Joy Ride

Ugh!!! I am so frustrated right now! I took a Million pics with my point and shoot on my vacation and I have a bunch of pics that aren't there. Included in those are some pics of both my girls riding on my sister's neighbor's scooter. They were SOOO cute! Good think I got some other cute ones of us outside that same evening!!

Nora and her little friend Claudia made leaf bouquets! They were so cute, they got a stepladder and picked leaves and turned them into bouquets. here's Nora posing with hers...she's such a model, isn't she?

Us playing on the driveway with sidewalk chalk. My, my, my how those little girls LOVE some sidewalk chalk!

Audrey with her Aunt Shelley on a bicycle built for 2. Audrey is a total adrenaline junky. she will jump on anything and go. She did NOT want to get off this gettup!

Nora's turn!!! She was a little bit more weary of this bike and didn't want to ride near as long!

I want candy!!!

On our adventure through the western USA we have run across some yummy treats and tours!! We have gone on a tour of the Jelly Belly Factory in San Francisco, CA and Hammonds Candy Factory in Denver, CO. Of course you know Jelly Belly, but in case you didn't know, Hammonds candy factory is one of the few (if not only) hand-made candy factory in the USA. Wade and I watched a show on the food channel about 2 years ago that talked about Hammonds Candy factory in Denver, CO. Being that he is from there, we knew we had to check it out one day.

Both tours were fun.

Of course, the Jelly Belly tour (being the popular company that they are) was much longer and included video biography at every station. It was a little more interesting, but seriously WAY too long for my 4 year old and 2 year old. But, they gave us better freebies than the Hammonds tour. The Hammonds tour was short and sweet! They actually have assembly lines that remind you of that "I Love Lucy" episode where her and her friend Ethel worked in the chocolate factory. Hilarious!!

We of course spent way too much money at each factory store, but that is what vacay is all about, isn't it?!?!

Grandma and Grandpa Schafer with the girls if fron the the Jelly Belly Bug!!

The girls and I before the tour. They made us wear the hats the whole tour. It was a real challenge convicing sweet and stubborn Audrey to keep it on! :)

The girls waiting at the cute little cafe for the tour at the Hammonds candy factory.

Nora and I in front of the Hammonds Factory. The table beind us is where they take the hot gooey candy out and spread it and roll it up before it cools. FYI, Jelly Belly did NOT let you take pics once the tour started.

Wade with his youngest brother and sister, Emma and Thomas. They enjoyed the Hammonds factoy tour with us! And of course all the candy we bought! :)

San Fran

Dad and I in front of the Golden Gate Bridge...so cold and windy that day!

The girls and I! Audrey was very upset with cold wind!


Cute Nora at Fishermans warf.

Girls after my own heart. They were shopping fools.

Chinatown! Didn't know dad was taking the pic at that moment. can't you tell by my dazed look! ;)

Eating some DANG good chinese food. I'm not even that much of a chinese food fan, I think I ate too much in college! ;)

Nora trying her hand at chopsticks!

I finally gave in and bought them some rings and dolls! BTW, both have lost their ring already. Did I really expect anything different?!?!

Nora and I on the back of the Trolley

Our Trolley after we arrived at Fishermans Warf.

So, we have been a million places the last few weeks and I really need to blog all about them. Unofrtunatly I didn't take very many pics up until we got to Cali. I will blog what pics I did take, but for now I wanted to blog alla bout our San Francisco trip! It was WAY fun. I've decided I LOVE that city! It's great! So much to do and so much culture. My next trip there I want to take to ferry to Alcatraz and take the tour. It's almost $100 a ticket, but I so want to do it. We just didn't have time this trip PLUS I knew my hubby would be SO jealous if I went without him! I guess we're nerds like that!

On this trip we basically hit all the hot spots. First we had to by some jackets or sweaters b/c it was ONLY 55 degrees there. Being from Arkansas I only packed summer clothing b/c well, it IS summer. After we bought some warmer cloting we went to Chinatown and ate the YUMMIEST chinese food and shopped a little. Then Nora and I rode the San Fran Trolley from Union Square to the Fishermans warf. SO FUN!! and then we walked around the warf and met up with Audrey and Grandpa. Then off to the the Golden Gate Bridge. We were gonna ride by the houses on "FULL HOUSE" but we got lost...LOL! Apparently, while Nora and I rode the trolley, Audrey and Grandpa hung out at "Haight and Ashbury" which is where the 60's hippy revolultion began. Dad was going to bring me by there as well, but after we found our way it was too late. We were all tired and hungry. So that will be for the next visit as well!