Dylan arrived with all of the parts and pieces to build a gaming computer, so he and Lee spent Sunday getting most of it together. Haley and I got bored with that after awhile, so we went shopping and to Starbucks! When we got home, they had come to a standstill, as they needed a couple of cords.
Sunday night we went to dinner to celebrate Lee's birthday! We had dinner at Sushi Main St., one of our all-time favorite restaurants on the coast. The sushi was wonderful as usual!
On Monday we picked up the cables that Dylan needed, then drove to the east bay. Nathan had volunteered to drive a Coast Guard boat up to the CG station in Alameda, and was going to be free for awhile once it was delivered. We met him at the Hilton Hotel in Oakland, and after he changed into "civies", and having a great lunch at the hotel restaurant, we headed for San Francisco.
Walking across the Golden Gate Bridge was on Haley's "bucket list" for this trip, so that was our first stop. It was pretty cold and windy, but we started across anyway. We decided at the half-way point that we had gone far enough - the other half of the bridge was covered in fog, anyway!
Our next stop was the Ghirardelli Square ice cream shop, where we all shared an "earthquake" - a huge ice cream concoction with lots of syrups and ice cream. We didn't quite finish it, but did a pretty good job!
Then it was time to take Nathan back to the hotel as he had an early morning start the next day to drive back to Long Beach. But it was great to see him, thank you, Coast Guard!
Dylan, Haley and Nathan amused themselves (and us!) all afternoon by naming all of the original 150 Pokemon, except two! It was quite amazing! They got the two remaining Pokemon when we got home, as Haley has them all listed, in order, on her facebook page!
On Tuesday we drove down to Santa Cruz for some sun and fun at the beach and boardwalk. Dylan and Haley enjoyed the rides and Lee and I enjoyed the sun. We had a picnic lunch and whiled away the day until the sun began to go down and it got cool.
On Wednesday Dylan and Haley went to Great America and had a great time there, with more rides and the water park.
On Thursday we went into San Francisco. We took BART in and got off at the Powell St. stop. We walked through Union Square and up into China Town. The kids had been looking for San Francisco sweatshirts, and we found them there. We had a great dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, and then went to the Symphony! It was a grand and glorious day, and we were all pretty tired at the end of the day.
Then it was Friday and the kids left! Dylan loaded up his new super-fast gaming computer, and all their stuff, we packed them a lunch, and off they went. They spent the first night in Oregon and the second night in Seattle so they could do some outlet shopping! It's all about the journey, you know!
Now they are safely home and back at work. We had a great time visiting with them, and hope that they had a great vacation. We're planning on them in two years!
Dylan and Grandpa with computer components! They actually built it and it actually worked!!
Sushi Main Street! The chef built Haley a special teriyaki beef roll!
Brother reunion! It had been a year since they had seen each other. Nathan is in his work uniform and carrying his sea bag, ready to check into the hotel
Dylan, Nathan, Grandma and Haley
Ready to walk the bridge! Don't let Nathan's attire fool you - it wasn't warm! In fact, they have hot chocolate!
In honor of the Golden Gate Bridges 75th birthday, they were taking pictures!
We thought this was hysterical!
The best kind of Earthquake - 8 scoops of ice cream, whipped cream, bananas, cherries - the works!
Thumbs up! Have to admit that it was pretty good!
Although not nearly as attractive!
Lunch on the deck in the sun! Haley and I had gotten pedicures this morning, since we were going to the symphony in the evening
Santa Cruz!!
Artichokes are one of Dylan's favorites and we always have them when he's here. Haley - not so much! We found these artichokes in Half Moon Bay that had been allowed to bloom! Haley was even more convinced that these thistles were NOT food!
The hearts in San Francisco
Some nice lady took this picture of the four of us - then asked for a donation
The Golden Gate Bridge in a heart. These decorated hearts are all over the city
The entrance to China Town
Dylan and Haley joined the "see no evil" trio by covering their ears, mouth, and closing their eyes!
At the entrance to China Town. These sculptures are on both sides of the street
Success! San Francisco sweatshirts!!
On the deck at the Cheesecake factory, waiting for a table
After the symphony at the BART station, heading home
Standing room only!
Time to go home - sad faces!! No, we didn't make them leave
That's better! Heading off on a great journey through the redwoods, then shopping and then home! Life is good!
And there they go, in Dylan's new car. Come back soon, you guys - we had a great time!
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