Father's day fun

Last Sunday, we celebrated father's day.  Although we were hoping our backyard project would be done, it was not.  So instead, we headed out for lunch with Jason's parents and brother.  We enjoyed eating out.  Jason, the kids and I planned a hike for afterwards, but the weather was HOT, close to 90, so we ditched the hike idea and headed to the the local community college pool, which is open to the public for the summer.  There, Ethan impressed us by going off the "high dive" without fear.  I certainly wouldn't do it!

We ended the day with a gathering with one of our neighbors, and watching the warriors game--so sad that they lost!
But a great celebration for a great dad!!

Birthday Visit

Over my birthday weekend last weekend, we welcomed the Kurinsky family to San Francisco!  My best friend from high school, Janet, and her husband had planned a trip out here months ago.   They were planning to come alone, but a few days before their trip, their childcare fell through.  So, instead of cancelling, they decided to bring the whole fam: James (9), Abbey (7), Toby (5), and Lizzy (3).  Needless to say, my kids were thrilled, and our house turned into a giant slumber party for several nights!

Although Janet and her husband Matt have spent a lot of time in the bay area, the kids had never been out here before.  We enjoyed a day at stinson beach, checked out the golden gate bridge and the marin headlands, muir woods, and of course they spent some obligate time in the city, checking out the wharf, cable cars and the ferry to san francisco.

It was really nice to ring in my 37th birthday with good friends, and we even arranged a babysitter for one night so we could go to an adults-only dinner.

An interesting thing about being 37: half of the US population is now younger than me, and half is older than me.   My dad sent me this article that explains here.

I guess that I am truly "middle aged!  anyhow, it was a very special weekend, and I was so lucky to have such a great celebration.

Sunday Bike Ride

Today we decided to take a family bike ride out at Samuel Taylor State Park.  This park is midway between our home and the pacific ocean, and was the site of the first paper mill on the west coast in the mid 1800s.    Today, most of the forest has regrown and there are very large redwood groves that tower hundreds of feet high.

There is a paved, flat 3.5 mile bile trail that follows a creek though the park, so we brought our bikes for a Sunday ride.  Ethan did great on the ride, and Alaina enjoyed sitting in her seat behind Jason.  Afterwards, we enjoyed a picnic lunch, and then the kids waded in the creek for a bit.  Another beautiful day in Marin!