July 2010 - Sand In My Toes

I remember the first time, since we moved back from Arizona, that I drove through the middle of the green hillsides on my way through the tunnel, on our trip into the city. I remember the way that I felt. I whispered a prayer of gratitude as we came out of the tunnel and the air became crisp. I remember thinking, "How can anyone get anything done here? I can't help but want to enjoy my surroundings, every free moment that I get. How can people be driving without noticing these rolling green hills? How can people focus with the oceanside at their fingertips?"

I seriously felt like I had dried out and just HAD to get my toes in the sand and feel the sea air on my face.

Now I find myself still asking the same questions.

And the answer is, I can't!

I have to sit in the Berkeley Rose Garden, dine in North Beach, walk in the rolling green hills and most importantly, lay in the sand, wiggle my toes, run in the waves, explore the tide-pools, and sometimes simply drive up the coast, to see how far we can get in a day. I feel so blessed and love to share my joy with my children.

July 2010 - Contra Loma Death Camp

...ahem... Regional Park & Swim Lagoon.

I am totally freaked out by this place.

Out in the middle of nowhere, there is this manmade swim area.

It is made to look like a beach or lake or some natural body of water, sand and all.

But it is totally manmade. Filled with cement, a concession stand, lifeguards, time outs, rules and regulations, smoking, and cut-offs.

I swear we were about to be eliminated. I was waiting for the sirens.

Something about manmade bodies of water, really freaks me out!

There were so many rules, I felt extremely restricted, but I had paid to get in, so I figured I would stick it out... for the boys.

They had a blast. They played in the "sand", they swam in the "lake" and had lunch on the grass, blind to the fact that we were about to be exterminated.

I heard one of the lifeguards begin the closing countdown, I instantly gathered up my boys, ran across the asphalt, loaded up the car and hit the road.

In my rear-view mirror I could scarcely see the explosion.

It may have been the sun's reflection, I am still unsure, but I am not going back to find out. As far as I know, Contra Loma no longer exists.

MAY 2010 - Katrina Pays Us a Visit

Trina was due for a visit. We couldn't wait to have her!

We went to the city. Shopped Haight Street, which was amazing, because we found so many fantastic tees for Trina.

Then the girls met us for dinner in North Beach.

We saw this crazy painting and just couldn't get over it!

We ate LOADS of garlic at The Stinking Rose - a garlic restaurant.

I wish she could have stayed forever, but she had work to get back to.

Love you Tree.

APRIL 2010 - Family Vacation

We finally had our first "real" family vacation!

We planned two days ahead, researched beach front cabins, booked the night, researched dining options, found a restaurant that would cater to Jacky, map out the trip, found things to do on the way, packed our bags, cleaned our place and off we went.

We drove over the Bay Bridge, through San Francisco, over the Golden Gate bridge and then stopped in, as planned, at the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito. We had a superb time, operating a fishing boat, playing in the Grotto, digging for treasure, and making waves!

Once we were tired out and ready for a meal, we left. We drove to the north, on the Shoreline Highway. We made it through the twisty, turny road and then came the view... the ocean!

We made it to our cozy beach cabin. It was better than we could have imagined!

We walked to the local restaurant, it was DELICIOUS!

After dinner, we walked to the beach and played until the sun went down.

Even though we were an hour from home, we felt like we were on another planet. The view was breathtaking. The crisp sea air filled our lungs and made our hearts beat wildly.

We could taste the salty air, it was wonderful.