DAY 6 SAN FRANCISCO

Busted.  I didn't post my Day 6.  It was my birthday, I get a pass.  :)

While visiting Nana and Papa, I really wanted to go into the city for a day with the boys.  One thing I have been wanting to do since reading this book with my boys is take them to Alcatraz. Back in the day, when company would come visit we would get them tickets to Alcatraz maybe a day or two before they wanted to go.  No more.  I checked on line for tours, and it was booked like months in advance in the summer.  So Alcatraz didn't happen this time.  

These two didn't really want to come to San Francisco that day, but I am sure glad I made them.  We ended up having a lot of fun.  Ryan had a work meeting in Oakland, so we took BART into the city and he headed off to his meeting in the car.  

Joshua told me that the trains in the East Coast were way better than BART.  I had forgotten how bouncy and loud BART is.  It is still pretty cool I think. 

We got off downtown at Powell and then took the Cable Car down to the Pier.  I hadn't ridden the Cable Cars in years.  It is something you just have to do at least once.  

Doesn't Joshua look thrilled? 

My cute boys...

Joshua did cheer up...probably because he felt so lucky to be taking a selfie with his mom.  

In honor of Aunt Michelle, we had to stop at Auntie's Donuts...or whatever that place is called, and get a bucket of Cinnamon and Sugar coated deliciousness.  To be honest, Mom was a little sad that it wasn't a gallon sized bucket, but that's okay. 

A sweet girl on the Pier took our picture...all of us together!  

Michael had really wanted to get a fresh crab, so we stopped at the wharf for one.  

It turns out that everyone liked the crab, but Michael.  He said it was too sweet.  We feasted on crab and Sour Dough Bread.  

 We wondered up to Ghirardelli Square.  

The kids were especially interested in this statue because they thought Sophie would like it so much.  Ha ha ha. 

A little out of focus...but I will take it.  

We definitely had a few "moments" during our day.  See below...Luke is holding up his fingers making the "Loser" sign at Michael.  At this point, after spending about ten bucks per ice cream treat for these boys, I was about to send them off to Alcatraz.  

Thank goodness I had Joshua as my other "adult" to herd the crew through the city. 

There is nothing worse than public bathrooms in the city, so the beauty of having boys is that they can pretend they are taking in the views of the city, and relieve themselves at the same time.  (Along with the 50 million other homeless in the city.) 

What?  Pee off the dock?  We would never do such a thing. 

I don't remember why these two wanted me to take this picture...but they were all being pretty silly at this point in the day.  I think they were all daring each other to do random things. 

We could not stop laughing when someone dared James to go take a picture next to these two people making out on the Pier.  I wish you could see this guy busting us better.  We were not quick enough with the camera, and I think they eventually heard the kids all cracking up.  It really was a little crazy, the lovely couple carried on for quite some time and there was no holding a back.

I have been known to make fun of people that take selfies with their kids all the time, like it somehow justifies the selfie. However, I am so often behind the camera, and I wanted the boys to remember their day with MOM...even if the pictures are not so cute. 

LUKE 

 MICHAEL

JAMES

JOSHUA

The Plan had been for Ryan to join us in the city when his meeting was over.  How were we to know he would not be coming until 830 that night?  These guys were getting really tired of walking.  

These two were especially "cooperative" and just might have ran away from us at one point.  We were literally playing hide and seek in the city.  Not the safest game to play with your children.  I would not recommend it.  We found them and then were spying from afar, hiding behind bushes so they would not see us.  I don't think other families do these things when they visit San Francisco.  

We decided everyone was tired and we would just sit and relax for a while, in hopes that Dad would soon make it across the bridge to rescue us.  

And lo and behold he did.  Hurray!  I wanted to take the kids to the other side of the city to see more, but everyone was tired, they wanted to head home. 

And so we headed back over the hills, this time in a car instead of on BART.  

Goodbye, San Francisco.

You are my favorite. 

DAY 5- Summer Sickness, Ain't Nobody Got Time for That

This Summer we have had several bugs hit our household.   Doesn't the virus and bacteria world know that it is Summer and they need to take a hike!?  At least it has spared the family on trips, camps, and vacations so I will forgive the Summer Sickness.  

Annie had a 36 hour stomach flu.  I was VERY grateful that no one else came down with it.  Grateful and surprised.

A couple weeks back Sophie woke up, not only to a messy house (see background) but with what seemed at first like an allergic reaction.  

The day before she had been out in the sun all day, could it be a weird sunburn? 

Sophie is not one to burn easily, and after it spread to her legs, someone suggested it might be Fifth Disease, also known as Slapped-Cheek Rash.  I remembered she had seemed a little warm and been fussy and irritable the previous days.  I am pretty sure that was what she had.  However, once they have the rash, they are no longer contagious. 

Luke came down with it as well, but his symptoms were very mild.  

Exactly a week ago today, Sophie was super clingy one morning, and by afternoon she was warm with a fever and just wanted to be held.  The next day, I was either holding her or she was sleeping.  About 48 hours later, she had made a full recovery.  She woke up and announced, "I not sick anymore."  

On Friday, Michael came down with the same thing.  However, he complained that he was near to death.  His throat has been KILLING him.  

Sunday afternoon  James took a nap.  

We knew he was a goner.  James never naps.  

He missed the first day of Scout Camp.  

Ryan left to take James up to Scout Camp today.  An hour later, Joshua came home from work, you guessed it, sick.  

So now Joshua has the illness.  He went to bed this afternoon and I haven't heard from him since.  

So, pretty much everyone has been hit with something.  Ryan had a terrible cold/body-ache-thing leading up to his river rafting trip.  He finally had to take an antibiotic to kick it.  I chalked him getting sick up to the fact that he is known to go days with no sleep. 

The only person to stay healthy?  ME.  After a couple years of getting sick ALL THE TIME.  I have had a pretty awesome streak- Barely even a cold this year.  It has been YEARS since I went a whole winter with no major cold/fever/flu type thing.  I have tried to make sure I don't go on less than six hours of sleep and I try for eight, although I usually never get that.  I think my sleep has made a big difference.  

Now I am going to go do a huge KNOCK ON WOOD, and go to bed.  Tomorrow is my Birthday, and the way this flu has moved up the family,  I should be next. ("Aint Nobody Got Time for That")  I especially "don't got time for that."  I have my birthday, and I have a Court Deposition at 10am.  You heard me.  I have to go testify in my neighbor's divorce case.  That should be REAL fun.  Nighty, night! 

DAY 4 The Summer begins in California...

School got out the first week in June and we packed up and headed to California to visit Nana, Papa, Grandma and family...

We decided the kids needed a break from the car and stopped at Wingers in Elko to eat dinner/lunch on the way.  

The first couple days California was having a heat wave and we were dying.  June is just warming up here in Idaho and we were NOT used to the heat.  However, we quickly found our way to a pool to cool off!  

The boys were being so crazy and having so much fun on the diving board that night.  We made a ton of slow-mo video's of various jumps of the board and it kept them entertained for a quite a while!  Thank you, Kerr Family!  

There are always so many friends to see when we come back to California, we never seem to be able to see everyone.  Since this trip we mostly came to see Grandma Critchlow, we didn't spend much time in our old stomping grounds.  However, Ryan and I did sneak away for a date with old friends one night.  It was SOOOO much fun. I can't remember the last time we were all together and it was great.  I really miss these guys...they make me laugh like no one else.  I am always cracking up the WHOLE time we are together.  

Love my girls! 

I was so grateful we were all able to see each other SO last minute, can't tell you how much fun I had. 

These guys....there are no words.  Let's just say, Ryan is right in his element with his bros.   How I wish they were in my ward here...they would really "spice" it up!  Sorry, Idaho, I love you, but you are a little boring at times.  

Later when Ryan was working, we HAD to get haircuts at Troy's Barber Shop.  How we wish Troy could be our Barber here.  (Nothin' compares, nothin compares...to you....)  He is simply the best at what he does.  

Later that afternoon we met up with Nana for an afternoon at Mickey Grove.  A trip to Lodi would not be the same without a stop here!  

James was a good sport, taking Sophie on lots of rides. 

When we left the Barber Shop, Trenton was able to come hang out with the boys for a while. These guys were all born right around the same time and were just little baby boys together. (Let's be honest, sometimes they still are baby boys.)

Annie flying high! 

Sophie

Trenton and Luke...Trenton is practicing his "look".

Michael

While in Lodi, we never go without food!  We had yummy corn, some delicious Steak on the BBQ, and the kids ate Nana out of peaches everyday!  Michele made us several of her tasty, tasty treats.  Even Grandma joined everyone at the table.  She was so peppy throughout the trip, we will sure miss her next time we go back.  She is in Pennsylvania her other children and grandchildren right now.  

Presley and family are living at Nana and Papa's right now, so it is pretty much a built in party for my kids.  Grandparents AND cousins under one roof, it couldn't be better than that!  The girls had so much fun together and Presley has grown up so much.  She is little miss personality plus. 

Playing princesses...I love to hear them talk amongst each other. 

Annie, Sophie and Presley

Nana reading to Sophie and Presley

Cousins with matching hairdo's.  What could be better?  :)   

(Presley and Annie)

Well, that's a wrap for now.  Bed is calling out to me.  Much more to come.  (I do have 96 more days to recap!)

DAY 3 Summer Evenings and a Funny Joke

This weekend seemed like the first weekend this Summer that we didn't have any major plans, we were not on a trip, packing for a trip, it was just nice doing a little yard work, relaxing, going on a quick date for Mexican, and visiting with good friends.  

While I was at the store, Ryan sent me a picture of his new assistant.  (Email me if you want to know where we got the wallpaper or carpet, or if you want to know any paint colors for our office.  Just jokes, just jokes.) 

We had a surprise visit from some good friends that moved to St George last year.  We wish they still lived here!  I got to hold this cutie, Walter, all night.  He is only 12 days old and he didn't make a peep.  I told her I would keep him for her, but she didn't want to leave him.  I can't imagine why! 

Kristy and Joe invited us over for Brownies and Ice Cream.  We enjoyed a perfect summer evening talking as the sun went down. The kids loved their yard. 

The boys could not resist starting a fire even though it was plenty warm outside.  I think if we had a fire pit they kids would be sitting around it every night.  That may be a good idea...we would be stinky, but I might be able to hold their attention a little better for things like Scripture Study, or family chats.   

Annie (and Michael W in the back!) 

The girls just love talking to Joe. I don't even know what they like to tell him, but they sure love him!

Even though he doesn't look like a Grandpa, he is, so he must just have that "grandpa" thing going where little kids love him!

I was really wishing I had my regular camera with me...such great lighting and it was such a pretty night.  I tried to get some things with my iPhone and it just didn't turn out as great, but at least I captured the moment! 

Flying

They have the greatest tree in their back yard that wraps around the whole fire pit.  There is even a great story to go with it. 

It was sure nice to chat with other adults and friends.  

Thanks for the great evening, guys!  

The evening kind of ended abruptly when Luke was pushing Sophie on the swing and she did a full front flip out of the swing and started crying, and crying, and crying. We all piled nosily in the car.    James said he was not feeling too well...and when we got home he said, "I just want to go to sleep!"  What? The would be a phrase this child has never said...ever.  I knew he must have gotten the fever a couple of the other kids had already had that week.  The only bummer was Scout Camp started today.  He is going to stay home and rest and probably go up with Ryan tomorrow.  

And finally, I leave you with a joke in honor of all the moths we have flying around in our house upstairs.  I HATE moths and we have no AC and no screens, so that equals moths.  

 

Ha, ha, ha, ha...that joke makes me laugh out loud.  

PS You bet I am counting this post as Sunday's post for my 100 Days of Blogging.   :)