World Famous Bushman of San Francisco

On our 3rd and final installment of Thanksgiving 2007, a handful of us ventured into the city.

In San Francisco, there are a lot of street performers, especially at Fisherman's Wharf. I remember the Bushman ever since we first moved to the Bay Area and a quick lookup in wikipedia says he's been a street performer since the 80's.

Hoping that my nephews would react predictably, I ran ahead to scope out a spot to take some rapid action shots.
The Bushman is in the forground and they are walking along the sidewalk on the far right, making their approach. My brother-in-law is in the red jacket.

As they get a little closer, Ry notices the shrub, but doesn't really think anything of it. You can already see in Jimmy's face (sunglasses, behind the boys) that he knows what's gonna happen.

The Bushman shakes the branches for a split second, which catch their attention...till he surprises them with a little growl and...
They both jump back into the safety of Daddy and Uncle Jimmy.

I think that deserves a closeup, don't you?Good to know that they have a healthy fear of the unknown. :)

Older brother Ry has completely hidden behind Dad and little J ready to run the other direction. Of course, dad and Uncle Jimmy find it quite hilarious. (So does Aunt Madeline, trying not to laugh too hard so her photos won't be blurry).
In the end, the boys had a good laugh and left with smiles and giggles.

Here's a link from Youtube that someone else captured of the Bushman on another day.
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Thank goodness for child labor

Anyone else have this Thanksgiving tradition? Put the kids to work washing and waxing all the cars that have driven to the feast destination.
What better way to build up their appetites?
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Thanksgiving Part 1

The feast started today in the retz household. 20 of the 23 of us gathered for an 'appetizer' meal (as Eretz called it in comparison to tomorrow's feast). Ok, I sooo love this family, I truly am blessed to be married into it but ohmygoodness, the loudness factor that we created, i think, could have broken records at one point in the evening. If you remember this photo and can imagine how boisterous that would have been, then just imagine doubling that. :)
This perfectly poised photo was taken before dinner and we were all relatively calm.
I was attempting a photo of all 3 of us, managed to cut myself out completely and I like it better that way! One of those awesome happy accidents.

Thanks for all the comments on my last post. I love the part where Ginnie called the outburst my 'safety valve'. What happened was silly really, another outburst regarding my inability to figure out stuff on the Mac, which mostly ticks me off because I'm very computer literate. But I think that since I was soo dang tired from traveling and not being home and being a lot more physical than usual and not doing well that week on weight watchers (yes, I'm still going, just been silent about it), and...and...and...so on and so forth, it all just came pouring out when I tried to be logical minded and couldn't wrap my brain around the tasks I needed to do. All is well again. Especially since as I mentioned we're staying local for Thanksgiving and we get to come home every night.

I hope you all have a good Thanksgiving. Blessings to everyone!!
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A moment to breathe

Today was the first day in 2 weeks that I had a moment to slow down. And it was nice. Aside from the busy holidays, there is nothing else on my plate till March. But knowing me and how my life tends to flow, some adventure will come up that I will not be able to resist.

The trip to Pismo was good. It was a weekend more of reflection and remembrances rather than a playful weekend, but it was good to be there with and for my dearest friend.
Saturday morning we took a short walk on the beach.Enjoying the warmth of the sun. Reflecting on friendships. Looking for sand dollars to bring back to her beautiful daughter.

Later in the early afternoon, we went to the Monarch Butterfly Grove with some of Danielle's other friends.Every year, thousands of Monarch butterflies flock to the California coast between October and March. The trees were filled with these beautiful butterflies.
It was a peaceful place, watching the butterflies flutter around, sometimes resting on eucalyptus branches, fanning their wings in the warm sun.

We watched the sunset from the hotel.All of nature's little details were on our side.

We left very early the following morning which gave me some time with Danielle's daughter to dance with the Wiggles and have a tea party with her Little Einstein dolls before they had to take me to the airport. Spent the next few days in Vegas with the parentals loading trucks and driving for hundreds of miles.

In just a few days, we'll celebrate Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday. Usually we travel south for the feast but this year we're staying local and all the other brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews and one cousin are coming this direction. We'll be a loud and crazy bunch.

Anybody have to-do ideas for the day after Thanksgiving that doesn't include fighting for parking spaces?
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I'm riding off into the sunset

Tomorrow morning I'm off on another adventure to Pismo Beach with my BFF. Pismo is about half way for both of us and 10 years ago we met up for the weekend and hoped to do annual trips. LOL, 10 years later we're finally getting back there.

Here's a quick digi-scrapbook page I did about our trip back then.I don't think it'll be a warm sunny day at the beach this time, forecasts predict mid-50s, but it still promises to be a good time. Then on Sunday I'm flying to Vegas to meet Jimmy and the parentals to help load some things. Won't get the chance to see the sights or a show or anything, but I'm sure our dining opportunities will be good.

Once again, I'm abandoning the kitty cat.It's a good thing she's used to it.

When I get back, it'll be a week before the Thanksgiving feast. Can you believe it? Thanksgiving is only 2 weeks away from today. The holidays are here people. Are you ready?

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Thankful for Family and Disneyland

Friday we went to Disneyland and hung out with the nephews and nieces and our brothers and sisters. Unfortunately, one niece wasn't feeling well so she went home with her dad along with her uncle and her littlest cousin. But 8 of us, 5 adults and 3 kids age 9, 5 and 3 had a lot of fun at the Happiest Place On Earth.Family in the teacup with the flower. Never did like this ride much, but this time had a blast. Probably because I was concentrating on taking photos rather than my stomach being turned upside down.

Me and 5yo nephew on the Dumbo ride.

Jimmy and 3yo nephew on the Buzz Lightyear ride.

The kids on Dumbo.

Happy Thanksgiving

We're off to Southern California in the morning for our Thanksgiving festivities with family.

Wishing you all a wonderful turkey day.

Candle surrounded by empty plates from last year's turkey fest in Laguna Beach.