Among Giants

While we were up North for Jon's graduation, we wanted to head over to San Francisco to visit Giants stadium. We aren't anti-Giants, we just aren't huge Giants fans. I can't even call myself a fan of any team; I go to games for the food and atmosphere. But I do love going to games with my husband; we have a great time.

Kevin and I have been able to visit a handful of parks the past few years. Beside our 3 SoCal teams, we have been to Toronto, Boston, and both Chicago team games. We might hit up the A's next summer . . .

And like Boston in June, it was raining this June in San Francisco. Of course, it's often raining in SF. But it wasn't freezing, and at least it wasn't crazy hot; which is the main reason we avoid afternoon games in Southern California.

We decided to head to the game in true East Bay fashion; we took BART! As we learned from the Red Sox game when we took the subway, find a local fan in appropriate team paraphernalia, and follow them to the park. When we reached Embarcadero station, we followed a mom and son pair up to two people sitting at a TV tray with a cash box and told them "We followed the other Giants fans over here, what are you selling?" We were happy to find they were selling light-rail tickets to the park. Perfect! We'll take two tickets! I wouldn't say the price was cheaper than paying for parking (but it might be when you include bridge toll) but not having to drive into the city, or try to get in and out of stadium parking was well worth it!

When we first found our section, Kevin groaned and said "it's bleachers." Um, yeah, it's the outfield! But to our pleasant surprise row 00 was chairs right up on the wall. No obstructed view, no tapping feet on the metal seat, plenty of space between chairs and a (mostly) comfortable back to our chairs. The seats were great! One of the best we've had for a MLB game. Yeah for stub hub!

It may have been 421 feet from home plate, but we could see everything.

I got a little cold, but the wall shielded us from most of the wind.


Isn't he hot?! I just love those gas station aviators.

Baby Brother Graduates

In 1999, Baby Brother Jonathan started Kindergarden. The same year I went away to college. Everyone switched bedrooms and after that, I came back to "visit" . . . and sleep on the sleeper sofa. (The tables have turned and Jonathan graciously let Kevin, Lily, and me have his room while he slept on the sleeper downstairs.)

We all came "home" for the festivities and to celebrate Jon. The house was full! Both boys were downstairs, my family of 5 stayed in Jon's room (c'mon, you didn't expect me to leave my tiny puppies alone in Riverside!,) and Rachel's family took over the other two rooms. I'm a little excited for the day when all the grandkids get to sleep downstairs in sleeping bags. Until then, the pack and play was covered with a blanket so the crazy one couldn't see us and she slept in her bed . . . well, she slept there half the time. The other time she slept between Kevin and me. At least this time she slept; usually she just lays there staring at us.

Because I left home when Jon was so young, I don't really "know" him. I know he is very musically talented; more so than maybe the other three of us combined. I know he adore his first nephew and is a great Uncle. I know some of his likes and dislikes. But it was so wonderful listening to his youth pastor share how much Jon had changed and grown up the past few years. How Jon has found his service niche at church and how he just handles everything without having to be told. Jeff went on and on about how great it was to have Jon helping his out and I was very proud to be his big (short) sister.

Here's the whole gang. As you can see, Jon towers over everyone and I have a feeling he isn't done growing.

Vegas Vacation - Part 2

Here is a taste of Lily's mild tantrum in Vegas for you.


And a little more entertaining is Charlie swimming in the pool. We threw Bubba in a couple of times, but he panicked every time. Charlie just had a blast! He loved fetching the ball.

Vacation

We took our first family vacation last week. We have traveled, and done the getaway thing, but we had never done just the three of us. So we headed to Las Vegas to stay in my father-in-laws house. And it was truly a relaxing getaway. We played in the pool, BBQ'd and had dinner outside, watched a ton of movies, slept in . . . just wonderful. We believe in the true value of relaxation and unwinding.

One morning we headed to The Strip and walked around the Bellagio and Ceasars Palace. We saw the flowers and fountains and aquariums and enjoyed the sights.But most of the time we just hung out at the house.

She loved the porch swing.

Mommy and Bug.But when Mommy and Daddy took a picture together, she came running from the gazebo (in the background) . . . . . . screaming! She hates it when either of us give anyone else physical attention. . . including the dogs.So we had to take a couple family pictures since Bug wasn't about to be left out. Kevin let me sleep in and got up with Lily. I took long relaxing baths. We took naps. Read magazines and watched a lot of movies. It was wonderfully relaxing. We really can't wait to do it again.

Lemon Festival

I am always on the look out for free (or super cheap) family outings. They are becoming fewer, and sometimes free almost doesn't seem worth it. But a couple of weekends ago we headed out to the Upland Lemon Festival. I've never really been one for the midway, but I love the cheesy local events on the entertainment stage. I like pie eating contests and Clydesdales carved out of butter. I like bull riding and baby lambs. It must be the Bakersfield roots that my family holds. And while the Lemon Festival wasn't huge, and didn't have a ton of "lemon-y" events, the atmosphere was pleasant and the weather was nice. The outing was last minute, so we packed up the dinner I was already planning and headed out. We bought fresh squeezed lemonade (with the money we found on the ground,) unpacked our dinner at a shaded table, and watched the entertainment; a local belly dancing studio of mostly women that probably should have stopped showing their midriff 20 years earlier. But the music was catching and I found myself smiling as the women thoroughly enjoyed dancing for an audience. We walked around a little, looked at the petting zoo and watched the elephant walk in circles at the elephant ride. Then finished at the stage again watching local school age girls do traditional Irish dancing. Lily loved the Celtic music, laughing, dancing, and clapping along. It was great family time.