Hurricane Michael, San Fran, and other shenanigans

The past 2 weeks have been nuts. Starting 2 weeks ago, Hurricane Michael decided to blow in on the Gulf Coast at Cat 4 speed. It annihilated Mexico Beach and Panama City beach and brought it's hurricane force winds ALL the way up through south GA. Fortunately, it veered slightly west and Valdosta. We just caught some outer bands of rain and strong wind. Unfortunately, Albany, Thomasville, Bainbridge, Tifton, and other communities in that area were hit hard. Cotton crops and pecan trees were destroyed and many were without power for many days. The kids were out of school that Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

You might think that the school break was terrible, but honestly, it was nice to have a break from the afternoon activities and to get to spend some indoor quality time with the kids before we left for San Francisco Friday morning. On the 12th, Worth and I left the kids with his parents and hopped a flight to California. Worth had an ASA meeting out there and we met up with the Simrils and Hughes. We were out there for 5 days.

San Francisco was lots of fun and LOTS of walking/touring. The guys were in classes all day, so the girls just toured every day. We had amazing breakfast and coffee every morning, revisited the Golden Gate bridge, we want to Gheradelli, did a walking Chinatown tour, shopped in Union Square, went to Candytopia (a candy museum exhibition,) talked for hours, and  just enjoyed our time together. It was good being with those 2 girls, but we certainly missed the rest of our crew.

Upon returning to Valdosta around 11pm on Tuesday night, Worth and I couldn't get to sleep because we were still on California time. Needless to say, the jet lag really kicked in Wednesday and the remainder of the week. I think coming back in the middle of the week was quite difficult for post pacific time zone recovery.

These pictures and videos cover the last 2 weeks.

This cutie pie had a parent observation at dance. She will be one cute toy doll in the Nutcracker this year. 

Just a little entertainment by Mack while we await Hurricane Michael's arrival:

So impressive every time I see it. 

Me, Emily, and Nicole. We got an awesome young girl to take our picture. She did a great job! 

We ate some unbelievable breakfasts. 

Avocado is everywhere in San Fran. 

The coffee was pretty spectacular as well. 

Grace Cathedral. We walked up to it and began to walk in before we realized it was a Sunday morning and they were actually having a mass in there. Oops!

Chinatown!

I can't tell you enough how good it was to be with these friends!

Candytopis!! We were THE ONLY adults there without kids, but it was fun. Ellie and Emma begged me to go and take lots of picture, so I did. (and got quite a loot of candy for them)

Everything was made out of candy. It looked like a lot of painstaking work went into it. 

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"scoop dog"

the "Art Gallery"

Of course they had an exhibit of Willy Wonka!

I got a few close ups of the candy pieces. It really was awe inspiring. 

The red is gummy bears

Prince's hair was licorice

There was an "under the sea" area. 

Once again, this is ALL candy

The girls were really excited to see this unicorn

There was even a pig that pooped confetti

The marshmallow pit. Yes, we got in. It was gross 

On our tour bus out to Muir Woods, the driver stopped for a short time on the other side of the bridge. I got some other spectacular views from there - minus the city trash everywhere. 

We made it to the woods. It was a long WINDY road, and no cell service, but we made it and it was phenomenal. 

The pictures don't do justice to the trees. 

Our "over packers" Emily and Ross

Our precious friends, Jonathan and Nicole, who are the epitome of strength during this most difficult time in their life. They are determined to turn the tragedy into positive and live purposefully for their girls.   

Just to get an idea on size of trees

The air was amazingly crisp and clean up there. It was so quiet and peaceful and  smelled of trees and sap. It was a nice break from the craziness of the city. 

The morning after we returned from San Fran, Mack had a pumpkin patch visit with his class. 

His sweet class with their principal, Mrs. Morgan. 

His 2 teachers jumped in this picture, Ms. Tish, and Ms. Miranda

He got to pick a small one to take home. 

Double trouble, Mack and Luke. 

Mack asked me to take a picture of his new haircut and "send it to daddy and Mia" 

Being Bean Boozled was the entertainment this past weekend:

So far, Ellie's volleyball team is undefeated. I missed their first game because I was in San Fran. This was after their 2nd game this past Thursday and they won again yesterday. 

They are almost done painting our house. We are just waiting on the new front door!

This girl has a book every chance she gets. 

Emma rocked it at her soccer game Saturday. She scored 3 points for her team. She played so well, the coach from the opposing team came up to me after the game and told me she was a good player and hustled hard. Her team lost that game, so when this coach approached Emma to tell her how good of a player she was (after he spoke to me) she semi ignored him. (She is so competitive)