Home from our vacation to CA

We just got home from our very enjoyable 10 day vacation to CA. It was a long 12 hour drive, with two small children both ways, but was well worth it for all the fun we were able to have in the Bay Area, and Lake Tahoe.
We got to CA on the 9/10/2010 at 5:15am. We stayed with My mom and stepdad while visiting. It was so nice for them to see and form memories with their grandsons. We arrived just in time for my mom's Birthday on 9/11. I helped plan a suprise Birthday Party for her in SF at Bucca di Beppo, a very fun italian restaraunt. We invited many of her friends, my friend Courtney,my aunt and uncle, my brother Ian and his girlfriend Autumn. It was a big party, and turned out so nice. I love when i plan things and they happen the way i want them...its always a success.
On our trip we got to go to Livermore to visit many of Alan's friends(families) from his mission. We went to church, and then after had a wonderful day visiting with many others in their homes, and then had an amazing steak dinner at the JESS Ranch. It was a fun Sunday.
During the week we also got to take the Boys to the Oakland Zoo, which was a blast. We saw all the animals, and took many pictures to remember the fun we had there.

We also met up with my Grandma Pat, went to lunch, and got to go shopping(the usuall with her)....we got a few nice things, and just really enjoyed seeing her, and letting the boys see her (not many kids get to know their great grandparents, and im so happy they do).
Friday rolled around, and we were headed to Lake Tahoe for my Step Sister Amy's wedding on Saturday. On our way up we got to stop in Placerville, walk around for a bit and go in all the fun little stores on main street. We went into many children stores, a old fashion candy store, a western clothing store, and many other fun shops. After we enjoyed that part of our day, we drove up to pollock pines to meet up with my Uncle Kevin and his family for dinner at las Romana's, and very tasty mexican place. It was so fun seeing all of my family, we realized it had been 6 years since i had seen them last....way too long. They were so happy to meet Alan, and the Boys. It was really such a nice night. Then we headed to Tahoe to meet my family at the house they rented for the wedding.
It was a huge house, very nice inside. The wedding was at the Mt. Bleu resort in Lake Tahoe, and the reception was at the house. We decorated it, and it turned out to be a Beautiful wedding.

The 10 days flew by and we had to leave on Sunday morning from Tahoe, back to Idaho. It was about a 10 hr trip home, and the kids did terrific!
We are happy to be back in the comfort of our own home, but sure do miss all of our friends and family back in CA.