Back From Hello

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Lindsay and I drove up to the Bay Area for Thanksgiving this year and spent some time with my family. My brother Todd and sister-in-law Moka live in Mountainview so my mom, brother Edgar, and other sister-in-law Anne all flew in to spend the holiday out West. The seven of us went hiking in Muir Woods, took a trolley tour of the city, and had ice cream at Ghirardelli Square all on top of getting to stay in Moka’s sister’s amazing house. We had a great time, and of course a great meal and I’m really glad we all got to be together.

Beyond all that, I don’t really have all that much to say and I really just want to share the pictures I took, so I’ll get on with the show. I picked out a bunch ones that I liked but if you want to wade through all of them (I know I would) you can find the gallery here. Anyway, on with the show. Enjoy! (Click the images to enlarge.)

On Friday, we all drove around the corner from where we stayed to St. Mary’s College and took some family photos. The colorful leaves provided us a great backdrop for some really pretty shots.

After the photoshoot, we returned home for some wonderful food at a beautiful table.

The next morning we cleaned the house and got ready for our trip out to Muir Woods. Given that it’s a redwood forest, I had to take the opportunity to catch a few more shots of the colorful leaves before we were surrounded by evergreens.

We made a stop at the end of the Golden Gate Bridge to take a couple of pictures, I mean, since it was on the way and all.

Upon arrival at Muir Woods, we were greeted by what appeared to be, at first glance, a California condor, so I quickly snapped a picture. A little googling later, I realized it was just a turkey vulture. I like the shot nonetheless.

Next, of course, came the trolley ride of the city, complete with complimentary Santa hats, a gingerbread house, and “caroling”.

To close out the night, we walked from Fisherman’s Wharf to Ghirardelli Square for some sundaes.

Well, that’s it. I hope you enjoyed seeing them as much as I enjoyed taking them. Thanks for stopping by.

Ed. note: If you’re viewing this on Facebook, click here to visit my site and get the full experience.

It’s that time of year again. It’s time for giant birds and calorie bombs, football, family, and friends. This is the time where so many reflect on what they have, what they’ve gotten, what they’ve done, and take the time to appreciate their blessings. For some, it’s a struggle to look at life and find much to truly be thankful for. For others, the struggle is keeping track of all wonderful things that have come their way. For me though, this year, it’s easy to decide what I’m most thankful for.

This year, I was lucky enough to marry an incredible woman. My wife Lindsay, as many of you already know, is wonderful. Loving, caring, beautiful, smart, funny, creative, playful, sexy–the list goes on. So often people say that someone brightens their day or lifts their spirits or goes on about not knowing where they’d be without that person and it’s frankly a little hard to believe. I mean, we’ve heard all the clichés before, right?

Well, I’m firing up the cliché machine, because I came here to gush. Lindsay really does make my days so much better. There’s an intangible there that just can’t quite be explained, at least not in any words I know. As soon as she walks into the room, I just feel better about life. Even when I’m not having a particularly bad day, she’s the perfect pick me up. It takes me aback sometimes.

She’s also great at pulling me out of my shell (I know, right? Yes, I do have a shell). Since I met Lindsay I’ve climbed rocks I never would have climbed (mostly because I’m worried she’s going to fall). I’ve danced to songs I would never have even heard (I can do a mean Cowboy Cha-Cha). I’ve been places I never would have gone (Hemet, I’m looking at you). Think about this: I now own and know how to use both ice skates and rollerblades. What is that about?!

Credit where credit is due, the woman knows how to get what she wants out of me. Most importantly, she knows how to get me out of me and I think that’s something to be thankful for. I love you, Lindsay Mae, and I’m eternally grateful to have you in my life.