30 years young and a San Francisco trip

It was Alex's birthday last week. The old man turned 30 years old! It is crazy to think that anyone you have known for a long time to turn 30 years old. I tend to think, "This is it. My days are over and my 20's are long gone." That is a little foreshadowing of what's to come for me next year. Yikes! Although, I've heard from Alex and other friends that have turned 30 that it's no biggie, I tend to think otherwise. Anyways, we started his birthday with a good ole grand slam birthday breakfast. Breakfast is Alex's favorite meal of the day unless there is an occasional fourth meal involved then that would be it. After he got home from the gym, yeah the crazy guy went to the gym on his birthday at 6 am, we popped open a big bottle of champagne for mimosas and put the radio on and I started cooking. I made him omelets, bacon, biscuits and gravy, and potatoes or as we call them, papas.

Layla played a little hookie from preschool and Alex was enjoying his birthday/workday off. He couldn't stop at mimosas and popped open a bottle of this really, really sweet wine. He clearly wanted that "day fade".



And he did! Soon after this picture was taken there was some dancing while doing the dishes and then a complete "day fade crash". Alex straight passed out on the carpet face down. I guess you can't hang like a 29 year old once you turn 30.

After that buzz was done and over with we went to dinner with friends and family at Narduccis. We ate great food, drank some spirits, sang Happy Birthday, and we were all down by 9:30 pm. Now that's a 30th birthday for sure!



I've come to the realization that the more people that there is in your family the harder it is for everyone to look at the same camera at the same time for one second.

After his actual birthday had passed we were up the next morning for a trip to San Francisco. We packed up the girls and headed to my sister's house to drop them off. I shed one tear! One tear! Only because this was my first time leaving Olive for more than 4 hours but Alex and I needed an out of town trip. We picked up our dear friends, Ashley and Scott or sometimes referred to as The Goings, and set off for our annual Asuncion/Goings San Francisco trip!




We finally made it!! The hotel we stayed at was beautiful and in a great location. Alex and I have stayed there before years ago but it has changed since then. They renovated the whole place and this was the first time we stayed in a room without a restroom. We had to share the restroom and shower with a couple other rooms. It was cheaper and that whole situation was not bad at all. I think we shared the restroom and shower only with the Goings that weekend anyway.



Time to get ready for dinner with a little drink. Alex put one of his birthday gifts to good use!



For dinner we decided to go to the Mission. We went to a place called Cha Cha Cha.



We got there around 9:30 and the hostess told us it was an hour and a half wait! We were starving at this point. I put my name down thinking, "oh, it will go by fast." Wrong! Ashley kept reminding us that it had only been 5 minutes since we checked in and then 10 minutes and it felt like we were waiting for an hour already. The guys decided to check out this pizza place about 4 blocks away. About 10 mins after they left the hostess probably saw the hunger and rage in our eyes and seated us. Ashley and I took no time ordering. As soon as that happened the guys called and told us no one was at the pizza shop and to head over there. "Uh, I don't think so! I just ordered a Drakes beer, chicken wings and a salad." Our food came out pretty quick and the guys still had not gotten back to the restaurant and it was so funny because Ashley and I were pigging out like there was no tomorrow. We occasionally would stop for a breath and say, "awe, I feel bad because we are just going at it at this food and the guys are so hungry. The birthday boy isn't even here to eat!" We then realized that they would be there soon. Plus, the food would get cold and the beer would get warm. Who wants that!? On top of that they got lost on the way back! Their bad!

After that delicious dinner we went to The Elbo Room for a drink(s).



Who were we kidding? We were so full from pigging out there was no room for drinks. I ordered a 7&7, one of my all time favorites, and it was cheap and strong, just the way I like it. I got another one and we sat down next to a Ouija table. Not board, table.



Can I say this, fairly disappointed. Did. Not. Work! So much for the conversation starter Ouija table. We were two drinks in and pretty full and tired from the long drive. We decided to call it a night but not before Alex and I got a little photo booth action and Scott got in some pinball action. After his game he realized he is The Pinball Master.



I woke up the next morning missing my girls. The bed was kidless and I didn't even get to sleep in. Mom problems. My internal clock woke me up at 6:30 am so I was happy I was able to get the complementary breakfast. Muffins and coffee was on the menu and I really thought that since the hotel graciously gave us a big tray that there was more than muffins and coffee. I told Alex, "can you go get me some muffins, coffee, juice, water, bagels, and fruit? Take the tray with you." Um, I was sure fooled but nonetheless the coffee was excellent.



As soon as we all got our morning fix of coffee we started the day with a pizza pie, of course, at Little Star Pizza on Divisadero which was absolutely, positively, delicious!



We did a little bar hopping. We saw a sign that said $5 margaritas and for $5 you could not be disappointed. The margarita was doing it's purpose. I forgot what the name of the bar was but they were pet friendly and had loud music and one mean margarita.



We then walked to a place called Zeitgeist. I liked the environment and there was a lot of people but it didn't feel claustrophobic. We sat outside for a while to enjoy some beer, conversation, and music. Oh, and if you are into that "nature's plant" smell then just sit outside next to anyone because someone around you is bound to be having a smoking good time.



After it started to get chilly we walked inside to have one more drink and low and behold Scott found a pinball machine. What is up with San Francisco bars with pinball machines? So of course The Pinball Master had to go at it and we were his cheerleaders on the side. The state of the next couple pictures show how "not focused" I was feeling at that point.



Taxi ride back to the hotel. See what I mean. I could just blame it on the taxi driver because you know how crazy they drive.



We got ready for dinner back at the hotel. Every time we go to San Francisco we always meet up with our friends Erik and Erika.



They are pretty great and they always take us to great places to eat. This time we went to a saloon. I forgot what the restaurant was called, go figure, but the chicken was good and the potatoes were awesome. Their Tom Collins was a little different tasting but different not in a bad way but not in a delicious way either. Whatever that means.

We unfortunately had to go home the next day but I was ready. I was missing my girls and since I didn't get my complementary coffee fix the next morning I wasn't in the best spirits. Let just say that I wore my sunglasses to breakfast/lunch.



Goodbye San Francisco! Until next year for the annual trip with the Goings again. It will be just as great or maybe even better!