The Emersons visit Team Thompson

We couldn't have asked for better weather during the Emersons visit. The sun was out, the wind was down, the temperature was up. Amazing!

After two delays due to low clouds in the Bay, mom, dad and Joe landed at SFO at a time where I was able to go get them vs. them getting a rental car just so I wouldn't have to leave work early. We dined at Casa de Thompson Friday night, watched the opening ceremonies, chatted, laughed and made plans for the weekend.

Saturday we had breakfast at home (heart-healthy steel-cut "Aloha Oatmeal," courtesy of Everyday Food, and then headed to the city for a ride around town on the double-decker Sightseeing Tour bus -- it's a great way to learn about the city and not have to drive through it. We hopped off at Pier 39 for lunch at Fog Harbor Fish House (delish) and then made our way to Golden Gate Park and beyond for some fab shots of the GG Bridge at sunset.

Fog lifting slowly from around the Bay Bridge.

Coit Tower
Alcatraz
The boys climbed down the cliff face to the beach below. Only one minor injury to report.

Sunday we skipped church and had a Valentine's breakfast at Casa de Thompson where we enjoyed heart-healthy pancakes with fresh berries, peanut butter and lots o' syrup. Side note...grocery shopping take a lot longer when you have to read all the nutrition info, but it's definitely worth it to make sure I feel ok about what I'm feeding my own mother!

After brekkie we went to Half Moon Bay to eat at the highly acclaimed Barbara's Fish Trap. This weekend was also the Maverick's Surf contest which happens around this time of year in Half Moon Bay when the weather is just right. Surfers wait for the "go!" from meteorologists and make way from around the world to Half Moon Bay to take in some totally stellar waves. The waves this year were at the highest ever (some as high as 50 ft.) and the winner, so I hear, was a South African man who barely made it on time to the event and had to borrow a stranger's surf board because his got lost in transit.

The sun was out again, it was at least 70 degrees and there were people EVERYWHERE from EVERYWHERE. While we waited for a table at Barbara's, we grabbed drinks across the street at the Half Moon Bay Brewing Co. and chilled down on the beach. All everyone talked about all weekend was how much they wanted crab legs and this place was the jackpot! The restaurant sits out over the water (at high tide) and faces the marina. It's a gorgeous setting!
I took the gang to the airport this morning...I can't believe how fast the weekend passed :( We had a great time and can't wait for their next trip! Mom is doing well...so well you can't even tell the woman had open heart surgery for a 7-way bypass just 2 months ago. Her scar is already healed to the point that it looks like the surgery was preformed more than 10 years ago. She does time on the treadmill every morning, keeps up with everyone during our walks around the city (actually led the pack) and seems to be back to normal, but improved on the inside! Praise God!