in San Fran

November 2012- Sunny, Hilly, Fascinating

Over the years I've heard a lot of people complain about the weather in San Fran. I've heard it's foggy, it's rainy, it's windy...well, they're all either lying or I'm just lucky, because EVERY single I go, it's GORGEOUS. Not to hot, not too cold, not foggy, not windy, purely perfect! 

This particular trip, was a first for John Paxton. Brad has a business trip and we tagged along. We packed up the stroller, and my favorite walking boots and off we went. My FAVORITE thing to do in this city is walk...miles...so while Brad worked, Pax and I took off around the city. 

Here was our first stop...recognize it?

It's a shame Paxton will never really know just how amazing "Full House" really was...

Due to all the business conferences in town, we ended up in Japan Town for our hotel, it was very authentic...Hotel Kabuki, it's connected to some pretty good sushi restaurants> http://www.jdvhotels.com/hotels/california/san-francisco-hotels/hotel-kabuki

Plus there's a Japanese dollar store down the street that has awesome finds, totally worth popping in! 

Also, a great dinner spot which is not Japanese, but in walking distance is Woodhouse Fish Co. they have awesome mussels, oysters, fish, anything from the sea, it's cute, quaint, cozy and their online website doesn't do it justice. http://www.woodhousefish.com/WFC%20Fillmore%20Menu%202010.pdf

While I didn't have a ton of time to hit up all of favorite spots in San Fran, here are some more places I love and highly recommend:

The Slanted Door Restaurant near the Ferry Building = AMAZING! 

http://www.slanteddoor.com/drink#tea

Also, a walk thru China town to find the fortune cookie factory, it's nearly hidden in a side alley, but where you're close you'll know it, just follow the scent...and bring some quarters if you want to take an photos (they charge you, haha)
http://www.sanfranciscochinatown.com/attractions/ggfortunecookie.html

in Portland

July- Lush, green, crunchy, clean.

Portland has always been on my "to-do" list. I don't know what I imagined exactly, but I'm quite sure it ended up exceeding my expectations. We've been looking for an excuse to go so when Brad's close HS buddy got married and pregnant, a celebration BBQ was the perfect reason!

Mt. Tabor Park is an awesome outdoors area, perfect for a picnic, great views and playground for kiddos! 

Reunited! 

For a delicious dinner in downtown Portland, we celebrated at Andina- http://www.andinarestaurant.com/private-dining/

The next day we were off for some local adventures for beautiful nature and of course what's a trip without a pit-stop for cheese;

Really mom?!?

A stop at Tillamook is a MUST, & the ice cream is BEYOND...

Did I mention they have a cheese sampling buffet?

Cheese Please...

For Dinner...a cozy dish of Fish and Chips in a nearby harbor...

All in all it was a great trip, and I finally understand what all the hype is about! 

in Palm Springs

June- HOT, friends, cute babes, fun.

When our good friends Katy & Ari suggested we get away, Palm Springs seemed like the obvious choice. It's hard to resist guaranteed perfect pool weather in the desert. Once, we finally found a weekend that would work for us, them & the Funs, we couldn't wait. Oh yeah did I say it was hot?

Good thing we had a big pool to cool off!

Then again there's nothing like a lil tequilla to help too ;)



or.....a new fridge!!! (don't ask)

But we didn't let the fridge fail get us down...cue adult Olympics

Of course, the parents weren't the only ones having fun...

 How many babes can you fit in a bathtub?

We arrived on Friday and didn't leave the house (literally) until Sunday...it was a truly a RELAXING and really fun vaca with good friends, good food & great memories!

in Pine Mountain Club

April- Surprising, close, rustic, charm.

Our amazing realtor Rosanne kept talking about her cabin in the mountains & graciously offering it to us when we wanted it. Well we finally decided to take her up on it. Off we went to Pine Mountain Club or as the locals call it, PMC. We had no clue what we were getting ourselves into, but that's how we roll (have you noticed the blog title, Getting Lost? hehe). Well, we actually found PMC quite easily & it was literally only an hour from our home, which was great. Rosanne cabin was everything you'd expect in a mountain home & then some. PMC is basically a country club in the country, similar to a club my parents belong to called "Pike Run." On Friday night we ate dinner at the club house & it was really tastey, plus cocktails were a whopping $4, no joke. On Saturday, our friends GO & Alyssia came up to join in the action. The men went golfing & the girls & Paxman played in the park. We all met up for happy hour over looking the golf course & then went for Mexican. The bill total was $22 for 4 people, unreal. After dinner, Brad being the adventurer that he is wanted to drive us up to Mt. Pinos to check out the view. After a scary drive up the mountain we were greeted by a ton of people start gazing. Unknowlingly we happened upon the "best night sky/view in all of Southern California" who knew?! There were tons of scientists & people with telescopes, eager to point out Mars, Venus & many more constellations to us, it was an unexpected surprise, especially with the meteor shower & shooting stars. All in all, the weekend was just what we needed, which was to get away. We estimated we spent only $100 on 7 meals out, how was that even possible?! If Rosanne gives us the go ahead, we'll be back!

We were greeted by this nice Indian....

Hiking anyone?

Watch out for the hungry bear!

I made them....

 Only in CA can you be hot one minute & in snow the next....

 Mt. Pinos (.....I think.....)

 I am actually holding Paxton by myself, impressive I know :)