Last week we went on a trip to California to participate in the Shiotsuka-Yokoyama family reunion (Hisa's maiden name is Yokoyama). Fortunately we were able to fit in a few days of sightseeing. Here is a brief recap from memory, with links to photo albums at the end:
Day 1 - Wed Jul 16
Woke at 3:30AM for our 6:00AM flight to San Jose (with a layover in Dallas). Both flights went well and the girls were very cooperative. Well, except for the first 10 minutes on the plane in Raleigh during which Caitlin was not making any friends. We arrived in San Jose on time with all of our luggage. Hard to believe since we flew on American... Erin was especially excited to ride the bus from the airport to the rental car building.
Day 2 - Thu Jul 17
We made the little-over-one-hour trek to Monterey and met Steve's family at the Monterey Aquarium. The girls really liked all of the exhibits and Sue and I particularly liked the Jellies. Erin and Cait enjoyed watching "Max", the hammerhead shark. Shortly before dinner we went on the 17 mile drive but only made it to Pebble Beach Golf Club. We figured we saw enough and wanted to beat the rush hour traffic back to San Jose. Erin and I got to dip our toes in the frigid Pacific before we left.
Day 3 - Fri Jul 18
Started out at the San Francisco Zoo. Definitely went unprepared for the high-50 degree temperatures, so made a bee-line to the gift shop as soon as we got there to purchase jackets and a blanket. Spent most of the day there. Had fun visiting with all the animals - Caitlin enjoyed the family farm area so much that she tried to kiss the goats (on the lips!) when they came up to her looking for food. E Coli, anyone?? Mommy enjoyed feeding the goats until one of them started pawing like a dog. Definitely a weird feeling to get "hoofed". Then went to the family reunion kick-off dinner. It was great to see so many familiar faces, many of whom we hadn't seen since either the last reunion in 2000 or our wedding that Fall. Erin and Cait had a blast meeting their cousins, Liam, Katie, Rylee and Kezi. They later spent the post-dinner hour chasing each other (much to the dismay of the waitstaff - sorry!).
Day 4 - Sat Jul 19
Relaxed in the morning, met Grandma and Papa for lunch, then went to Phil and Barbara's house for the reunion party. Had a fantastic time there splashing in the pool and catching up with everyone. The food was fantastic and plentiful. Erin and Cait thoroughly enjoyed the chocolate fountain and strawberries. Caitlin was completely mesmerized by the kareoke entertainment by cousin Sandy Tsukiyama de Olivera.
Day 5 - Sun Jul 20
Darren took us on a tour of San Francisco. Got to have lunch at Fisherman's Wharf, check out Pier 39 and see the house where Sumio spent his childhood. Then we made it across the Golden Gate and took in some nice sights of the bay area from a lookout. Spent the late afternoon at the Obon Festival at the Mountain View Buddhist Temple. Food was excellent and the girls enjoyed playing kiddie games and winning prizes.
Day 6 - Mon Jul 21
Relaxed in the morning, then went to Muir Woods just north of San Francisco. Really enjoyed the brief walk; the girls seemed to enjoy the trees as much as I did. Wish we had more time for sure. Unfortunately that night I sprained a muscle in my back while moving Erin from one bed to another. Knew that was going to make for an interesting trip home.
Day 7 - Tue Jul 22
Finished packing and left early for the airport. Hertz helped us out by dropping us off at the terminal so we wouldn't have to handle the luggage. The cart at the airport sure came in handy! The girls were mostly compliant on the return home, considering we actually got home at about 1:30AM! Thankfully our flights were again on time and our luggage made it. Received a wonderful welcome home from Molly and Dozer - I think they missed us as much as we missed them.
A HUGE thank you to the WCCs for a wonderful reunion - we had a great time and look forward to another one in the near future!
Family reunion pics - http://picasaweb.google.com/djhunt77/2008JulyFamilyReunion
Monterey Aquarium pics - http://picasaweb.google.com/djhunt77/2008JulyMontereyAquarium
San Francisco Zoo pics - http://picasaweb.google.com/djhunt77/2008JulySanFranciscoZoo
Other pics - http://picasaweb.google.com/djhunt77/2008JulyTripToCaliforniaMisc
Day 1 - Wed Jul 16
Woke at 3:30AM for our 6:00AM flight to San Jose (with a layover in Dallas). Both flights went well and the girls were very cooperative. Well, except for the first 10 minutes on the plane in Raleigh during which Caitlin was not making any friends. We arrived in San Jose on time with all of our luggage. Hard to believe since we flew on American... Erin was especially excited to ride the bus from the airport to the rental car building.
Day 2 - Thu Jul 17
We made the little-over-one-hour trek to Monterey and met Steve's family at the Monterey Aquarium. The girls really liked all of the exhibits and Sue and I particularly liked the Jellies. Erin and Cait enjoyed watching "Max", the hammerhead shark. Shortly before dinner we went on the 17 mile drive but only made it to Pebble Beach Golf Club. We figured we saw enough and wanted to beat the rush hour traffic back to San Jose. Erin and I got to dip our toes in the frigid Pacific before we left.
Day 3 - Fri Jul 18
Started out at the San Francisco Zoo. Definitely went unprepared for the high-50 degree temperatures, so made a bee-line to the gift shop as soon as we got there to purchase jackets and a blanket. Spent most of the day there. Had fun visiting with all the animals - Caitlin enjoyed the family farm area so much that she tried to kiss the goats (on the lips!) when they came up to her looking for food. E Coli, anyone?? Mommy enjoyed feeding the goats until one of them started pawing like a dog. Definitely a weird feeling to get "hoofed". Then went to the family reunion kick-off dinner. It was great to see so many familiar faces, many of whom we hadn't seen since either the last reunion in 2000 or our wedding that Fall. Erin and Cait had a blast meeting their cousins, Liam, Katie, Rylee and Kezi. They later spent the post-dinner hour chasing each other (much to the dismay of the waitstaff - sorry!).
Day 4 - Sat Jul 19
Relaxed in the morning, met Grandma and Papa for lunch, then went to Phil and Barbara's house for the reunion party. Had a fantastic time there splashing in the pool and catching up with everyone. The food was fantastic and plentiful. Erin and Cait thoroughly enjoyed the chocolate fountain and strawberries. Caitlin was completely mesmerized by the kareoke entertainment by cousin Sandy Tsukiyama de Olivera.
Day 5 - Sun Jul 20
Darren took us on a tour of San Francisco. Got to have lunch at Fisherman's Wharf, check out Pier 39 and see the house where Sumio spent his childhood. Then we made it across the Golden Gate and took in some nice sights of the bay area from a lookout. Spent the late afternoon at the Obon Festival at the Mountain View Buddhist Temple. Food was excellent and the girls enjoyed playing kiddie games and winning prizes.
Day 6 - Mon Jul 21
Relaxed in the morning, then went to Muir Woods just north of San Francisco. Really enjoyed the brief walk; the girls seemed to enjoy the trees as much as I did. Wish we had more time for sure. Unfortunately that night I sprained a muscle in my back while moving Erin from one bed to another. Knew that was going to make for an interesting trip home.
Day 7 - Tue Jul 22
Finished packing and left early for the airport. Hertz helped us out by dropping us off at the terminal so we wouldn't have to handle the luggage. The cart at the airport sure came in handy! The girls were mostly compliant on the return home, considering we actually got home at about 1:30AM! Thankfully our flights were again on time and our luggage made it. Received a wonderful welcome home from Molly and Dozer - I think they missed us as much as we missed them.
A HUGE thank you to the WCCs for a wonderful reunion - we had a great time and look forward to another one in the near future!
Family reunion pics - http://picasaweb.google.com/djhunt77/2008JulyFamilyReunion
Monterey Aquarium pics - http://picasaweb.google.com/djhunt77/2008JulyMontereyAquarium
San Francisco Zoo pics - http://picasaweb.google.com/djhunt77/2008JulySanFranciscoZoo
Other pics - http://picasaweb.google.com/djhunt77/2008JulyTripToCaliforniaMisc
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