summer memories

So.... I know I have been a very bad blogger this summer.
I decided that I wanted to take the summer off from my extra curricular activities and spend as much time with the family as I could. 
My son is a senior this year and he will be leaving the nest soon :(

We started the summer, taking a much-needed long vacation to the West Coast. 

I wanted to give my kids a vacation they would never forget.  
I am very much into making memories for my children as they are getting older and soon to be leaving the nest.

We started in LA and did all the touristy fun things.  

 We took a tour, went to Venice Beach, Santa Monica Pier...

One of the most fun things we did was Universal Studio Tours.  
We splurged and did the VIP passes.  
I wasn't sure if it would be worth it but it was!! 
We had a blast!

You actually go on the sets, into the prop and wardrobe rooms (we saw all the props being selected for the new Elizabeth Taylor movie), go to the front of the line for all the rides and shows and get fed delicious food!

After a few days in LA we meandered up the PCH heading to San Francisco.  We saw so many wonderful sights.

great beaches and cliffs...breath taking sights...

My husband decided to help me sort of fulfill one of my impossible bucket list items. 

I had always wanted to see Michael Jackson in concert.....

Well, we all know, that can never be fulfilled, so we decided to take a little detour and drive to Neverland. 

So at least I was in the vicinity of where he once lived.  Oh well !!

on to San Francisco

We stayed in San Francisco for a couple days, did a very cool walking tour all over the city, crossed the golden gate bridge…

Then, we headed just out of the city to Muir Woods, one of my husbands favorite places.  
He wanted to see the children's eyes when they saw the redwoods!

Then we headed up to Sonoma Valley.  
One of the best things we did up there was spend a day canoeing down the Russian River.  
It was really beautiful. 
And of course we hit a couple wineries :)

After spending a few days in wine country we headed back to San Fran where I had planned a final fun day (evening ) for my kids.  
I had booked the night tour of Alcatraz.  

This was so much more interesting than I had thought it would be!
We had a wonderful vacation!

Hopefully some memories my children will never forget...