Drive to Vegas- Mexico or Bust!

If we flew out of Las Vegas then tickets to Mexico would be 200$ cheaper…EACH!!!  so 7 of us drove to Las Vegas.  Jeana got a quick hug from Spencer after we had everyone sandwiched into the car.  

 What do you show boys in Vegas… there really isn’t a lot!  We stopped in at the Bellagio to show them the gardens and take a look outside.  Then it was off to the airport for our red eye flight.  We told the boys they had to take a nap because they would be up through out the night.  They finally took a nap!  I was in charge of Spencer.  He came on the trip a bit sick and it just got worse.  I got to clean up some pretty great throw up all over the airplane bathroom… he couldn’t open the door in time… I jumped up to help him and opened it right as the throw up began!  He was so weak and dehydrated that he pretty much passed out on the walk off the plane.  We had to get a wheel chair to get him out… and customs lets us through pretty quick!  We were happy to see Grandma and Grandpa on the other side!

Family Dinner with parents on FaceTime

We had a wonderful family dinner at Candace's house in June.  We were missing Rachel and her family and my parents.  I took lots of pictures so we could send them to both of them.  Then we got to FaceTime my parents in Mexico and pass around this phone in between all these grandkids who were so excited to be together.  

San Francisco - Just Darren and I on bikes

The conference was officially over on Friday night.  Darren and I decided to stick around for one more day.  Guess what we did... we rented bikes.  We rode from downtown San Fran... across the bridge... around the Marin Headlands area....up killer hills... down quiet winding roads that followed the beach... stopped at a beach for some food then pedaled and hiked out of some dirt trail to land in some million dollar home Sausalito.  We had a much needed lunch with tons of water. Laid on the grass at park until we felt alive enough to pedal UP out of Sausalito.  and back up over the bridge.  Great day.  Tiring day. but great day.   

Savage - San Francisco Day 3

Day 3 in San Francisco started with an early morning 5k run across the Golden Gate Bridge.  Lovely run by the bay then up over the bridge.  It cleared up on the other side for a lovely picture.  We had a few more meetings and then got to do a service project helping beautiful a local open space park.  

We got a few pictures from Jenny showing kids have a good time at Utah Lake.   I think they were tired after jet skiing and water.  

 The last night of the conference is always a nice formal dinner.  Make up and hair isn't too bad as long  as you dont have to do them every day!

Savage - San Francisco Day 2 -Alcatraz

We spent day 2 in meetings, me taking a nap, and touring Alcatraz all to ourselves.  The dinner cruise ship took us out to the island. The bay was beautiful.

The shower room... and toilets..

A normal cell

Solitary Confinement- dark black rooms

The library - and the watch tower at sunset.  We enjoyed a nice dinner on the boat afterwards.

Savage- San Francisco Day 1

Darren and I got to go to San Francisco with his annual work conference.  We flew in early Wednesday so we could walk around and see things before it started.  I have strong memories of San Francisco as a kid.  So we revisited those.  I was fascinated with Alcatraz as a kid.  

We found a little cafe called Darren's Cafe, but we had another spot in mind.  The Codmother- fish and chips.  I am not a big fish eater but it was ok.  I had battered cod wrapped up taco style with cilantro, dressing and a soft tortilla.


Then it came time to start up the conference.  I am not sure why I always get nervous.... its just time to turn on the social Amy... and sometimes that doesn't turn on so easily anymore.  We had the aquarium all to ourselves.  Food tables everywhere.  And great exhibits to see.  My sister Rach got stung by a jelly fish in Guam...