It's been a busy week.
We packed up and left the house that we built. The kids have never known any other home.
On Thursday morning I pruned the yellow roses that adorn our front yard for the last time.
For those that don't know we are moving to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.....................yes, you can all laugh now!!!! Even the custom guys in the US think we are mad!!
Ewan was offered the opportunity to work there through the bank that he works for, and as they say....a change is as good as a holiday!!!!!!
So, Friday morning surrounded by the people we love so much we boarded our plane and headed East.
The kids were great on the plane. The boys played their DS' and watched movies, while Ailish...well I'm not really sure what she did because I was so preoccupied with the boys and their constant need to pee...but I know she watched some movies and listened to her iPod.
Because we have 4 flights to catch to arrive out our final destination, I made the deliberate decision to break up our travel with a stop in San Francisco - and boy and I glad that I did. San Francisco is lovely. The quaint Victorian houses, and the mult-million prices, are to die for.
The city has a really lovely feel to it. I thought it felt a little like Melbourne but Ewan thought the CBD had a Sydney feel. So it's got the best of both great Australian city's.
Yesterday we took adouble decker tour bus that allowed us to get on and off at certain destinations so that we could explore the sights more.
The first place we got off at was the Golden Gate Bridge. As bridges go it's pretty gorgeous. The red, rust colour off it was beautiful backed by the water and the beautiful San Francisco scenery (pictures to come once we are settled).
We stopped off in the city and saw the man-made ice rink in Union Square and ate delicious cupcakes. Around Union Square are the department stores - Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany's, Nike Town (I took a picture for Mick), and a whole lot more specialty stores. We really didn't get a chance to look around the stores because it was Black Friday, the biggest shopping day after Thanksgiving - think our boxing day sales, and there were people just everywhere.
I had hoped to get off a few more stops and explore the city some more but the kids were a bit over walking around - next time Ewan and I'll come without the kids.
Our last stop for the day was Fishermans Wharf where we had dinner at Boudin's - a famous sourdough bread place.
Everyone was pretty tired out by the end of it and I think we all crashed at about 8pm. I woke up at about 11:30 thinking that I had slept through to the next day...but no it was still evening. The kids all woke up about the same time but went back to sleep pretty easily. Hopefully tonight we'll all get a good nights sleep.
Today the weather has a been a little hit and miss with the rain. But we haven't let that stop us.
We walked to Lombard St - the crookedest avenue, then walked on to Ghirardelli Square - a place dedicated to chocolate with a couple of cafes, cupcake store, bars, diner and some gift store. The kids kept saying "this is chocolate heaven". Ewan discovered that you can buy an appartment and live there so I think he wants to live there in his next life.
We also saw a Melbourne Tram go along the tram tracks done by the Wharf today.
So at the moment the kids and Ewan are just chilling out in the apartment as I'm enjoying the free WiFi at Barnes & Nobles.
Tonight we are headed back to Ghirardelli Square where we'll enjoy the lights on the huge Christmas Tree and dine at the diner.
Tomorrow we are up early to catch our final 2 flights to Sioux Falls.
On Thursday morning I pruned the yellow roses that adorn our front yard for the last time.
For those that don't know we are moving to Sioux Falls, South Dakota.....................yes, you can all laugh now!!!! Even the custom guys in the US think we are mad!!
Ewan was offered the opportunity to work there through the bank that he works for, and as they say....a change is as good as a holiday!!!!!!
So, Friday morning surrounded by the people we love so much we boarded our plane and headed East.
The kids were great on the plane. The boys played their DS' and watched movies, while Ailish...well I'm not really sure what she did because I was so preoccupied with the boys and their constant need to pee...but I know she watched some movies and listened to her iPod.
Because we have 4 flights to catch to arrive out our final destination, I made the deliberate decision to break up our travel with a stop in San Francisco - and boy and I glad that I did. San Francisco is lovely. The quaint Victorian houses, and the mult-million prices, are to die for.
The city has a really lovely feel to it. I thought it felt a little like Melbourne but Ewan thought the CBD had a Sydney feel. So it's got the best of both great Australian city's.
Yesterday we took adouble decker tour bus that allowed us to get on and off at certain destinations so that we could explore the sights more.
The first place we got off at was the Golden Gate Bridge. As bridges go it's pretty gorgeous. The red, rust colour off it was beautiful backed by the water and the beautiful San Francisco scenery (pictures to come once we are settled).
We stopped off in the city and saw the man-made ice rink in Union Square and ate delicious cupcakes. Around Union Square are the department stores - Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany's, Nike Town (I took a picture for Mick), and a whole lot more specialty stores. We really didn't get a chance to look around the stores because it was Black Friday, the biggest shopping day after Thanksgiving - think our boxing day sales, and there were people just everywhere.
I had hoped to get off a few more stops and explore the city some more but the kids were a bit over walking around - next time Ewan and I'll come without the kids.
Our last stop for the day was Fishermans Wharf where we had dinner at Boudin's - a famous sourdough bread place.
Everyone was pretty tired out by the end of it and I think we all crashed at about 8pm. I woke up at about 11:30 thinking that I had slept through to the next day...but no it was still evening. The kids all woke up about the same time but went back to sleep pretty easily. Hopefully tonight we'll all get a good nights sleep.
Today the weather has a been a little hit and miss with the rain. But we haven't let that stop us.
We walked to Lombard St - the crookedest avenue, then walked on to Ghirardelli Square - a place dedicated to chocolate with a couple of cafes, cupcake store, bars, diner and some gift store. The kids kept saying "this is chocolate heaven". Ewan discovered that you can buy an appartment and live there so I think he wants to live there in his next life.
We also saw a Melbourne Tram go along the tram tracks done by the Wharf today.
So at the moment the kids and Ewan are just chilling out in the apartment as I'm enjoying the free WiFi at Barnes & Nobles.
Tonight we are headed back to Ghirardelli Square where we'll enjoy the lights on the huge Christmas Tree and dine at the diner.
Tomorrow we are up early to catch our final 2 flights to Sioux Falls.
11 comments:
Black Friday is something special huh? I braved the traffic for some good deals this year too, along with 1/2 of the city.
I loved this travel log and can't wait to hear your reflections of life in the states. So glad you're safe & that your kiddos are doing so well.
LOVE YOU LOTS!
Kristie! This all sounds very exciting! Keep warm and enjoy your first Christmas in the USA all together. Much love and light to you all! :)
Kelly you totally had me cracking up. I should have titled this post Epic!!!!
Um, what? You just up and moved to the U.S? You know what this means, don't you? It means save your pennies and visit Utah! I'll take you anywhere you want to go and we can talk photography (and you can teach me some about cooking!). oh please oh please!:)
Really, though, I will be checking your blog for news about South Dakota... Not sure about that place since I've never been there... I will be watching for photos!
On the other hand, San Francisco is my favorite city. Jake and I were married in Oakland, right across the water from SF, and I grew up only a few hours from there.
Let's talk soon! :)
xoxoxo
so wish you had a stop over in phoenix! we have to get a visit in over the next year or two. ironically i arrived in the states thanksgiving weekend 24 years ago - i spent my first night in the u.s. stuck in denver, stapleton airport because of snow storms. it was a lovely welcome! of course your trip will go off without a hitch. i'm sure of it.
love you...cant wait to hear more
would love to talk to you soon.
Keep us posted. Garrett says EVERYONE wants to live in SF. Mick is already planning U.S. only deliveries to your door.
I am so excited we are in the same Country!!! Will we get to see you?
Let's plan some trips!!!
I can't wait to read all about it!
So glad you are here and the longest flight went well. Now for the new home and making new friends. AND if the snow becomes just tooooo much, you can come on down to Florida where it is 70 degrees most of the winter months, or I can save my pennies and go see the Black hills (no pun intended)and the beautiful scenary of ND. Enjoy the excitement of a new home and God Bless. Lots and lots of love xoxoxox
hope you're all getting settled. i just looked at the weather in sioux city - all i can say is, good luck with that!
our phone number is 480-732 0471. call when you can. love you.
This all sounds amazing Kristie! Good on you guys, i hope it's everything you hope it to be. We are thinking of doing a home exchange for 3 months in the States at the end of the year. Why not i say! Take care of you and your great looking family.
Love
Lisa Peterken
xx
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