California Dreamin'

After being away from Tanner for almost four weeks we were all really excited for him to get to the ranch. The day he was coming the kids asked when he would be coming at least every ten minutes. I was so excited to see him that when he finally walked in I screamed and about gave Eliza a heart attack. I thought she might be scared of Tanner after that but she warmed right up to him. 

Once Tanner had a few days to recover from his backpacking trip we headed out to Oakland to see his parents. They are serving a mission at the Oakland Temple Visitors Center. Our goal was to get a lot of good beach time in and we definitely did that. 

 Our first beach was at Golden Gate Park and it was a really foggy day with big waves but the kids had to get their toes in the sand. 

 We also went to the Legion of Honor and looked at some beautiful artwork. Eliza loved the acoustics and happy screamed almost the whole time we were in there. Everyone had a lovely ambiance to take in the artwork. 

Chet was obviously thrilled by the period rooms...I thought they were cool. He was way more impressed by the paintings and sculptures of men on horseback.

One day we got to go to some beaches with Grandma and Grandpa. The first had tide pools. We looked for sea urchins and hermit crabs and even got to see some seals lying out on the beach. It was really hard for us not to touch the wildlife. 

The next beach had shells and little crabs that would scurry away and cram themselves into the rocks. The kids left there with full pockets of treasures. 

On another day we went to Point Bonita. Our first stop was Rodeo Beach and it was awesome. It was a sunny clear day and the kids were able to play in the water. They would try to race the waves and spent at least an hour doing that. Mariah and Chet ended up soaked but they were so happy I didn't hear any complaining from them. There were surfers that we were able to watch and Mariah and Chet explored the beach with Tanner. I was so proud of myself for planning ahead with dry clothes for all the kids and then I dropped Mariah's in the showers. So she ended up wearing Austin's dry clothes. 

Such a beautiful day!

Austin insisted on wearing his hat pulled down all the way to his eyes. I guess he doesn't like squinting. 

I even braved the water for a while but it was icy cold...I don't know how Mariah and Chet could stand it. Eliza loved when we ran through the water with her. She had the cutest giggles. 

After the beach we found the best view of the Golden Gate Bridge. The clear day worked out perfectly for our view. 

The night before we watched Pete's Dragon to prepare for our trip to the lighthouse, which looked very different from what we imagined but still was fun. 

After that we hit up an old armory that was used during WWI. 

Tanner had me hold this pose for way longer than I was comfortable with. My hammie started cramping up; I need to stretch more. 

We got to go on a hike through redwoods that were minutes away from where Grandma and Grandpa live. It was beautiful and we only had a few meltdowns. All the bikers coming through kept us on our toes though. 

 We stopped by Pier 39 to see the seals; there were only a few sunning themselves that day.

I had to get a picture of my two favorite Lefty's in front of this store. 

And then Tanner got roped into this guy's show because he is big and tall. I went to take a video but the guy was so long winded. Tanner was probably up there for at least fifteen minutes. They all held a rope so the guy could balance on it while juggling. Tanner was not amused. Although I think he was more funny than the entertainer. 

One night we hit up Fentons Creamery for some ice cream. Chet and Austin ordered bubblegum, but surprisingly Mariah ordered a fudge marbled vanilla. She was so superior towards her brothers the whole time. "Mine tastes real, yours just tastes fake. I'm so glad I got my flavor." Although she never turned down a lick of theirs...

We got to spend a lot of time at the temple. Tanner and I got to do a session together and afterwords I just wandered around looking at all the beautiful artwork. Grandpa took the older three up on the roof of the temple and they got to help some workers water plants. And they insisted on taking Tanner and I up there later. 

Both mine and Tanner's parents were married in this temple. We tried to find the special spot where Grandma Young sat and made a promise that she would be married in the temple, but we never found it. It's the thought that counts right? We got to spend some time in the Visitors Center as well. 

Tanner's Uncle Graig and Aunt Sybilla had us all over for dinner one night. The kids got to pick blackberries and play with Aunt Sibby's fun toys that she has had since her boys were little. Aunt Sibby sends out Birthday cards to all of her nieces and nephews and grand nieces and nephews. And until they turn a certain age they get their age worth in money. It is very exciting for my kids to get her birthday cards and such a sweet service that she does. 

We loved spending some time with Grandma and Grandpa Crossley. They were so wonderful and took time out of their busy schedule to be with us and we were so grateful for that.