San Francisco

Over Labor Day weekend, Bill and I went to San Francisco for Jeff and Jocelyn's wedding.  Jeff is a friend of ours from high school that now lives in California.  We left Avery at home with my parents and Kelly so that we could enjoy a relaxing trip.

On the plane ride there, we had downloaded a movie so that the time would fly by and we could start our vacation.  It turned out the be the longest flight of my life!  This woman that would be best described as looking like a female Nick Nolte (disheveled hair and all) boarded the plane and starting cursing as she was walking down the isle.  I breathed a sigh of relief as she passed us, but nope, she came right back up and settled in next to Bill.  She was a complete mess and Bill said that she wreaked of alcohol already.  Apparently she doesn't like flying AND she told us that she was having an emotional breakdown before she left home.  How could we get so lucky??? She was dropping f-bombs like crazy.  About an hour and a half into the flight, after she had consumed two bloody mary's, she proceeded to grab Billy's wrist multiple times without warning to check his watch.  Then she yelled, "I'VE GOT TO GET OFF THIS F'ING PLANE!   I FEEL LIKE WE'VE BEEN ON HERE FOR 8 HOURS!" so loudly that all the passengers around us could hear her.  I didn't know whether to laugh at how uncomfortable Bill was or just start weeping because our precious vacation was starting off so horribly!  This literally went on for hours!  I seriously started sweating at one point, I'm pretty sure it was when she started kicking the floor and crying while all along she kept yelling that she needed to get of the f'ing plane!  Somehow we managed to get there before she lost it even further but if the flight had been like 15 minutes longer, I think we would have all been doomed.  After we landed, everyone stood up to start getting off the plane and she started yelling for people to move so she could get off first.  People around us looked at us with pity and some people even told us how sorry they were for us that we had to sit next to her.  It was a real "special" flight to say the least.

After regaining our composure, we took a taxi to our hotel in Union Square.  We decided to go out to eat for our 5 year anniversary that first night.  After checking out restaurants for about an hour we settled upon Cheesecake Factory because it sounded so good.  We felt bad for half a second that we were eating somewhere that we could eat at any day, but I love their food and it was on the 8th floor of a Macy's so it had an amazing view.  One thing that I'm not a fan of in San Francisco is that they feel the need to give you nutrition facts for the food at restaurants.  Of course, the meal that I got had more fat and calories than I was supposed to consume in a day.  Oh well, it was so worth it!  

Not the greatest picture but you can see the awesome view in the back.

This is the hotel right across the restaurant that we stayed at the second night (where we would see some slightly famous people!)

Union Square- it was amazing and had LOTS of shopping

The next day, Ash and Kyle flew in to join us for the remainder of the trip.  We decided to do some sightseeing so we headed over to Fisherman's Wharf.

I forced Bill to take this awkward picture.  He was attempting to hail us a taxi which turned out to be quite unsuccessful.  

After waiting for a good 30 min for a taxi we finally made it to our 1st destination.

Our lunch- it honestly wasn't quite as good as I was hoping  but at least now I can say that I've been there.  I think I prefer Fuddruckers and Whataburger more.

After lunch we went walking around Fisherman's Wharf.  

My type of store- not sure when I am ever going to grow up!

Total creeper!

These make me laugh for some reason

We finally made it to the seals, and we were so happy that there were actually some to see!

Next, we went to Ghirardelli Square.  It was absolutely freezing outside, though you can't really tell in pics!  Sadly, although an ice cream sundae sounded amazing, we had to get hot chocolate to warm ourselves up. 

Heaven on earth!

 After we left Ghirardelli square, we walked near the water and spotted this woman.  Bill was so embarrassed that I felt the need to snap a picture of her, but I was in complete shock that she would be swimming in like 50 degree weather.  She was probably 60 years old, her skin resembled the woman from Something About Mary, and all that she had on was a bikini and a swim cap (like that would help!).

That's her in the background.  She hadn't keeled over yet!

Our cab ride back to the hotel was like a roller coaster because of the crazy hills

 When we got back to the hotel, we had a special treat.  Bill and I had seen Kathy's son, from the Real Housewives of New Jersey, in our hotel that morning so we knew that there had to be more of the group there.  Turns out the whole group was taping for next season at the location of  Jeff's wedding in Half Moon Bay at the time.  Kathy's kids were staying with her sister, Rosie, in San Fran and they were going to meet up with her the next day.  We just so happened to see them coming off the elevator.  What a coincidence!  (We were sitting right outside the elevator for a few minutes just in case they walked by :) ) They were really nice when we asked them to take a picture.  I actually think they were flattered that we recognized them!

Later that night at dinner

On Saturday, it was time to head to Half Moon Bay where the wedding was going to be.  As we were leaving our hotel, we saw our new bffs, Victoria, Joseph, and Rosie along with their parents, Rich and Kathy.  It made our day! Due to some research done by our friend, Lindsay, we also knew that the RHONJ stayed at an RV park literally walking distance from our hotel in Half Moon Bay.  

They ate here at Sam's Chowder House too!

Bill and Ash entering our next hotel.  Bill is making a hook and I'm not sure why.

 We stayed at what used to be a bed and breakfast that was connected to the Oceano, where the wedding would be.  It was freezing in our room.  The window had been left open and the place had no heat.

  Bill did the only logical thing that we could think to do...turn on our blowdryer to warm the room up.

We also turned on the fireplace that was in our room.  There is something amazing about going from 109 degree heat to sitting by a fire drinking coffee.

 The rehearsal dinner was held at a Sushi restaurant.  They closed the place down to the public so it was just the wedding party and family.  

Jeff was making a speech in this picture.  Not sure what the hand gesture  was! 

 The next day, the wedding party had to perform activities at Jocelyn's parents' house for the Chinese tradition, the Tea Ceremony.  Ash and I found Half Moon Bay's Main Street and very slowly walked around taking full advantage of having no stroller, time constraints, or crying child!

The amazing french toast I had at this little diner we ate at.

 Here are some pictures from the wedding...

Jeff started getting a little emotional as Jocelyn was walking down the isle- very sweet!

The groomsmen

This lady decided that she would watch the wedding in her bathrobe from her balcony

The I do's

Speeches

The garter toss

 Sadly, I did not take a ton of pictures of the wedding but it was beautiful.  We had a great time!  Jeff and Jocelyn seem like a great match!  I just wish they didn't live quite so far away.

The sun came out on the day that we were leaving.  It was beautiful by the water.  We ate at Sam's Chowder House for lunch, strolled along the beach, and then headed to the airport.

It was so beautiful by the beach

Group shot

Our trip flew by but we had so much fun.  I really feel like I appreciate vacations so much more now that I am a mom.  It's nice to get away for a while, but I also love coming home to our little one.  It makes the trip home not so bad!