Mom's Garden

This morning Alec, Clem, and I sat on the front porch for an early morning coffee.  It's hard to get a quiet moment in this house so we take it where we can.  We're leaving to go home tomorrow and like always, it feels completely surreal.  I think I like taking pictures of plants the most, I don't know why.

I have approximately a million pictures to sort through from our little road trip this week, so stay tuned. We are driving to LA for our flight to Melbourne because very annoyingly all our luggage will be too expensive on a domestic flight.  Uuuuugggggghhhhhh airports.  Bring on the mayhem of packing! 

Anders and Clementine

Alec's Dad gave us this new wide-angle automatic lens that I've been liking quite a bit.  It feels just like driving an automatic car after having only a manual, perhaps even like cheating!  I used it to spy on these two being cute in the backyard.

We all felt guilty for liking this one so much, but this kid is 

even adorable when she's got the lip out.

And a quick one of Charles after coming inside.  My Mom says he is an enlightened being.

San Francisco

More from our phones.  These are from a few different days of adventuring.

Starting out our day at Irving St Cafe.  I am going to miss this food back in Aus.  

I have a new appreciation for hot sauce (sriracha!) on everything.

We walked to the Wharf and this is the only picture I took.  I wanted to see the sea lions, they were the best!!!!  If I get excited about anything it's animal sightings In Real Life.

lol @ Alec's blue sunglasses

California Academy of Sciences.  I think this was my most favorite thing that we saw.  Again, animals!  The aquarium here was tops and made me wish the one in Melbourne was better.

Gawwwwwww little feeties

Clementine thoroughly enjoyed watching the fish.  

She loves big windows full of ambient light.

Unfortunately there were about 900 people standing in this tunnel so I didn't enjoy it as much as I'd wanted to.  Try to go on a non-weekend day if you can.

Passed out Freddie Mercury style at coffee with a friend.

This tower is part of the de Young museum (which was a 10 minute walk from our house).  You can go to the top for free and the view is supposed to be really nice.

So we did it, and then the only fog we saw for two weeks happened.  Naturally!  

It was peaceful to sit and watch it roll in.

We drove around with some friends on our last day.  This is at the top of the Presidio neighborhood/area.  There were many Asian tourists around us with foot-long camera lenses taking pictures of the bridge.

Missing Melbourne

Phew.  We're back in Phoenix after our week in Seattle.  It was completely the best visit ever and totally refreshing for both of us.  We left the camera charger in San Francisco, so we didn't have that for as much as I'd wanted so all our pictures from that bit are coming from the phones.  I've raided Alec's for pics and found these from right before we left Melbourne.

After traveling for almost two months, we are getting the feeling that we are ready to be back in our home.  We miss our friends too!

LOL

We started going to Mount Burnett Observatory on Friday nights (because we are awesome and know how to party).  I know this is just me and not an "observatory picture" but I thought I'd mention it.  Its a small operation in someone's backyard, but they have a bunch of sweet telescopes and last time we got to see the surface of the moon and Jupiter with several moons.  NEAT!

This is Malia and Matt's back porch where we sit and talk about our days and do other things.

Alec's Grandparents, Isabel and Graeme, took the four of us out to eat at Hellenic Republic right before we left.  YUM.

Cute :)

The few days before we left Melbourne, there was a massive heat wave.  Temps were about 40-45c (or 104-113f for you Americans).  I know you've heard me whine about our non-AC situation!  We took refuge at M and M's house for a few days.  Clementine loved it and has these two wrapped around her finger.  Can't wait to get home so everyone can see how much bigger she is!

Aaaand something silly for good measure.  

You heard it here first internets, we like a nice green clay mask in this family!

Some iphone loving

Man, it's really hard to post consistently when I'm on vacation!  I do have a bit of time on my hands, but it's mostly taken up by walking everywhere and playing with Clementine.  (Case in point, I started writing this on Monday and it's Saturday.. Sunday! now).

We are having so so so so much fun in San Francisco.  Clementine continues to amaze me with her socializing abilities, she has no problem being out all day long and loves to chat and flirt with anyone who will give her the time of day on the street.  She has given me a crash course in being nicer to people.  You may know I can be quite shy and I hate making small talk with strangers, but now with a smiling cute baby on my hands, I can hardly avoid it.  I am coming over to the idea.

I sort of stopped bringing the giant camera around for a few days, so all these are from my Mom's iPhone.

While Alec is at work every day, I eat breakfast at a place around the corner called Irving St Cafe with Clementine.  She usually naps and I get a nice hour or so to read and drink unlimited drip coffee.

One thing I especially love about American diners is the abundance of condiments.  We do need a selection in this country.  You see it also with the beverages, when Alec and I eat together we have water, coffee, and OJ.  Who needs to be that hydrated??  Me!!  I love it.

I've discovered that Sriracha on sausage is my favorite.

Clementine is beginning the phase where she puts everything in her mouth.  Mmmmm spoons.

The rest of these are from a day we spent in the Mission District.

Dad and Clem having a chat.

Now we are in Seattle for a week.  We will leave for Sequim tomorrow to visit my Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.  I can't wait for a drive through the rainy forest and a ride on the ferry.