July 13-23, 2014: Conference trip to California--Part I

Mike lucked out and found two conferences back to back to present papers for in California this month! We were excited that we could visit Jared and his family in Palo Alto during this trip, spend more time in San Francisco, plus see Yosemite National Park for the first time. We invited my mother to join us for this fun-filled 10-day California getaway!

Our first day, we flew into San Francisco, rented a car, and headed to Palo Alto to see our kids whom we hadn't seen in 7 months! It was SO GREAT to see them!!!

July 13th: Our #1 grandson, 6 year old Mario outside his family's apartment with his Yoshi toy 

The family's old Ford in their covered parking area 

Stepping inside their adorable apartment, "Unit B"
Although small, the place has lovely hardwood floors and a nice layout

Mario checks out one of his new Lego toys

Little brother Milo checks out his new Spiderman Lego set 

Beautiful Jenny with her boys
Milo is excited to open his new Spiderman toy

Look at that sweet little face!

My beautiful boys ;-)

Mario's favorite gift was a little Darth Vader figure with an LED

light saber in his hand and LED light that shines out of his shoes!  

The very small waste bins provided by the city isn't big enough for a family's weekly trash

At eShares, the start-up company that Jared works for in Palo Alto
This is their newest building location. Why didn't we take pictures inside??

Following our tour of Jared and Jenny's apartment and grounds, we went out for dinner at one of their favorite restaurants--a yummy sushi place across from a Kohl's department store. We did a little shopping at Kohl's afterwards.

We drove to downtown Palo Alto and picked up some delicious French pastries at their favorite pastry shop to enjoy later--those were awesomely good (even my mom loved them, and she doesn't eat a lot of sweets!). On our way back to the house, we stopped by Jared's new work place at eShares and had a tour of the building. Mike and I were impressed with how much this start-up company has achieved in a relatively short time. And Jared LOVES his job. Mario told us that his "Papi" has his (Mario's) "dream job"! Such a cute family living in a cute town.

Mike attended the International Detonation Symposium at the Hyatt Hotel where we stayed while my mom and I walked, shopped, and ate in China Town for two days! In the evenings, Mike joined us for dinner, which was the highlight of MY day ;-). After returning to our hotel room at night, we'd change into comfy clothes and play cards on my mom's bed. And we'd usually have a bagful of goodies to munch on that my mom and I bought earlier in the day. Walgreens was a great place to stock up on essentials!

Enjoying the pork ribs and Dim Sum at a Chinese restaurant

Looking for wonton soup on the menu

Her wonton soup had rather large, thicker skinned dumplings in it 

My beef and vegetable plate

Here, Asian men play stringed instruments in China Town during the cooler evening hours

One of the many streets we walked up and down in China Town

My mom and Mike check out dinner selections on many China Town restaurant windows

My mom had a challenging time climbing the steep hills in S.F., but she was a trooper!
This street leads to Sushi Rock--one of our favorite Japanese restaurants in China Town

Cute little Mamasan eating her Bento box at Sushi Rock

My mom always manages to give half her food away to people like us
That's how she keeps her tiny figure

Happy Mikeysan enjoying his bento box
Mike works extra hours to make it possible for us to take trips like this

Me and my mom in one of the most expensive stores in China Town
The glass and crystal chandeliers were one of my favorite items to admire

The famous green Pagoda-style entrance into China Town
China Town was just a few blocks and up the street from our hotel

My mother waits near the unique artwork at the downtown Hyatt Hotel lounge
This is where we stayed during our first week in San Francisco

Interesting bookcase and fireplace wall in the lounge area

My mama, anxious to start the day

The center area of the hotel's lounge

The opposite side of the lounge, across from the reception desk

July 2014: California Trip--Part II

The conference ended early in the middle of the week, so we had a chance to drive back to Palo Alto and spend the day with Jared's family! Jenny (and Jared) took family pictures at a lovely botanical garden area in Palo Alto, followed by lunch at a gourmet burger place in town. After lunch, we headed to Half Moon Bay beach for the day. It was chilly out, but the boys were good sports and played in the sand and surf. Mike and I had a great time with our sweet grand boys! Mike and the boys built sandcastles together, chased seagulls, and jumped over waves while the wet sand pulled their feet in. I ran into the water with the boys and nearly lost my Mario--he got drenched!

After the drive back to Jared and Jenny's apartment, we returned to the house and played card games in the dining room. They ordered Domino's Pizza, but no one was too hungry due to the big lunch and snacks afterwards. Everyone was tired, and I hated saying goodbye to Jared's family. 

The gourmet burger restaurant in Palo Alto where we enjoyed lunch together 

Mario and Jared before dinner arrives

Jenny--about to sacrifice her diet for our family dinner outing

She has the best diet and exercise dedication and discipline of anyone I know!

Milo and Grandpa bonding over milkshakes

My pretty mama along for the ride

Trying to get psyched up to play in the cold sand. I LOVE these sweet boys!

Jared helps Mario open his new beach toys 

 Great-grandma Pitcher and Grandma enjoy the sand

Mario loves the beach, even when it's cold!

Mario and Milo are such GOOD boys!

I'm so grateful they are blessed with wonderful, loving parents

 Milo had just awakened from a nap in the car, but he perked up soon after

 I LOVE YOU MILO and MARIO! I will miss you like crazy!

It was hard to say goodbye to our sweet, wonderful kids!

We love you Jenny and Jared! You two are AWESOME!

Grandma and Great-Grandma say good-bye

I was sick that night and the rest of our trip with strep throat!

Two more days on San Francisco's Union Square. My mom and I spent another day in China Town. Then we took the city bus and went to Japan Town for the day. That evening we wandered around downtown S.F. At a very large, 7-story Macy's Department Store, I lost my mom in the shoe department (level 2) for two hours! I had employees and security looking for her. Mike came to the rescue and helped too and then decided to check the hotel. 

Sure enough, she had gone back to the hotel to wait for me after being unable to find me in the store. I on the other hand, had stayed on the 2nd floor of Macy's, thinking she would never abandon me like that. We have to have an emergency plan in case that ever happens again!

One of the Japanese restaurants in Japanese Town where my mom and I ate lunch

My mother checks out the menu and daily lunch special

We did some shopping at two large Japanese bargain stores

All the other shops were quite expensive--nothing like China Town

Back in China Town for dinner 

My cute little mother crossing the street to meet me