April 8th: Woke up at 4:30am to finish getting everything ready and waited for my sister and her Suburban to arrive. Five o'clock we load the truck, arrange car seats and Colby groggily brings our sleeping kids to the car. We are off to begin the long, long, drive to our hotel in Oakland, CA. The weather throughout the entire state of Nevada was horrendous. Heavy winds and snowstorm made us take our time. Lots of movies, sleepy cranky kids and fast food on the way. I will have to say that my favorite part of that drive was Lake Tahoe area. It was gorgeous! I can't even remember what time it was when we finally arrived in Oakland, it was probably after 11pm, but both drivers were exhausted and a bit delirious. We did stop in Roseville on the way to kill rush hour time through Sacramento and visit an old friend of my sister's. The kids were in heaven playing with the friend's young'uns and their toys.
April 9th: We found a Carrow's near the Oakland airport that were willing to seat and feed our party of 8. We ended up eating breakfast there 4 of 6 days of our trip. Next it was off to find the Bay Bridge
and cross over to San Francisco, so we could start sight-seeing throughout city. The kids and I thought it was great driving through a tunnel in an island. 
We ended up at the Golden Gate Bridge after driving around San Fran for awhile. Next we had lunch at In-N-Out Burger, and walked Fisherman's Wharf. We ended up at Pier 39 watching the Sea Lions 
and riding the double-decker carousel. 
The kids had a good time riding up an escalator over and over, you would think they'd never been on one before. 
After a few more photo opts around Pier 39, 
we walked back to Ghiradelli square where we had parked, hitting Cold Stone Creamery for a treat on the way. 
It was a long first day!April 10th: The weather was much more pleasant today. 
Although, still a bit breezy, but that's what you get next to the ocean. We decided to take the kids to the Exploratorium, I think we spent about 4 hours there. 
We didn't even get half way done walking through the ginormous building. 
There was just way too much to do. 
We all had such a blast trying out the different science/physics experiments. Outside, we had a snack picnic in front of the Palace of the Fine Arts. 
What a great view! 
They kids had fun having stroller races taking turns who sat in the 2 strollers. We drove around town enjoying the architecture, 
viewing Coit Tower, 
and finding the crooked part of Lombard Street. Then we stood in line to ride a Cable Car. 
The driver took such a fancy to Gabe, he talked to him the whole ride from Ghiradelli Square to downtown, then had him ring the bell like crazy when everyone was off the car. On the walk back to the car, we watched a guy swallowing swords and eating fire.
Although, still a bit breezy, but that's what you get next to the ocean. We decided to take the kids to the Exploratorium, I think we spent about 4 hours there. We didn't even get half way done walking through the ginormous building. There was just way too much to do. We all had such a blast trying out the different science/physics experiments. Outside, we had a snack picnic in front of the Palace of the Fine Arts. What a great view! They kids had fun having stroller races taking turns who sat in the 2 strollers. We drove around town enjoying the architecture, viewing Coit Tower, and finding the crooked part of Lombard Street. Then we stood in line to ride a Cable Car. The driver took such a fancy to Gabe, he talked to him the whole ride from Ghiradelli Square to downtown, then had him ring the bell like crazy when everyone was off the car. On the walk back to the car, we watched a guy swallowing swords and eating fire.April 11th: We usually ate a little late for Breakfast each morning, so Tristan was always starving, and he definitely let us know it. 
Here he is scarfing down his daily dose of pancakes. We got in our Sunday best to attend the Temple Sealing of our cousins. The kids were watched by some sweet Young Women of our cousins ward at a huge stake center on the Temple grounds. 
Tyra and I attended the sealing with our mom and dad, and aunts and uncles. It was long, but very special to see this family of 5 sealed for time and all eternity. 
(Uncle Garth, his son Chase and daughter-in-law Jill Burt. Their children: Zenoch, Quinn and Lily Burt)
Here he is scarfing down his daily dose of pancakes. We got in our Sunday best to attend the Temple Sealing of our cousins. The kids were watched by some sweet Young Women of our cousins ward at a huge stake center on the Temple grounds. Tyra and I attended the sealing with our mom and dad, and aunts and uncles. It was long, but very special to see this family of 5 sealed for time and all eternity. (Uncle Garth, his son Chase and daughter-in-law Jill Burt. Their children: Zenoch, Quinn and Lily Burt)They had a long journey to get here. We hung out on the grounds for awhile chatting, 
(Tyra, Dad and Me)
(Tyra, Dad and Me)
(Tyra, Mom and Me)taking pictures and watching all the fun wedding parties filter throughout the grounds. The temple had a staircase outside that you could go up and enjoy the crazy view of the bay area.
Gorgeous! 
Of course the temple grounds were just as amazing. By the way, the drive from the freeway to the temple was terrifying. Someone had told our group to go strait there and not stop to get out of the car until we were on the dedicated grounds of the temple. 
Gorgeous! Of course the temple grounds were just as amazing. By the way, the drive from the freeway to the temple was terrifying. Someone had told our group to go strait there and not stop to get out of the car until we were on the dedicated grounds of the temple. (Tristan zoning out, on the way to food, listening to my iPod.)
We cara-vanned over to a Home Town Buffet for more food and run with our large group. 
Then we separated from the others and headed back to our hotel for some swimming. 
The wind was blowing and most of the pool area was in the shade, so it WAS freezing! 
But the kids still swam between bouts of running to the sun to get warm.
Then we separated from the others and headed back to our hotel for some swimming. The wind was blowing and most of the pool area was in the shade, so it WAS freezing! But the kids still swam between bouts of running to the sun to get warm.April 12th: This was our last full day of fun, tomorrow we would make the long drive back home. 
Another breakfast at Carrow's, then back to the hotel for an impromptu Easter Hunt, no eggs involved. 
We then rode the B.A.R.T. (Bay Area Rapid Transit - train) from Oakland to San Francisco. 
This was Gabe's favorite part of the trip, 
but he fell asleep before we were done. It goes under the bay, I was amazed at how fast we were moving. We walked around a park with some fun sculptures when we got there. 
Then walked the Embarcadero again, this time from the opposite side, 
going from The Ferry Building to Pier 39. 
We got a great view of the Trans-American Building. For those who have seen Monsters vs. Aliens, it was set in San Francisco area, and in the movie you see several of the buildings and bridges that we got to see. We grabbed some cookies and lunch at Pier 39 before walking back to the Ferry building and the BART. 
I had to have a sourdough bowl, although I am not a clam chowder fan, so I got it filled with chili instead. 
Pigeons were feasting on a bowl as well, I thought this was funny. A guy had an iguana on a leash, the kids loved walking over to pet it. 
Finally cranky Tristan is asleep. 
Gabe took this picture of me on the way back to Oakland.
Another breakfast at Carrow's, then back to the hotel for an impromptu Easter Hunt, no eggs involved. We then rode the B.A.R.T. (Bay Area Rapid Transit - train) from Oakland to San Francisco. This was Gabe's favorite part of the trip, but he fell asleep before we were done. It goes under the bay, I was amazed at how fast we were moving. We walked around a park with some fun sculptures when we got there. Then walked the Embarcadero again, this time from the opposite side, going from The Ferry Building to Pier 39. We got a great view of the Trans-American Building. For those who have seen Monsters vs. Aliens, it was set in San Francisco area, and in the movie you see several of the buildings and bridges that we got to see. We grabbed some cookies and lunch at Pier 39 before walking back to the Ferry building and the BART. I had to have a sourdough bowl, although I am not a clam chowder fan, so I got it filled with chili instead. Pigeons were feasting on a bowl as well, I thought this was funny. A guy had an iguana on a leash, the kids loved walking over to pet it. Finally cranky Tristan is asleep. Gabe took this picture of me on the way back to Oakland.April 13th: Tyra and I packed the car the night before so that we could just wake up at 5am and leave. I slept through my alarm, so she had to wake me up, with her kids already waiting for us in the car, sorry Tyra. It had been a long restless night with Tristan tossing and turning in my bed and falling off the bed completely, once again. We finally got out of there around 5:30am. On our drive home, my parents called to say that while they were eating at Carrow's that morning, their rental car had been broken into, and my Uncle Dennis's laptop was stolen. The police refused to come to them, because 4 officers had been killed in that area in the last month. So they drove to the police station to file the report. Scary! We will never stay there again. We were definitely watched over during our vacation. Many prayers were said by us, and now we know why the rooms were so affordable in the area. 
Here is Tristan after a long screaming bout, he finally fell asleep with Taryn's stuffed sea lion in his hand. We got home at about 11 or 11:30 at night. Exhausted and cranky, we were glad to see Colby again.
Here is Tristan after a long screaming bout, he finally fell asleep with Taryn's stuffed sea lion in his hand. We got home at about 11 or 11:30 at night. Exhausted and cranky, we were glad to see Colby again.
April has sure fooled us all here in Utah; making us think it's a spring month, but deciding to torture us with more winter. Argh! Is the end of winter ever in sight? Will spring begin at all before summer gets here? Alas, I will just resort to checking weather.com every day.
