San Fransisco

Yesterday was such a fun getaway.  Caitlin, Sarah, and I made a day trip to San Fransisco and had such a great time.  We started the day with a healthy dose of shopping.  This consisted of visiting the usuals (aka Gap), branching out at Forever 21 (you're welcome Laura), and drooling over clothes at Anthropologie.  Once we had spent too much money, we ventured off the beaten path and tried to take the bus to Ghiradelli Square.  That lasted about 5 minutes until we gave up and hailed a cab, but it's the thought that counts, right?  Once we arrived we putted around the square, resisting the chocolate shop only to cave into tea and crumpets at "Crown and Crumpet." Not only was the food delicious, but the shop was absolutely darling.  After that delicious detour we wandered down to Pier 39, took some pictures, and shopped some more.  It was so pretty and foggy -- it felt more like November than July, which was a nice change.  We ended our day at a cute Irish Pub, which I thought was especially appropriate, as I only have 3 weeks until I will leave for Ireland.  Ahhh!!  Even though the cute Irish guys sitting next to us moved away, the meal almost made up for it (which says a lot about the meal, I think) and we left for home very pleased with ourselves and our day.  All in all, I think it was a very successful trip.

Catch Up

I feel like my blogging has been a little pathetic lately, so I will try to get this up to date.  First, here is a picture from our trip to Yosemite.  We went up two weeks ago and stayed at 

Tenaya Lodge for a night.  It was gorgeous!  I haven't been to Yosemite sinc I was eight, and I had completely forgotten how beautiful (and big!) it is.  The whole way up Caitlin and I were oohing and aahing, kind of like a National Park commercial.  The pictures are a little foggy because of the smoke from the

 fires, but you can still get the idea.

Secondly, I thought I should include a picture of the bassets on the Fourth of July.  Muddy had a hat on as well, but I couldn't update her pictures.   Not only is it a tradition at our home to have fireworks and home made ice cream on the fourth, we also make a point of forcing the dogs to wear their little hats.  We have matching shirts for them, but it was a little hot this year.

They dealt with it pretty well for an hour or so, but eventually it gets a little depressing watching them walk around with a sagging uncle sam hat hanging from their ears.

My last update is more recent.  Tomorrow I am leaving with mi familia (that's for Sarah) to go to Florida for a week.  We are spending a few days in Orlando and then going down to Key West.  I'm excited about the nice hotel, beaches, and Minnesotan friends, but dreading the humidity.  It is hard to imagine it being much hotter than it is here!

Finale

Today was the last day of swim lessons, and it was fantastic.  Although there are a few things I will miss, knock knock jokes included, there are things that I definitely will not (tears, puking in the pool, sun burns).  I'm not quite sure what I will do with myself during all my extra time, but I am sure I will come up with something.  One thing already on my list: become better acquainted with Dagger, Sarah's new dog.  He is an adorable chocolate lab about the size of a pony, who I am very close to falling in love with.