Day 8 San Fransisco

Tuesday Jan. 11 2011
Day 8: San Fransisco

We stayed the night at Marin R.V. park.

What a fun day! I love San Fransisco! We are all so exhausted. We walked and walked and walked. A nice change from the driving. I was so proud of the boys they didn't complain at all.(Except Codey, he wanted to go to In & Out burgers instead of the Ghirardeli factory). I obviously have not trained him very well. They were troopers especially little Caleb boy. We started the day with showers, breakfast and a quick pick up and then we headed out for the day. Our first walk of the day was from our R.V. park to the ferry that was exactly a mile. I thought I would jog a little, because I really wanted to get some exercise in for the day(actually we were trying to make the Ferry on time). Little did I know that I would get plenty of exercise in and than some. We got on the Ferry in a hurry. We took some pics. Waved at the prisoners at the prison . They waved and waved at us. I couldn't help but think about them being someones child. I guess it's the mother in me. then I headed inside for some warmth with Addy. I sat down and took a few pictures. Some ladies next to me started to talk to me. They asked where we were from. I shared with them what our family was doing and why. They only had the kindest of things to say. When I told them about Corey quitting his job. The one gal said "I know everything will be just fine, I can tell". She then shared about her own experience with following a dream that required a huge leap of faith. She wanted a farm, she left the City of San Fransisco and went to the Valley and started growing grapes and sheep.( If your out there and you do actually read this blog. Can you please give me your info again. It got lost when my husband was looking for our ferry tickets.) These women were so lovely, kind and funny. They gave us 5 aquarium tickets. THANK YOU, THANK YOU so much it can get spendy with a family of our size. So we so appreciate it so much . When I asked the boys about there favorite part of the day they said the aquarium. So thanks again! And bless you for your kind words.
We made it to San Fran and I was so excited. We started the walking. We first went to the aquarium at fisherman's wharf. The boys just loved it. It was so relaxing and calming to be in there. I then got suckered into buying a picture of me and Caleb from the gift shop. After I judged the guy ahead of me for falling into the trap. After the aquarium we found a covered spot to eat our lunch because of the rain. We then did some window shopping while we continued down the wharf towards Pier 39. It was pure entertainment just walking around. We saw all kinds of people and places. The boys watched this gentlemen shape dough into a cute little boy and girl bear from a bakery that I cant remember the name of. Next we walked and walked to Ghirardeli square, because it is a priority to teach my children about what makes life worth while. We shared a family ice cream sundae and the people all around us stared the whole time. I think they thought we were crazy or there mom was such a great mom for teaching them about chocolate. It was so fun to share. I think that is the only way we will eat ice cream from here on out. It was a blast! After we got our sugar strength back, Carston entertained us with some good laughs in front of the nice fountain of the nude nursing mermaids. We headed back out to do some more sight seeing, walking and to head home. On the way back Caleb gave a crippled man a quarter then watched him walk away. Of course It brought me to tears when I shared it with Corey. Caleb later told me he had stolen the quarter from Carston. We also saw a gentlemen who does a robotic statue to earn money. Caleb was intrigued by him. And asked if he could get the same silver make up. He also did a little practicing on the way home. We saw lots of homeless again. One lady was licking the wrapper of some trash. One gentlemen who was not homeless was carrying a parrot on his shoulder. I pointed out the parrot to the boys. The man came right over and put the parrot on Carston's shoulder. Then he started talking ,I really couldn't understand him very well. He talked to us until he realized I didn't have any money and then he walked away disgusted with me. I then told the boys about what manipulation means. I did have a homeless guy, who was holding the why lie I need Booze sign tell me I was a cutie. So that made my day. I can still turn a homeless boozers head. A great victory for a mother overweight and middle aged. I won't be overweight after walking in San Fransisco. These have to be the most healthy people ever because of all the exersizing they do. We finally got to the ferry to get back home. We missed it by 3 minutes because I was looking at the wrong time on the Ferry pamphlet. We headed over to the shops by the ferry to wait until the next one. We bought some bread to take home for dinner and the boys looked at books at the book store. We started back over to the ferry entrance and Corey couldn't find our tickets. So we watched as all the 5 o'clock rush walked by us. He did end up finding it just in time to make it and sit on the cold deck because all the warm seats were taken. We got on the ferry and said goodbye to beautiful San Fransisco. It was so much prettier leaving in the night lights then coming in the day. We made it back from the ferry ,then headed to do our last mile until home sweet home. We finally made it. The boys headed to the warm showers I warmed up the soup and Chili I had gotten from Costco. Then cut up our yummy fresh bread from our days journey. Had dinner watched a little t.v. Now we're going to sleep like we've never slept before. When I told Caleb he was going to sleep so good tonight. He said "why"? I said, "well because you walked and walked today. I really think I might just leave my heart in San Fransisco. I loved it!

Finally got the pictures on Yea

Go back a couple posts to see the pics.

Day 7 Travel Day

Day 7- Travel Day
Monday Jan 10 2011

Not a lot to blog about today lucky you. We left our kind friends Nina and Donald's home. Thanks again to them. And traveled to San Fransisco! Yea Yea Yea we made it. We were planning on staying at a Walmart in a suburb of San Fran. Except there was no Walmart store just the head quarters ,which luckily I caught onto before we drove into the headquarters parking lot. We drove through San Fransisco to the other side of town right next to the Candlestick Park and
Colton's favorite part, the San Fransisco 49rs stadium. There was an R.V. Park that we were going to stay at. But the price was ridiculous and they had no cable. Which was a no no for the boys, they had to see the game. And it really seemed like a dump,which was a no no for mom. So I called a different R.V. park and we ended up going back from where we came from. We love to back track a lot it seems. I have to say that Colton has been such a important help. He has been the co-pilot with the tom tom and he does such a awesome job. I am so grateful for his help! I think it also keeps mine and Corey's arguing to a minimum. We drove through San Fran and I am so excited for tomorrow it looks so neat. We are at the Marin R.V. park in Green brae which is exactly 10 miles from the golden gate bridge. It is a nice one and the price and location are great. The boys walked to find the game because they couldn't get it to work in the R.V. It is a quiet evening with me Addy and Caleb. Nice break having them gone and less people in the R.V. and I am sure they were so glad to get out of the Bus and get some walking in after a day of travel. I am really excited about tomorrow I know I already said that but I am. Good night!

Day 6 - First Church Day
Sunday Jan. 9 2011

We woke up in the Safeway Parking lot. The teenage kids finally had to go home and we got some piece and quiet after all. We weren't sure what time church was so we picked the 9:00 time. We hustled over there it was only a mile from our Safe way stop. I was still getting ready and the boys were still getting ready. When we got there there wasn't a car in the parking lot. Codey boy walked over and saw the times on the church and the one and only meeting time they had was 10(my perfect church time). So for the first time ever we were ahead of the game for church. We continued to get ready in the church parking lot and have a little something to eat (rolls from the night before). The view from our front door was absolutely beautiful. We took this picture of Addy which kind of shows the view.
We were early so we got to pick a seat instead of the seat picking us this time. It was a real treat. The ward members came over and talked to us and were so so nice. When I told one of the men what we were doing I could tell by his response that he really didn't know what to think of us. Then one of the missionaries came over to talk to us and he was so so sweet, very very humble young man. He has only been out for 2 weeks. He is from Arizona. He had such a great spirit about him. I really believe and hope that this is a really good experience for our boys for there missions. Both Elders spoke in Sacrament. They spoke on free agency and repentance.
When we took the boys to the very small primary about 10 total including our boys. The primary presidency came and gave us a hug. The whole ward was very kind and very humble.
Colton went to young men's with only 5 young men total. Corey and I went to sunday school Addy was sleeping, and I said to Corey "this is the only time we have had without kids". Lets go to church everyday do you want to? Both Sunday school and Relief Society were great. I had one of the sisters invite us to stay at there house so I could do some wash. We gratefully accepted and got the directions from her. After church we started to there place. And that is when the adventure began.
The directions were either good directions and we were not on our game. Or they were not very good and it explained what happened next. In the end it was both the directions and us. We ended up driving 20miles past there place. Which by the time we made it back was a total of 40 mile trip of seeing the same scenery we had been to 2 times before. You see when she gave me the directions she said it was about 18 miles backtracking . I didn't think much of it(1st mistake)
not putting into account winding roads are always a lot longer then straight right(my bad). Then I have to say the directions were confusing(sorry Nina). So we drove and drove and drove with my husbands veins popping on the side of his head. He was so mad! He said" I am so mad I don't want to talk the rest of the day. I made the mistake of snickering a bit and he said," oh you think this is funny Ally". The windy stressful roads he had already drove once the day before he got to drive again. Eventually we realized we needed to turn around. The part that was frustrating was she had given me her cell# but of course I had no service. So eventually we got back into a town we had been through 3 times, lovely town though. And I called her because I finally had service. She told us what to do from there and said she would meet us at the gate. They lived on a Beautiful 500 acre ranch so you needed a code to get in. First stress adventure down now onto the next. We finally made it to the gate and followed her up a very narrow road encased in trees that scratched up and down the paint job of the R.V. , next, road block, donkeys. Leaving us on a steep hill that was definitely stressful because you don't want to stop the bus once it gets going. We got through a mile 1/2 of that. And arrived at our dear Friends Nina and Donald Morosi home. It was a darling country home and beautiful, beautiful land. They greeted us and showed us around a bit and took some pictures. I started on my laundry right away because I had alot to do and knew it would take all of my evening. They were so kind to us. She made us dinner and we sat at the table all of us together. Then the boys got to get some serious Disney channel in. Which was so nice of them because we controlled there t.v. time and took up there seating space. I tried to work on the blog and Colton tried to get in some facebook. I continued to work on my laundry and it took longer then I am used too. The washer and dryers were on the super cold porch. So the poor dryer was working extra hard and taking along time. Mom her dryers were just like yours it made me think of you back home.
Eventually we went to bed and they let us have there whole upstairs and it was such a darling country style. Codey was excited because he wanted to use the electric blanket.

After we all got settled Corey decided to share with me. Allysun we are in the middle of no where, no one knows were here. And needless to say he slept with one eye open. And of course that made me feel unsettled. The sun came up and we were still alive. Cute Nina had cereal out for us and Donald visited with Corey and Colton. I cleaned up our dirty R.V. it felt so good to do a good clean and order check. The boys showered and we did the military showers because of the smaller water tank. I thought this is such good experience for there missions. Well after all that, we got on the road and the boys said they made us feel like family. The best compliment to you Nina and Donald. Thank you so so much for opening up your home to our big family. Feeding us, giving up your furniture and t.v., letting us use your washer and dryer, giving us comfy beds to sleep in and teaching my boys about the kindness of others. We look forward to a lifetime friendship.

Not able to put on pictures at this time

I am getting a little frustrated with getting to blog. Depending on where I am and if we get service or not I can't blog. So I have been typing on microsoft word and then copy and pasteing.
I am still keeping detailed record. I am not able to put my pictures or videos on at this time. I have high hopes that I will be able to tomorrow. So if There is not post for awhile that is why. Keep checking back often.

Day 5 My Break Down Day

Day 5 My Break down day
Saturday Jan. 8 2011

Stayed the night in Eureka California at the Shoreline R.V. Park. Started out driving to San Francisco but decided to stay the night at Willit California in a Safe Way Grocery store parking lot.

You guys this morning was so hard for me. I did so much nagging and yelling. Everyday seems to bring a new unique challenge. In my very first post(wake up) I don't take credit for this idea(the trip) I know I was impressed to do it by the Lord and that he made it possible for us to be able to. I know I will continue to understand why.
I have been really learning alot about myself. And a lot about our family. I realized today that even though I have really really great children my parenting has failed them in some areas that need improving.
Today's learning lesson
I have to teach them to be more disciplined. I think the hardest part about it is I have to be more disciplined.
I really believe that my children are the best self improvement program out there. I had some real doubts about whether I could really do this trip. No matter where you go and no matter what size of home your in,parenting is a unique struggle. And with out a doubt the greatest joy and experience ever. The difference is when I didn't want to deal with things which is quite alot. I could hide in my big house. I had my Big bedroom.My really nice bathtub,the t.v the Wii and the computer to babysit my kids. I could send them to school and to there friends. I am still doing hard(parenting)just in a different way but at least I get to see America while I'm at it.
Today was also a day of really missing the comforts of home ,familiar surroundings and
THE PEACE AND QUIET DAYS while my kids are in school.
We used the laundry mat for the first time. And I used the K.O.A showers.I miss my bathtub. I was so excited to take a shower because it would be my only free time of the day. So I took the longest shower ever.
After that we went to Costco to get are next grouping of meals. On the way there we saw tons of homeless people. The boys witnessed a man laying on the corner vomiting. Another man picking garbage from the trash and eating it. Then many walking out of the public library. We have been trying to find a fax machine to fax some papers for the boys school and were not having any luck. Corey told the boys when they saw the homeless. See boys that's what will happen to you when you do homeschooling. So now the boys keep asking me if they will have to do there grade there in over again.
We also saw a really sad example of the human race. We were behind a car that was honking at a handicap lady who was trying to cross the street. She had to use a long cane to wave back and forth when she crossed the street so she wouldn't get hit by a car. She started yelling and shaking so bad because she was so upset. We could hear her screaming inside our R.V. I was so sad for her. I opened up my window and asked her if she was o.k. She was still yelling about the guy honking at her. We parked at Costco and Corey and the boys tried to find her to see if she was o.k. They couldn't find her. I had to force some of the boys to go with Corey to check on her. They were afraid because she was yelling so loud. I think they thought she was going to yell at them.
We were headed to San Francisco. But decided to stay in Willit California. And go to church here. We are in a Safeway grocery store parking lot. Corey talked to the guy at the gas station about staying here and he said it was O.K. and he'll keep a look out for us. We had to listen to some young kids rev there diesel truck for hours on end. Lucky for us we picked the drag location for all the young kids. And it's a Saturday night.
Needless to say we have had many experiences today. I know that this is really going to be an amazing growing experience for us as individuals and as a family. We ended the night with dinner,laughter,Charades, more nagging by yours truly and a special message from Carston.
He picked and read the scripture:
Mosiah 2:17
And behold I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom,that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.
Then he shared what that Scripture meant to him and why he picked it. He said he needs to serve mom and dad more. Then it opened up a discussion about what we saw today and how others treat each other. And how our Heavenly Father feels when we are kind to each other or when we hurt others. We talked more about all the people we saw and how it made them feel. They shared sadness, fear, and gratitude. He picked the perfect scripture for this day.
So what adventure will tomorrow bring?We are looking forward to going to church and meeting others of our same faith in Willit California. We also are going to check out the town and beach then head to San Francisco. Pray for my sanity and my vocal chords please!
you may want to throw in a few prayers for my kids hearing? So that they can hear again and not have to listen to me nag so much.

Day 4 The Redwoods

Day 4 The Redwoods
WOW,WOW and WOW doesn't even begin to describe the beauty of the Redwoods. Before I share about are experience there. I'll give a run down of our morning. We had a slower pace morning today and it was a nice break.


I felt so much more under control today. It gives me hope that maybe we are getting into a routine. For the first time in my life I enjoyed sorting laundry. I did it in my front yard with the beautiful Redwood trees to keep me company and the warm sunshine. It felt like spring. I don't think my neighbor Jayco tent trailer minded. After we cleaned up our home on wheels along with our selves. We headed to take a hike at the hike of the cathedrals. Where the biggest tree is located(21.3 ft around 397 ft tall 1500 years old). It was so beautiful! I was taking a ridiculous amount of pictures. I just couldn't control myself I wanted to remember as much as possible. The boys went from one tree to the next.



There were so many hollowed out trees that they could get in. They were natures BEST FORTS EVER We found the Narnia tree, Winnie the poohs house and even Lady Gaga trees!
After we finished up the hike we headed back onto the open road to find our lot for the night. On the way, Corey pulled over and had the boys go down to the Ocean with him to get pictures. It was the perect picture moment the sun was setting. I stayed back with Addy in the warmth.
When they finally came back they came back with a lot less clothing, wet bodies and sand all over. They decided to do a photo shoot of swimming. They had so much fun. I am trying to get the video of it put on here.
We started back up and ended in Eureka California. At the beautiful Shorelines R.V. park that is no where near the shore? Oh well it was a safe place to hook up and sleep at least. We settled down for the night.

This is the third time I have journaled about this day, It's not as detailed as I like it but it will do. Because I am starting to feel like ground hogs day with this journal entry.