San Francisco

JCPenney sent David to a Marketing Analytics conference in San Francisco...and he surprised me with a companion ticket! We had a great time cruising the busy downtown, visiting the California Academy of Sciences, Alcatraz island, local eateries and shopping. What a great getaway ~ [even if we were lame at taking photos]!

 The Palace Hotel, where we stayed for David's conference

the view of San Francisco from the ferry 

Alcatraz island - "the Rock"

 

Ghiradelli square! yummy chocolate

At Kara's Cupcakes. Winner of Cupcake Wars. 

Enjoyed a chocolate gluten-free cupcake. 

"the living rainforest" dome at California Academy of Sciences

San Francisco townhomes

Princess Dance Camp

Bria & Cali enjoyed a 5-day Princess Dance Camp at a really cute local studio. It was their first ever dance experience, and I must say, they show promising talent. :) At camp they practiced ballet and tap, played with friends, had a craft and snacks. You can view snippets of their final performances below. 

Cali-boos

Bria (sorry I held the camera the wrong way!)

summer adventures

What a fun summer we've had! This weekend we returned from a three-week jaunt to Washington state and Utah (Snowbird resort). David came along for the first week in Northwest, where we visited the beach, downtown Seattle's Aquarium and Children's museum, enjoyed morning walks, played at an awesome indoor playplace, visited the Temple, lunched along the Puget Sound, and even escaped {kid-free, thanks to my parents!} to a cozy Native American-themed hotel, hiked in the beautiful green forests, and visited Pike Place Market. The kids especially loved the nice weather (playing outside!) and cuddling with the doggies.

Sadly, David had to return home for work, but the kids and I stayed and played with Grandma Michelle and Grandpa Don and Aunt Dani. We headed down to Utah (the girls in the car, the guys in the airplane) to visit Christian & McCall and their family in Sandy, soon heading up to Snowbird resort to see more family and friends. (So sad I missed photos with the Petersons, the Morris' and the Parmas!) We loved hiking in the gorgeous Little Cottonwood Canyon with all its native squirrels, marmots, deer & moose. Plus we swam, relaxed, munched and played on the playground and on the rides (including the alpine slide and tram!). A great big thank you to our gracious family! Missing y'all!

Soundview Ward Temple night  

Cali & Lucky

the Seattle Aquarium

walking at Chamber's Bay in U.P.

 hiking!

Pike Place! 

gluten-free pasta, fresh NW cherries, smoked salmon, and an amazing gyro

Pt. Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

the Children's museum

(Cali and her new ladybug boots!)

finding crabs and limpets at Penrose State Park

playing in Grandma's backyard 

 Charlie's Safari

on top of Snowbird tram

hiking Catherine's Pass

 

ice cream {courtesy of Grandma} with the cousins at the Snowbird Center

Temple Square