California Trip Recap Part 2

The First Day of Hanukkah!!

We celebrated the first day of Hanukkah with not one but two raging parties...ok, well raging might be a bit of a stretch, but we did go to two parties.

Party #1-The Home for Jewish Parents

We went to Tissie/GG's first and Ella was so excited to be with GG. When we got there all the residents were in the dining room listening to live Hanukkah music. Ella spotted GG right away and pushed her way through all the wheelchairs and walkers and climbed right up on her lap.

I couldn't tell who was more in heaven...I think the feeling was mutual.

While Ella and GG enjoyed music together for over a half hour, Sofia toured the grounds.
and even posed for a rare picture with Mommy

After Tissie's party we headed out to Jane and Gary's house. I've known Jane and Gary since I was 5, maybe even younger. We've celebrated countless holidays with them and shared so many special family moments together. It seems like just yesterday that I was running around with Scott and Brian (their kids) at a Passover Seder...but here we are all of us "kids" with our kids...time sure does fly!

Ella watching Gaga light the candles

Gary holding Audrey, Gaga behind the decoration, Ella and Nathan at the table, Brennen being held by Brian (who's head I cut off)

Ella trying to blow out the Hanukkah candles!! Yes, we all shouted NOO!
Ella

The next day we spent the day in Golden Gate Park. We tried to go to the aquarium but the line was over 2 hours long! We did eventually get to go, but this day we just went to lunch and then played at the park.

It's a little scary that this was the sign we saw at the park entrance

Of course my naive mother upon seeing this picture said, "Oh, haha, that's cute!" To which I said, "Cute? How is that cute?" To which she said, "Oh that can't be for real. They're just trying to be funny." Then I just stood there with my mouth open....hey mom, Pleasantville cira 1950 called and wanted to let you know it's 2009 in San Francisco. You're cute.

It's such a fun playground.

The girls had a blast!

Obviously, the park has been majorly updated in recent years but the one thing that is still the same is the giant cement slide! That slide has been there since the 80's (Ricardo used to slide on it!) for sure but probably even earlier.

Ella had no fear at all! She grabbed a piece of cardboard and was on her way...again and again and again. Even when older kids were freaking out and leaving after one trip down.

Up next, Christmas, but not tonight.