California so far

So after seven weeks the vote is unanimous. We love it. There is much to see and do. We have fallen into a pattern on the weekends. One day we stay home and rent movies, snuggle and play all kinds of games, the next we explore the malls, museums, restaurants and movie theaters. The next we can't seem to stay indoors for a moment. We are slowly exploring every county, city, and state park around. Favorites so far...
#1 We went to a recycle bookstore on the historic Alameda today. You should have seen us we like rats in a room full of cheese. We could have curled up there and never left. We decided on two books a piece and the boys did very well. I on the other hand could not stand to make a decision. I left with the scent of well loved books swirling around me, warm and happy. We have decide to go back another day and spend a few hours.
#2 Big Basin Redwood State Park This is the oldest state park in California. It is amazing here. It was our first time in a redwood forest and we were in awe. Caleb and Gabriel loved climbing on all the fall trees and stumps. It was hard to keep them moving. The really wanted to be set loose to run free like the little gnomes they seem to be. Andy wanted nothing more then a pipe and a chair and maybe Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman. As for me I was just happy breathing in all the smells and laughter the forest had to offer.
#3 Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium - Let's see... I guess that would be a totally of eight thumbs up. This movie is absolutely wonderful! Dustin Hoffman is perfect! Oh and the kid, Wow! Anyway, everyone who is reading this should see it. (Andy edit: Plus, it features Natalie Portman.)
#4 Las Palmas park in Sunnyvale, Ortega park in Sunnyvale, John D Morgan park in Campbell
The city parks here are great! They usually have a theme and there is something different at each one we have been to so far.
#5 Saratoga, Ca This is a small historical city we discovered on way to Big Basin Redwood State Park. The is a main street here cluttered with all sorts of small delis, antique shops, museums, and craft stores. We went to a little deli that has been around for like 50 years or something. Our sandwiches were fantastic!
#6 This one is for me alone. There are knitting stores here and I love them all. When we moved back to Tallahassee I was very sad to leave all my shops with walls lined with boxes of wool and silk and organic cotton. I am so happy to have those again here in California. So far I have only visited two, but the ladies there know me by name and the color of my bank card. Please send me pictures or descriptions of anything you would like. I am devouring my projects one after another. The boys and I are listening to books on CD in the afternoon as a sort of rest time. They spend the hour building with Knex or Zoob while I knit to my heart's content.
#7 The mind boggling choice of food. If you want it it is here. They have every kind of Asian, Mexican, Italian, Swedish... I am serious I have never seen so many kinds of restaurants in my life. Andy found curry at a place around the corner that he is in love with. I love the soup and sandwich shops. And the boys love all the Mexican.
#8 (Andy-specific) Football is on at like 9am. Not just analysis from the bandwagon by Herbstreet or Berman, but actual football. Suckers don't even know they're getting up early to play for me!


Is the anything we don't like?


#1 The chaotic driving. It is not that they drive so fast as much as everyone drives any speed and anyway they want.
#2 Pedestrians are also a bit confusing. At any given moment someone may cross right in front of you. They don't even look your way, they just cross. I cannot tell you how many people I have barely missed running over.
#3 Andy and I are not fans of our bed. The mattress is like a valley. You lay down on one side, but somehow always seem to end up in the middle.
#4 Family and our dear friends - We do miss you all. It would have been nice to share Thanksgiving laughing and eating with everyone. We missed the Festival of lights. I for one would have liked to see Kylie people watching. And we will miss all of our Christmas traditions like Tennessee, big parties with friends, sharing gifts, and telling stories. We are planning on exploring more of California and we might get to spend some time with our friends Bill and Marla who live in Seattle.

Andy sums up: It's a different world out here, but we're comfortable and we're doing our best to fit in. I'm putting in some really long hours at work, so the time is really flying by - but overall we're really very glad to have the opportunity.

We'll miss you all at Christmas - keep your feet warm and do a bit of wassailing for us!