October 8, 2016: The end of a great CA trip!

I was surprised to discover than we didn't have any photos of our California trip from October 4th through the 8th, except these from our last day on the road. I bet Jessica has a bunch from her camera that she will post on her blog ;-).

These were taken on our last day as we headed out of Palo Alto towards the Sequoia National Forest. Our plan was to visit the Park before going home. The boys were so tired that they passed out in the middle of the day from sheer exhaustion. This time however, Hannah was wide awake!

Here are some highlights from our visit with Jared's family:

1. Wednesday the 5th, Jared and Jenny took us to the most amazing park and to an adorable Zoo Museum--both of which the kids enjoyed tremendously. Afterwards, Jess and I went to The Container Store and to IKEA with Jared while Jenny babysat all the kiddo's! She painted the kids' toenails while the kids watched Halloween movies and ate snacks! What a fun auntie! Jess and I had a great time hanging out with Jared for those precious hours.

2. On Thursday the 6th, we ate at Tommy Tai's for a late lunch and Mike joined us for the rest of the day since his meetings were done! Jessica treated us, and it was the BEST food we had the whole trip.

3. On Friday the 7th, they took us to Half Moon Bay, where we enjoyed visiting two different beaches--one with rocks and tide pools; and the other with sand and a lovely beach. The kids loved being near the water and jumping the waves! They also loved playing in the sand and building sandcastles.

4. I think the boys' favorite part of the trip was playing with Milo and Mario in their backyard--exploring in the night and jumping on their enclosed trampoline. Hudson said it was his favorite cousin trip ever!

I so enjoyed having this wonderful bonding time with Jessica and her trio! I'm so grateful that we were able to see Jared, Jenny, Mario, and Milo! I sure wish they lived closer to the rest of us! I love my family dearly and long to see my children and grandchildren often.

The Sequoia National Park was beautiful and such a fun drive to the top of the mountains!

October 5, 2016: Second day in Palo Alto

We spent as much time as possible with Jared and Jenny's family and really enjoyed our visits. Jared took Wednesday through Friday off from work, so that made our visits even better. On our second day in Palo Alto, Jared picked us up from our hotel while Jenny was busy running errands. We took the kids to McDonald's for lunch, and they had a great time playing in the play structure. Milo loved being with Hannah and gave her lots of attention. She was a hit with his parents too ;-). 

You can see cute little Milo inside this tube behind Hannah. She's still new to all this, but she had a fun time with her cousins and brothers.

Cousins Hannah and Milo in the McDonald's play structure slide

Here's our handsome eldest grandson, Mario

Fearless younger brother, Milo, climbs to the top

Beau sporting his new super hero goggles from his Happy Meal

October 4, 2016: First day in Palo Alto with the Dunlap gang

Since Mike had meetings to attend at Lawrence Livermore Labs and needed to take Jessica's van, we stayed in Palo Alto to have our own adventure. We caught the city bus to the Stanford University Campus and spent a chunk of our time exploring the area. 

 

Hudson found a cool stick at the university's Cactus Garden

  

Jess and the boys had fun posing in the gardens 

            That evening when Mike returned from Livermore, we visited Jared and Jenny at their Palo Alto home                   We enjoyed a late dinner at Five Guys with burgers, fries, and milkshakes for everyone

  

Jenny loved seeing Hannah in these cool shades, and Hannah loved wearing the

Then Jenny added these mouse ears, and Hannah loved those too!

  

 FUN Auntie Jenny bonding with her little Hannah

October 2-9, 2016: Insanity on the road!--day 2

October 3rd: Jessica started us off by doing the driving, until Hannah got too whiny for the rest of us!

Jessica was excited to do some of the driving through California!

    

One of Hannah's tired and cranky moods is beginning to build up (see the following photos!)

 

And this was Beau's one and only crying fit on the trip

Thank goodness for this calm brother amidst the storm of cries

Jessica decides to join the criers! She was so funny on this trip!

I like this one the best! It shows her pretty teeth and eyebrows 

  

Now there's the Hannah we all know and love. I think her mommy made her laugh and stop crying

  

Beautiful girls

October 3, 2016: Our quick tour through San Francisco!

When we finally made it into San Francisco, we needed to find a decent parking place, which took us a while to find. We started our walk around S.F. on Pier 39 on the west side of the city. Check out this cool self-cleaning (free!) public restroom. Jessica and Hudson had to try it out.

  

Hurry! I got to go!!!

  

Now to figure out how to go in.... 

  

Inside the potty booth! How cool is this? (Hudson doesn't look too impressed)

No photos here, but we went to Boudin Bakery and Cafe at the Wharf and looked around their fun gift shop and food line. Jess bought a small loaf of sourdough that the kids enjoyed

  

The kids loved being near the Bay most of all. We had to drag them away to see China Town before it closed 

  

We took a short stroll up the hill to a small park. The views were fun from up here! (Check out Hudson's silly faces)

  

So glad we made it to China Town before it closed. Jess loved these pretty lanterns
We went into the first souvenir shop we saw, where Jess let the boys pick out a toy for the trip

  

The best part of China Town--the food! We enjoyed our choice of entrees and a chance to sit and rest 

  

Mmmm, mmmm, good! And Hannah slept through most of the meal and got some much-needed sleep

  

At the Hotel Aria in Palo Alto, the kids enjoy some more TV--thank goodness for cable!