Quick trip to Calif.

Over Memorial Day weekend we made a quick trip to California to be there for Misty's birthday, which is June 1. We flew into Oakland airport and then went to her home in Redwood City. Since we had time to kill before going back to Oakland for the A's game that night, Misty had a few things for her dad to help fix, like over-grown bushes & falling down fences.
But Dad loves to have projects to do... can't stand just sitting around...so he was happy! Then we went back to Oakland that night for the A's baseball game. We met Layne & Aaron and the kids there. Plus there were fireworks after the game. This was our view from the bleachers:
It was a little nippy, as you can tell. But the A's won the game - so that was fun! Plus the fireworks were great. You get out of your seats & go down onto the infield & sit & watch.
The Kreys came back to Misty's house & spent the night & we all went to Misty's ward on Sunday. Then we had a wonderful dinner of "Fred Steak" (a wonderful, marinated steak sold only at a meat store in Palo Alto). Since we were celebrating both Misty's birthday on June 1 and Zach's birthday on June 4 - we decided against a cake & went with a Shark Watermelon desert.

We had fun carving it and then blowing out the little squiggely candles.

Zach's BYU shirt - present from Nana & Papa
Misty has a picture in her kitchen of she & Mason & Zach all laying on their tummies & looking into the camera. It was taken many years ago. So, we decided we needed to update the picture so we could add Arie. Monday was Memorial Day and the Oakland Temple has decided to stay open on Memorial Day and Labor Day for baptisms and endowments only. So, Misty & Mom & Dad all went. It was wonderful to be there again. We even saw several friends! Then we went home to Redwood City and went to see a movie - Kung Foo Panda 2 ! ha! Tuesday we got in the car and drove about 3 1/2 hrs. south to San Simeon and went to tour Heart Castle. You drive into a main area & decide among the 4 different tours. We chose the one for first-time visitors which includes a movie about the building of Hearst Castle. Then you board a bus and it takes you up a winding hill to the actual compound. There are three guest houses - that would be elegant even for the main house...
A magnificent outdoor pool that reminds you of some Roman plaza with outdoor baths:And just when you think you've been overwhelmed enough... THEN you get to the main home- La Casa Grande, with it's two bell towers and a front door that would intimidate anyone entering!
The tour only takes you through the main floor of this home, but I was so overwhelmed with all of the artifacts inside, that I totally forgot to take pictures. Until we got to the gold-encrusted indoor pool that is under the tennis courts.

I can't believe that we lived in California for 27 years and never went to see this incredible place! It was wonderful!! I can't even imagine having that much money. And the REALLY amazing part is that this wasn't even his largest place!! Apparently he had an estate in Ireland and an even bigger estate in Mexico and then 30 smaller homes around the country! SHEESH! Anyway, if you ever get the chance - this tour is worth it! Our final day was on Wednesday - which was Misty's actual birthday. We went to breakfast at her favorite place - Country Kitchen in Mountain View- and feasted on the largest French Toast with Carmel sauce you've ever seen. Then we went over to Stanford & got a tour of the campus including the beautiful Memorial Church - a landmark in itself.

Thank you Misty for letting us enjoy a wonderful birthday of YOURS!!! We had such a great time... and getting to visit with Misty for an extended period of time wasn't bad either. I mean just on the drive down to Hearst Castle - we had her all to ourselves for almost 7 hours! Happy Brithday sweetie! We love you!