Yours, Mine, and Ours

We recently went to San Francisco on a trip with just Aram and I. It was so fun. Thanks to my sisters and mom who watched the boys while we were gone. While we were there we did a little of everything. We had a "yours, mine and ours" vacation. Chronicled below is the his/her version of the vacation. We followed Aram's passion (food) and hit all spots he researched and was dying to try. We followed my passion (the Theater) and went to see Wicked. And, we did alot of what we both love...exploring and finding adventures for ourselves.

The Muir Woods. I am in love with the Redwoods, they are the perfect tree. This place was so beautiful and serene.

Alacatraz Island. There is a lure about this place that takes you in and you can't resist it.

A Belgium spot we ate at before the play. Frijtz Fries-fries with funky sauces and yummy crepes.

On our first morning we got up bright and early and ran across the Golden Gate Bridge. Then explored the Golden Gate Bridge Park. Both were awesome and a must if you go to San Francisco.

Her Vacation

Long story...Long
I have been dying to see Wicked for years now. There have been several times when I almost bought tickets, and then my frugality get the better of me and I decide against it. I did this when we lived in AZ, I did it when we went to LA with my family, and I did it when tickets went on sale for Salt Lake.

During conference Elder Hales gave a talk about being frugal, and how the most loving thing you can say to a spouse is, "we can't afford it." After that talk Aram said, "Well, that came at a bad time for your birthday." That was enough to drive me crazy. I racked my brain as to what he might be planning, and if I should be a good wife and discourage him from doing it, or be selfish and indulge myself. While I was thinking of all the possibilities I came up with the possibility that it might be Wicked Tickets. One night while we were pillow talking I guessed what it was...a gift certificate to a spa (really nice, but really not what I wanted). So, I just came out with it..."I would rather go to Wicked." So we started looking for tickets and couldn't find any less than $250 per ticket. So, I suggested we just get cheaper tickets in San Francisco and spend the rest on lodging and food.

Needless to say, Wicked was Divine. I loved it. And, Aram did too. He won't stop listening to the CD.

His Vacation

The Famous Saigon Sandwiches, found in Little Saigon. We walked through some pretty shady parts of town to get this sandwich. It is the perfect blend of vietnamese and american. Chicken or Pork with cilantro, carrots, jalepenos, and a yummy sauce on a crusty white bread bun. MMMM.

The Farmer's Market at Embaradero on the pier on Saturday morning. We sampled all sorts of overpriced, organic goodies at this charming market. Who pays $7 for a dozen eggs...crazy. Small farmers have a nice set up there. They farm in Sonoma and keep their operations small and organic (which is costly) and they have the clientele for it in San Francisco and the surrounding cities. We got some yummy cheese curds, and some to-die-for almonds.

I fell in love with Little Italy, known as North Beach. It is the craziest thing, we walked through China Town and literally everyone on the street we were on was Chinese (we were walking their market, with the likes of dried squid and dried armidillo) and then we went up one street and no joke everyone was Italian. China Town and North Beach are right next to each other. I felt like I had just traveled the world and I only we a few blocks. As we strolled through North Beach we found a pastry shop, we got quite a few goodies and feel in love with the Almond cookies. I loved little Italy so much I made Aram take me back there for a nice dinner on our last night. You can't beat Italian made by Italians and served by Italians.

Aram found out that a must eat in San Fran is Dim Sum. Dim Sum is a chinese "snack", it is dumplings served with a variety of things in the middle. It's not just the food you must have, but the Dim Sum experience. We went to Golden Mountain in China Town. This restaurant was huge, full of round tables, bursting at the seams with Chinese people. We were a little out of place. But, that's how we wanted it...an authentic experience. Servers are swarming the room rolling around silver carts with trays of dim sum. They come to your table and ask if you want what they have. Many of the servers didn't speak english so we got a few gross ones, but overall Dim Sum was Yum. I recommend pork buns, anything with shrimp and crab, and the mango pudding.

Spring Pictures

Best Buddies. Shep and his cousin Dylan adore one another, every time they see each other they have the same greeting...hitting their hand against their forehead and saying "ouch".


My favorite easter basket, ever.


Lunch at the Brick Oven with my sisters and mom, for old time sake. It sure was nice to be with them, they are all so amazing.


Dying eggs with Papa Dude and Gramma Judy. Marshall seems to have his own agenda.


Two things I've learned about Marshall that this picture illustrates well. First, he is fiercely independent especially when it comes to eating, exploring, and climbing. And second, he has the sweetest personality, but this boy WILL fight back. If I ever yell at him or Shep (who me???) he will get right in my face and yell back.

"We're Going to the Zoo, How About You?"

Aram and I decided we have a new philosophy about taking Shep to nice/expensive/fun places; we are not paying for the experience and excitement there, we are paying for his reaction to it the day afterwards. Sheppard loves animals, he plays them all day and I'm sure he dreams about them all night. So, I assumed the the zoo would be pure paradise for him. I guessed wrong. Gramma and Papa took us to the zoo while they were here and Shep had a total meltdown. He freaked out completely, and wouldn't even pretend he liked it. You can see his distraught face on the Merry Go Round (which was our unsuccessful attempt to snap him out of his tissy fit). He finally calmed down a bit, and enjoyed it more towards the end of our time there. On the other hand, Marshall loved it and was in love with all the animals. This is the kicker...the next day Shep was talking about the zoo like it was the best thing on the planet. He told me about all the animals and what they did, "Gorilla was so funny, he played peek a boo", "Elephant ate the straw, that was so funny." Trust me, none of this was remotely funny to him while we were there, but something must have connected in his sweet little head that it should be funny. He has altered his memory of the zoo from a miserable, distraught experience to a great and funny day. Kids, go figure!

Grandma Time

Shep and Marshall were so spoiled because Grandma Judy and Papa Dude came to visit in April and they didn't have to share them with anyone. Grandma and Shep really bonded; they made a tent, played "animals", sang lots of songs and played lots of games. It was really fun to have them come visit. While Shep and Grandma were busy playing, Aram and Papa Dude wired and sheet rocked our basement bathroom, and worked on the swing set in the backyard. They worked hard, and we played hard.

alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5332164773194017362" />