We're moving back...
Kidding. But we always like to think about it. Especially after such a fun week visiting N CA...
Our outbound flight was overbooked so they were looking for 4 people to give up their seats on the 6am flight in exchange for 4 free round trip tix's, breakfast AND guaranteed seats on the 8:30am flight direct to SF. um, Hello!
Like an episode right out of the Simpson's, we were yelling "ooo...ooo...pick us" falling out of our chairs trying to get to the counter first... stumbling, pushing, yah. that's us. bwa. Anyway, they picked us. So before our trip was over, we were already dreaming about where to go next....for free!
So when we arrived in San Francisco, my husband was feeling a bit like he had won the lottery (I mean, we did get free breakfast too :P ) so he surprised the kids by upgrading our rental car to a convertible.... well, when you have a 9 year old boy & 5+ year old girl, nuff said. It was pretty cool. Dad got some good points for that one :)
I took the kids up to have an overnight with Margaret and the boys in the Sacramento area. The kids got to go swimming, play all sorts of games....and Margaret and I got to catch up, laugh, reminisce, cook dinner and drink a wee bit of wine....ahhh, the good 'ol days. Here is Ella swimming with Liam. Sweet, fast (old) friends :)
My husband celebrated his birthday while we were out there. It was nice spending time with his father, sister and brother (who was visiting from Germany). We had a couple nice dinners and visits together. 
We also got to join all our friends for a day in San Francisco...site seeing and having fun. We took all the kids to the aquarium at Pier 39 and walked all over Fisherman's wharf. It was a beautiful day.
Of course, I also took advantage of the down time, beautiful weather and gorgeous parks and such to get some pics of the kids.
Coming soon to a scrapbook page near you ;)
Oh, I also have to share how happy I was to see that SF artist, Virginia Travers still has a cart on Fishermans Wharf, selling her amazing paintings and prints. I love her whimsical style and was so happy to add this little number to our growing collection. 
Well, thanks for stopping by and letting me share a bit of my vacation holiday with you all. xo
It looks like you had a fantastic trip! I love CA!!! Thx for sharing your beautiful photos with us :-)
Posted by: Vanessa | April 29, 2008 at 08:01 PM
Okay, you are evil my friend... EVIL!!! I got all excited there for a split second before I realized you were kidding, lol! Not that SF is all that close to me but still... definitely close enough for a weekend trip. ;) Sounds like you had a fabulous time, Rita! So glad you were able to get away for a little R&R! Loved seeing all your photos... so fun!!!
Posted by: Christy | April 29, 2008 at 08:14 PM
Hermosas fotografias!
Posted by: Maricarmen Maza | April 29, 2008 at 08:37 PM
You can come to Ohio ANY time!! We would love to have you. Just tonight Garrett was talking about Ella-Bean coming to his house. :) Glad you had fun. I can't believe how bbbiiigggg THOMAS is in those pics!! Holy Moly! Glad you had fun! xo
Posted by: Auntie Coley | April 29, 2008 at 09:49 PM
What a wonderful trip Rita!!! Sounds like you all had such a great time!! And, now you have free tickets - lucky you!!!
Your kids look adorable!!
Posted by: justlisa | April 29, 2008 at 11:56 PM
Rita, It was sooooo much fun to see you guys last week. Miss you already. When's that 2 year move back to New Hampshire going to be over? We want you to come back to CA. So much fun!! Love the photo's (esp. Liam and Ella of course!!). Let's try to do the Mexico thing.
Posted by: Margaret | April 30, 2008 at 01:47 AM
WAY to SCORE on the round trip tickets!!!
I'm so glad you had an amazing time in CA!!
Posted by: Wendy Bretz | April 30, 2008 at 09:56 AM
how fun! glad you are back?
are you going to manchester ckc? i might. still debating.
Posted by: Celeste | April 30, 2008 at 11:20 AM
What she said ^ :) Good to have you back - sounds like a blast!
Posted by: *Paula* | April 30, 2008 at 04:53 PM
you got me for a sec....you can't move back, i haven't even come to visit you here yet, LOL! looks like you had a blast....lots of great pics to scrap ;)
Posted by: peg | April 30, 2008 at 09:16 PM
hahaha, you got me laughing rolling over the floor picturing you stumbling over other people to get to the desk first. haha. crazy chica. LOVE those pics, they are so beautiful (and BIG). man does time fly...
Posted by: Revlie | May 01, 2008 at 01:47 PM
The pictures are fantastic, and it looks like you all had a wonderful time.
Posted by: Beverly | May 01, 2008 at 07:02 PM
HOW FUN ! What great pictures!!!!
Posted by: Darcy Holsopple | May 01, 2008 at 09:39 PM
Welcome back! Great to hear you had fun, love the photos!
Posted by: Janine Langer (Aline) | May 02, 2008 at 06:15 AM
Looks like an awesome vaca Rita! Wonderful pics. I used to live in Elk Grove (near SacrementoCA). Such mild weather... I miss it.. :) xoxo
Posted by: Lana | May 02, 2008 at 09:22 AM
Sounds like you had a good time. I live right here in N. Cali near the Sacramento area and actually work in sacramento. The weather has been so nice lately, and I have been enjoying it quite a bit...except the gas prices. Glad you had fun. Hmmm, how funny that would have been to see you all ohhh pick me pick me....lol.
Posted by: Linda | May 02, 2008 at 10:38 AM
wow it sounds like an absolutely perfect vacay!
can't wait to see those pages :)
Posted by: Lisa Dickinson | May 02, 2008 at 12:05 PM
sounds like an awesome getaway!! love those pics of your kids...you always take the best shots! and that artist....I can see why you are a collecter...so fun!!
glad you had a safe and fabulous time. now for detoxing!!
Posted by: elizabeth | May 02, 2008 at 01:19 PM
that convertible looks like it was too much fun! :D
Posted by: doris.sander | May 02, 2008 at 05:21 PM
No...thank YOU! I was there for my brother's wedding in 2004 and want so badly to go back and explore some more. Fun stuff!!!
Posted by: Kirsten | May 02, 2008 at 10:45 PM
wow that is awesome about the tickets! breakfast too! :)
so peg and I were chatting last night and this morning about a cabin on a lake......hhhmmmm somehow we will have to make that happen ;)
great photos too rita!
Posted by: Tawnya | May 03, 2008 at 11:44 AM
oh my goodness!!
what a super fun entry!!
looks like wonderful memories & maybe some future scrap pages, wink!
xo
Posted by: paige | May 03, 2008 at 04:35 PM
looks like you had a blast, rita!!
Posted by: Caroline | May 06, 2008 at 03:18 PM
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY RITA!!
Oh, aren't you ALL adorable? I loved these photos and I'm so glad you had a great time!
(((hugs)))
Kim
Posted by: daisy cottage | May 09, 2008 at 08:55 AM
We just got back for CA too. Are you wishing your vacation could have been longer too!? You're family is darling -just found your blog. I'll be back.
Kelly
Posted by: Kelly Henderson | May 12, 2008 at 09:23 PM