What I've been up to

I have taken a blog reading and facebook hiatus and have been doing a little sewing. Sometimes when I spend a lot of time on those outlets I get annoyed of other peoples "perfect" lives. Now I know they are not actually perfect and I have a very blessed life myself, but it is nice to just step away for a bit. So, here's what I've been up to.

Making baby clothes for friends




And making a quilt for my precious grandma. I'm almost finished and can't wait for her to see it!


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Last Day in San Francisco

Our last day in San Francisco was fairly low key. We did a lot of tourist stuff the first two days, so we got to just relax and enjoy the city. We started with breakfast/lunch at Tadich Grill. It's supposedly the oldest seafood restaurant in the city. We basically walked from food to food all day long.

 

Next stop was Ghirardelli Square. Adam and I "shared" a sundae. You can see how well that sharing thing went.

Next we rolled ourselves to the bay to sit and just relax and let all our food settle. Adam found a couple behind us to eavesdrop on and I just hung out. It was so beautiful outside and such a perfect way to spend Saturday afternoon.

Both our first time in the Pacific.

Next we walked to an area of town called the marina that was much more local than we had been in so far. We loved that part. We got such a good mix of local and tourist. We stopped at Books, Inc and I was in heaven. I love independent bookstores and everything they entail. The really just love the experience. A lot of the books have cards under them with a synopsis and recommendations. It was awesome. I bought a book I'm really excited to read. Then it was time to eat again. We tried The Tipsy Pig for dinner on recommendation for my work friend. Once again, it was amazing. We really struck gold in the food department.

Then we had to go home. Sad. What an amazing trip though. We loved every minute. I would really like to make it an annual trip to discover a new city together.  I'm so thankful we were able to spend such good quality time together with no distractions.

San Francisco: Day 2

 

We started day 2 with a trolley ride to breakfast.

 

Breakfast at Buena Vista for the famous Irish Coffee and a crab omelet. Yum.

Then Adam got put in jail. Just kidding. Next stop, Alcatraz!

They have an audio tour that takes you around the island and tells stories about the prisoners who were there. The tour was really interesting and I learned a lot. What a spooky place. It's so odd because San Francisco looks so close and like you could get back really easily. I'm sure that was part of the awful part for the prisoners. 

After Alcatraz we went to Scoma's for lunch/dinner at the recommendation of my dad. It was really good with tons of fresh seafood. The restaurant is situated on a dock in the bay. Great setting, great food. Then we walked pretty much around all of San Francisco- Chinatown, the Castro, Fisherman's Wharf, Nob Hill, Russian Hill, Lombard Street and I'm sure many more.

Snack in Fisherman's Wharf.

 We ended the evening at Bourbon & Branch. What a fun bar! It's in a nondescript building with a doorbell that I was pretty sure was a residential walk up. A man dressed in a 1920s getup answered the door and asked us if we knew the password. Um no? Can we still come in? Really cool place with awesome drinks. I would recommend it to anyone. I didn't have a picture so this is from the website, but it doesn't do it justice.

San Francisco: Day 1

We arrived in San Francisco at about 12:00 so we of course went straight to lunch after checking in at our hotel. Traveling is about the food, right??? This trip kind of snuck up on us, so I researched on the 5 hour plane ride there. Nothing like the last minute. We started at Hog Island Oysters on the water. Holy amazingness. This was wonderful. We got oysters and chowder. Yum.

Next we had to work off our lunch, so we biked around San Francisco and across the Golden Gate bridge to Salsalito. It was very fun but HARD. I was not nearly prepared enough for how difficult it was and I was channeling "nervous Tom" and was afraid we were going to miss the last ferry back to San Fran. No way I could bike back over that thing!

Also, when I thought this would be such a good idea, I forgot I'm not a very good biker and AFRAID OF HEIGHTS! The Golden Gate bridge is HIGH. This was as close to the edge as I was getting. Looks like I was channeling my father yet again with the heights thing. Thanks Dad.

We made the ferry back after some crazy fast biking. I was so glad we did it once I knew we were going to make the ferry. The first day was long and we were tired, but very very fun. I really love spending quality time with my wonderful husband. People say you really learn a lot about people when you travel, and after all the trips Adam and I have been on, we know we are a great travel couple. Good thing because we both love it!

We had a casual dinner in Fisherman's Wharf and turned in early.

We're boarded and ready for San Francisco! I can hardly contain my excitement!



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Missing these folks today after about 10 days with them. Thankful I will see them again soon and that we have a family that travels.









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Tomorrow!

Adam and I will be sitting on this deck tomorrow in Vail with Oliver, mom, and dad.




Wish these two would be there too!


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San Francisco

Hello friends,
Adam and I are headed to San Francisco next month for my (gasp) 30th birthday. Really, I'm okay turning thirty, but I would love to celebrate the milestone! Anyone have any great advice? I already booked Alcatraz but after that we are pretty open to tips or ideas. I would especially love restaurant recommendations. Thanks!

Cherry Grove

 

Beach trip #2 to Cherry Grove, SC with the Ringgold side of the family. Thanks Krystle for the pictures. I think I was maxed out by this point. I hadn't been home in a month and was just tired. Still, we had fun with the family!

Again our meal was a low country boil. Apparently we are creatures of habit...

Who done it?

Who do you think would do this?



Does he look guilty?



Clearly he's learned his lesson...




And his accomplice...

Emerald Isle

 

We went to the beach twice in July. Both sides of Adam's family go to the beach for a week. Those who know me well know I'm not a huge beach girl but I had a very relaxing week. The first week we had a pool, which was amazing because I do love the pool. I didn't take that many pictures either week, but we had a great time.

Adam and I cooked a low country boil one night. I think it was a hit.

Garner family minus Don. He was in the Middle East.

Andrew and David on milkshake night

Minneapolis

Our friends Aaron and Allison got married in Minneapolis in July, and we loved being able to be there to support them in their new marriage! Lots of my family also lives in Minneapolis, so we were able to spend time with them a little bit too.

Friday night when we arrived in Minneapolis, we drove straight to my aunt and uncle's house to see  them and my cousins. We went on a boat ride to a restaurant on the lake. It was a beautiful night with even better company.

We stayed with my cousins Jeff and Jenn and their family for the weekend. Their girls Ellie and Lauren love Adam, so we had a blast with them. It was back to the lake for us with a boat ride, swimming, and tubing. I even got in on the fun.

We absolutely adore these girls and this family and are so happy we get to be a part of their lives.

Next was the wedding. Adam was a groomsman, so I spent a lot of time driving back and forth. It was such a joy to be a part of this day.

The happy bride and groom. We are so blessed to have them in Atlanta now!

It was a great long weekend in Minnesota!