Turkey, Dead People, Fish, Shopping, Beach Equal Fun

I was lucky enough to host Thanksgiving at the Green this year. My Parents, Melissa and my niece Ali came out to visit. There was so much to do in 4 days and we managed to get to it all and sleep just a little.

They arrived Thanksgiving morning (the best day to fly) and we snacked on crackers, cheese, artichoke dip and summer sausage (beef log as my family would call it). We watched Penelope and laid around.

After a bit we went to Mountain View Cemetery (the fascination runs in the family) and walked around. Then came home to cook Thanksgiving Dinner. It was nice to have Mom and Dad in the kitchen (they kind of took over and I was more than happy to let them). It was delicious and the perfect meal.

Ali at the Merritt Crypt

Melissa "sneaking" up on Ali and I

Thanksgiving Dinner...Yummy

Friday morning we drove to Monterey. It was a long drive for those in the back-seat but they survived. After a large lunch of Mexican food we went over to the Aquarium. My Parents and Ali had never been. This was possibly my 5th time in less than 3 years. It never gets old. I didn't take many pictures because I already have a zillion. We spent a few hours and then drove home. It was a very long day.

This fish stayed in the same place forever just looking at Ali and I.

The giant Outer Bay Tank

Every time Melissa and I go we have to reenact the photo. We have so far done it with everyone that has come with us.

Saturday~ Ali, Melissa and I went shopping in San Francisco. Ali wasn't used to so many people and spending her own money. But she powered thru after a couple of clothing and shoe stores we went music shopping instead ( a girl after my own heart). The funny thing is after shopping in San Francisco we spent most of our money at Target.

After we all went to Cactus for addicting Tacos and then off to Ici for delicious Ice cream...I had Gingerbread flavor...Yum!

In front of the Christmas tree in Union Square.

Sunday~ after church of course we drove out to see some quick sites.  A very quick stop at the Palace of Fine Arts, crossing the Golden Gate we arrived at Rodeo beach. Rodeo beach is one of my favorites in the area. Usually it isn't very crowded but the warmish day (almost 70) brought a few people out to picnic. It was Ali's first time on the beach since she was two, and she was entranced with the tide coming in. It was lovely to watch the sunset and enjoy spending time with the family.

Then we drove up to Temple Hill to see the Christmas lights. They were beautiful as usual.

Mom and Dad in front of the Oakland Temple

Palace of Fine Arts

Ali and Elephant rock in the background

Ali and the Tide

Ali and I

Ali and Melissa

Sunset at Rodeo

Melissa let me take a photo of her...Phew!

It was so much fun to have everyone come to The Green to visit. It was a bit crowded with the 1 bathroom but I loved showing off one of the coolest neighborhoods in Oakland and spending time with the people I love.

Happy Birthday Emily!!!

Happy Birthday to my adventure seeking, fun loving, awesome teacher, fabulous youngest sister and friend. I love you! I hope you have a wonderful Birthday!

Last post on Washington D.C. - Yummy!

I have discovered two new favorites while I was in D.C.

The first was Five Guys. I love their Hamburgers and Fries. I am not much of an In and Out person (I know sacrilege to some of you) but Five Guys I can totally get behind. Besides they use fresh potatoes for their french fries which are delicious...they post were that days potatoes came from. It was Shelley Idaho, a place I have been to many a time thanks to work.

Thank goodness there isn't one nearby or else I would be a fatty.

My second favorite is Georgetown Cupcake. They were divine, in fact my mouth is watering remembering the moment I took a bite. The day we went the line was not out the door only because it was the middle of the day on Wednesday.  It is such a cute little shop with so many yummy choices. If you ever get a chance you must go...it is worth it!

2nd to Last Post on Washington DC

I know so many posts about my trip that happened a month ago. I am trying to get it all down. I did so much while I was there and besides D.C. is an amazing place and deserves many posts.

My last day I had time to spend with my cool brother Dave. I wanted to go to the Zoo just to see the Pandas and because it was FREE. Just walk right in. The Pandas were cool they were sleeping so not much to see, however I can now say I have seen them. We didn't walk around much or see many of the other animals. Why you ask? Well the San Francisco Zoo is much more interactive...the animals there come out of their cages.

It was a lovely day and the colors were in full bloom.  Afterwards we went out to Old Town Alexandria, I love that town, it is so pretty.  We had yummy tacos for lunch and then it was time to go home. 

It was such a lovely way to spend a Birthday week, ring in a new Presidency and see such awesome siblings. I am so Happy I went!

Smithsonian Museums

I love to go to museums by myself because I can go at my own pace, explore and study the Art that I enjoy. Now after stating this I would never turn down the chance to go to a museum with anyone who would like to go. 

One of my favorite things about Washington D.C. are the multitude of Museums. It is difficult to get through them all in a week let alone two days.  So I picked the ones that I had not been through yet.

Monday morning was cold and dreary. It was a great day to be spent indoors. Armed with cold medicine, plenty of Kleenex and cough drops, I was ready to put a dent into a few of the museums on the Mall.  

It was 9:30 when I arrived  and the museums weren't open yet. I wandered over to the US Capitol building to pass the time for a bit.  The front steps were closed, they were preparing them for the Inauguration (YIPPEE!) I roamed around for a bit and then noticed the U.S. Botanic Gardens, It was the perfect place to warm up and see beautiful flowers. The plants and flowers were amazing. 

Afterwards I walked over to the east wing of the National Gallery to spend time with with the likes of Matisse, Picasso, Kandinsky, and Braque and the exhibition from Pompeii. After seeing everything I could possibly see I went down to the cafeteria and ate a bland piece of pizza, I needed nourishment for the west wing.

The West Wing of the Gallery is huge. Most people have never seen every piece of work but I was determined to. I spent several hours and managed to see every room. I only managed to get lost once.

I then walked over to the Natural History Museum.  At this point I was waning a bit but I really wanted to see this one. It was really crowded! I managed to see most of what I wanted to. However large school groups of adolescents (a nightmare of mine something about squealing girls) and my cold medicine waring off I decided that it was time to call it a day.

I wandered through the sculpture garden up to a Starbucks for something warm to drink. It was nice to sit and relax. My wanderings brought me close to the White House so I stopped by to wave farewell.

It was a fantastic but exhausting day. 

Tuesday I started again. I rode the Metro in for the National Portrait Gallery. This is not on the Mall but I highly recommend it. It is a gorgeous building with much to see. The Hall of Presidents is amazing. 

It was a drizzly day as I walked out side to find something to eat it started to pour. I didn't care I really like the rain. It was Tuesday and Starbucks was giving out free drinks to those who voted. So I went and enjoyed a Hot Chocolate as I watched the world go by. It is very interesting to watch people in the rain.

Afterwards I trekked down to the Holocaust Museum. I am so happy that I was able to fit this one in. It is such a sobering experience.

I headed back in time for the election results to start coming in. There was an electricity in the air and I was giddy with anticipation (that is between hacking my lungs up). With Pizza ordered in Dave, Brooke and I started the long night glued to the T.V. If I were only feeling better I would have loved to be down by the White House. It was the perfect ending to two great days spent the way I wanted.

The pictures below are from the first day. For some reason I didn't take any pictures on the second day. It wasn't necessary.