SAN FRANSISCO FINALE: THE JOYS OF COMING HOME

Returning to San Fransisco after nearly 35 years was wonderful. So much has changed in the world in those 35 years.

So much has changed in our family life in those 35 years.

There's no way to capture every memorable event of our vacation.

Time together away from the pressures of home has been wonderful. This has been such a year of change for us-Stan's changing jobs, and launching our last child.

Really, I could vacation everyday.

Of course, we'll have to win the lottery first.

I love the sights and sounds of San Fransisco.

Although I've been a Montana girl too long now to appreciate Christmas decorations placed beside blooming flowers.

Nevertheless, we enjoyed exploring

the colors,

diversity,

and scenery.

The three of us had lots of fun together, and it will be the "together" part that we remember.

As fun as it all was, I found I was also happy to get home to my "other" life.

There's cute little Hailey, in the front row, pink shirt, looking for a familiar face at her school's Christmas program.

By the day of this program on Wednesday, December 21st, I hadn't seen Hailey or Makayla since before I left for California. It made me tear up a little to see the way Hailey's face brightened
when she spotted me.

It made me tear up a lot when she blew me a kiss.

We loved having Megan and the Bassets here to spend Christmas day with us. It's fun to have little ones in the house again to open presents.

Ava was content to spend 20 or 30 minutes opening her package.

 Cute Bassett boys.

It's nice to see how happy kids can be about the toothbrushes in their stockings.

Ava, still opening that gift.

Chase, helping us rid ourselves of those evil chocolate ornaments from the tree.

Ta Dah! She got it open!

Turns out Megan must have been nicer than we thought-Santa brought her that snowboard after all. She is taking a snowboarding class next semester. Does this count as an educational expense?

Let me assure you, this disclaimer below the word "Feather" is stretching the truth....

We had a wonderful holiday season--we hope you had a Merry Christmas, too!

DAY FOUR: BIG

Our final day was Tuesday, and we had most the day to poke around before we needed to catch our plane. We rented a car and drove down the crookedest street.

Despite the beautiful views, I'd hate living on this street--all those annoying tourists, and the next-to-impossible task of turning your BMW or Lamborghini into your tight driveway space.

 We crossed the Golden Gate Bridge

and drove a short distance to Muir Redwood Forest.

Those trees really are astoundingly tall.

I felt pretty tiny, even after 4 days of nonstop ice cream products.

Here I am, doing my spot-on impression of Megan.

Meanwhile, Megan was recreating the tai chi hippie moves we saw

whilst segwaying through Golden Gate Park. Those crazy Californians have contaminated my baby....

Megan, doing her best Keebler Elf impression.

 Wait, what is she....? IS SHE TEBOWING???

Megan, can you explain to me again how WE are the embarrassing ones?

Our next stop was the Winchester Mansion. It was built beginning in 1884 by Sarah Winchester, widow and wealthy inheritor of the Winchester fortune. She lost her only baby to a rare genetic disease, followed by her husband 15 years later to tuberculosis.

Sarah was told by a medium that she was cursed because of all of the deaths caused by the Winchester rifle. The medium convinced her that she had to atone for these deaths by adding on to her home unendingly. Mrs. Winchester did so, 7 days a week, 365 days a year until her death 39 years later.

The home is a labyrinth of halls and stairs that go nowhere, windows covered by new additions, doors that opened to walls or 3 stories from the ground into open space, and some of the most beautiful Tiffany stained glass I've ever seen. It has 160 rooms, 40 bedrooms, 13 bathrooms, cost $5.5 million to build.  At one time it was 7 stories high, but lost 3 stories during the SF earthquake of 1906, which were never rebuilt. We were not allowed to take pictures inside, and had the most annoying tour guide imaginable. Still, it was a fascinating home and a fun tour.

All during the tour, the only thing I could think was "What a shame the medium didn't tell her to atone by helping the poor!"

CHRISTMAS EVE EVE

Tonight we went to Grandpa and Grandma Jones's for our tradition night before the night before Christmas. Of course we played The Hat Game.

 Sydney, Chase, James, and Caden waiting for the music.

I'm not sure this qualifies as putting the hat on.

Megan, Kailyn, and Jordan do the old switcheroo.

Megan explaining the finer points of texting to Ava.

Chase turns three next month.

Shelly, Chase, and Ava

 The Bassetts won more than their fair share of Hat Game rounds. Kailyn was the winner on our third or fourth game.

Santa made his yearly stop.

I love Caden's little face in this picture. That's Rollin on the left.

Kailyn having a chat with the big guy.

Ava was not impressed with Santa.

Maybe big sister Kailyn will rescue her....

The Bassett Bunch. Santa is in there somewhere.

Don't you wonder what Megan is asking Santa for? No, not a boyfriend. She has enough of those. I think I heard something about snowboards--Megan, if Santa doesn't bring you one, we will just have to assume you've been naughty this year. Try harder next year!!!

Stan, it won't be long before you're whiter than Santa.

As always, it was a great party! Thanks, Grandpa and Grandma!