My oldest nephew, Cody, received his mission call a couple of weeks ago. He is the first close family member of mine to leave on their mission so we've all been very excited for him to get his call so we can see where he will be serving for the next two years.
Originally, he was going to go skydiving and open the call in the plane right before he jumped and video tape it, then show that video later at a party with all his friends and family to reveal to them where he'd be going. Once he received his call though, he was hassled enough by everyone (mom, grandma's, me...) who were too impatient to wait, that he decided he would just go ahead and open it the good old fashioned way.
So we all gathered and made our guesses as to where he would be going on a large map
He opened it, read it to himself (with much exclamation) and then read it out loud to his audience....
BRAZIL!
Excited was an understatement. He had been hoping and praying to go foreign and was very pleased with the outcome. Every time I have seen him since he is researching the climate, current weather, looking at maps of the area and doing all he can to learn about the people he will be serving for two years.
It wasn't until a week or so later he showed me this....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gckxbQQN18o
That Stinker!!
Forget San Francisco, the Muir Woods captured my heart. This was, by far, my most favorite part of the trip. I decided that going to San Francisco for the first time and having my favorite part be the few hours we spent out of the city just further proves that I could never be a city girl. Don't get me wrong I love visiting big cities, but living there would only leave me yearning for more scenery like this.
This place is gorgeous, I am totally in love, and already dreaming about going back (and staying in a cabin in Big Sur)
When Benson was done with his conference we got to explore San Francisco for another day and a half, just our little family. This was my favorite time in the city - partially because of the company and partially because we just walked and explored...the sundae from Ghirardelli square helped too.
We walked through Chinatown (and ate dinner there - YUM)
Then through little Italy, sadly all the bakeries were closed, and down to the pier and fisherman's wharf
Sundaes at Ghirardelli Square
The next day we walked a million miles (slight exaggeration) accidentally but ended up here so it was all good
then we took a bus down Lombard (the crooked street) and walked through Golden Gate Park
