I left my heart in San Francisco

Last week Brad headed out to San Francisco for a week of work training.  Since his flight & hotel was already paid for and Owen flies free, we decided to make a small vacation out of it!  Owen and I flew in on Wednesday and since Brad was still working I BART'ed by myself from Oakland into the city and then walked to our hotel with a stroller, diaper bag, backpack, and suitcase.  I can only imagine what people were thinking as they watched me walk down the street!

On the BART

Thursday came way too early since Owen did not sleep well in the roll away crib.  For the first time EVER he slept in bed with us and needless to say none of us slept very well.  Later that day I headed back to my old office to visit and show off Owen.  It was so nice to see everyone and we had a great time catching up.  On my way back to the hotel I stopped by Union Square & China Town and did a little shopping.  I was so proud of myself for not getting lost once!

Owen & Mayra

Owen & Vickie

Friday I started off the morning with a nice walk along the Embarcadero & piers.  It was a beautiful morning and was a great way to start my day.  We met Brad at his office for lunch and for him to show off Owen to all of his coworkers.  (This was the office Brad worked out of for the 2 years we lived in San Francisco.)

After lunch we headed out to explore the city.  We walked along the piers, checked out Pier 39, Fisherman's Wharf, and Ghiradelli Square.  Later that night we headed out to Walnut Creek, where we used to live, and that's where we spent the next few days visiting with friends and neighbors.

 Owen & Brad in downtown San Fran

At Pier 39 in front of Alcatraz

Pier 39- in front of the sea lions

Love those sweet kisses

Walking along the piers

Chocolate bar shake at Ghiradelli Square.  Yum!

The Hunts let us stay at their house for a few nights while were in Walnut Creek.  Here is Kay making us a delicious Mother's Day breakfast.  Owen absolutely loved playing with Eli, Klia, and Aaron.  Emma was sweet enough to watch Owen one night so Brad & I could go on a date!!  Thank you Hunt family!

Enjoying some California oranges at the Farmers Market

Saturday afternoon we met up with some families at the park.  Here is Stephanie & Brody, who is only 2 days older than Owen!

Of course, we couldn't visit WC without stopping to see Jim!  Brad home taught Jim the entire time we lived in WC, and he even spent one Thanksgiving dinner with us.  

We got to spend Sunday evening with the Johnson's.   Just another family we grew to love while in WC.

We headed back home on Monday and I was so glad to have Brad with me for this leg of the trip.  The airport is so much easier/less stressful with 2 adults!  Owen slept almost the entire flight home which was the best and allowed us both to get some shut eye too.

 'Mom this flying stuff is a piece of cake!'

'Wait, you mean to tell me that my seat won't act as a flotation device?'

I absolutely loved the 2 years that we lived in Walnut Creek and am grateful for the many friends we made while living there.  I know Utah is where we are supposed to be now, but I will always have such sweet memories of our San Francisco adventures!

8 months!

 

Another month down!  Owen had a very eventful last few weeks: he cut his first tooth (is currently working on his 2nd) and started crawling.  He's very content laying on the floor and playing with his toys now that he knows he can move around and grab whatever he wants.  It is nice having those moments where I can get some things done too.  We are still enjoying our daily morning walks and love our walking buddies Marla & Kaden.  Kaden is 9 months older than Owen, and Marla & I have high hopes that they will be good buddies! :)   Owen is getting more and more vocal-- there have been babbles of "baba" and "mama" and his current favorite is "hey".   He usually says it after we do, and it is just so cute.  He also will open and close his hands when we say "bye bye".

Church is definitely a challenge for us since Owen wants to be moving around and checking everything out.  He can only be entertained sitting on our laps for so long.  Since I am busy with the organ and Young Women, Brad has Owen for almost the entire block and they usually spend most of it in the hallways.  And so it begins... :)

8 months old

 Owen loves to suck on this rubber duck.  Must feel good on those teething gums...

He loves swinging while mom & dad work in the yard!


Yep... still drooling!

Easter 2011

My mom drove all the way to Utah with my 3 youngest siblings to spend Easter week with us.  We loved having them here, and Owen loved having playmates all week.  He was a little bored after they left and it was back to mom again!

Luke has been begging Brad to take him fishing for-e-ver!  There is a little pond here in Herriman that they finally got to try out.  No pictures to record the event, but they each caught at least one fish.  While they fished, the girls got our shopping on.

The day before Easter we took my siblings to the Herriman City Easter Egg hunt.  Organized chaos is the best way I can think to describe it.  Grant timed it and everything was gone in 12 seconds!

After that we went to the Brad's parents for our annual tradition of decorating eggs.  (For examples of previous years, see this post) After slacking off for a few years in San Francisco (here) I was glad to have Brad's mom plan the day.

   

Mom with 'Little Red Riding Hood'

Owen & I mostly watched

Egg of the year went to Brad for "The Owen"

Easter Sunday found me busy as I accompanied each of the musical numbers in Sacrament meeting.  It has been awhile since I've accompanied on the piano and it was really nice to get to do that again.

Owen looked studly as ever in his Easter vest.  (Thank you Aunt Sherilyn for sending it to us!)

We drove up to Rexburg to visit Bryant & Vanessa for 2 days.  It was fun to have them show us around campus and see where everything is that I've been hearing about.

 Urry boys, minus Ross.  We missed you Ross!

 Is it just me or does Owen look extra rolly in this picture!?

Mom & Bry

Vanessa & Owie

The night before my family left we took the kids to Boondocks, while my mom stayed home and watched Owen.  They were in heaven and could hardly decide what to do first.  Highlights of the night: 1-- When Luke absolutely drenched Taryn & Grant on the bumper boats.  They were soaked and Luke didn't have one drop of water on him.  2-- When Taryn hit the jackpot and earned over 200 tickets on her game.  The boys couldn't believe it.  

And then we said our goodbyes :(

Owen & Gigi

It was so nice to have them here.  We are excited to see them again in July for Beach Week.  I am a little weary to spend a week at the beach with a baby, but it should be... memorable!

Conference visitors

My dad has an awesome tradition that he has done with all of the kids 12 and older.  The conference after they turn 12, he brings them up to Salt Lake to enjoy conference in person and whatever else they can cram into their weekend.  They usually stay with our cousins in Alpine, but now that we are living here we get them!

It was so fun to have my dad & Grant here for 5 days.  Owen & I joined them on tours of Welfare Square & LDS Humanitarian Center one day, and let me just say wow!  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is absolutely amazing in its organization and ability to reach those in need anywhere in the world.

 Grant in front of the thousands of pounds of clothing that were being prepared to send off throughout the world.

It is hard to see in this picture, but there is a red pin in each country that the LDS church has provided assistance to.  It includes just about every country in the world.  In countries that the church is not welcome, aid is sent through the American Red Cross to ensure that it still gets there.

Sleepy Owen after a long day of tours!

 Playing with Grandpa Urry... all of my cousins & siblings should know exactly what they are doing!

We wrapped up the weekend with a big family dinner.  Brad's cousin was visiting from Hawaii and we got to meet his little boy, Nalu, who is about 6 weeks older than Owen.

7 months!

One month older already?!  Everyone always told me 'They grow so fast' and 'They are only so little for so long', but you don't know quite understand what they mean until you are experiencing it.

 7 months old

Too many flashes... let's try again 

That's better

Love those baby blues.  I hope they stay!

 Not the best quality picture, but I had to document Owen's first baseball game. 

 Owen is so funny... just recently whenever we pull out the camera, he whips out a smile.  Doesn't matter if he is in the middle of crying, super tired or whatever.   Once he sees the camera he is all smiles!