Save Me San Francisco

This week San Francisco afforded us some very good times; we went to the LGBT Pride Parade (it was wild, vibrant, and inspiring) Dagny and Austin saw the Giants play,(they won, yay!) and we spent an afternoon at the SF MOMA surrounded by one of the most astonishing private art collections ever assembled. (the Stein Collection, absolutely amazing) 

I have a secret wish that someday Steve and I will flee the suburbs and go live in San Francisco.  When the kids are gone we'll get a little apartment and live in the heart of the city. I can picture our life there and it is quite fabulous. I have been in love with San Francisco since Steve took me there for the first time when I was 16.  It's our city and I think that at some point we need to live there. (Steve is totally on board with this idea as long as we go live in London after we're done in SF.  I think I can get behind that.)  

PRIDE

Go Giants!

Modern Art

Expecting

Envy's puppies are due on the 1st.  She's gotten pretty big and you know she must be uncomfortable, I think she's anxious to get those puppies out of her.  Envy says being pregnant is no picnic. (except for all the pampering and extra food, that part hasn't been so bad)

A view from the inside

 ...and the outside

 I think her face says it all

Father's Day

Sun+Sand+Ocean+Football+Kids = A Happy Father's Day

16

Dagny didn't get just a birthday or even a birth-week this year, she got an entire month of birthday goodness.  She had the big party with her friends last month, then 3 weeks of being the birthday girl until her actual birthday today.  Steve calls it the never-ending birthday. 

Today was the final celebration and that included several of Dagny's favorite things; special birthday breakfast, her sign on the Danville Oak Tree, a trip to the zoo, (specifically to see the otters) sushi for dinner, a fruit tart, presents, and the annual watching of Princess Mononoke.  

Now the celebrating is officially over and Dagny can get around to just enjoying being 16.

Happy Birthday Dagny!

otter watching at the zoo

 elephant viewing with Dane and Austin

 Grandpa joined in on the zoo fun

 Presents! 

 3 new colors of Converse to add to her collection

 16 Candles

 the birthday sign on the old Oak Tree

Hallelujah!

It has been a wet and wild winter and spring around here, lots more rain and gray days than we are used to. (we're spoiled, we know)  We were starting to wonder if summer was ever going to get here, but just in time for the end of the school year summer decided to show up.   Today is all sunshine and blue skies, it's the kind of day where it feels criminal to be inside. 

Dane and I walked downtown and basked in the sunshine, then we stopped at Danville Chocolates and got chocolate-covered caramel apples and ate them while we walked home. Sunshine, chocolate, laughing with Dane... I'm pretty sure life doesn't get much better than that.  Now, with Kindle in hand, I'm headed to the lounge chair in my backyard. Hooray for summer! 

yes, they taste as good as they look

Frenchie Fun

Do you know what is even more fun than hanging out with one French Bulldog? Being in a room full of them. Dane and I went to the Northern California French Bulldog Specialty and we were surrounded by Frenchies.  It was awesome.  Lots of Gavin's family members were being shown, including his mother and son, and it's always fun to watch them win. Most of the time Dane and I don't understand exactly what's going on (dog shows have lots of categories and lots of rules, we haven't figured out all the subtleties) but it doesn't really impede our enjoyment.

Summer has been staying with us the last few weeks and we have been taking all four Frenchies on lots of outings and adventures. (the other day a lady saw us walking and called them a gaggle.  I'm pretty sure dogs are a pack, not a gaggle, but it was still a funny thing to hear) Recently they went to Dogs on Broadway in Walnut Creek, and Doggie Night in Danville.  They got to be admired (which they enjoy) and meet lots of other dogs.  The funny thing is they are mostly oblivious to other dogs, unless they are bulldogs. French or English, they don't discriminate, but they are only interested in you if you are a bulldog.  Strange, but true.

The big news in our dog world is that Envy is going to be a mother.  Expect lots of puppy pictures in July.

the mother-to-be