Vermilion Fair

Parade

I honestly think the Vermilion parade is the longest parade I have ever watched (1.5 hours).  I thought that last year, and it was reaffirmed this year.  If you know of a small town with a longer parade, please let me know.  I will be sure to avoid that town on parade day!!  The candy is plenteous, don't get me wrong, but it just gets a little long for me.  Maybe I should bring a lawn chair like the sensible folks do!   Remind me of that next year.  Another reminder for myself ... not to take so many pictures of the floats!  Seriously, last year I took WAY too many.  This year I was better, but still ... looking through the pictures I wondered to myself , "why did I take this one ... neat float and all ... but really ... do I ever need to look at it again ... nope".  Now, the Stewart Auction float is a different story and worth sharing the pictures with y'all!

... and it begins.

1st prize ...  in the comic category

Way to go Lisa!!

The Fair

After the parade Lisa and I took the kids to the fair for a bit before heading to the cabin for the rest of the weekend.  I am looking forward to the day I can afford to go on the rides too ... but then I'll probably be too old to enjoy them.  Ha!   We did get more for our money this year as Keithan found some courage to try some new rides.  It was too cute when Grady kept measuring himself at every ride; maybe in case he grew in between rides!  He can hardly wait to be in next height category.

The first time they rode this I almost died laughing at their expressions and screeches!  

Sometimes it is not easy being small

Next up ... Loon Lake photos!

family photo shoot, July 2012

Many of you have already seen these pics when I shared the link on facebook and/or email from our fabulous photo session with Melissa back in July.   Her website is whatmakesusclick.wordpress.com.  If I could figure out how to properly link it to this post, I would do that.  Sorry Melissa!  I still can't believe how they turned out given how hot it was and how tired we were.  Amazing is all I can say.
I still haven't got around to ordering the pictures, but I am VERY close to making my decision. Well, closer than yesterday anyway. I have narrowed down the family shots to these 3.

I want to get a BIG picture for the wall to replace our very outdated picture from March 2007, when Grady was a mere thought! Does anyone wish to share their thoughts, comments or preference?  I may, or may not, agree with the general consensus!

This is the old picture and the same spot where the new one would go.  That is the trouble with an open concept home ... NOT ENOUGH WALL SPACE!  I get a little frustrated with that some times, as you can probably tell.

last of the california trip photos

We ended our Northern California trip with a sugar high from the Jelly Belly Factory, rejoined by the lovely Melissa and her boys. Looking back at the pictures the kids still say the best part of the trip was playing with Noah and Simon.

a bit of a line-up (over an hour)

taking a shift break from the line-up

blondies

a souvineer that actually made it home

Harry the Jelly Belly Potter

just a little excited to be almost on the tour

The S and C family tips for touring the Jelly Belly factory

• recommend the adult to child ratio greater than 2 : 6
• go at your own risk; ALL kinds of people go there ... even people who don't like children.

A quick hello to sweet Gabriella and her mom, Aimee

"leaving on a jet plane, don't know when we'll be back again"

San Francisco, CA attractions

memorizing the lay-out!

taking a break from the uphill climb

jail birds

Struggling along with the audio tour

The S Family tips for touring Alcatraz

• book early, as in long before 2 weeks before;  we almost were out of luck.
• take a backpack for the kids sweaters and water; my shoulder bag was overflowing and uncomfortable.
• wear comfortable shoes and insure the whole family cooperates with this so you don't have to listen to the complaint of "my feet hurt" on the long climb up.
• plan for an extra 40 minutes in the gift shop, and then take the souvenirs and put them in said backpack so they don't get left behind.
• take extra batteries for your camera.

A picture is better than no picture!

No time to focus!

Can't remember the name of this beach ... but it is popular for shark attacks!

Not much fog for a view of the bridge!

sunny Sausalito Bay

The S Family  tips for touring Muir Woods (Redwood Forest) and Sausalito

• take a bus tour; well worth the extra $$ for convenience of parking and an entertaining guided tour; our guy sang, told us all about George Lucas and then some, and hung out with Robin Williams one summer before he was famous (Robin, not the bus driver).
• regarding the bus tour:  keep an eye on the time, as one couple on our bus did not make it back before the bus left (and they haven't been heard from since ... but I don't know for sure about that part).
• no need for bug spray ... we didn't see one mosquito!
• watch for HUGE banana slugs.
• don't plan on too many photo opportunities in the forest as the trail is not that wide and there are 100's of people everywhere that do not want to wait for you, and possibly miss their bus.

Good eating at Codmother's Fish and Chips

Great stop: Museum of old Arcade games that mostly still work!

"The Bushman" - best prank ever on the unsuspecting tourist!

Lombard Street

The Golden Gate Bridge ... just in case anyone didn't know!!

The S Family Tips for Traveling in San Francisco in General

• Start cross country training with your children about 2 months prior to arriving in the Bay, working up to walking 7 miles a day (preferably without complaints).
• Practice sitting for long periods buckled in the car seats, working up to 2 hours at a time (without moving the car).  This will help prepare them for the San Francisco Bay traffic.
• Do not worry about missing the corner into Starbucks as there will be another one on the next corner.
• Do not ask about using debit/credit cards with a chip, they have NO idea what you are talking about.
• When driving, you can never shoulder check too much ... and it is perfectly normal for motorbikes to drive for miles between two lanes of cars. 
• Maybe plan for a later afternoon flight to try and avoid fog delays (this is more of a reminder for me if we have a chance to go again)! 
• If you are relying on strictly on the GPS you will sometimes frequently lose satellite reception.
• Most importantly, pack lightly for the trip (in big suitcases) so you have LOTS of room for shopping at great Outlet malls and Macy's!