Honeymoon #3- Day 3

Super Touristy Day....but first, Phill and Carolina took us out to breakfast at a wonderful crepe cafe. We really enjoyed getting to hear their story and get to know them better since we haven't had almost any time together through the last several years. And yes, they are my uncle and aunt. Dad is the oldest of the family and Phill is the youngest of 6 kids, thus, I have an uncle just a few years older than me....and now an aunt who i THINK is younger! Kinda fun!

First super-tourist stop: Lombard St. The famous winding road.

On our way up the road to Lombard it sounded like birds were laughing at Matt as he tried to run up the steep hill. Since I love birds and didn't recognize the sound, I looked up only to find they wild parrots. We were told that several of them live around that area.
Next Super-Tourist stop: The Painted Ladies, A.K.A.- The place where D.J, Stephanie, and the Full House family lived. I think this is my favorite picture! We didn't have a football but tried our best to put on some cheesy smiles as we played and sang the theme song....

SING WITH US NOW..."Every where you look, everywhere you look, There's a heart....da-da-da-come home too...when you're lost out there, and you're all alone...dddaa-da-da is waiting to carry you HOOOooome, EVERY WHERE YOU LOOK! Da-da-da-da-DA-DA, aahhh, aahhhh, aahhh, ahh! Da-dooby-doo-BA-BA-OW! DA-DA!!! (You know you LOVE it!!) :)

My Favorite ship in the Bay...looked like a pirate ship to me!

Tourist Trap #3- The Cable Car! Matt really wanted to experience a ride, so we strayed from our "don't spend any money" goal and took a little trip!

Well worth it!

And lastly, China Town!

Happy Two Year Anniversary to My Favorite!

Honeymoon #3- Day 2

Since we walked pretty much the entire first day, we decided day 2 would be a good driving day...SOOOoooooo.....

....a good day to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge! Since it was Memorial Day weekend, who knows how long it took with all the traffic, but once again, with no time and no schedule, it was quite enjoyable!

Looking out of the sunroof. Someday we'd like to ride or walk over it, but not this day.

We went to a little town called Saulsalito, across the bay, and found a park to relax in.

Poor Matt became very close to his tissues since his allergies struck horribly that day. I enjoyed a book that mom gave me about how to keep plants alive in pots :)...and what's a restful day without a nap?!

Matt took this picture in a tunnel we went through and I just think it's pretty cool looking!

Once the majority of tourists left for the evening, we headed up to the view point. We were a little late for a perfect picture with the sun included, but oh well. Always a next time.

I couldn't resist. I think it actually looks like a paining in this picture.

Another great day with my husband

Honeymoon #3- Day 1

We went to San Francisco on our 3rd Honeymoon (2nd Anniversary) last weekend and had a great, relaxing time! It's only about 2 hours from where we live, PLUS my uncle and aunt live there, which has brought us to realize that we'll be visiting more often from now on! :)

Phill and Carolina live in a fabulous flat right in the heart of town. This picture is from the roof Friday night. GREAT view-which this picture only captures part of.
We really enjoyed getting to spend time with Phill (Carolina was out of town), and he was a great tour guide as well. Their dog, Shamis (sp?), amazed us as he just followed us around town, and even waited outside cafes without a leash while we went in for some food. A true city dog who everyone around knows and loves! :)
Ok, so I've become like my friend Tiana, who takes pictures of TREES! I think that i said, "i LOVE these trees," about every 5 minutes as we sauntered around town.
California has so many unique looking trees...or maybe it's just cuz they are different than the ones I grew up with in Oregon. Whatever the case, I like them!
After parting way with Phill in the morning, we headed to the Farmers Market. I wish i could have gotten a better shot at this little girl with her flowers, but I still like it. And of course Matt found a pastry to enjoy!

While wandering through the craft booths Matt heard a familiar song coming from somewhere nearby...don't know if you've heard of it, but we LOVE IT- "God of This City." Matt was immediately like a dog who caught a scent and darted off toward it. Sure enough, there was a huge youth group from Louisiana singing in the square!

They also had a group who played on buckets, ladders, trash cans and lids, etc. Lots of fun!

We ended up sticking around for quite a while and joined in the worship (including "Mighty to Save"- another favorite of ours). This ended up being on the top of the list for favorite memories of the weekend.

It's so easy for me to get overwhelmed by the darkness and brokenness of so many people in cities, to the point where it's easy to feel a lack of hope and an emptiness. It was an incredible reminder, as we got to praise Jesus in the middle of a city, that He is still God and in control, no matter how much it might not seem like it sometimes. He IS God of every city, no matter who does or doesn't believe it or walk with Him. And it truly FILLS me to walk in the light, in JOY...HOPE...LOVE...and all that He brings, knowing that He is at work and hasn't forgotten! He is HERE!

View from above the group and the fountains we sat by...and got burned in the sun by (unexpected GREAT weather!)
Next we made our way along the waterfront. On our honeymoons we especially enjoy not caring what time it is, so we had no plans and just took our time. We sat here for a while and watched some guys skate boarding. Quite entertaining!
And then down to Pier 39 for some ice cream, shops and of course, the sea lions!
And a happy ending to our day on top of Phill's roof again, this time in day light! Pretty nice view, huh?!?! :)

Two Years Married...

....this is what it's done to us!!! :)

LOL!!! Not really!!! Although we DO have quite a bit of fun!

The next post will be of our 3rd honeymoon pics to SanFrancisco!

We LOVE LOVE LOVE each other still and are looking forward to many more years having fun and walking through life together with God!

Monterey & Santa Cruz!!!

After visiting the Greens, we still had half of the day left and a few hours of the weekend...AND we were ONLY about an hour away from Monterey, which is where we went for our honeymoon almost 2 years ago! So of COURSE we decided to take a side trip!

First stop was Carmel, which I'm sure you know is amazingly beautiful! Just REALLY windy and cold that day. The picture doesn't show how aqua-teal green the water was. Quite beautiful!
We then headed just down the road to Monterey and stopped by some of our favorite spots. Good memories....
....but we've also learned that we LOVE exploring and making NEW memories! So we soon headed up the highway to a city we've never been to together, Santa Cruz! We only had time to see the beach and enjoy a walk on the boardwalk!
And Matt couldn't pass up a ride or two...a great way to spend some birthday money! :) He reminds me of a little kid in a car seat in this picture! :) I honestly don't think he and I will ever lose the childlike heart inside that gets a thrill out of things like this! This is right before he was shot up into the air, which he fully enjoyed.
And then he bought us both a ride on the famous roller coaster! I haven't had that much fun in a long time! FABULOUS!!! I avoid most rides cuz the older i get the more nausea i seem to experience...even on a simple swing. But this was PERFECT...as the picture shows!

Just having FUN!!! There it is!!

The beach, a day with my love, laughing, music.....how could i not DANCE a little!

A Great day!!! I am so thankful to share life with my best friend!

Greens to Australia

Rachel, one of my closest friends through the years, and her family recently found out that they will be moving to Sydney, Australia. It's a move mixed with emotion- joy over God providing Chris with a job teaching at a Seminary (he's worked EXTREMELY hard to find one here but it just isn't happening), and sadness because it means leaving many friends and family across the world for an unknown amount of time. We had the chance to spend some time with them and say goodbye this last weekend.
In the midst of all the moving preparation Rachel found a way to make a cake to celebrate Matt's birthday! Have you heard of "Poke Cake"....it is SOOOooo good! Thank you Rachel!

All the guys went to the park to give me and Rachel some talk time.

I think Ethan thinks mommy is a pretty good rocking chair! She IS a FABULOUS mother!!!

And Chris is an amazing daddy! We really enjoyed watching him play with their boys! This is Benjamin.

Hmmmm, we're thinking that it MUST be in God's plan for us to take a trip to Australia sometime in the next few years....since two of my closest friends will be living there (Jen and her family moved this last year)! Ya never know! :)

WE LOVE YOU GREEN FAMILY!!! AND WE'LL MISS YOU!!! we've enjoyed getting to see you three times in a year...while it lasted! see you Australia!!!