Thursday, November 5, 2015

Hello San Fran!

This one time we thought about driving up to San Francisco for a Dodger Game at AT&T Park. Then we put it out of our minds and went back and forth on the whole thing. Then two days before the game, we bought tickets. We re-invited Scott and Carolyn, they booked a Marriott. The Underwoods vacuumed the car and filled the tank. And come Monday morning, we all piled in and we were good to go!! 
The hotel was A-mazing. Right in the heart of downtown and only a few blocks from the stadium. Excitement filled the room as we started mapping out our adventures!! Graham is in such a map fascination stage...
The big boys went to batting practice and came back with 3 baseballs!! Trip.made.

The Kershaw obsession continues. Thank you Clayte for claiming to eat a turkey sandwich before every game. We now have a sub lover.
San Fran
This one tried to jump on board the turkey train but still can't kick the picky stage. Good thing he's cute. 

The game was so fun. I mean, it didn't end joyfully...but we were still glad we went. 

The next morning we hit the streets! Graham and Bennett lead the way...skipping and hollering down every block. 
San FranSan FranSan Fran
He loves me. He puts up with my pictures.

San Fran
San Fran
Sooooo, we may have accidentally got on the RIGHT train going the WRONG direction. Woops. Oh well...It was a lovely tour of the city.
San FranSan FranSan FranSan Fran
Little Bink in the big city. Ain't no thang. 
(Speaking of thang: currently winding a toy a stranger gave him on the wharf. He calls it Buzz Lightyear. Actually it's a fat mummy. Bah!)
After 24 hours in San Francisco and trying to pose for smiling family pictures at the Dodger game, on Pier 39, watching seals, and staring across the bay... We learned we should just ride the F Train and the escalator. The joy was genuine and contagious.
Our 2 day trip was such a tease and left us wanting more. More family adventures. More eyes full of wonder. 
We just want these boys to realize the world is so much bigger then just Roehampton Avenue. 
That people need the Lord's love and grace from Dodger Stadium to AT&T park. And beyond. 

We'll be back, San Fran. 

Hello Surprises.

I'm not going to pretend. Today started rough. Rough and early. All 3 boys at Nolan's checkup at 8am? And they wanted us there at 7:45? Psh. We were there at 7:56 and I was thrilled. Three boys, two with hack coughs, and one in a hitting/kicking phase...the office suddenly felt very small. 
Then after a breakfast picnic, 
(The happy part of the morning! I was thinking "yeah, we've got this day back!") there was an oldest child who thought he could slide down a wet slide on his feet. Meltdown. His on the outside and taking anyone in it's path...and mine boiling on the inside. 
But after we got home, settled in, play-doughed it up... I found this:
And I have to smile. Emergency landing! Boys. Aren't they just the best? When I find myself thinking "why am I repeating myself over and over?"... I am forced to pause and admit, "Oh wait, you're 4 and 2."
 Thank you Lord for a wipe box surprise today...
And also thank the Lord for this 6 month, tall and skinny, joy bucket. 
Because 95 height percentile was no surprise at all.