San Francisco (11/13-11/17)

David had a Biomedical Informatics Conference in San Francisco, so Jonas and I tagged along.  We had Kandy fly up from Phoenix so she could stay with Porter.  I would have loved to bring Porter along but the thought of two kids in a hotel room and trying to man Porter around the city by myself sounded like more work than vacation, so we opted to leave him at home.  Although, we sure did miss him and all his antics.
We started out our trip here with some Indian food.  I have been craving good, more authentic Indian food.  We found a dive and picked up some food.  We were given one warning by the hotel staff, do not go behind the hotel.  So, what did we do, we went behind:).  Definitely a sketchier part of town, but we managed to find some good Indian, good Thai and then okay pizza.
We did do a lot of crazy stuff this trip.  David spent the first two days working on a grant, so we did some wandering around by the hotel, shopping and just enjoying being outside.  We went to church downtown.  It always amazes me how no matter where you are, you can go to church and it feels like home.  It is the same.  You know what to expect.

Porter was having a blast at home.  Staying up late, not being able to make it all day without a nap, taking a nap too late and then staying up late again because he can't fall asleep.  A vicious cycle.  He gets to play with Kandy and then had a sleep night over with Gayle who took him shopping and spoiled him rotten.   His sleep night over included staying up until midnight and then crashing the next night around 6pm and sleeping through until the morning.  Wish I saw that in person:).

Monday Jonas and I took off to ride the Cable car (Trolley) and see the ocean.  David was finishing up his grant proposal for the LRP through the NIH, so it was good for us to get out of his space so he could focus...and I wanted to get out and see some stuff.

It was a beautiful day and I loved taking Jonas to the beach so he could touch the ocean and the sand for the first time. We went to Aquatic Park, Ghiradelli Square (where I was fooled into buying stuff there and realized the exact same thing was half as expensive at Walgreen's), Fisherman's Wharf and Pier 39 to watch the sea lions. We also enjoyed some clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl.  Yum.

People have been so kind and friendly.  I think it's Jonas.  Everyone asks about him and talks to him. It's so sweet.

Bonding.

The view from our room at the Parc 55 Hotel, 26th floor.

Lucky for this kid his mom loves ice cream and I'm willing to share.

He loves it too and I just wasn't quick enough with the spoon so he was taking matters into his own hands (or mouth).

Enjoying Thai.

Loving the view.

Exhausted.

Our first cable car ride.

Aquatic Park.  First trip to the ocean for Jonas.

Pier 39 and the sea lions.

After our trip to the ocean, Jonas and I walked almost 2 miles back to the hotel.  We experienced the steep hills of San Fran by foot.  And between walking home from church yesterday and walking today, we saw new parts of the city up close and personal.

My last night, David and I were able to go on a date for sushi.  A friend watched Jonas for us after he went to bed.  It was a nice way to end the trip.  David gets to stay one more day.  But, I'm ready to see my other little boy at home.