11:00 Blue Line Transfer

We had arrive and set up our area about 10:30 am.  The next BIG event would not take place  until 11:00pm - The Big Transfer.  At 11:00 you were able to move your stuff from the sidewalk out to the blue line, which was about 6 feet into the street.  After over 12 hours of waiting, the big moment came.  An officer driving down Colorado Blvd, gave us 'the wave' and that was it - 

MOVE FORWARD 6 feet.  Now we could comfortably play cards in the street.

or take a little rest with our neck pillow. 

The traffic on Colorado does not slow down or even merge to one lane when people shift into the street, you are now just much closer to them.   

Aubrey had a friend from home that was also on vacation with his family staying about 45 mins. away.  Somehow he convinced his dad to drive out to the parade route and drop him off for a few hours, so he could spend New Years with us. (That is one very kind parent - cause no way would I do that - sorry kids) 

Here's our post 11:00 pm set-up

can you see the blue line?  and the concession stands moving down the street selling food and

 light-up trinkets? 

Rose Parade Set-Up

The official Rose Parade rules state that starting at noon on Dec. 31st you can stake out a place for the parade the following morning.  The rule followers we are, planned on leaving La Cresecenta about 11:30 to head down and stake our spot.  As we watched the early morning news shows, they kept interviewing people staked out for the parade. so we quickly threw everything in the car (okay, 2 cars as we had so much stuff) and headed down.  We arrived just in time to find a primo spot just across the street from Target on Colorado.  Free WiFi, clean restrooms, full service snack and supply shop across the street - it was perfect.  And see that green 15-minute zone right in front of our stuff - that allowed both sets of grandparents to come down and visit us during the afternoon as we waited. 

Thank you Papa and Grandmother & Grandma Webber! 

Our view - what more could we ask for 

The girls making one of many trips to Target to charge their phones,use the restroom, or buy snacks.

Getting dark...we started to play cards and share stories...

and take lots of funny pictures

We even snuck in a little reading & homework time before it got too crazy.  I love this pic!

Saturday Fun & Sunday Worship

I need to write about our church experience on the Sabbath.  We always use lds.org to find meetinghouse locations and times when we are traveling.  We found that the church in San Fransisco was only a few miles away and at 11:00, so we decided to walk there and enjoy the sights and sounds of the city.  

One of the things lds.org does NOT tell you, is if bishops or stake presidents decide to change their church meeting times during the holidays.  We arrived in plenty of time for 11:00 sacrament, but quickly learned that they were only holding a 9:00 sacrament meeting in that building as their number were low during the holidays.  There were a few other visitors that also arrived for the 11:00 block and we really did not want to go without the Sacrament for a week.  

The bishop gathered his counselors and agreed to administer the sacrament to few family's that had gathered. We had an opening prayer, blessing and passing of the bread, blessing and passing of the water, and a closing prayer.  

It really impressed upon our minds the importance of the sacrament - that though we often receive it in large congregations, the ordinance to prepared and administered for the ONE.  That's how the Savior instituted it, and that is still how it is given today - for the One. And secondly, it reminded us that the Sacrament is the main purpose in our worship on Sundays.  We are blessed as we are taught and strengthened by speakers and teachers, but it is the ordinance of the Sacrament - the renewing of our individual baptismal covenants, that is most important.  

We are thankful for the many tender mercies the Lord bestows up o our family, and for the opportunity we had to learn and reflect on the importance of the Sacrament this week.

Oakland Temple

I don't think we had ever been to the Oakland Temple 

It is big and beautiful and sits on top of a hill...  

                                        with this AMAZING view  of the city and the bay

As usual - we got to have our own Visitors Center tour from Sister Missionaries - which we always love!     I appreciated being able to spend some time on the temple grounds, even though we are far from home.  It gave me a chance to think about how important and essential the covenants we make in the temple are to our salvation and exaltation.  I think of all the Temples and all the Visitors Centers we have visited throughout the years as a family, but how what is most important - is what takes places within the walls of these sacred temples and that one day, we will all be able to be inside and participating in saving ordinance, not only for ourselves, but also for family members that have passed on before us.  It is such a sacred obligation that comes with the most incredible blessings and promises.  I have a testimony of the essential role the Temple plays in each of our individual lives and in Heavenly Father's perfect Plan of Happiness. 

 

Paddington Explores the City

Walt Disney Family Museum

We've visited a lot of museums as we've traveled, but this was one of my favorites.  It is a treasure and I don't know why it's not more publicized,  but it is Awesome!  Read more about it here:

www.waltdisney.org

Brenna with  Tiki Room Parrot

A model of Disneyland - so cool to it from this view.

Making Music Together

As with 'all things Disney' it was a 'high quality' museum.  These red velvet drapes are inside an elevator.  

San Fran Favorites

We loved going to the beach and taking pictures at sunset

The infamous seals on barges at Pier 39

They were so entertaining to watch and listen to as they fought for space on that barge

Time with my oldest BFF - love this girl!

Eating & Walking....Repeat

There are 2 main things we did in San Francisco - Ate & Walked

A whole bucket full of donut holes on Pier 39.  So yummy!

Chinese food in Chinatown

Ice Cream Sundaes at Ghirradelli Square ( a few times)

Bakery stops along the way

Walking up Lombard Street

So we ate and we walked and we laughed and we talked and  had a really good time doing those things together.

Rainforest Cafe

The girls love going to Rainforest cafe.

They love the crowns, the animals, all the attractions...

I have no idea if they like the food?  

But it always makes for a fun night together.

Snow Play

Out enjoying some fresh powder!