Day 4 - Alcatraz - Cable Car - Golden Gate - 4D movies - Lombard Street

Fourth day started early for our Alcatraz tour at 9:30 am.  We had to be there 45 minutes before the ferry boat left for our tour time.  The boat we rode in held 700 people and went every 30 minutes back and forth from Alcatraz island.  Once we got to the island, we had to walk 1/4 mile up a incline to get to the audio tour inside the prison cells.  Each of us had headphones and a mini mp3 player that had the audio on and told us different facts about each area.  It lasted about 90 minutes.  It was very interesting and very quiet too, because everyone had on headsets and listening.  The kids weren't even bored.  It was a great history lesson for all of us.  We saw a 17 minutes DVD on Alcatraz at the discovery channel did and then the audio tour and we at our leisure we could walk around the island as long as we wanted.  They had one of the inmates that is still living sign books in the bookstore for souveniers.  Erika purchased one for her US History class and possibly get extra credit points.  We left the island at around 1:00 pm and then the kids were starving again and suggested we go to the Rainforest Cafe for lunch, so we walked to Pier 39 where it was.  The food was okay, but it is all about the atmosphere inside.  We then booked a tour on a Cable Car that was converted to drive anywhere to Golden Gate Bridge and other San Francisco sites, which we had seen on the ride the duck tour, but we were able to get a discount for the same tour company.  It was a little bit chilly riding the car over the bridge at 50 miles per hour, but luckily for us, they had blankets there to use.  After two hours of the tour, we sent Brian and Rob to get our jackets at the cars, because we left them there earlier, and it was getting chilly again.  Oh, and it cost to park your car down by the pier, the first day it cost us $28 for the day and the second time we were smarter, and only paid $10 for the day. Everyone is trying to earn a buck at the Pier's.  From jugglers, to mime's, to guitar players and keyboards, to homeless people, to magician's, etc ,etc, etc.  It was crazy in Pier 39 with all that going on outside and inside.  We then decided to go to the 4D movies that Riley and Sarah wanted to do the day before.  The movies were Speed Racer, Spongebob and Journey to the Center of the Earth.  So you get the 3D glasses and then the seats move around when you are watching the 3D movie.  It was really crazy, but it was fun too.  The best one was Spongebob, surprisingly.  We decided to get Funnel Cake and watch a lady do a magic show.  She was 57 years old and she asked Brian to come and volunteer for her.  He had to hold a walking stick for her to walk across and juggle.  She climbed up his back over his head.  I thought Erika and Riley were going to die of laughter.  Brian was a good sport and let us laugh at him doing his chippendale dance as well.  We then went to our cars and decided to drive down Lombard street, the #1 most crooked street in the US.  It was crazy, becasue people actually live on that street and park their cars on it.  It was a very steep street and can understand why they made it wind back and forth, but it is the only one if San Francisco.  It is very famous from many different movies, like "What's up doc" with Barbra Streisand.  We then drove to the Coit tower to look at the city in the dark.  We tried to go there earlier, but didn't make it until it was dark and it was closed.  We then decided to go back to the hotel and pack up, since we were leaving on the airplane in the afternoon.  We had a great time, but we wanted to do some much more, but there just wasn't time.  There is alot to do in San Francisco, but I am sure we only saw a sliver of it.  Thanks to the Autrey's who came and spent time with us for a couple of days.

Day 3 - Pier 39 - Aquarium at the Bay - Ride the Duck - Mirror Maze

Third day, we meet the Autrey's at 11:00 am at Pier 39 by Fisherman's Wharf.  We bought tickets to go to the Aquarium of the Bay.  They had 300 ft tunnel you walked under the water of fish on the basement level, then we went to the second level and saw the tanks with jelly fish, star fish, finding nemo fish and many sharks, stingrays, turtles, and many other fish.  We went to the top level and this was the interactive area, where you could touch the rays and star fish.  There were a million kids around the stingrays, so the kids didn't want to fight the crowd, so they went to the star fish touching area instead.  We bought souveniers and then decided to go on a tour of San Francisco, by "Ride the Duck" tour.  This is a truck/boat where they take you around the city and tell you different facts about San Francisco and then we went into the bay water and heard more facts.  They gave us all quackers to blow and sing to with different music.  Captian Jeff was a great and funny tour guide.  He made us laugh.  He told us that people would look at us funny, so just to wave and quack at them.  The kids seemed to have a great time, except for Sarah and Mandy.  Sarah didn't want to use her quacker or particpate, so she just slept.  Oh, well, she missed out on the fun, even the adults were playing along.  Afterwards, the kids were starving and wanted some dinnfer, so we headed back to Pier 39 to a Italian Restaurant that looked over the water.  We had some great food and some of us had some seafood as well.  After dinner, the kids walked around Pier 39 into the many different shops and then they saw the Mirror Maze.  We arrived just in time, because they were closing in 30 minutes.  We had to put on latex gloves and walk with our hands in front of us through the maze. We were the only ones in the maze, so we had some fun.  Rob was following us, but got lost and ended up back at the beginning, while the rest of us were at the end.  We could go through it as many times as we wanted, so the kids went back and forth from the front to the end and stopped a couple of times in the corners to laugh at each other and take pictures.  It was really nice weather, in the high 70's, but at night when the sun went down, it became windy and chilly,  Good thing we had our jackets, but we did get some sunburns on our faces.  We did stop at at shop that let the kids pick a oyster and see if they had a pearl in them for only $15.  Of course, the kids thought that was fun, the trick was after they gave you the pearl, then when they set it in a ring, necklace or earrings, they wanted $200.  They saw us coming, but we ended up getting a ring for Erika that was only $40, so she got what she wanted and Riley picked a gecko for his pearl that was $30.  The things we do for our kids.  We left Pier 39 at around 9:00 pm and headed back to our hotel.  The Autrey's were staying in downtown San Francisco, so they only had a 5 minute drive, but we had to drive 20 minutes, but that was okay, we had free breakfast in the morning.

Day 2 - Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, CA

Since we had made plans to meet up with our neighbors on wednesday, we decided to take a day to do something we wanted to do that they did not.  We looked up the different amusement parks around San Francisco area, and we found out that there was a Six Flags about an hour away.  We found out that they not only have thrill ride, but also animal shows, including the killer whale and dolphin shows, which Erika loves.  She was so excited to go, and for myself, riding rides didn't sound all that exciting, but going to the shows with Erika was okay with me.  The other nice thing is that the park closed at 7 pm, so we didn't have to spend the whole day there.  We drove there and arrived at the park at around 12:00 pm.  The weather was so nice, but we still wore our jackets, because we knew from past experience that it would get chilly later in the evening.  Our first stop was the Killer whale show, called "Shouka."  Erika was so excited and glued to it.  You couldn't rub the smile off her face, she was so happy.  She does love those water animals.  Then we walked around and Riley really wanted to ride some of the big rides, so Brian took him, while Erika and I went to another show, the sea lions.  We meet up with them at the Dolphin show and had some lunch.  More rides for Erika, Riley and Brian, and then we walked to the animal part of the park, called "The Land."  They had a butterfly house, camels, tigers, giraffe's, aligators, elephants, flamingo's, etc, etc, etc.  We missed the Lion and Elephant show, but we still were able to see them.  We left at 6:30 pm and went back to the hotel, again paying for the toll at the bridge.  $4 each time you cross.  You can buy a day pass for $10 or a week pass for $30.  We just paid and we went across each time.  The kids seemed to have a good time at Six Flags with many different options for all of us to enjoy!

Spring Break - Family Vacation to San Francisco

Monday, the first day, flying on Delta to Oakland, California.  Our flights were at 11:00 am, so we didn't have to wake up too early, but as always, Brian wanted to be to the airport in plenty of time.  Can I just say that I hate taking the family through security.  It is so stressful to getting everything off in the trays, and then have to pick it all up and put it all back on, and quickly.  We arrived in Oakland around 1:00 pm and then picked up our rental car at Thrifty.  They let you pick which car you want, and Erika and Riley wanted to Blue Dodge Charger, but when we opened the doors and the trunk, it stunk so bad of cigarettes, we decided that we couldn't not handle that for 5 days, so we picked a Silver Hyundai Sonata instead.  We had to drive across the bay from Oakland to San Mateo, where our hotel was.  Brian found a Marriott hotel that had sleeping for 6 with a loft and two bathrooms, and also free breakfast every morning.  It was really nice to be able to spread out and have enough room for everything.  We also had a full size kitchen, but didn't really use it much, except for treats.  We drove across a long suspended bridge, which we didn't know that you have to pay a toll for everytime you cross.  We should of known, but didn't really plan for it.  We finally got to San Mateo and the kids were starving, so we found the closest Red Robin to eat lunch at.  It ended up being the cheapest meal of the whole trip.  Later, in the evening, we decided to drive to the closest grocery store and buy some treats and goodies for the week.  We read in the hotel accomodations book, that there were two grocery chains in the area.  Safeway and Albertson's.  We decided since we were used to a Albertson's we would go there, so Brian's punched in his iPhone GPS for the closest Albertson's.  We followed the route it told us and ended up driving past all these really nice big homes with gates in front and then we ended up at the Private Country Golf Club, but no Albertson's.  We laughed about it and wondered what the heck the GPS told us.  If the place used to have a Albertson's or if the road was called Albertson's or if the place used to be owned by Albert's sons.  Needless to say, we didn't find Albertson's, but we all had a great time laughing about it.  We had passed many Safeway's along the way, but missed them, because we were focused on the GPS and which way to go.  We stopped at Safeway and got a small basket full of treats and then they told us it was $75 dollars.  Wow, those were some expensive treats and goodies.

Happy 20th Birthday Cameron!!

Cameron turns 20 years old today.  He is currently serving a full time mission in the Texas Fort Worth Mission.  He has been out for 6 months.  He is a great example to all of us for wanting to obey the prophets and commandments to be a missionary.  He has already had 3 baptisms since he has been serving.  His emails every week make us grateful for his service and the blessing it is for all of us.  He had asked for a few things for his birthday, like a GPS, a new watch and a water camelback backpack, plus a few other things that he needed.  He received his birthday package on April fools day and we told him not to open it until his birthday.  We are sure that it was difficult for him to not open it, but we know that he is obedient and didn't.  His best friend, Nathan, who also is serving a mission in Anaheim California, has the same birthday as Cam, just a year earlier.  In the past both families have celebrated together with them, but for two years they have to just exchange cards.  We are so happy for Cameron and hope that the members in Texas take care of him for his birthday and make sure that he is sung Happy Birthday to.  We love you Cameron and wish you the best Birthday, even though you are no longer a teenager and are weirded out to be 20 years old.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAMERON!!!

Easter bags for Riley & Erika

Easter morning, Erika and Riley received Easter bags.  You would think that they are getting too old for Easter candy and stuffed bunnies, but NO, they requested it.  So last night, I went and to Shopko, because there was no way I was going to Walmart on Easter eve.  I was able to get the candy and bunnies without a bunch a people fighting for the same stuff.  I even was able to get shorts for Riley.  Since it is General Conference Sunday, the Easter dresses will have to come next week.  Both Riley and Erika had to eat the candy first thing this morning, which is wrong, but they love it.  We also sent Easter candy to Cameron for Easter and for his birthday, which is today as well.  HAPPY EASTER!!1

Erika's PROM answer

Erika answered her date, Alastair, to Prom tonight.  She decided to take the Flamingo's back to his lawn and form them into the word YES and then added pink feathered boa and flower lei's and glitter string.  They did it while he was at the priesthood session.  She needed to answer him before we leave town for Spring Break.  She is so excited, but now she needs to figure out what kind of dress she wants and what color, etc, etc, etc....

The asking to PROM for Erika

This is what we woke up to this morning.  It spells out ALASTAIR.  He playes the Base in the Orchestra with Erika.  Erika almost caught them last night, because she was out to a movie with her friend until midnight and they just started doing it, so she drove around for 15 minutes until they were done.

Erika MORP pictures

(Left) Erika & Keith Eberhardt                                (Right) Erika, Keith, Rachel & Eric

Elder Brown update

Thank you so much for everything you sent me and have done for me. It's really cool, the mail in our apartment complex is right next to the postal center's, so the mail usually comes before 10 a.m. everyday. It is so nice.
We do our wash in another missionary’s apartment on P-Day. We put a load in, go do P-Day activity, then go change it, then do our e-mail and shop, then spend the rest of the day finishing it. It is different to not have a washer and dryer in the apartment complex to do laundry. We also do not have a weight room like we did in my last apartment, so it's pretty basic.
Well, I am so excited for Michalynn's baptism that took place last weekend. It was so cool to see her change and to witness it for myself. I am so happy that the work is moving forward. I didn't get to participate at all in the baptismal services, but just to be there was very cool and exciting.
I am also excited for General Conference coming up. I will be watching it at the church for the first 3 sessions including Priesthood. I will be watching the last one at Bishop's house. I can't wait. I'm hoping that we have some investigators that are willing to commit to come and watch with us. That will be a neat experience.
I also want to thank you for celebrating my birthday at grandma's house. It makes me feel good that you would do that even though I am not there. I love y'all so much and thank you for everything that you have done for me. I am so happy to be a missionary and to serve here in Texas. I want to continue to teach and get those "lost sheep" into the fold of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that the lord is truly blessing all of us for my service and your help in the missionary work as well. Keep up the good work.
Weeks are starting to fly by now. It seems like just yesterday I e-mail you. My mission is starting to pick up in speed and next thing you know it will be next week. Next week is the last full week of the transfer. April 14, 2010 is transfer day. I don't know if I will be leaving or not. I will find out on the April 10, which I think is a Saturday. I will let you on the 15th of April if I stayed or left and who my new companion is. I actually got to spend the day with another missionary. His name is Elder Ingalls. It was fun. We are required to do a 24 hour missionary exchange with everyone in our district, every transfer. Also, if you are a district leader, you have to go on a 24 hour exchange with the zone leaders once a transfer. It is fun to be with another missionary and see how they do missionary work for a day.
Well, need to wrap up this week's e-mail. I love y'all so much and thank you again for your support and help. Look forward to next week.
Love ya’ll tons and tons!

-Elder Brown