I Left My Heart.....

After being a month for almost 2 months straight from my favorite person in the world - it was time we got a few days to just hang out, just the two of us - no phone and work interruptions, no kiddos in need of something constantly, no alarm clocks going off, and get to enjoy a little R&R!!!

My brother came in to town for a couple weddings of some friends, and so came a week early - and OFFERED to have Chip and I take a trip while he watched the kiddos.  How nice and AMAZING is that?!!!!  Yeah not too many 23 year old boys who would offer and be able to handle it with such a competence! He is seriously the BEST UNCLE IN THE WORLD!!!!

I was trying to unpack and get things done before leaving, and got a pretty good handle on it - and then decided to make a few meals so they would have some real yummy home-cooked things to eat while I was gone - Taco soup and spaghetti were on the list!

We drove up because we wanted to do the PCH drive along the coast since we had heard great things about it, and see some waterfalls and the Hearst Castle too.  We left at 8 am Saturday and were ready to have fun!!! Selfie on the road!

We rolled in around 3 and crossed the Bay Bridge - which I must say is way prettier at night then the GG one! 

We checked into our hotel, hung out and took a brief nap for a little bit, then headed out to meet up with Heidi and Steven for dinner and then friends for dessert.  We ate yummy sushi, had a blast, had delicious frozen yogurt, and then the greatest night.  So fun!

We drove down Lombard street, went to Pier 38, fisherman's wharf, walked around and shopped a bit, watched a magic show, got our picture by this heart, and had fun (I froze) with Heidi and Steven!

Cheesy pic while I froze! Then we took a drive to Twin Peaks and saw the city from up there. It was amazing!

The next day we had brunch with Heidi and Steven, got a tour of their apartment and their view from the rooftop - which was so fun!

This church was by their place and I thought it was so beautiful - sent a pic to my catholic friends!

I thought it was hilly by where we lived but it is VERY VERY VERY hilly here - I got tired walking around every day!

We took a drive to Hawk Hill to see the GG bridge and the views were amazing!!!

We then met up with Chip's friend from when he worked at Wachovia Zach and his fiance in the Presidio and had lunch with all the food trucks/tents ---- it was very warm and nice and lots of yummy food available!

We then headed back to our hotel, slept for 45 minutes, and then went to some of our besties for dinner at their place in the city.  And then a fun hike to Land's End for another view of the GG bridge!  (We saw the GG bridge from every angle we think!)

On Monday morning we took a bus tour of the city - it was actually really fun, and also cold!

The City Hall (I think) - cool building!

Another pretty church!

We hopped off the bus at Ghiradelli square and of course had to go in and have some chocolates and get the kids a few treats! Chip had a hard time not putting his finger in and tasting it right here!

Smelled SOOOO good!

The we took a tour of the Pink Ladies - the FULL HOUSE house here at Haight Ashbury park - super cool homes with a great view!

We also went to the Japanese Tea Gardens and walked around - reminded us of China - here Chip was by the Big Buddha!

Then we met up with Heidi and tried to do the science museum but it was closed, so we took a drive to these cool windmills and gardens and Baker Beach!

My man and me!

Chip and Heidi - she is having a girl - soooo excited to get another niece!

Baker beach is known to have nude old guys who hang out - we didn't see any of that - just had some fun romantic times together with another view of the bridge!

Then we headed to AT&T park for the Giants Game with my cousin Whitney! We had SO MUCH FUN!!!!

After we drove with Whitney down by her place and dropped her off before heading to Santa Cruz for our last night solo! We stayed at a little bed and breakfast place on the beach and we will really miss our relaxing mornings!!! 

Then on Tuesday, August 26, 2014 we drove down the coast home and stopped at the McCaw falls - they were amazing and such a fun little hike!

Then we don't saw the elephant seals at the beach - they were so funny and weird looking!

Then we headed to the Hearst Castle - it was so over the top but pretty cool to learn about - the tour was long for us tho and hot so we were ready to leave right when it ended!

The tennis courts sit above the pool

the pool is so gawdy and yet I wanted to jump right in!

Then we drove 5 more hours home and we were SOOOOO excited to be back and ready for Cash's first day of school the next day!  We missed the crazies and love being all together as a family now!