It's Christmastime in the city...

Shortly after I returned home from San Francisco with E, Chris and Anna, I returned - this time, with my lovely little family! It's tradition that the junior class of my former high school cancels class to visit the City the day before Christmas Break begins. My brother Tucker is a junior there this year, so while he was with his class there, my parents and I enjoyed some SF time of our own.

You've heard me rave about the Blue Mermaid Chowder House in Fisherman's Wharf before. It gets better every time, people. Although I have no photos of the delicious chowders my parents and I devoured, I will say this: try the classic New England, but if you're feeling adventurous, go for the Dungeness Crab and Corn.

My parents both enjoyed some parmesan-crusted sea scallops (so good) and mashed potatoes with sautéed vegetables.

I enjoyed a delicious though fattening Caesar salad.

The day was beautiful. It's rarely so clear in San Francisco! Here's a shot of The Rock and the infamous Alcatraz that sits upon it.

So, we checked into our hotel - the JW Marriott - and relaxed a bit before going exploring.

Union Square had become a little Winter Wonderland, complete with tons of lights and a huge Christmas tree. Mind you, we are in California (hence that palm tree in the shots above) so real winter weather was substituted by the construction of a little skating rink dotted with families and tiny children and couples being cute.

The windows at Macy's are always decked out with wreaths this time of year!

My parents looking cute!

My mumsy and me.

Daddy and me.

Somewhere along the way, we had dinner and walked to a parking garage to meet my brother. We were sleepy. We slept.

The next day was spent doing more shopping and wandering and having a good time together.

This is a little crepe that the Melt Gelato and Crepe Café in the San Francisco Centre called the Strawberry Royale: bananas, strawberries, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, annnd a little scoop of vanilla gelato requested by yours truly. Was this crepe as good as Sophie's? They both have their pros and cons: I liked the crispiness of Sophie's, but technically crepes are probably supposed to be a little floppier. I loved that Melt included so much delicious fresh fruit. It's all a matter of taste.

My beautiful parents, right before a little fancy family dinner.

My brother's face makes me giggle.

"Little" brother and me. People always think I'm younger than he is!

The next morning, we packed up and headed home - but we actually stopped at Blue Mermaid again to let Tucker - a clam chowder enthusiast - try it for himself. ;]

The weekend was a whirlwind but so fun. We enjoyed ourselves immensely! It's always nice to get away with the family - especially when you love them as much as I do!

And now... I want you to ask me any question you'd like to ask me. I will answer you in video form. :]