Sunday, May 3, 2009

Oakland and San Francisco

We started out the trip with Grandma Rowene and Grandpa Billy in Oakland. After picking them up from the airport, we stayed in a hotel in Oakland so that the next day we could go to the Oakland Temple for Grandma and Grandpa to do a session. The kids thought this ledge in the hotel room was a fun stage and put on quite the show for us. They were so excited to see Grandm and Grandpa. While Grandma and Grandpa did a session, I walked around the temple grounds with the kids and then visited the Visitors Center. The sister who took us through spent some years living in Salem with her family and knew Joseph's younger brother Abe, small world. She was very sweet. There was a Arnold Friberg exhibit going on and she showed us all of his Book of Mormon paintings. It was neat to see how many of the stories our kids could tell about, just by seeing the pictures. They really do listen after all! It also made me very grateful for faithful primary teachers and leaders who take their callings seriously and help us to help our children. I love all of his paintings. It was beautiful to see the actual paintings rather than the prints we are used to seeing in the Gospel Art Kit.

Aaron did not want Grandpa to go into the temple without him. He threw a huge fit when Grandpa walked in and then he needed his diaper changed. He wanted Grandpa to put his pants back on, but Grandpa was gone, so I resisted the screaming and let him walk around in his diaper. Joseph hates it when he sees kids in just diapers, especially his own, but it wasn't a battle I was willing to fight.



Aaron eventually felt it was a little breezy and asked me to put his pants back on. Whew! The temple grounds were beautiful. This temple is about 1 1/2 hours away from where we live, so we attend the Sacramento one which is about 45 minutes away.
After Grandma and Grandpa were finished we headed into San Francisco to get some soup and bread bowls before heading home. We stopped at Boudin's right by Fisherman's Wharf. This is our favorite spot, we always like to see the different shapes and animals they make with their sourdough bread, and we love their yummy soup.
We drove through and looked at a few sights in San Fransisco and then headed north on the Golden Gate bridge into Marin County. We drove through Sausalito and then through some of the rolling hills on the edge of wine country. It was a very pretty and relaxing drive back to Woodland.

3 comments:

Stephanie said...

The Oakland temple is by far on my top 10 list- I'm partial because I did my endowments there! :) You guys have been super busy. It all looks like so much fun I don't know where to comment first. I love the photo of Joe and Issac on the beach...each in their own thoughts!

Jenni Coberly said...

Sounds like you had an amazing time with your parents there. So many beautiful places to take your cute little family. You all look so great and happy.

P.S. Did you also know that if the starfish breaks an arm or if one is eaten they grow them back. Eliza did a animal presentation all about starfish so I loved hearing about your fun fact. I thought that was very interesting too. :)

Karen said...

What a great vacation. I'm a little bummed you didn't call me when you were here. I could have come to the temple to see you. We live less than 15 minutes from the Oakland temple. Next time :)