Our first vacation!

We survived our first vacation away from Jocelyn! Calvin and I went to California for a long weekend for a wedding Calvin was in. We left Thursday morning, and got back late Monday night. Our plane was delayed out of Minneapolis, so we missed our connection in Denver, but it all worked out okay and we were just a few hours later than planned. We stayed with my sister and her husband on Thursday night - they just moved to the San Francisco area about a month and a half ago. Calvin headed up to Bodega Bay - the wedding location - on Friday morning to do groomsmen stuff. I stayed with Katie and hung out with her, then she brought me up to Bodega Bay later on Friday. It took both of us much longer than anticipated - traffic is a little more of an issue than I'm used to! We had the rehersal dinner on Friday night, and the wedding was on Saturday on the beach. It was much less stressful hanging out with boys on a wedding day - I don't think the groom got in the shower until 1/2 hour until he had to be to the beach! It was a beautiful wedding - it could have been a little warmer and less windy, but the sun did come out halfway through. We had a blast hanging out with old friends and meeting new ones! It was a Green Mill crew, so that's always a super fun time. Sunday Calvin and I headed back to Katie and Jonathan's house to do some more sightseeing, and then we flew out Monday afternoon. It was so wonderful getting to see Katie and Jonathan and spend time with them.

It was so wonderful having time to ourselves - I didn't realize how much we needed it! And we knew Jocelyn was in good hands with my parents, so we didn't worry about her at all. It was actually easier being away from her than I thought it would be. Obviously we were so excited to get back and see her, but to not have to change diapers, work around nap schedules, or be responsible for anyone else for 5 whole days?! I think we'll need to take at least one long vacation each year. Plus, with grandparents fighting over who gets to take her, we don't feel too guilty leaving. However, she changed so much in the short time we were gone. She really understands a lot more and just seems older. She was going down the slide by herself (a small, inside one), knows where her ears are, plays 'So big!' way more on command now, and throws the ball for the dogs. Oh yes, and we missed the dogs too. I think she missed us, she just stared at me this morning when I came upstairs but then came right to me. She smiled a big smile for Calvin when she saw him. It's good to be back with our little baby!

The view of San Franciso from a beach in Alameda where Katie and Jonathan live.

Katie and I hanging out on Friday - it was a gorgeous day, so we did a lot of walking, shopping and exploring. We went to a park by the ocean, and there were a million squirrels. Not the type of wildlife I expected to see in California!

Calvin and I at the rehersal dinner

At the wedding ceremony

At the reception

We went to a vineyard on the way back to Katie and Jonathan's on Sunday. I was expecting a tour, but it was just a tasting room, and I had tasted enough wine for one weekend. So, we only stopped at one.

At the Golden Gate bridge. It wasn't very nice out, but got clearer later in the day. It's so foggy out there.

At Pier 39 - that's Alcatraz in the background. I was expecting it to be farther away from shore, but it's really not (at least it didn't seem to be).

At dinner Sunday night. Calvin really wanted good seafood, so Katie and Jonathan found a cute little place that was very good.

Hiking thru a redwood forest on Monday before we left.

Calvin and Katie by a really cool moss covered tree

A gross slug. I haven't seen one since we lived in Seattle!

This video we took on Sunday at Pier 39. These are sea lions, and hundreds of them! They live on these docks, and it's turned into a marine protected area. Boats can still drive thru, but they can't be moved, and no one feeds them. It was really loud and really stinky. They were funny though, pushing each other off and playing King of the Mountain!