Christmas Break, Part One

***UPDATED to add: Chick-Fil-A pictures. See below!***
Well, my Christmas break is officially over today. Aaron has another week and, thankfully, he's not rubbing it in my face at all--thanks, honey! But I can't complain because we really packed in a lot of fun stuff during our first married Christmas break. The craziest part is to think that next Christmas, Aaron will be done with school FOREVER...or so we hope, haha!

I was fortunate enough to have 2 floating holidays that needed to be used by the end of the year so we took off for San Francisco on Tuesday, December 22. We got up early, packed up the car, and headed north to our first stop: Chick-Fil-A in Oxnard for breakfast. You know it's going to be a great drive when you start that way! We caught the cow headed to work right as we were about to leave.


After that, we made it all the way up to San Luis Obispo before we stopped for a snack. The drive was sunny the entire ride up--lucky us! There weren't a lot of people on the road so even with one more stop at the outlets in Gilroy, we were at Mom and Dad's by mid afternoon. Mom was pretty shocked to see us so early I think! After a great night's sleep, we decided to head out to do some touristy things. The weather was completely unseasonably beautiful and this trip was Aaron's first time in San Francisco with no schoolwork so we wanted to take advantage of that! We first went to Coit Tower where the views were spectacular. You can go up in the tower for $5 a person but since we didn't have cash and we don't like to get ripped off (haha) we were fine with settling for the "free" views. Not too shabby...








After lunch with my mom back at home, we headed back out to the Fisherman's Wharf area. It was the perfect day to walk along the wharf from Ghiradelli Square to Pier 39.






We really wanted to rent some bikes and so we decided to take our chances on the weather on Thursday (Christmas Eve). We were rewarded with another beautiful day! We rented some bikes at The Cannery and rode through Crissy Field and Fort Mason and across the bridge to have lunch in Sausalito. It was so much fun and the views were breathtaking...especially as we got closer to the bridge.





Man, we just look so cool in those helmets.


The bridge was crowded with pedestrians but only really at both ends. I guess most people don't really want to have to walk the whole thing. It really was such a pretty day--it makes me proud to be a San Franciscan!


Once we got into Sausalito, we had sandwiches at a cute little family-owned and run cafe. We didn't break too long before it was back on the bikes. We did manage to get a picture of the two of us before we left.

Now, the reason that this is the last photo of the biking adventures is because the road back to Sausalito was a little challenging. The bike rental place encourages you to bike over the bridge and take the ferry back. Pssh, we ruled that out right away! As we came into Sausalito, however, we understood why the bike place sells it that way. The hills were killer! We managed to do great but about halfway up the hill, Aaron and I realized that we were amongst expert riders with their fancy bikes and fancy bike clothes. And then there was us on our rentals...ha! But we made it, so there! When we finally made it back home, my brother had arrived, hooray! We had a fun Christmas eve relaxing with my parents and my brother.

Christmas day was a bit of a blur because we had back to back to back company. But, that is what always makes it fun. We enjoyed visiting with friends and family, and as usual, we got way more gifts than we need or probably deserve! On Christmas night, we had dinner with my Aunt's family but afterwards, all us kids went to Grammie and Papa's house to bring Christmas to them. Grammie was in the hospital a week before Christmas and we were just happy that she was able to be home for the holidays. We had a lot of fun bringing their presents to them and helping them open (and assemble) their goodies.

Grammie was excited about her slippers!

We got Papa an ottoman to match his lounger...

..and the boys promptly put it together for him!

After we got back from Grammie and Papa's, Mom surprised Aaron and I with an anniversary cupcake. I can't believe that it's already been 8 months that we've been married! It was a very sweet surprise for us.

Next, we had dessert and played my cousin Kristi's new DJ Hero game. A LOT.

After dessert, we opened presents. Like I said, we got SO much stuff but here are some highlights of other people's gifts, haha! Like, mom's crafting bag
and straw glasses


It was a great Christmas! The next 2 days, we layed low and just enjoyed being on the break. The weather was not as warm after Christmas and so it was tempting to stay indoors all day, for sure. Our last night, Sunday, my brother took our family out to dinner (Grammie too, she felt up to it!) And what better food to eat in San Francisco than Chinese? Yum.



My aunt told us to be cheesy for these next pics. Done and done.


After dinner, it was family photos time back at our house, sans Grammie and Papa. We didn't want to push it since Grammie was doing so well at dinner!

Family

Cousins

Boys

Us!

We left on Monday morning to head back to LA after a really great Christmas in SF. Next up, Aaron's parents and brother Ryne come in to celebrate New Year's and Ryne's birthday with us...and the $20 Dollar Store Christmas Exchange!

"Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." Ephesians 5:2