San Francisco

Our year of travel is officially in action! Since it's just the two of us and we happen to have semi-flexible jobs...we decided that in 2013, we are traveling as much as possible. Here goes nothing!

We just got back from our spring break trip to San Francisco to visit London and Julia, some of our favorite camp friends. They started dating at camp in 2008 (like us), and now we're all married!! :)

Day 1: While Jules was at work, Mike took us on a hike before we met her later on in the city.

Hiking at Claremont Canyon in Berekely
Unfortunately Londo didn't tell me a maxi skirt + cowgirl boots probably weren't suitable for this uphill climb... ;)

Steepness. Of course the boys had to race to the top!
They always pick up RIGHT where they left off...and I just listen and laugh.

Day 2: All day walking around San Fran

the "Painted Ladies" to most : THE PLACE OF THE FULL HOUSE THEME SONG (!!!!!) to me

We started walking down Steiner St all the way to Mrs. Doubtfire's house; however, when London realized we were passing Japantown, he insisted that we take a detour. It was well worth it because of PIKA PIKA! It's a store full of Japanese photo booths. And all of the instructions in Japanese. With London + Mark around, it created nothing but laughing the ENTIRE time.

Pika Pika...full of the most hilarious, detailed photo booths ever.

Some of our Pika Pika creations.
The boys spent a solid 20 minutes intensely decorating these pictures with stickers and sparkles :)
The employee even complimented them on their "creativity" with the toilet bowl scene. Ha! Props, London.

Since Mark wasn't giddy about the Full House rendezvous, we hit up Mrs. Doubtfire's house.
"Well, helloooooo!!!!!!"

One of my favorite parts of our trip was visiting London at work. For those of you lucky enough to know London, you know that he is one of the most effortlessly entertaining humans on the planet. He works here. 

The SF Maritime National Historical Park hosts overnight field trips. The students sleep on the ship and take a trip back in time learning San Francisco history and participating in teamwork activities (along with a bit of discipline and acquiring a new vernacular aboard the ship..."Aye aye, Captain!"). How cool is that?! Amazing.

Captain London in his office. He has the best views of SF!

Heading back to the BART station.
Singing The Fray's "Over My Head (Cable Car)" in my head the whole time, of course.

Day 3: Wine Country!

Jules works for Go West Tours, and she hooked us up with a surprise trip to Napa + Sonoma on her day off!!!! :) :) :) Thanks forever, Jules!!

The first winery we went to was in Sonoma. It was our favorite. We love Benziger Winery, where we learned lots about biodynamic farming. Who knew?! It was really fascinating.

With my honey at Benziger Winery!!

All 4 of us at Imagery (Sonoma)

Hess Collection (Napa)
I love that there is wisteria EVERYWHERE in San Fran!!

After visiting the wineries, we went to a late lunch in Napa. We immediately followed that with an early dinner stop at In-N-Out on the way back to Oakland. Talk about YUM.

We missed out on the secret menu...much to our disappointment. Until next time!

Day 4: This day was full of relaxation and catching up. We watched a movie, did some Kombucha "research" at Whole Foods, and went for a walk around a park. 

Waiting for our redeye back to Charlotte.

We miss you already, London + Jules!!! Y'all are the best hosts ever. THANK YOU! We had the best, best, best time! Love you both oh-so-much. xxxxxxxx

Easter

And if Christ has not been raised,

  your faith is futile and you are still in your sins.

  1 Corinthians 15:17

 

Easter. A day so crucial to Christianity that our faith is "futile" without it. 

I was privileged to spend another Easter weekend at my church home with my church family. Our pastor preached an amazing message that addressed skeptics and dug deep into the Truth behind the Resurrection of Jesus. If you want to listen to it, it will be posted here sometime soon! :)

With each passing year, I feel more and more excited about this holiday; moreover, the closer and deeper I grow in my relationship with Jesus, the more I cling to the victory in His resurrection. Here are some photo highlights from this Easter weekend...the best one yet!! 

Empty sanctuary before the 5 services on our campus.

Saturday night worship in action! (Photo Credit: Bethany Carson :)) 

An early arrival to church on Sunday morning (Photo Credit: Allie Holroyd :))

these girls : leading worship with girlfriends is one big singsong/dance party...so. much. FUN.

My family attended the last service, and we headed to the club for an enormously fabulous lunch afterward. (Thanks, Dad!)

Our dear friends, Mallory + Kyle Hoidal, joined the Davis/Houston fam at lunch. Since their families aren't from Charlotte, we were so happy to have them celebrate with ours!!! And Mal brought her awesome/fancy camera, so we got to snap a few non-iPhone pics after our meal. :) 

family...

...and friends who are family!!

And of course...a "food coma" ensued after the meal. Complete with sweatpants and naps on the couch.

How come the one of us who didn't get up at 6 AM is asleep first...? :)

We ended the day by watching the finale to The Bible, which was a commitment considering Time Warner Cable didn't make it that easy. I want the boxed set because of all of the cable blips along the way!

I hope y'all had wonderful Easter weekends too! You are always in our hearts and prayers, English family! xx

The next stop for the Houstons...SAN FRANCISCO! Our year of travel has hit the ground running. We are blessed. Can't wait to see you Wednesday, London + Juls!!!!