Back to School

Today begins the start of my final semester of grad school!! Since I didn't take a class during the summer (I had that little thing called my wedding/honeymoon) I am doubling up to finish in November. I know that most of you are probably concerned that I won't be able to keep up with my blog (aka my mom) but I am going to try my hardest to still post frequently. I hate it when I check other blogs and its been days since the last update so I don't want to leave you all hanging!

Happy Anniversary Mr and Mrs Sump

Happy 1 year anniversary to Matt and Mary! Your wedding was so much fun and I can't believe its already been a year!

LOVE YOU!!!!

San Francisco Part 2- Travel Tips

My original plan was to post the second half of our trip pictures tonight but then I realized they are on Louis' camera and he is at work so I don't know where the cord is to upload them to the computer. (granted, its probably by his camera but I am lazy and watching football). Instead, I thought I would share some observations/video about San Fran.

1. The temperature range is crazy! 50-80 degrees in the few days we were there. I highly recommend to pack lots of layers if you plan to visit.

2. There are lots of tourists in the touristy areas. If potential crowds aren't your thing you might not enjoy yourself as much. Although over the few days we were there, there were definite times that there weren't many people at all and you still got to visit all the fun places.

3. Places I recommend seeing/visiting: Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, Pier 39 (including the sea lions), Golden Gate Bridge, Crookest Street, riding a cable car, boat tour under the bridge and around Alcatraz, Muir Woods, eating sourdough bread (at Boudin) and ordering crab.

4. Bring walking shoes! San Francisco is known for its hills and if you aren't training on a stair master prior to your trip make sure you can hack the walking.

5. Don't rent a car if you are planning on spending all of your time in San Francisco, its super expense to park it and you don't need a car to get around. If you want to cross the bridge or see Muir Woods and don't want a car-- they have tours that will take you.

6. Unfortunately, there are bums on the streets so be cautious about who you interact with

7. The hotels in the wharf area are pricey (actually all of San Fran is pricey). Only a few hotels offer free internet or breakfast.

8. Average price for a burger $13, average price for fish and chips $18, pop out of a vending machine $4

9. It is always foggy in the morning in San Francisco, if you plan on tours or want cool pictures wait until the afternoon when the sun is out and you can see more.

10. A lot of British tourists go there, and I love their accents so its fun to listen in on convo's

Here is a video I shot of us driving over the Golden Gate Bridge, I realize its not exciting but its still fun!!

This video is of the sea lions, if you listen close you can hear them!

A Sonoma Wedding

Being at Kassy and Ben's wedding made me want to plan my wedding all over again and do exactly what they did. The setting was perfect, Jacuzzi Vineyards in Sonoma, CA. I plan on blogging hardcore about all the fun wedding details later on but for now here are some pictures of the evening.

The vineyard

Aunt Laurie (Mother of Bride), Grandpa and Grandma

Kassy and Ben exchanging vows

Husband and Wife Kiss

Cocktail Hour

View of the ceremony setting

The grapes!

Sean, cousin Dane, Jessica (Dane's girlfriend)

Sean, Grandpa, Me

Me and the Bride

Me and Aunt Laurie

Picture of us in the vineyard

Kassy and Josh

Sean, Louis and I in the tower

San Francisco Day 1

I woke up at 3:30am to begin our trip to Cali. We had no airline issues and even arrived early! Woohoo to United, they may charge me for my checked bags but they sure as heck aren't Delta.

We got to the hotel at 10am San Fran time and luckily we were able to check in right away. We decided to take a walk down around the wharf and within 2 mins Sean spotted Dane and Jessica. Out of all the people on the wharf we run into my cousin!!

We started our tourist adventure with Ghirardelli Square.

Sean got cupcakes before 11am!

Louis ordered hot chocolate

San Francisco is chilly in the morning!!

Fisherman's Wharf

Alcatraz

On the most crooked street in the US

That street takes a toll on the calf muscles

Sea Lions at Pier 39

I ordered crab

Overall, Day 1 was great. It was chilly and foggy in the morning (in the 50's) but it was nice change of pace from the 90 degree summer we have been having.

Tomorrow's agenda is Golden Gate Bridge and Kassy & Ben's Wedding

ALLIGATOR ALLIGATOR

Tonight I am doing something I haven't done in over 5 years! I am heading back to Crystal Lake South High School (the last time I was there was to watch Sean graduate) My alma matter is playing against Bartlett in football tonight and I am going to watch.

Eric is one of the Bartlett coaches so I am going to support him and entertain Katie at the game. While I do wish Eric the best I will be wearing green and yellow to show my school spirit. Since we will be sitting on the visitors side, I am going to have to do the "Alligator Alligator eat em up eat em up" with just Sean... :)

Good Luck Eric and South! (I know that doesn't make sense but still I want Eric to do well and my team to win)

Tomorrow Louis, Sean and I leave for San Francisco, I can't wait!

San Francisco

On Saturday morning Louis, Sean and I are boarding a plane for San Francisco. We are spending Labor Day weekend (Sat-Wed) in Cali! We are going out to celebrate my cousin Kassy getting married in Sonoma. Woohoo to wine country (she is getting married at a vineyard). The wedding is on Sunday but we are still planning on doing all things that typical tourists do in San Fran. We are staying in Fisherman's Wharf and plan to take full advantage of the amazing weather. Here are some of the things we are planning:

1. Boat tour to go under the Golden Gate bridge, around Alcatraz and to see the sea lions on the pier
2. Pier 39
3. Trolly Ride!!!
4. Muir Woods

If anyone has ideas or recommendations on what restaurants or places to visit please let me know!

My goal is to try and post pictures while we are on the trip but I make no promises!