Part 3 - San Fran: the City

Part 3 of our vacation takes us to the downtown area of San Francisco and some other fun sights to see.

We rode the ferry in from the Marin area and were on foot the entire day in actual San Fran.  It was a little windy on the ferry.

Pier 39 - Seals basking in the sun 

China town - here, we went to a fortune cookie factory that made fresh fortune cookies 

This the crazy curvy street.  We just looked up the hill at it, but we can say we were there! 

OMG - 3 story Forever 21.  So awesome.  You can tell that man in the picture agrees. 

Later, we went to Muir Woods in the Marin area which was a forest with the large Redwood trees.

Look how the tree dwarfs me! 

And again...I feel so small! 

I love these self-taken pictures.  We take one at almost every location.  Behind us is the Muir Woods. 

That night, we drove over to Stinson Beach.  To get to it, you have to drive this windy up and down road for about 20 minutes.  My stomach HATED that.  But it was mostly worth it in the end.  The fog was crazy and makes you feel like you're in a cloud.  I think that Ben is contemplating life in this picture.

 Enjoying dinner at a local beach restaurant 

 

This is how I feel about beaches in Norther California.  But those little people way out there behind me are playing in the freezing water!  It was this sweet dad and his kids.  Anything for waves and sand castles I guess.  

 

This is a different night in Saucelito.

 

This was the gorgeous view of dark clouds and the blue water that we could see from our seats at the Spinnaker restaurant.  Amazing! 

And that concludes San Fran.  I recommend to anyone to go there and especially during the brutal hot Houston heat.  It was literally a breath of cool, fresh air.

San Fran part 2 - Napa

Part 2 of our trip takes us to Napa, California.  Beautiful hills filled with vineyards and beautiful gardens. 

Winery #1: Cakebread, just a tasting

Winery #2: Pride Mountain

 

Barrels in Caves! 

 Winery #3: Del Dotto - a tasting tour through the caves

Winery #4: Jordan - beautiful grounds 

Winery #5: Ferrari Carano

The best part about this one was the beautiful gardens. 

 

Driving around Napa was gorgeous - beautiful views and beautiful vineyards 

 

 It started to get warmer and so I took my sweater off.  And I never saw it again.  It is lost somewhere in Napa forever. 

 

We stayed at the Calistoga Garden Inn in Calistoga during our stay in Napa.  It was an amazing little Inn with breakfast and a sweet little one room cottage. 

And Winery #6 (last one): Silverado - up in the hills/mountains and a gorgeous view 

San Fran Part One - The Wedding

Last week, we traveled to the great state of California.  I look at this trip in 3 parts that will constitute a 3 part blog series.  I don't know if I've ever had a series!  Wow, this is big.  Anyways, part one is Lindsey and Ben  A's wedding.  That was the original reason we went to San Francisco before we decided to make a vacation of it.  

The bouquets - we put these together as well as the boutonnieres 

The rehearsal dinner - beautiful location at the Old Homestead near San Fran

She used empty wine bottles with flowers and these swirly stick things as decorations on the tables.  Also, she hung clear glass ornaments in the trees.  They looked like bubbles.   

A beautiful outside July wedding - only possible (comfortably at least!) in Northern California.  I actually had goosebumps standing up there.

Mr. and Mrs. Adkins...and Random Dude

This is the bridesmaid's dress.  It was from Anthropologie and the wonderful yellow shoes that you can't really see were Lindsey's gift to us.   

Lindsey and {her} Ben  leaving to a shower of balloons 

It was a beautiful, creative, and cool outside wedding.

Part 2 - Napa

My new favorite party decoration

Banners.  I am new to them.  I have helped throw many baby and wedding showers over the years and never thought to make this wonderful decoration.  It's colorful, it can be saved, and its just so easy to make!  Recently, I have made two banners for showers and I love them.  I look on Etsy and get ideas and think, man, I can make that!  They're really pretty cheap on Etsy - most are around $25, but this way I get to completely customize it, pick my colors and words, and enjoy making a craft.  And save maybe $10.

Drum roll please.....cymbal!

Welcome Baby Girl!  For our sweet friend Emily who has now moved back home.  We miss you already!

I used 4 different coordinating pink and white patterned papers and alternated them.  The letters are cut out from book pages.  Then I used the little baby clothes pins you get at the Hob Lob and pinned the letter pages to tulle.  Turned out adorable.  And then she got to take it home...I can't say I wasn't hoping she would forget to take it ;).  

Bride to Be - For Lindsey's shower the night before the wedding.  This will be traveling with me via plane to San Fran.  Pray it makes it!

 Again, I used coordinating papers with grey and yellow patterns.  The letters are cut out from hymnal pages and backed with charcoal grey card stock.  And the little pearl embellishments are just stickers.  Then I hole-punched each letter and tied them together with lace and ribbon.  Again, I just love it. 



If I have any part in throwing you a shower in the near future, you can be pretty confident that you will receive a banner! 

On this day 4 years ago...

Ben Cooper and Lynn Pulliam became The Coopers!

I love my sweet Benjamin.  He is kind and loving.  He is hilarious and makes me laugh.  He challenges me to step outside my comfort zone and get past my insecurities.  He leads me well and takes care of me.  Happy 4th anniversary!

Yahoo for marriage!

Top 10 Recent Happenngs

It has been a delightfully full last couple weeks.  Fun with friends, relaxing, and enjoying the summer down time.  I love my summer days at home.  I've cleaned out drawers, done crafts, had lunch dates, and had plenty of time to exercise, read my Bible, pray, and take a nap.  How wonderful.  Here's the top 10 recent happenings of Lynn in pictures.

1. Kemah Writing Academy with Erica

2. Happy Father's Day!

3. Picture frame to Jewelry keeper

4. I Discovered Pinterest and its seriously addicting.  Follow me!

5. Girl's Day in Allen

6. Visit to baby Mitchell

7. Day 'o' Fun with friends - ended with dessert!

8. Fourt of July on the 21st floor

9. Began and will finish soon The Forgotten Garden for my book club.  I'm really enjoying it.

10. Enjoyed time with my sweet kitties.

They are best friends.  And I love them.

And there are so many more happenings to come.