We celebrated the Fourth of July at home again this year. We walked/rode in the traditional neighborhood parade (note to selves, next year skip the bikes and bring the wagon), then briefly visited the festival that followed. We spent the day in the yard, BBQ’d, and finished off the night with fireworks in the cul de sac with neighbors. Overall, it was another great 4th in Suburbia.
At the end of June we flew to Oakland to visit Auntie Ashleigh and Mark. We spent our first night in San Francisco, where we discovered it was also Pride Weekend. We toured the town on foot, and went out in the Castro district that night. The following day we met up with Ash and Mark, walked by the Golden Gate Bridge, and ate lots of delicious food. The next day was the Pride Parade, so our morning revolved around the festivities. Then we walked all around San Fran and ate more delicious food. It was a lot of fun to see Ashleigh and Mark and their new apartment, and also to be kid-free for a few days in the city (thanks Nana)!
I’ve also got to say, it was so fun to go to the Pride Parade. What luck! Like being in Germany for Octoberfest! It was really moving to be a part of the day and show our support. Gay rights are a cause the four of us have pretty strong feelings about, and we are proud of the advances toward equality that have been made in the past few years. It felt great, humbling, inspiring even, to be amongst a crowd of people accepting, supporting, and celebrating one another.
We walked forever uphill both ways to my grandmothers old apartment on Laguna St. I fondly remember spending the night with her here when I was a teenager.
The view down the street
The view from our hotel room. We took this picture for the boys.
On our first night, we took a cable car to the Castro district. Along the way we got to watch the Transgender parade. There were some interesting costumes and posters!
We had a drink at historic gay bar, Twin Peaks Tavern. It was a festive night to be there.
Golden Gate Bridge
Do you know you have to book a tour of Alcatraz months in advance?! This was the main touristy thing we wanted to do while we were here. I promised Avery I would take pictures because he thought it sounded so cool. The best I could do was this picture of us with Alcatraz in the background! Oh well, next time…
A barge under the bridge (one of many pictures taken of things we thought the boys would love to see).
Watching the sunset
The Palace of Fine Arts
Heading out for the Pride Parade on Sunday. I had to take a picture of Jonathan, who seriously went out with a banana in his pocket!
BART (another one for the boys)
BART was so crowded on Pride morning that we were unable to board the first train. By the time the second one arrived, we were committed to getting on, but just barely fit. It was cozy, but kind of cool too.
We’re here!
You don’t see this everyday. A proud man walking the city streets in only white socks and tennies, carrying a handbag.
A coffee break.
Waiting for the ride home.
Here’s the rest of what we were up to in June:
Father’s Day
Watching our deer neighbor
We also had a bear visitor. Apparently he likes our coffee grounds… nothing like a caffeinated bear running around town!
At the “train park”
Baking with Mommy
Play date with Lily
Silas loves his marbles (or maudles, as he calls them). This marble maze is his favorite toy right now. He’s always asking us to set it up.
Playing trains.
My little Romeo. Every time we go out, this sweet boy picks me a flower (or ten). Love him!
Swimming at a friends house
Lego fun
Avery with his Lego castle creation
Jonathan and I went to Black Rapid Studios for a presentation by famous rock ‘n roll photographer, Henry Diltz.
Here’s Ron Henry (of Black Rapid, and also our wedding photographer) and Henry Diltz
My BFF, Jennifer, and her kids, Bjorn and Elina came and spent a few days with us before moving to Singapore for two years. (Tear).
It’s so fun to see these two growing up together
After school ended, we loaded up the boys for a weekend with the Avery family. They were beyond excited to see their cousins. We had lots of fun visiting local parks, taking walks, eating delicious food, playing Wii, and just being together.
“My snow cone!”
The kids at dinner
The boys playing Wii
Poor Kieron came down with a tummy bug on Saturday. He spent the majority of the day like this:
Yummy tacos
Enjoying the special dessert, compliments of Nicole
On our last day we took a walk around a local rose garden
Zonked
The end of the school year seemed to come quickly, and proved to be a very busy time. It’s hard to believe school has already been out for a month! The boys had a great year, with awesome, dedicated teachers and great new friendships.
Jonathan chaperoned a field trip to Alki Beach. He took this picture of Avery’s class.
Avery at lunch with his close buddy, Hamza
Kieron and Silas got to go on the walking field trip to a local park
With friends, Jacob, Braeden, and Hamza
Last day of school (click here to see first day photos)
Listening to the radio on his new CD player
Kieron’s school (he’s on the left near the top)
Avery and Kieron watched the graduating students from a tree stump
There were train rides
And cotton candy
And pony rides
