Trips!

In the middle of November I had to make a trip to San Francisco for the National Communication Association's Annual Conference. This was a big conference for me, so Mark came along for moral support. Unfortunately, the conference fell right over Grace's birthday (talk about creating parental guilt!). But Grace was in great hands as she headed up to Michigan. We figured it would be a great opportunity for her to get to visit with some of my family members that don't get to see her too often. And of course Grandma and Grandpa Applebee were more than thrilled to have her for the week. From all reports, Grace was amazing! My mom said she felt a bit like she was in a time warp because so many of Grace's mannerisms and characteristics are reminiscent of a 2 year old Elizabeth :-) Here are highlights of Grace's visit:

Helping load wood for the wood burning stove

Walking in the woods

Many wagon rides

A party on her birthday!

My mom invited Grandma Marg and Jenny over for Grace's actual birthday. She and Grace made all kinds of snacks for the party and I have been told that everyone had a great time! I really need to dig out some of my old pictures because I know there are some of me at my birthday parties when I was Grace's age with Grandma Marg and Jenny!

Opening her gifts from mom and dad!

Yes, we got her a toothbrush holder...but you have no idea how much she LOVES this Elmo toothbrush holder. We no longer have fights about brushing our teeth!

Grace's new "baby" from Grandma--it was supposed to be for Grandma's house but Grace is absolutely obsessed with it so it came home with her.

Time for cake!

Morning breakfasts with Grandpa

Getting bundled up to head out into the cold

A trip to Chuckee Cheese's

A visit from Aunt Patty, Uncle Bill and Olga

Playing at Grandma's

The giggles at the end of this video are the best!

Grace's imaginative play has really come out during the last few weeks!


A visit from Papa Weber and Great Grandma Weber

Great Grandma got the job of holding the baby!

I love this video because a) only a grandma would let a two year old eat ice cream on the couch with no tray, b) Grace is being SOOOO careful, and c) I love how she looks like she is actually a part of the adult conversation.


Pony rides

While Grace was entertaining relatives and friends in Michigan, Mark and I were enjoying San Francisco. I should say that Mark was enjoying San Francisco. I worked most of the time but did get to enjoy dinners with Mark and had 1/2 a day when we first got there and a few hours on our last day there to enjoy the city. Here are highlights of our trip:

Exploring the city the first day we got there

The sea lions at the pier (and the only proof that I was there, that's the back of my head!)

Alcatraz

Lefty's store

Street performers break dancing

Wine sampling

Walking back to our hotel...we probably walked at least six (very hilly) miles that day

Mark's dream dinner--pizza and beer!


Delicious breakfasts

Catching up with old friends

Mark and his high school friend, Norm


Enjoying the Purdue party

Most schools host a reception at the conference. This year Purdue got lucky and ended up with the space on the 70th floor of the hotel for our reception. The room was surrounded by 14 foot high windows. Breathtaking views!


Taking the scenic eating tour of the city

Mark had a lot of stops he wanted to make...most involving food. The picture above is at a fortune cookie shop in a back alley of China Town. He brought a bag back to the hotel and I pretty much lived off of them during the conference!

Stopping by the wharf on the way to...

Ghirardelli Square. This was Mark's lunch on Monday. He sent me a picture of it via text message and then sent me another message that the cheerleading team from one of the universities was sitting right next to him...luckily he didn't take pictures of that or else he would have been the creepy dude :-)

To say I was jealous is an understatement!

Lombard Street

What a view!

Pretzels in the mission district with Mark's partner in crime, Vicky

Hot buns from a Mission District bakery

The view from the park

Bi-Rite ice cream

So yes, all of that was Mark's meal for one day--french toast for breakfast (not pictured), sundae for lunch, pretzel, bun, and ice cream for mid-afternoon snack. That night Mark and I went back to the Mission District and had mission burritos. I cannot begin to describe how delicious they were. Seriously, the best burrito I have ever had! I then made Mark take me to Bi-Rite because I was so envious of all the ice cream he had eaten. It was so good!!!

More scenic eating and working it off

Mark and Vicky headed to the wharf area via cable car

Getting the infamous In-N-Out burgers

View of the bridge pre-bike ride...yes, Mark biked the Golden Gate Bridge! How cool is that?!?! The following are his pictures--he rode solo while his sight seeing buddies went to Alcatraz so it's all self-portraits.

Enjoying another long walk through the city together

We took the red eye home Tuesday night but we did have some time to sight see after I was done conferencing. So we walked the few miles over to see the painted ladies...the seven Victorian era homes above. Up close they were pretty but I didn't quite get what the appeal was until we walked the hill and saw the skyline in the background. What an awesome juxtaposition of old and new!

On the recommendation of a friend, we headed to this little sushi restaurant for dinner. It is so tiny--two tables and 8 seats at the bar. We waited about an hour to get a seat but boy was it worth it! If you are a sushi fan and are headed to SF--get here!!!

Baked mussels

Hawaii role with chopped macadamia nuts on top!

Overall, we all had great trips! We got home Wednesday afternoon and Grace arrived on Thursday afternoon. It was so much fun to get to see her after nearly a week apart. The hugs she gave us were fantastic! Thank you Mom and Mike for taking such good care of our little girl!