Golden Gate Bridge

Yesterday we took advantage of the break in the rain and again played tourist in San Francisco. This time it was a trip across the Bridge, through Sausalito, and briefly through the Marin headlands. Nate kept asking for the "toll bridge" and didn't like it when the fog obscured the top of the towers.

Bath time!

Nate and Julie enjoying an overdue bath. 

Drove up to the City to see a model train at the Embarcadero Hyatt but they were dismantling it already - fortunately for us as we had a better time riding the glass elevators and grabbing an al fresco lunch at the Ferry Building (Nate and Julie loved the pigeon chasing entertainment). Then we seized the moment and got onto a cable car. Nate was in heaven!

Oranges are a big hit.

.

More pics

Christmas day was so exciting! An early morning, of course, so stockings could be emptied and presents opened. What fun for everyone. We headed over to Grandmom Martin's house to see grandmom, assorted Uncles and Aunt Janine and Gracie and Joey and enjoy a great pot roast dinner...and more presents...and more fun for everyone (except for cousin Joe's bump on the head, too much excitement).

Exploratorium

 

Marina bakery

At a Marina bakery for a quick snack. What trip to San Francisco would be complete without some element of food? 

Christmas Eve: Exploratorium

We had Gina's family over for a pancake breakfast, then headed along the coast. The sun broke out and it was almost 70 degrees...absolutely beautiful. The weather was too nice to head back home, so we explored around the Exploratorium to watch diggers and swans, then walked to Chestnut street in the Marina. 

Julie, outside

The shot every Googler parent has, baby with Google paraphanalia. Here's Julie helping out with our outside cleaning duties, sweeping up leaves from the recent storms.

Gingerbread House

Uncle Len builds the gingerbread house while Nate tries to convince the rest of his he needs to sample each part of the building. 

Stone River

On our last warm day of the year, we had lunch at the Stanford Art Center cafe, and later explored the Andrew Goldsworthy sculpture.

Christmas Tree

Gina decorated our Christmas tree last night while I finished wrapping presents. This morning Nate couldn't have been more excited. He grabbed each ornament and shook them, naming each one in turn. "Santa!", "Curious George", "Fragile thing", "Bell". He insisted on grabbing a stool to get better reach. When I asked if he'd like to get down to get breakfast he protested, "Not yet. Not done figuring out the tree!"

Out for a stroll

Gratuitous picture of Julie who is bundled up against the December chill.

Grandpapa Martin

Leonardo Martin, MD (1925-2005)

Working at Google

Nate spent the day with me at work on Friday. While I was on conference calls and sending emails, he put Elmo stickers on coworkers, watched Bob the Builder on my Mac and ate lunch at our local Google cafeteria. When we had to visit our division head's office to get an opinion on a contract, I walked out saying "Thanks, Joan" and Nate followed after me, waving over his shoulder saying "Thanks, Joan."

The reason for watching Nate? Julie's one year anniversary of her surgery which required a follow up visit to Stanford Hospital for more bladder/kidney tests. Good news: the kidney reflux healed, so no bladder surgery necessary and we can discontinue the antibiotics.

Nate in a box

Hanging out at Grandma & Grandpapa's.