Busy Summer

We haven't been on a real vacation in almost 4 years.  We moved here 4 years ago this August, and the following year Tin Man got sick, and couldn't travel.  We did quick trips to Southern California to see family and friends, but nothing over 8 hours away.  Then once he was listed for a transplant, we couldn't go more than 4 hours from the hospital.

This year the kids and I are going on vacation, not like any vacation that we had planned for after Tin Man got his transplant.  This vacation is a healing time away vacation.  First we are going to Oregon for 2 weeks for my brother's wedding.  I'm excited for him, but I'm dreading it too.  I know its going to bring back a lot of memories of our wedding.  I'm so thankful for all the memories, but they make me miss him so much!


Then after Oregon we are going out to my mom's house in South Carolina for a few weeks.  My mom and his fiance have all sorts of things planned for the kids, including Myrtle Beach. 


We're all looking forward to getting away from everything for a while.  We need time to bond as a family and figure out what our new normal is going to be.


This past Tuesday we went to San Francisco.  I felt bad because i haven't been up to doing any of the things I had planned to do with her when she visited.  Granted it was supposed to be sometime this summer, and Tin Man was supposed to be with us.


So a friend of mine decided we were going to take my mom up there and give her the Marsha Tour.  So much fun!  We bypassed the boring areas, got lost, and even ran out of gas.  Sugar Pea's favorite part was eating at Yummy Yummy, a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown.  Warrior's favorite was my friend freaking out when she realized we were running out of gas. 


The Bay Bridge

 Under the bridge

 Sugar Pea loved this arrow

 I love the house/buildings up there

 Golden Gate Bridge 

 Alcatraz in the background

 Gorgeous views.  Coit tower in the background

 Lombard St.  This was Tin Man's favorite part about San Francisco.  We had to make a trip down it just for him.

 Trolly

 The view looking up when we ran out of gas

 Chinatown Lanterns

 I thought this thing was neat

 Love the Chinatown street lights

 Chinatown