A Barrel of Monkeys: vacation

Thursday, July 25, 2013

The Windy (and Hot and Rainy) City

This past weekend, we took our last of big city tours for the summer. We headed north to Chicago for some family fun and a little Phishing trip for Mama and Daddy.

We first went across the street to Millennium Park to enjoy the public spaces.

It was soooo hot, this was the perfect way to cool off!

Who's that baby in the giant mirror?

Standing on the ceiling...

Making a wish in Lurie Garden

Our fabulous accommodations of the Palmer House

To go Phishing, of course you need to take a boat to Northerly Island....

Little did we know this would be the mother of all storms...

Night One was cancelled two songs into the second set due to the storm. Night Two we got a treat of 3 sets (first time ever outside of a Halloween/New Years/Festival). It did rain however and we did get wet. Didn't stop us from dancing the night away....

During the days, we escaped the hot weather with some museum trips. First up: The Shedd Aquarium.

Anaconda looking for lunch

Lizards!

I want those fishes!!!

Playing penguin

And of course we visited Sue at the Field Museum!

We enjoyed our trip to Chicago and really didn't want to leave. We will definitely return soon as we feel we barely scratched the surface off all it has to offer.

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

A Golden (Gate) Time

This past weekend, we packed up our family of four and headed West to San Francisco! This was Emmett's first big plane trip, and by coincidence was the same place where Elias went on his first trip. Daddy had a AILA Conference to meet and learn with all the other immigration attorneys in the nation. Unfortunately he was all work and we were all play. Oma and Opa drove up to play with us as we set our to explore the streets of San Fran as well as pilgrimage to a famous bakery....

First plane ride!

Such a good traveler. He's an old pro now.

At the Phoenix airport layover, we stopped for some Mexican food. Emmett LOVED him some fresh made guacamole!

Man of Chips

Selfie

Emmett and Opa got to meet for the first time. Boy, are these two peas in a pod!

History Note: This weekend was the Supreme Court ruling to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act. California now can allow for homosexual marriages. It was a colorful weekend of Pride and Equality. We were happy and proud to be in such a friendly, open city during these days. We love that people who want to love and commit to each other can like Opa and Oma, Mama and Daddy, and all the happy couples out there. We couldn't stay for the largest Pride parade in the world. Oh well. Nuf said on that.

Late night in the hotel

On our first day, we traveled to the Golden Gate Park. This fabulous park is full of enriching activities in art, culture, science, and leisure.

California Academy of Sciences

Emmett loved the aquarium inside

Elias loved the touch pools

A rainforest full of butterflies

Emmett in the baby/toddler room

There was an amazing Children's Playground in the Park

And a historic carousel

Even a giant outdoor slide!

Always good to factor up before busy days!

The next day we traveled north over the Golden Gate Bridge to Wine Country.

When in Rome, be a Roman right?

Elias' new summer job as sommelier

Sonoma has a great train and amusement park perfect for little ones. We went here 2 years ago and its still a hit!!!

Then off to Yountville for some sweet treats. Oh cookies and macaroons.

Bouchon you know how to delight us!

A trip to San Francisco is not complete without some historic public transportation down to the water front! (Unfortunately the trolley lines were really long for our group to wait in during a heat wave much to Elias' disappointment.)

Bach eau SF Bay

Pier 39

We took a little harbor cruise and learned a little local history as well as sailed under the Golden Gate. Over one day and under the next!

Then we lunched on Pier 39 and enjoyed local seafood. Opa gave Emmett his first taste of tiramisu. Not only does he have a friend for life/favorite elder but this boy is after his Mama's heart!