San Francisco outings

With the latest Sunset magazine in hand, we visited three of the "great food" spots recommended by well-known chefs. We stayed in the Mission on Valencia St and found a new chocolate shop, bookstores, and Dave Egger's writing workshop & pirate store.  I left my wallet at our last stop, so we were back two days later for more exploration, including Mission Dolores, the oldest building in San Francisco (built in 1776!)

Caught

Here is the pesky intruder that took away our most beloved chicken, Fluff-fluff. 

Snow on Mt. Diablo!

 

Day at the Beach

 

 

 

One week after we were in the snow, we spent the day at Stinson Beach. As the kids jumped the waves and looked for shells, we combed the beach for agates…many cloudy brown, but larger than we've seen before. We're loving this weather!

Valentine's Day tradition

 

Birthday Trip to Arnold

 

 

 

It was lucky we pulled out the kids from school on Friday to make our way up to Arnold -- we caught the only snow falling recently during this cold, dry winter. On my birthday, the sun broke out as we loaded up the SUV with our sleds & picnic lunches. A fun day at the snow, followed up by chocolate cake, steaks on the grill, and perhaps the world's most comfortable chairs. Uncle Dan even stopped by for a night, wine in hand (thanks Dan!)

Nate's first band concert

The entire fourth grade did their music concert for the parents (and the fifth graders) -- band, strings & chorus. Nate is still loving the trombone, although it doesn't seem to be getting any lighter while bringing home from practice.

Julie's Gymnastics class

Ribbon ceremony the last day of class. Julie got another two ribbons!