San Francisco: 10 year Anniversary

So Jacob and I decided to spend our 10 year anniversary in San Francisco.  We have been there...oh about 7 years ago with the Taysoms and little Aubrey.  We loved it then, and decided that this was the place. (And we got super cheap tickets and hotel...which also aided in our decision.) 
So here are TONS of vacation pics (I know...boring!) haha

Here is our humble little HOTEL.  It was called Casa Loma (we found it on YELP)...we founds lots of things on YELP for this trip.  Anyhow, it was a great little location just smack dab in the middle of everything.  It was small, but we were seriously NEVER there.

The first night we got there...we were off to AT&T Park to watch a baseball game.  It was such an amazing view.

I hardly even watch the game, I just loved looking at the ocean and the scenery.  My favorite part was we got there early and got to watch some professional SOFTBALL players having some sort of home run competition.  I LOVED it.  They were hitting softballs so far...clear into the water...and then some guys in kayaks would get them.

Here they are waiting for the balls!  Too funny.

This is my favorite picture from the trip.  I progressively let myself go throughout the trip.  I don't know how people do their hair in San Fran....really, I have NO clue.
Moving on...so the very next day we drove across the FAMOUS Golden Gate Bridge and headed to Muir Woods. 

This was a suggestion from Jake's parents and was probably my favorite part of our trip.  There were redwoods and wonderful hiking trails.  We ended up hiking for almost 3 hours.  I should have taken more pictures.

However, on our way to the scenic ocean view...we found ourselves very lost and couldn't even find the trail.  I am taking the blame on this one.  We finally got back on some trail, but missed the ocean view...

 

So after Muir woods...we headed back towards the airport to return the car we had rented.  We had stopped at Little Lucca's the previous day  (another Yelp suggestion) and we HAD to stop there again.  Seriously...hands down....best sandwich I have EVER had.  SOOOOOOO Good.  I want to open one here in Phoenix.  It was so good in fact, it almost ruined the rest of the food for us on our trip.   We kept comparing everything to this thing.  ahhhhhhh

Later that night we went to a movie.  Then we just had to go to The Cheesecake Factory on the 8th floor of Macy's overlooking Union Square (this was our favorite memory from our last trip to San Francisco.)  The view is breathtaking...and I could eat cheesecake every day.

The next morning we headed to China town with more food in mind.  Jake wanted to try some yummy pastries that he remembered from Hong Kong.  They have these yummy bread and are filled with various sweetness, like coconut cream or pineapple...even BBQ.  So we ate these and walked around a bit.

Then we headed to Golden Gate Park....Another Watkins suggestion.  We rented bikes for a couple of hours and biked all over.  This is over a 10,000 acre park...so we didn't even see half of it...but it was beautiful.

My favorite part was a little Shakespeare Garden.  It was just so quaint and cute.

Shakespeare Garden: Golden Gate Park

 I love San Francisco.  That morning we were eating hot yummy buns in China town, later enjoying a bike ride in a beautiful natural park....then that evening Fisherman's Wharf along the ocean.  It really is quite amazing how many things are here to see.

Alcatraz

Ghiradelli Square

We ended the evening walking around Fisherman's Wharf and enjoying the seaside and of course...a Ghiradelli brownie sundae.

The next day we were sore from excessive hiking and biking around and just wanted our last day to be unplanned.  We ended up going to Civic Center and eating "Off the Grid" which are these food trucks that travel all over San Fran and have tons of different cuisine.  We have seen these on the food network and if you can't tell our entire trip was focused on food.  So it just seemed to fit. 

Filipino Fare...yummy.
I had the Curry up Now....not pictured.  Yummy curry in a burrito.  Very good!

We decided to make the trek to go see the famous Lombard street.  It is a serious climb and then this crazy crooked street. 

Lombard Street.

So we ended our day watching ANOTHER movie.  I couldn't believe it.  Jake almost detests going to the movie...but in our first one there were technical difficulties so they gave us free tickets for another one...so we were almost forced to use them....haha.  I got to see THE HELP with my honey.  Love it!!!  Here is a picture of the escalator at The Westfield Plaza mall.  It was 8 stories and went all the way around.  Super cool.  By the way...the food was even great at the mall.  We had Thai food, but there was food from so many different nations....I love the food in San Fran.  Seriously I am so nervous to weigh myself and see what kind of damage was done. 

This picture was taken up by the crooked street.  It is of the Bay bridge.
We had a blast and I would love to do it again sometime.  We took the Muni or walked our entire trip.  I loved people watching and just feeling like we lived there.  I am glad that we didn't stay in a tourist saturated area.  Yes, we walked some CRAZY streets and definetly met some WACKOs and what not, but it was so much fun.  We ended up walking lots and laughing lots... I enjoyed being away from reality and the kids. But honestly the best part was coming home.....
to this.

 The kids got Ghiradelli chocolate, a shirt and Golden Gate Bridge paperweight....haha.  The hugs we got at the airport were priceless.  Nothing is better than this life.  I am so glad I married my honey 10 years ago and look forward to the future.  Thanks Jake for the trip and being my MAN!!!  Thanks for the beautiful life that we share. 

DisneyLand!

I don't even know what to write about Disneyland. I am always so tired and worn out by the time we get home. I think my favorite part this year was that we did some more of the relaxed rides. My and Weston's favorite was riding in a Canoe in the Rivers of the World. It was a real Canoe and it was easy and relaxing and cool.

I loved being there with Mari and Norm and Sue. It made is easier and more laid back at the same time. I also just loved seeing the fireworks show at the end. It was AWESOME! I even cried a little. The worst part were the breakdowns and the shuttle getting back to our car. I am glad we went and glad we went for free...thanks to the Disney Give a day Get a day program. :)

Newport Beach

We spent most of our days in Newport at the Beach. I just love being there. I love the water, the wind, the sand, the food and the company. Spencer was SUPER cute this year and Aubrey and Weston just disappear and play. Jake rented a two seater bikes one of the days and that was so fun to see him and his dad peddling along the boardwalk. Highlights: Sue's yummy homemade bread and the donut shop we found. Spencer and Weston and the Sand Crabs...see video below. The company (Aunt Connie and her clan....love that family) Feeling cute in my swim suit and thinking Jake looked HOT in his. I know this is silly, but usually I feel self conscious and Jake keeps his shirt on :)

Fall Break

Just a reminder....we will go private soon.  Like in a couple of days.  Email me at terilwatkins@hotmail.com or leave a comment with your email if you already haven't.  Thanks!!

Sigh......Oh how I loved our Fall Break.  It was such a great week.  The beginning was just crafts and time with family.  In the end we went to San Diego!  We left around 4 or 5 am (can't remember) on Thrusday morning.  We arrived at Coronado Beach before noon.  Can't beat that.  The drive up was great and the weather was lovely.

 

I have never been to San Diego and I loved it.  Here is little Spencer in the Sand.

Next we went to SEA WORLD. I didn't take enough pictures. I guess we were too busy having fun. We Saw Shamu...polar bears..seals you name it!! We loved it!!

 
My favorite part was how excited Aubrey was to get a Shamu for her Birthday.  She "trains" him all the
time.  It is so cute.   We had planned on going to Sea World then the beach again.  However, they were running a special pricing at the San Diego Zoo for the month of Oct.  So we changed plans and decided to go to the Zoo as well.  I have to admit we were definetly tired after two days on our feet. 
 Weston rode the Skytron/ something or other with me.  It was so fun! 
I loved the Giraffes and Panda the best.

Beautiful San Diego

Here is a picture of Aubrey helping out at a Magic Show at the Zoo.  She got called up to say the Magic words.  She made 2 rabbits turn into 20!!

Best parts:  Swimming at the Hotel.  Seeing Shamu.  Seeing our kids eyes light up!  Spencer taking a 3 hour nap at Sea World.  Fish Tacos.  Seeing Jake and the kids having fun at the beach.  Sleeping in a great hotel.  Not doing dishes or dinners or laundry for 4 whole days.  Overhearing the kids telling perfect strangers all the fun things they were doing.  Being with our family!  Love these guys.

Worst Parts:  Spencer crying for at least an hour on the drive home.   Bad naps.  Never sleeping in.  (Doesn't happen ever, but would like it to on vacation.)  Eating fast food.  Gaining 3 lbs.  Sore feet.  Coming home.  Not a lot to complain about for this trip.  It really was great!