We left the kids behind and went to California in the middle of the winter

Jessica Bigler Uhl and I go way back - at least to around 2001. Back then we were housemates in Washington D.C., both working MCC assignments in the city. Five years later we again became housemates, this time at Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, where we both earned our MAs. Luckily she's a fearless traveler, and came to visit me both in Ukraine and in Bolivia. Unluckily, I was unable to attend her wedding two years ago. But at that time Ramont and I promised that we'd come visit her and Matt within three years of moving back.

So two weeks ago we dropped off our kids at Oma and Opa's house (more on that later) and flew out to San Francisco/Oakland to spend a few days with the Bigler Uhls. It was the best kind of vacation Ramont and I could possibly have: good conversation, good food, good sleeping (no Anna waking up at 3am!), and minimal tourism. Also, talking with Jessica so much reminded me that/why I am so glad to be her friend.

This is their beautiful house in Oakland, the site of delicious meals and more. Their baby Elijah is seven months and suuuch a calm little guy. Our favorite thing was when he'd balance on his round little belly and kick his little arms and legs like a baby seal (do seals do that?) - very cute indeed.

Jessica and Matt were kind enough to take us around the cities to see the famous sites. Unfortunately the weather didn't really cooperate much...

This is the breathtaking scene we were supposed to see overlooking the Golden Gate bridge,

...and this is what we actually saw. Nevertheless, we can say we've been there.

Matt with his traditional Sunday night pizza (yum).

 Jessica reading to Elijah before bed one evening.

More good conversation over a delish breakfast of pancakes and eggs.

The skies cleared on our last day there, so after breakfast we took the subway under the bay and explored the San Francisco port area a bit.

The weather felt quite springy (almost anything would compared to MN weather at present): wet, around 60F, and somewhat green. Very nice to finally get some fresh air outside again.

This is the less famous but perhaps equally impressive Bay Bridge, which connects Oakland and San Francisco.

This is us without our kids, an unusual sight.

 Even some rickshaws in the port area!

 A nicer kind of winter. In the San Fran. port area.

After that strenuous tourism of 2.5 hours, we were glad to see this at "home."

 Matt, Elijah, and Jessica.

We've clearly been gone from Bolivia from two long, as I was shocked to see an orange and a lemon tree in their backyard...it seemed so impossibly exotic!

Matt and Jessica have a great deck in their backyard, higher up than the house,

from which there's quite a view of city and water.

Even a fire.

And here we're enjoying our last evening together. It was truly a great time of reconnecting with them.


And our kids, how did they fare?

By all accounts they LOVED living at Oma and Opa's. They didn't ever cry for us, even after we Skype-visited with them twice. They slept well (better than at home), ate and played well, sat all through the church service, etc, etc.

Sounds like we need to leave more often :)

No. Though we had a great time, we were ever so happy to come back home and probably won't leave (esp. not without the kids) for a good long while.