San Francisco with SonYA!

After Brooke's race, we headed to San Francisco.

We took Sonya to Chinatown, Ghirardelli Square,

Fisherman's Wharf and Lombard Street (the crooked street.)

It was a whirlwind tour of the city

but as always, it was so fun

and made me remember why I love that place!

Tyler and Sonya, ready to do some shopping in Chinatown.

And this is what they found...

...some real stylish hats.

*Tyler reluctantly posed for this picture. I promised that I wouldn't put it on the blog,
but that was before I realized how cute it was of Sonya...Oops! Sorry Ty, I just couldn't resist.

Mom, Dad and Brooke at our favorite ice cream shoppe,
Ghirardelli Square! Their hot fudge sundae is amazing!
Seriously. I ate one all by myself.
Mark thought for sure that I would share.
But no, I didn't! It was that good!

Tyler and Sonya at Ghirardelli Square.

Sonya is brave and holds up one of the crabs for a photo.

Enjoying Fisherman's Wharf as we walk down to Boudin's
to get some sourdough bread! Yum!

Ty and Sonya at the Wharf!

10:59!

Tyler and Sonya came to town to watch Brooke qualify

for the California State Indoor Track Meet yesterday.

Brooke led the entire 3200, out in front of the crowd,

and finished with a time of 10:59.

Check out the muscles in those legs!

Tyler and Sonya, patiently waiting to see Brooke race.

January birthday celebrations!

We celebrated Allie's and Dad's birthdays while we were in Utah.

Allie loves banana cream pie from Fat's restaurant in Roseville

and when she was little, would often request to have

a pie from Fat's instead of a cake for her birthday.

So we surprised her and hand carried a banana cream pie

on the plane from California to Utah.*

Fat's Banana Cream Birthday pie!

*FYI-I checked TSA website and there are many food items that you are not allowed to

bring through the security checkpoint (jams, jellies, salsa and sauces.)

But not to worry..."You can bring cakes and pies through the security checkpoint,

but please be advised that they may be subject to additional screening."

Good to know.

Allie and her birthday pie!

Allie and Dad, our January birthday kids!

Our friends, Brad and Karen Wilkes,
gave Dad a big candy jar full of old fashioned candy
for his 50th birthday! Yum!

Wilkes, Williams and Holt ski reunion!

We are in Utah skiing with our dear friends,

the Wilkes and Williams families!

We were missing Rhonda and a few of the kids but

it was a great day of skiing and fun!

Our cutest (and newest) little Cougar!

We moved Ashley into the dorms last weekend.
She is excited to room with Carlie, her friend from home!
Those two will have a blast together!

Ashley started classes this week
and has adjusted to college life quite quickly!
With Tyler and Allie just around the corner,
it will be NBD (no big deal!)

Now if only her mom can adjust to

Ashley being gone:(!!

The last picture taken of "the little girls" together!

Surprise! Happy 50th Dad!

For the past year, the kids have been talking

about having "the biggest party ever" for Dad's 50th.

But Mark is one that doesn't need a lot of fanfare or attention.

So having "the biggest party ever" in his honor

would not be his idea of fun.

So the kids decided to give him "the best present ever"

...but what would that be for a dad that is happy & content

and really never wants anything. Seriously.

He returns almost every shirt, tie or any other gifts

that I give him at Christmas or on his birthday

because he always insists that he has "plenty of everything."

After some thought and discussion, we all agreed

that the only thing that dad would like for his 50th birthday

would be to have all his family skiing on the slopes together.

But how could we make that possible?

Well, Brett came up with the great plan.

He and Kimber surprised everyone

and flew from AZ to Utah after Christmas

and meet us on the slopes on Tuesday morning.

Dad was totally surprised!

He said that when he saw Brett & Kimber, it was "surreal!"

That night it snowed.

The next morning we had an incredible powder.

As he was skiing down "The Pines" through the powder,

we all heard him singing,

"Happy Birthday to me!

Happy Birthday to me!"

We enjoyed 5 wonderful days, skiing together

and celebrating Dad's birthday with all of the kids.

Dad said it was the best birthday ever!