Adventures in the City

I absolutely love San Francisco! We have done a lot of different things in the city, but this trip topped them all. After Emily and Allen's wedding I was able to stay with Mom and Dad and drive down to California for their adult Lyon's reunion. We were invited to also tag along on this fun adult reunion, along with Ryan and my cousin Jason who just got back from a mission to France. We stayed at the Wyndam Resort in the city that was right by Union Square. The resort was beautiful! We stayed in a two bedroom room that had a middle family room, dining area and then a kitchen. We got there on Thursday afternoon and hung out at the hotel till Sharon and Steve got there and had a wonderful BBQ ribs dinner that Grandpa and Margaret made. The next day we started the adventures!

These photos are of Mt. Shasta from the car as we drove down to California. Preston was actually really good in the car for the 14 hr drive. I was a little bit worried about what it would be like with him, but we put in the Wiggles DVD's and he was happy! Thank goodness for technology...haha.



China Town was where it all started for us. We walked several blocks from our hotel to the from gate and just browsed the streets checking out all the little shops. We stopped at the Fortune Cookie Factory. Now, when I was told we were going to the Fortune Cookie Factory I was surprised that I had never seen this place before, but when we got there I knew why. It was in a back alley and a very tiny building. Itwas one room where you walked in , watched a lday working on the machine, got a free sample, and then walked out. It was very intresesting for sure! China town always has such fun things to look at and play with and some great bargains too! There was so many colorful things for Preston to look at and fun statues to take pictures by.

After China Town we went to a French restaurant for lunch and then Ryan and I went home so that Preston could nap. While I stayed home the rest of the clan were able to go see Lands' End, which is the furthest jetty on the West Coast and a beautiful park with some fun things to see. Grandpa and Margaret came back early to pick up Tom, Cindy, and Jason and then we all met up to go to dinner later that night.

It was nice to be close  to where Neil works. He was able to meet up with us for dinner on Friday night. We went to a nice place near Union Square that was delicious! Then afterwards a few of us took the trolley from Union Square down to Ghiradelli Square for dessert! I love that place...the chocolate is amazing! I shared a brownie sundae with Ryan and it was delicious.  I don't think I have ever been on a trolley either, so that was fun. I was able to hang out on the side on the way back with Ryan. Neil was so nice and took Preston back to go to sleep for the night and let me go with the gang.

Saturday was a whole new day full of fun in the sun. Literally though, the sun was shining and it was so hot. A few of us got sun burned by the end of the day. We started off going to the Golden Gate Bridge. We stopped to take a few photos and then went over to the visitors center, which was recently updated. We walked over the bridge a little bit and then walked back. It sure was beautiful!

After the Bridge we went over to the Presidio and into the Walk Disney Family Museum. This museum was huge! It didn't look very big from the outside, but there was so much inside that I was amazed. It started with the Disney family history, which was very interesting...and we noticed that there was a family name in there. The next Sunday Neil figured out the family connection. Walt Disney's mother was Flora Call. If we got back 6 generations from Walt Disney and 8 generations from me our family lines meet up at Samuel Call who married Abigail Sprague. I was impressed the Neil figured it all out! How neat is that...we are related to Walt Disney. I think that means we should get discounted prices to the parks...haha. Anyways, the Disney museum was really cool. Mom and Grandpa stayed out with Preston while he napped a little and then played with him after he woke up.

After the Museum we were able to play on the grass for a while and eat lunch and just chill. Later that afternoon we went to Pier 39 and then on a Bay Cruise! I have never been on a bay cruise and it was really cool. We went out and around Alcatraz Island and then to the bridge and then back around. We were able to see a cool skyline of the city and even a Naval ship returning to dock. After we got back from the cruise we went to dinner on the Pier and ate some fresh fish! Tom and Ryan had the crab special and got all messy, while we ordered Preston a hot dog and then ended up eating my fish instead. He would rather have fish almost any day. He's such a funny kid.

After dinner we all headed back to the hotel and most people called it a night, however...we had to drive back to Fremont since we needed to teach our Sunday School class the next day. The rest of the family stayed up there through mid day on Sunday. It was fun to see more of the city and also spend time with family. We are really blessed to be able to be close with those we love and do fun things like this with them. Thanks so much Grandpa and Margaret for inviting us!

Meet the Joneses

Two weddings in one year was busy but so much fun! Emily and Allen were married on June 16th in the Seattle Temple. It was a great day and always amazing how the spirit just shines in the temple ceremony. It was fun watching Emily and Allen look at each other so lovingly and happy. We took their formal wedding photos on Thursday, which made Saturday so much more care free for the whole gang. Their ceremony was at 10:00 and then their reception was later that night at 6:30. The reception was at the church buildling which we decorated. It had a great garden feel with while lanterns hanging on the ceiling and plants around the gym. Instead of a traditional cake Emily and Allen had cake pops. I had never heard of this, but it was fun and they were certainly delicious. It has been fun to see family so much this year and watch them get married!

Sweet Treats

At our house food is something we love! We love our desserts, that's for sure! Even though we love sweet treats, we do usually eat really healthy. Preston can down melon like there is no tomorrow and loves smoked salmon. I don't bake nearly as much as I used to, but last week was long and hard and we seemed to be hit with one thing right after another and I thought that called for something yummy. So, I got on pinterest and searched through the recipes and found a website that adapted mixes into new desserts. I thought that sounded interesting and less time consuming, so I looked through them and tried one out.

I got the recipe here, and I made a few adjustments for mine.

Here is the recipe I made:

Birthday Cake Oreo Cookie-Stuffed Brownies topped with Marshmallows and Chocolate Bits

Makes 24 brownies

1 Box brownie mix

15-20 Double stuff Oreo's (I used the white and chocolate ones)

1/2 bag mini marshmallows

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips or any mini chips

Preheat oven to spcified temperature on brownie box. Mix brownies according to the directions on the box. Spread half the brownie batter in prepared pan. Place Oreos on top of brownie batter (I did 3 across by 5 rows = 15 Oreos). Top with the remaining brownie batter and smooth it over the top, very slightly pushing the Oreos down with your spatula, very lightly. Be prepared to add marshmallows with only about 10 minutes left to bake and then chocolate chips with 4 minutes left.  Bake 26 to 30 minutes or until brownies are set, taking care not to overbake. (Insert a toothpick into the center of the pan, and avoid inserting it into an Oreo, to check for doneness. Toothpick may not come out entirely clean even when done because these are very fudgy brownies). Note the brownies may “puff up” quite dramatically in their final minutes of cooking and this is okay. 

Always On The Move

Preston has been walking for a few weeks now and it is getting harder and harder to keep up with him and all he is doing. When his birthday rolled around he was still just taking a few steps and mostly crawling. He would cruise around all the furniture, which he has been doing for a long long time. Then, right before we went home for Emily's wedding he started taking more and more steps. While we were there he really took off and decided that he wanted to use that as his main way to get around. Once we were finally home (June 23rd) he was walking all over the place. He has now gotten really good at walking over things and turning and doing all sorts of weird movements to get to what he wants at the time. It is fun to go to the park with him and let him just go on the grass. He didn't like it at first, but now he is getting used to it. He absolutely loves playing on daddy's scooter and on anything he can ride. He is such a happy and fun little kid!

Here are a few videos of his walking progression.

This first video was taken June 12th...so he was getting there. He was still struggling with getting stable. 

These were taking a few days ago. He doesn't crawl at all anymore and loves to walk by himself without anyone holding his hands. He seems to have a little independent personality.

Fort Baker

I have often blogged about our Thursday adventures with my Grandpa and Margaret. We have been to some fun places and always have such a fun time. This time we went to Fort Baker. This was a very interesting place. There are several areas around the bay that are fortified, or were fortified in case someone, during WWII were to attack this area. The Presidio is on the opposite side of the Golden Gate Bridge and is a much bigger former base. Fort Baker has now been remodeled and renovated into a resort. They also have a childrens exploration museum, along with a Coast Guard station. It is quite amazing to see the old buildings and picture what is was like before.

We actually started our little adventure on the other side, the Presidio, getting morning drinks at the Warming Hut. After that we drove across the bridge and down into Fort Baker. As we walked around the "self-guided tour" of Fort Baker we learned more about what each building was used for and who would've lived there. It sure is a beautiful place!

the Evergreen State

We have been so blessed to have had so many reasons to see family this year. We were able to see my Dad in February, then Preston and I were able to go later that month to help out, then Margaret and Dean came to visit us In March, we had Natalie and Ben's wedding in April, with Emily and Allen's Wedding in June. This last trip was just as fun as all the rest have been. It has been fun to see Preston learn and see everyone. One of Preston's favorite things on this trip was to go up the stairs, and even one tumble wouldn't stop him from constantly going up the stairs. 

Here are a few random shots I took:

Go Giants!

Every once in a while I get a phone call from Neil in the middle of the day telling me that we have tickets to a game that he won at work. We got tickets to the San Francisco Warrior games two times and then he called to tell me he got tickets to a Giants game for that night (May 30th, 2012). We hurried and got things together so that we could go. I love the Giants! We went to a Giants game on our honeymoon and had so much fun. I have gone to Giants games with my family as well. It was Preston's first time though. The same pitcher that pitched the game we went to on our honeymoon was pitching this game. Sadly, they lost, but it was fun to be there with all the excitement. 

In order to get there Preston and I met Neil up there by taking the BART. Neil was in the city for work, like he usually is, and we met him with some dinner in a backpack and Preston in the front carrier. I'm sure I looked a little bit crazy, but it seemed like the easiest way to travel with everything. 

I absolutely love being spontaneous, and this was definitely one of those times!

Happily Ever After

This should have been posted a long time ago, since she was married in April! However, as per my usual timeline...this is the scheduled time to blog about this beautiful event! We were able to fly in late Wednesday night and take bridal photos of Natalie before the wedding. Then, Saturday was the big day! We got all ready and everyone drove up to the temple. The ceremony was beautiful. It reminded me of how much I loved my wedding day. Sealing are so special and it is hard to describe exactly why other than the spirit is so strong in the temple and you can feel a little piece of eternity. Each sealing is different and has a special meaning to those getting married. I am so blessed to have been married to Neil in the temple and I love it there. After the temple ceremony we took pictures until we had to leave for the luncheon. We had a little rest during the luncheon and after. We then were able to go home and eat dinner before we went to the  Best Western where the reception was being held and helped Natalie get ready and do a few final touches at the reception hall. The reception was so fun! The music was great and the food was fabulous. Instead of traditional cake, Natalie and Ben decided on cupcakes, which were super cute! It was fun to be a part of this important event.Congratulations Natalie and Benjamin Wood!