Thursday, June 27, 2013

Celebration for Pops

Hello! This was at 30 weeks :)
I love pregnant women and their baby bumps... therefore I love that my belly is stretching that white shirt to its max.
I had nine weeks to go and made great use of a suitcase to rest my ever growing belly!

We arrived!! The drive to San Francisco from Sacramento gave us the much needed alone time to talk, laugh, and sit in SILENCE! 
It was wonderful and beautiful!  God is so creative and very giving in all the beauty he made for us.  
The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1
The heavens were definitely declaring the glory of God on our drive.  

Our hotel was in Union Square.  We walked down the block to Farallon, a restaurant we hadn't heard of but was busy, and enjoyed ourselves a delicious meal and great wine.  


Familiar was the route we went when it came to breakfast.  Too bad we weren't in the know on some great places to visit.  Oh well, I'll never ever turn down a Starbucks.  Even though they raised their prices AGAIN... ridiculous


San Francisco firemen... 
Matt and I couldn't help but miss our boys after seeing the firetruck below.  The boys would have loved it.  

Our walk to Fisherman's Wharf was refreshing, beautiful and entertaining.  
The "mature" woman swimming in the bay, dressed in her bikini and swim cap, blew our mind.  
The water was so so cold.  


The picture below is the view from a high school around the Wharf.  Lucky kids!


Gigi took care of Eli and Cullen while we were away.  They were in for more than they bargained for.  Both of the boys came down with a stomach bug and were taking turns vomiting.  
This is Eli at his field trip.  Close, but not too close to that huge longhorn.  



Our last walk around the city was to the Giants stadium, AT&T Park.  It was a long walk, our route was a bit confusing, but it was worth it.  

Grabbed breakfast at Starbucks 
Made a stop at the 3 story Gap
Did a little bit of wandering
Purchased the boys each a Giants shirt 
Then the Giants go and win the World Series!  Way to go 
I knew Matt and I were lucky together ;D


After our time in San Francisco we headed back to Sacramento to celebrate Pops!
We made our way through Napa Valley on our way.
It was beautiful!  Miles and Miles of vineyards... the grapes were ready to be harvested and made into wine!  mmmm

Oh Napa, CA... you are beautiful!  Matt and I had such a good time driving there from San Francisco.  

Take a look at that sandwich.  Flavorful, fresh and very satisfying.  



Our first night in Sacramento we spent with family at Matt's Aunt Kathy's sisters house.    
The next day we visited the Church his parents were married in and grabbed a coffee at an urban chic coffee shop down the way.  
It was special to see a part of Kim and Jim's history.  They had a photographer take pictures of them outside the church to document their 40th wedding anniversary!   
After the service we walked from the church to the gardens surrounding the capitol building to take a few family photos with everyone there.  
The roses in the garden were fragrant and stunning.



The next night we had pizza with the whole crew. 

Me at 30 weeks and Tracey at about 19 weeks... I am not 100%

  Chet's trunk was donated to the capitol to be on displayed there.  
He was a true artist.  The woodworking he did was all so beautiful and thought out.  

Chet's children and 2nd wife.  
Kim, Bob, Mavis, Lori and Mike.  
They put on a wonderful celebration for the life Chet Lummen lived.  
He was kind, funny, loving, and thoughtful.  My boys loved their Pops and enjoyed his stories, jokes, and the toys he made for them.  I'm so glad to have known him, for the role he played in Matt's life, and that Eli and Cullen were able to know him.  


One very important stop before we headed home. 



Pops, you are loved!
I will cherish the time Matt and I spent with you in your final days in this life.  Holy Holy Holy and Be Thou my Vision will hold a special place in my heart and remind me of the time I sat holding your hand singing to you before you passed.  You were a hoot and a blessing all bundled into one package.

XOXO,
Laura