Happy Little Heidi Visit

We were SO excited when Heidi found a gap in her crazy busy schedule and filled it by coming to stay for a few days!!  

In typical "fall time in the bay area" fashion it rained for most of her trip.....and, even though we spent most of our time close to home with her, we had SO SO much fun!

We took advantage of small breaks in the weather to explore the

backyard....

...and inevitably ended up coming home wet and cold.  

But, chatting and laughing over a warm cup or cider became one of Ezra's favorite activities. 

 We caught a break on the weekend and the sun finally came out!  

Ezra's been begging to visit the boats at Hyde Street Pier lately.  I wasn't sure I could swing a trip to one of the most heavily tourist-clogged areas of the city on my own...but with Heidi and Talin in tow it seemed like the perfect opportunity to go.

 I can't count the number of times that we've been here....

...but EVERY time we go it's like Ezra is seeing everything for the first time!  

He ESPECIALLY had a great time on this trip because he had a new adult to drag around and show off all of his favorite features to. 

HA!

Heidi, of course, was the perfect playmate....she oohhed and ahhhed at the old cars on the ferry boat....

 ....was sufficiently spooked by Ezra's story of the old,creaky, ship's wheel that is slowly rotting away in the bay...

 ...and no matter how much he called "AUNT HEIDI LOOK AT THIS!" her enthusiasm never waned. 

What an amazing aunt!
 

 Talin and I leisurely walked behind the sight seeing pair, enjoying the sights and the little details we hadn't noticed in past visits....

 June slept snuggle against my chest in her cozy K'Tan sling.  

I love this thing!  

One of the best baby purchases we made this time around!

 Ezra saved the best ship for last, the Balclutha, a giant three masted schooner.

 I'm sure you've seen millions of pictures of this ancient ship on the blog, and it's probably time to admit that I have a tiny bit of a historical crush on this beauty. 

It doesn't seem to matter how many times we visit, I'm always swept up in the adventures and stories that these decks would tell if they could talk.

HA!

 I woke up poor Junie with all my excited talking and laughing.  She didn't seem to mind....too much!

We had such a fun day on the pier...Ezra was reluctant to go....

 ...so in true tourist fashion, we stopped at Ghiradelli for some well earned chocolate sundaes. 

All too soon it was time for Heidi to head back home...so on her last day, we decided to be a little nostalgic and eat lunch at one of our favorite places from the "Oakland days".  

Heidi, Talin and I ate at this Indian restaurant almost every weekend during the two years we lived in Oakland.  

It was SO funny to be there with two kids in tow and laugh about old adventures, memories, and friends.  

It made me so homesick for the days when all I had to do when I wanted to see Heidi was walk 10 feet down the hall and knock on her door.

 Thank you for coming to stay with us little sister!  

You brought much needed fun and smiles!!

As we drove away from lunch,  Ezra started planning what he wants to do with you on your NEXT visit.  HA!

WE LOVE YOU!