Christmas Eve

Mexican food and family! I'm missing mine. 

Climber Santa!

Making and eating tortilla chips!

Xoxo

Oh Christmas

Just about the best gift ever!

Xoxo

Happy Birthday

Today is Brit's birthday and I surprised him with a camping trip in Half Moon Bay. It is pretty close to the city, but far enough away to get to relax. We went on a bike ride along the coast today, will grill salmon for dinner, and will go knickknack shopping tomorrow (one of his favorite, most surprising, pastimes).

Xoxo

Birthday cake

I love learning about the different Asian cultures at work. Today is our Vietnamese program director's birthday and we have a very beautiful cake for her!

Xoxo

Christmas Surprise

Brit helped a friend get her tree and put it up yesterday and came over with a wreath for me! It was such a sweet surprise and really helps get into the spirit!

Xoxo

Stuck!!

I tried to go to my new gym around 5 this morning and...couldn't get out!!! The handle of my door would turn, but nothing happened!

I took the doorknob off, called Dad, and pried it open. I didn't leave for the gym and instead packed for Boston while I waited for the maintenance man to come and see it. He will be back later to replace the knob and I will use the deadbolt in the mean time. Thank goodness I have good, trustworthy neighbors and a wonderful Dad!!!

Xoxo

Chalk art

I asked Sylvie to draw the tag along bike from our ride. She really is an awesome artist! 

Xoxo

Calistoga Bike Ride!!!

EWe had a blast on our bike/wine tour today! Sylvie and Dan even had an awesome "tag along" bike!

Unfortunately, I fell off my bike and got the wind knocked out of me, which was weirdly scary!

Safe and sound back in Calistoga, we are getting ready for another awesome dinner!

Xoxo

Morning Run

Inspired by Melissa and Dan and itching to see more of the area, I bundled up and went running this morning. I'm so happy I did!

Xoxo

Auntie

Our new pianist/vocal coach at choir, Wendy, has a 7 month old son who comes to choir with her. The babysitter didn't show up tonight, so I eagerly offered to babysit. He's such a cutie!

Xoxo

Wine and castle!

Wine tasting and animals at a castle! "So cool!" 

Xoxo

Flying!

Melissa, Sylvie, and I flew over Napa this morning in a hot air balloon! 

Xoxo

Hot air balloon

We're getting ready to fly!

Xoxo

I love visitors!

Xoxo

Weekend

We've had a great weekend home, catching up on chores and relaxing. Now we are at the very cool New Parkway Theater to see "Inside Out"! 

Xoxo

Seattle Family

We got to hang out this morning, took Maylin and Ali on a run, played and wrestled, and then went to the museum across from Benjamin's job. Now Blue C Sushi and then home to relax tonight!

Xoxo

Pre-candy Energy

Last Yosemite Trip of the Season

It will soon be too cold for my delicate self 🙃 and Brit and Mark have had their time on El Cap, so last weekend was our last until the spring. While the guys climbed some fun stuff, my friend Guenter and I hiked one of my favorite routes so that I could show him Yosemite. We even got to see snow on the high Sierras!

Headed to Seattle Friday!

Xoxo

Half Dome from Glacier Point

Guenter basking in the sun!

I

Better photos

Of all of my hard work with our costumes!

Xoxo

Muir Beach Wedding Craziness!

We dressed as "steam punk", we made cakes and decorations, and we took pictures. We met new people and spent time with great friends. We spent today laughing and resting after a wonderful day yesterday.

Xoxo

My beautiful evening

I walked the lake tonight while FaceTimeing with the kiddos. Couldn't get any better!

Xoxo

My little man

He makes me so happy.

Happy Friday!

Xoxo

Evening Ride

Pretty good for the time between work and choir!

Xoxo

Bride and groom!

I think they are adorable: groom in his white sparkly suit and the bride in her red flamenco dress!

Xoxo

Not funny, Mom

"I know you're making a costume, but this is not cool".

Xoxo

Cake topper

I am making two cakes for a friends' wedding. I will decorate two of these as the bride and groom for the top of one of the cakes.

Check back for updates and progress photos!

Xoxo

Getting ready!

For our friends' wedding and our "steam punk" costumes.

Before and after on a $5 Michael's Halloween hat!

Xoxo

Nearly There!

I am still pursuing the "marathon hike": 26.2 miles hiking in one day.  I made it 24 miles this weekend and am sore, but not feeling too bad after!  It took me 8.5 hours and I saw some amazing views!  I earned my sights this time!

This morning we hiked the water (11 gallons!) Brit and Mark will haul up with them for their time on El Capitan in October.  All in all, a great weekend under the mega moon!

The start of the trail

The view from Artistic Point

Half Dome in the distance; the view from Inspiration Point

The view from Stanford Point, where I ate "lunch"

Pretty redwood grove

It was a great day on the trail

Views from Stanford Point

I was over on that cliff face about an hour ago!

The high Sierras in the background

I was over there, too!

Dewey Point

Footbridge over a very dry Bridalveil Creek

Terrible at selfies

Taft Point climbing bolts...imagine standing there, taking in the view and a person popping up!

Taft Point view

Looking down on Yosemite Valley

Crazy slack lining...not for me!

Wild turkey!

I love this place

Closer and closer to Half Dome

Headed to Glacier Point...you mean you can drive here?!?

Breathtaking view from the way down on 4-mile trail

I love this place

Long legs!

xoxo