoa and a whole bag of "Sourdough Snacks". I woke Sam and simply said, "I am soooo sick."

He was not sympathetic.

The next morning we had our first day time view from our hotel balcony. In the distance you can see the Bay Bridge.

Sam was thrilled that he could look up and then down to make himself extremely dizzy. He did this several times before I told him to "get away from the balcony!".

Yes, that is my man.

We were several blocks from the famous Ferry Building Marketplace on the Embarcadero. What better place for breakfast than a building that houses some of the finest breads, cheeses, meats, and chocolate? From Acme Bread we purchased an a beautiful crispy baguette and from Cowgirl Creamery some of their signature Mt. Tam cheese. We rounded off the meal with some hot chocolate and a french pastry-voila!

Seriously, I could have stayed there ALL DAY LONG! It was that fabulous! But Samuel was getting the itch so we grabbed a couple of sandwiches to go, Sam's a meatball and mozzerella from The Golden Gate Meat Company, and mine a Cheese Sandwich from Acme (Mt. Tam cheese, fresh jam, arugala, & black pepper)...heaven!

Our next stop: Coit Tower!

Many years ago Samuel and I once got it in our heads that we would walk there. It looked do-able, especially considering you can see it from practically anywhere in the city. Needless to say, we tried...and failed miserably. And also got lost in the process! So this time, with map in hand, we were determined to DRIVE up and visit it properly!

The tower was built with funds from Lillie Hitchcock Coit, who left 1/3 of her estate to the City of San Francisco "to be expended in an appropriate manner for the purpose of adding to the beauty of the city which I have always loved". The tower, like so many building in San Francisco, is beautiful, and the murals in the rotunda-stunning, but the views from the top of the tower of the city are even more so.

When I told Sam that while I was glad we visited Alcatraz, I didn't think I ever wanted to return again, he replied the he could go back over and over.

Hence this shot of him kissing his favorite island.

A great shot of the "crookedest street in the world": Lombard Street!

After the tower we headed to the Fisherman's Wharf and Ghiradelli Square.

How can you pass up Fish n' Chips and fresh Shrimp and Crab Cocktail?

Or Boudin's Famous Clam Chowder?



Or Ghiradelli's ice cream sundaes?

Yes, we came, and ate...and ate, and ate, and ate.

Our blissful vacation was coming to a close. Before we left we took the Scenic 49 drive through the Presidio before stopping at beautiful Baker Beach.

We had a wonderful time. But seriously, you could put us in a box and in 5-seconds we'd be laughing over something stupid. Well, maybe we'd be fighting if the reason we're in the box in the first place is something Sam did...but either way, being together is what counts.

I love you Samuel Dodge Elmer!
Here's to 8...80...800...800 million...infinity years to come!

And to all you other lovebirds, take the time to reach for your sweethearts hand.

Give it a good squeeze and count your blessings!