On our way driving into San Francisco we stopped by one of our family favorites the Jelly Belly Factory. We had to take our own little Jelly Bean to the Jelly Belly Factory. Plus its so fun for the kids to see how they are made and get a few to many treats for the road.
On this trip we decided to go down to Monterey and do some sight seeing. I had never been down that way and loved it. It was the first time I have seen artichokes growing, we saw fields and fields of strawberries, it was hard not to get out of the car a go eat a few or a bunch. It was amazing. Then we were able to drive through the city of Monterey. It was kids day at the Aquarium so we decided to go, the kids got in free, but the downside was it was so so so crowded. It was fun anyway. My favorite was the jelly fish exhibit, one of the best I have ever seen, they are so stunning and intriguing. I had so many of the ladies tell me Kayla looked just like a little doll, they couldn't get over her. One lady in Chinatown told me she looked like a little doll from Target, I don't know if that was a compliment or not, I just laughed.
Out on the balcony of the aquarium and the kiddos in a clam shell
In San Francisco we got to stay right down town by Union Square which was a lot of fun. Driving around down town was pretty crazy, but we survived. We were at the Marriott on the 17th floor in a junior suite and had amazing views of the city, the congeries lounge was on the 26th floor so the views were even better from their, it was quite an experience. I felt like the country mouse who went to visit his cousin the city mouse. I would just lay their in bed at night and here all the sounds of the city.
Even though we have been to San Francisco quite a few times as a family, for a first we went to a ball game. It was fun to see the Giants play it is one of my favorite stadiums to see on TV, so it was exciting to actually get to be there. It was freezing and Kayla lost her sock in the cab ride over there, so I just tried to keep her and the kids bundled, we didn't stay long but we still enjoyed it. The kids loved that the Coca-Cola bottle that you see along the back of the park has a slide that goes down the middle of it.
Cold little Kayla Beans
The kids and I while Nathan was in classes one day went to the Exploritorium down by the Golden Gate Bridge with Brook and Kelly and had a blast. It was all this fun science stuff for the kids to interact with. Here are some of the fun photos.
Kids in a huge chair, Kelly and I in a mirror hall, and Elise getting a huge bubble over her whole body.
Me smaller than my kids, the musical bench you had to hold hands on, and Kelly teaching my kids how to drink out of the toilet.
One of our favorite things to do is go to Pier 39 and see the sea lions and visit a favorite sea food restaurant. Nathan and I also got to sneak off and go see Wicked, for our 9th Anniversary. Kelly so happily babysat our kids in our hotel and put them to bed while we got to enjoy ourselves. It was my second time seeing Wicked and it was even more fantastic then I ever. I can't stop listening to the music, even now months later.
All and all a wonderful trip for Elise's Spring Break and a lot of fun memories. Hopefully next time is just as good. Thanks to Kelly, Jim, Brooke and Christian and their cute kiddos for the food, the fun and the help with the kids.
