San Francisco

We had a fun day just being tourists!

We didn't take the time to go to the aquarium, but I would like to do so someday.

Pier 39 is the main "tourist trap" at Fisherman's Wharf.

Lots and lots of shops to spend money in...

And a giant Christmas tree to put you in the mood to spend $$$ :o)

Have you ever seen a double decker carousel? I hadn't!

It was soooo cold. I thought this poor little bird looked frigid!

The famous Alcatraz Island

A performer at Fisherman's Wharf

Some of the street performers we saw (there weren't too many out on this blustery day).

The San Francisco Boudin Sourdough Bread Company is a YUMMY place to visit. I had to take several pictures of them making bread in differents shapes. They are really artists! :o) It was fun to watch the demonstrations as well as smell the yummy bread baking!

View of the city

The famous "street cars". We rode on them a couple times during our visit.

This is Lombard Street. It's kind of hard to tell from the picture, but it's the crookedest street in the US. :o)

The next two pictures are just to give you an idea of how steep the roads are in Frisco. We hiked up and down a few of them. (whew)

In California Again

We're in San Francisco this weekend. Tim and I are going sight seeing down by Fisherman's Wharf today. I may even get some pictures to post! (I know they've been a long time in coming).
Anyway, until then I found some holiday eating tips in a paper my parents get called the Fish Wrapper and thought I'd share them with you...
1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a buffet table knows nothing of the holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving real snack food.
2. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
3. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
4. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
5. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-lb plate of food.
6. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in a variety of shapes and sizes, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
7. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
8. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have SOME standards.
9. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

:o)

What a Week!!

It's hard to believe that just over a week ago we were in Hobe Sound, FL. From there we went up to Atlanta where we got a load to Oregon. After spending just a short day and a half with Bob and Amber we got another load to Albany, NY. Whew! We sure are tired!
I couldn't resist posting this hilarious picture of our friend, Zola all dressed up for Halloween! Also, below that is a picture of Rod and Betty's kids in their costumes.

Now for our pictures in Oregon (sorry, no scenic ones this time).

I really enjoyed playing with Joseph. It took a little bit for him to warm up to me, but by the time we were ready to leave (of course) he and I were able to have some fun.

Such a photogenic little cutie!
Can't believe how big he's getting!
Mommy and son--just a bit of family resemblance, right?
The Howell family
Tim decided it's time to train a new driver.
He caught on really fast! :o)
He was so pleased with himself wearing Daddy's shoes!
Amber and I always have to have a goofy picture taken.
And, a normal one. (You can tell which is which, right?)

VOTE VOTE VOTE!!!!

It was such an awesome experience to go to a Palin rally! About a week ago, Tim and I were in Tampa at the same time as Palin, so we went to the rally. I was amazed at the size of the crowd! I really enjoyed the different signs people had made (especially the Kids for Palin, that guy was SO cute). If you look through the pictures there is one that shows her husband Todd and daughter and son, Piper and Tripp. Also, the lady in the green dress is Elizabeth Hassleback from "The View". Also, Florida's Governor Crisp was there along with Shawn Hannity (he was busy doing interviews, so I didn't get any pics of him).








Rod and Betty's kids helped us make posters so we could stand on the corner of US1 and Bridge Rd and show our support of Sarah Palin and John McCain. They also came out with us Sunday afternoon and stood for 2 hours holding up the signs! They were such a blessing to have around! :o) If you go to Betty's blog, she'll probably have pictures of us standing out on the corner (I got so busy holding signs that I forgot to take any pics of that)!

It's finally all going to be over in just a short 24 hours! I hope all of you are going to get out there and vote! I am so excited that God has been answering prayer and McCain and Palin are going to be the President and Vice President of our great country!

Peek A Boo!

A fun little side trip.

We took a tour of the "stars homes". This was the vehicle we got to ride in.

This is a gate that leads to a house Elvis used to own. Fans have carved their names and notes to Elvis in the paint in the gate. The current owners have left it so other fans can enjoy it.
This is the entrance to Julia Roberts home. It was one of the most beautiful homes we were able to see. (Most of the homes were so far back off the road and surrounded by trees that we couldn't see them).
This is the back of Julia Roberts home.
This home was built for Ray Croc (founder of McDonalds).
I know all you can see here are trees and a fence, but this place belongs to fomer First Lady Nancy Regan. You could even see some of the secret service agents guarding the place.
I just couldn't resist taking a picture of this statue. It looked so sweet!
And of course the famous Rodeo Drive!
These are some of the exclusive shops on Rodeo Dr.
I couldn't resist Kermit the Frog.
Here is the entrance to Grauman's Chinese Theater (this is where the stars put their footprints in the concrete).
Tim and I went down the "star walk" and found a few interesting stars.
After a full day of sightseeing we went to a musical production at the Pantages Theater. It was WONDERFUL!
The inside of the theater was beautiful, but we were only allowed to take pictures of the entryway. :o(

I know, I'm not keeping up very well! :o) But, our computer died a couple weeks ago and we have just recently replaced it. I'll try to do better. We have actually gone to some interesting places recently! (Like a Sarah Palin rally--pictures coming soon)