Rockin Anniversary

From Crackle: Rockn' Anniversary

Company

This past week has been great. Our friend Michael was in town. He works for the Science Center and was touring the exhibits in the area. We didn't get a whole lot of time together but we did get to walk on the bridge (soo cold), and see China Town,Union Square and a bit of downtown. Jason and Michael went to the redwoods, but Jules was at school, which he loves by the way, so we missed out. We also got to see the sun set over the ocean for the first time, which was completely amazing. Up where we are we have only seen it set into the cliffs and it is completely different seeing it set into the water. It was great to see Michael, and he and I took a thousand pictures between us I'm sure. I've been here nine month es and I still look like a tourist. Owell. Jason is currently working fervently to solve my photo storage crisis.

Michael did not come alone, he came baring gifts in the form of a stuffed robot. Made with love by Jamie and hand delivered 12 hundred miles by Michael, the robot was immediately named Rita. Rita the robot has been a welcome addition to the Hanson home seeing as a few weeks back Jules had insisted on being called Rita himself. Thanks to good friends and transference we now have Rita the robot who Jules loves to dance with and take along everywhere, but who is not allowed in the bed because he says she tickles his feet while he sleeps.

Micheal is safe and sound back home. And we give much love and thanks for Rita and the visit.

Our newest guest is Peter. He got in town last night and although I got his airline wrong and showed up at the wrong terminal only to have to walk a mile to the correct destination, we are happy he is here. We haven't gotten to do a whole lot so far, his flight gt in pretty late so we got to see ocean beach and tried to grab a meal in Japan town on a Saturday night with no reservation. http://www.sfjapantown.org/by the time we finally got to eat (around 9pm) we were all pretty sleepy, so we just headed home. Today Crackle had a party for the company kids since all prior get togeathers had been adults only. The party was in the Presidio http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presidio_of_San_Francisco and there were pony rides and a sundae bar and cotton candy and everything else you could want as a kid. Jules had a great time, although I think Peter got kinda bored.

Not to worry, he has quite a busy week. Besides all the normal stops to make he also has quite a few interviews with grad schools and a trip to L.A to make. I think he'll be wishing for pony rides by the end of the week. He did get to meet the work fam who are always a good time. I'm looking forward to the week ahead and happy that we live in a place that folks want to come and visit. Now if I just convince the rest of you to come. A few more pictures should do it.

Julien Video

Busy, Busy, Busy

Man, I can't believe it's been 6 weeks since my last post. We have been staying busy to say the least. Our trip home was mostly a success with the exception of one root canal. Jules had a blast at his birthday party, it was so nice of everyone to come and play, although he is a bit confused as to whether he is three or four. Depending on the day he will tell you either. Nothing a little therapy won't fix. All of his new toys made it home safely and are now being sufficiently abused. Jules bought a new robot with his birthday money, his name is Gadunka and he is not to be crossed. They both look pretty menacing, don't you think?

Since being home things have been as busy as ever. Thankfully in a good way. The weekend after we got back we drove up the coast to point Reyes National seashore and went to the lighthouse.It was pretty cool, except for the 30 story walk back up the stairs with a forty pound boy on my hip. Man, I'm such a machine. http://www.ptreyeslight.com/lthouse.html

For the holiday weekend we headed to the beach where Julien found his passion for rock climbing (awesome!)

I've posted a bunch of new pictures on Flickr. I think since coming here I have taken nearly five thousand pictures. Now before you pass judgement, ask yourself this. How many pictures would I take if in the span of 8 months I had seen the ocean, redwoods, mountains, vineyards, city and a naked Elvis with a 12 piece mariachi band? Probably five thousand. http://www.flickr.com/photos/lisahanson/