Wilson

Ok, after I thought about a "Wilson" post I decided to go ahead...We really have had so much fun with him while we have been out here!

Peace baby..peace!!

This was his monster walk...while I was trying to take a picture of Jeff with the kids..

Daring the waves to get too close!!!

Thanks Wilson for making the days so much fun and for jumping in and helping us all have such a wonderful good time! LOVE YOU!

Friday

I have to say yesterday was probably my favorite...the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods, and Stinson Beach..but today was right behind it! We drove on the 17 Mile drive and stopped at quite a few spots to play or visit..

Of course we had to stop and check out the 18th hole at Pebble Beach for Tyler.

After a long day of fun in the sun and NO LUNCH again..boy are we thankful for our big breakfast here...we stopped at Dennys in Monterey and had a big supper...He really is friendlier than he looks here!!! He has been giving me great shots for pics...I love some of his faces and poses for my pics....one of these days I will do a "wilson" post of him on this trip!We have had a LOT of fun together!

After we dropped Wilson off at school, we stopped at Rivermark and after driving around for aLONG time looking for a parking place, I got a MUCH needed haircut while everyone else had a jamba juice...

Favorite spot

This was the best beach we stopped at. Most of the time we were the only ones there and it was beautiful! A white sandy beach with waves rolling in and rocks over on one end that we climbed over...It reminded me of a nancy drew game...it was a little warmer when we got here and we all enjoyed it!

Here we jumped across a little water to get to the rocks..I am not sure how many pictures to post...this new camera just keeps taking pictures..I think I had over 300 again today, just on my camera....

17 mile drive

Relaxing in the sunshine..still a little cool and breezy today...but we made the best of it!!

Bryn and I just can't resist the water!

The 17 mile drive has quite a few scenic spots to stop and look out over the ocean and take pics..At this stop, squirrels were coming up to the kids and checking to see if they had any snacks...

Random Beach pics

I MADE IT!

I have been dreaming of going to the beach again for years! I don't think there is anywhere I would rather be....Thanks to Jeff making an accidental wrong turn...we drove about 10 to 15 miles on a narrow curvy road along the side of a mountain to a little beach town...Bryn and I couldn't wait to get our feet in the water!!

Jeff wasn't too sure about taking off his shoes and socks to go wading...it was pretty chilly and very windy..but he did take a short walk down the beach with me.

Alex finally decided it looked like too much fun and joined us..he loved it!

We raced down the beach at the edge of the water...we all three ended up wet and sandy, but it sure was better than a cold Iowa rainy day.... I don't know when I have had such a wonderful day!!

Thursday

We went and picked up Wilson at college this morning and headed off to San Francisco for the day! We drove through downtown San Francisco and I LOVED it...we picked a street that went DOWN HILL and Bryn and I had a heyday taking pictures from the car..Actually we had fun taking pictures all day!! I had over 500 pictures just on my camera tonight when we got back. We went to the Golden Gate Bridge first...God was SOOO good to us today. The day started out a little bleak and cloudy...even a few sprinkles while we were driving...but when we got to the bridge, the sun came out and we had a beautiful day!

Next we drove up to Muir Woods to see the redwoods. It is a state park with beautiful trails alongside a babbling brook. We spent quite a while there hiking on the trails and taking pictures and just relaxing. There weren't very many people there so we really enjoyed it!

It was a little bit more chilly in the woods..but so peaceful and tranquil.

Hotel breakfast

The hotel here offers a yummo complementary breakfast!! They make omelets to order, pancakes and french toast here. They also offer muffins and pastries, cereal, oatmeal, bagels, juice, milk, coffee and cappucino...I am sure I am leaving something out..there is plenty!

Jeff and I drank our coffee by the waterfall this morning..what a way to start the day..

Here is my breakfast this morning..a bacon, spinach, mushroom and cheese omelet with a side of bacon, a small bowl of oatmeal topped with granola and brown sugar, coffee and a glass of milk. Good thing we all ate a GOOD breakfast...we didn't find a place to eat again until we got back to the motel at 730 tonight!!! I had packed a few snacks to take and it is a good thing! We polished them off early this afternoon!

The Suite life

Here is the hotel we are staying at...hopefully it will work this time!

Our Hotel

Here are just a few pictures of the hotel we are staying at... sorry..I am heading for bed..but i will try to fix this picture tomorrow.

This is the hall way where we come in from the parking lot.

The courtyard is like a tropical resort...

I am hoping for a little time to just relax down there...we are on the 7th floor...our room door opens up on to a balcony that over looks the courtyard...there is a sliding glass door that opens out the other side onto a TINY balcony overlooking the city...on the back side of the hotel are the mountains..I was hoping for a mountain view, but it is all nice!

Wednesday

We woke up bright and early, mostly thanks to all you kind friends that sent us texts at 630 to let us know about the kidnapped missionaries......thanks guys...this means you LEAH! It was hard to sleep too late..630 here felt like 830 at home.

We headed downstairs to the courtyard to eat breakfast..I sat next to the waterfall and watched the fish swimming around while I ate a delicious omelet filled with bacon, spinach, mushrooms and cheese..a little bacon on the side and a big cup of coffee and some apple juice. Gonna be rough coming home....

After breakfast we headed off to the college to check out a few classes..and then on to an amazing chapel service..how anyone could be hard hearted or cold at this college is beyond me!

This is just a cozy little spot behind the church..I thought it was so romantic and sweet looking..Jeff stopped the van for me to get a quick pic.