SF Lunch with Gina

We can't be in the city without stopping to have lunch with Auntie Gina!!!  After touring Candlestick, the kids and I headed over to Gina's house!  Plan was to go on a walk and end up somewhere new and fun to eat!  We ended up at a burger place and the kids were just as excited to sink their teeth into a tasty burger as they were to be with their Auntie.

After lunch with Gina, we went across town to one of Damien's favorite childhood parks.  The kids went down the giant slide, scaled all the fun toys, and ended park time by riding a carousel.

And for the grand finale, we visited Damien's Grandma (the kids' great grandma) at her house in the SF.  The kids are so lucky to have grown up knowing their sweet Great Grandma!

We really had so much fun!  Can you tell we are trying to take advantage of every last bit of summer?

Tour of the 'Stick!

An era is coming to an end!  The upcoming 2013-14 football season will be the last season the 49ers will play at Candlestick!  It is sad from a nostalgic stance.  So many great years at such an iconic stadium.  At the same time, Candlestick is old.  The facilities and amenities leave something to be desired for sure!

Starting in the 2014-15 season, the San Francisco 49ers will play in a brand new stadium in Santa Clara.  So what better time to take a farewell tour of Candlestick?  I bought tickets online for a tour for all six of us.  The kids were so excited and to be honest- we were, too!

Damien worked in the city and met us in the parking lot.  The kids were having a field day in the parking lot running around and posing with pictures of the players.  Emily, who has a mild obsession with Kaepernick, was so happy to give a picture of #7 a hug.  The kids were cracking up!

The tour took us through the press boxes, took us in the tunnels, the locker room, and offices, the concessions, and ultimately led us through the tunnel to the field.  The kids were able to sit in the players lockers and look at their gear.  

At one point, the tour leader asked if anyone knew Kaepernick's number.  Emily's hand shot up!  She knew it!  #7!  Then the lady asked her if she knew how to 'Kaepernick'.  Sure enough, while sitting in Kaepernick's locker, Emily raised her arm and kissed her bicep.  Absolutely priceless.

We were able to go through the tunnel and go on the field.  What a rush!  Damien was able to throw the ball around with the kids in the end zone and we were able to take a lot of cool pictures!  It was so surreal to be in such a historic and important place.  The 49ers are a special part of our family and are really a part of our lives during football season.  We are so happy we were able to tour the 'Stick for the last time.  It been a great ride but we are ready to watch the Niners make a new future in Santa Clara!

Claire and Jadyn Bake!

We've been on the run a lot this summer so Claire was really excited when she got to have her good friend Jadyn over for a playdate!  They wanted to back cookies so I gave them the green light!  It was so cute to watch them read the recipe and bake!  I was super impressed with Claire's skills.  She really must have been paying attention all these years!

In the end, Claire and Jadyn's snickerdoodles were delicious!  Good job girls!!!

Swendsen Family Fairytale Birthday Party

Everyone that knows Damien's Mom, Marlene- knows that she likes to go ALL OUT when it comes to throwing parties.  Well, she kicked it up a notch and practically transformed her entire home to fit the theme of a Fairytale Birthday.

We were celebrating Pascale, Lani, and Mark today and Marlene went big to make sure they all felt special.  She asked Tressa to paint fairytale murals to go in the backyard.  She also had her paint a giant backdrop which covered the dining room window!  Not to mention all of the carefully placed items which had to do with practically every fairytale you can think of!

There was Rapunzle (a long braid hanging out of the upstairs window), Hickory Dickory Dock, Prince Charming, wizard hats, tons of wigs and crowns for the kids to play make believe and so much more.  She truly outdid herself!

At one point, Marlene wanted us to all process into the backyard to greet the birthday recipients.  Ali was Old Mother Hubbard, Damien was a king, and she gave me this really long blonde wig to wear.  We all laughed . . . well, because . . . how could you not?  It was really funny!  I guess you're never to old to play dress up!

We ate cake and goodies and then all took the afternoon off to relax in the beautiful sunshine.  Happy birthday to Mark, Lani, and Pascale!  We hope all your fairytale wishes came true!