I Heart San Fran

Thanks to a Cobbler Convention of sorts, we had a lovely whirlwind weekend getaway to San Francisco. If you haven't been, you NEED to plan a trip to SF. We loved riding the charming cable cars up and down the hilly streets, people-watching at the Wharf, eating fresh seafood every day, hitting the odd markets of Chinatown, icecream sundaes with hot chocolate on the side at Ghiridelli Square (why not have them both??), shopping gallore (we're talking a 6 floor Nordstrom, 3 story DSW Shoe Warehouse and huge H&M right next door!!). And my FAVORITE was a boat trip across the Bay to Sausalito - a quaint, artsy town with fun shops and restaurants (reminded me of La Jolla or Carmel).
Now all we needed was the never-ending credit card to spend at all those great stores :)

I ADORED San Fran! So nice spending time with my hubby without the wild boys (who we missed of course).

Golden Gate Bridge in background on our boat ride to Sausalito, my fave spot!

Famous Alcatraz prison, we took a boat tour by night, eerie.

Doing a little "business"

Hang on tight! Riding the trolley.

Stunning view at the top of Lombard Street, the windiest street in the world.

Couldn't resist snapping this shot out our hotel window, see those shining red letters?? That's right H&M right next door - heavenly!

And 6 floors of Nordstrom Bliss, torturous without the funds to truly enjoy it!

Pier covered in seals out sunbathing (and so stinky)

Arrrrgh!! This one's for our boys!

Right down from our hotel where they manually turn the cable cars

Thanks Rob & Jody for the GRAND trip and thanks Nana & Jace for surviving the crazies!! They enjoyed all the fun Halloween adventures! The highlight our trip ending was coming home to this sight:

"BOO!! SURPRISE!!" They all yelled as they jumped out in matching skeleton costumes (the dog included). I sure love my theatrical mother! Too funny, wish I captured it on video.

The Fair

We just had to hit the good ole' Utah State Fair for some greasy food and white trash fun. It truly is a fantastic people-watching affair! Plus the kids love all the stinky farm animals and dumpy rides. Yep, that pretty much sums up the Fair.
Highlights included:
Seeing my cuz, country singer Brenn Hill perform
The boys riding down the big, giant slides on potato sacks (Christian caught some major air and Mason giggled the whole way down)
Goats yelling at us
Eating a giant Navajo Taco (and not getting sick)

Mason insisted on Grandpa Jace carrying him everywhere, of course.

What a sport Troy, riding in the dirty helicopter with your boys! You should have seen the toothless ride operator, again all part of the fun...

Mason LOVED the bunnies!

School Days

That's right, the much-anticipated First Day of Preschool (2nd year) finally arrived mid-September! After months of answering "how many more days until my new 'flips and tricks' school mom?" Christian is now a very happy boy, meeting new friends and yes, doing tumbling (aka "flips and tricks") once a week. We are loving the location, right down the street and walking distance (when I'm not being lazy), however we're still getting used to all the rules and having to co-op in class. Not my favorite...isn't preschool supposed to be a break from the kiddo (plus a break from mom and dad)?? Oh well, it's fun to meet all his cute school friends and see what they're up to in class (trying to be positive :)

First day, all decked out in his Star Wars shirt and Sketchers Super Z Straps (which he just HAD to have - hence my post on commercials hooking our kiddos so young).

And the Bumblebee backpack, of course.
With one of his fun, neighbor friends (another bonus - 4 neighbor friends in same class).