My dad (or gDad, as we hoping Alston will grow accustom to) came for a visit from March 24-31. His last visit was in 2000 roughly nine years ago. I think this is the most time my dad and I have spent together possibly since I was 22. I really enjoyed sharing a window into the life that Patrick and I have built. And of course, sharing Alston too! We also put my dad to work on some projects in the loft, since he's become quite the home renovator. He completed what I like to call a "mini-face lift" in the kitchen. He quickly knocked out a soffit with recessed lighting over our kitchen cabinets and sink to cover the unsightly unfinished mess. You might be able to make out a bit of it in the photo above. (Special thanks to my friend David for lending us tools to make this project a reality!!! I owe you one!) Once I finish the painting, we'll get a photo up for you to check out. Dad, many thanks for the hours of sweat labor! Hope the good food was payment enough.
My dad and I both enjoy cooking so we spent some time putting together menus and brainstorming in the kitchen. We made some GOOD food. I think we all agreed the Pesto Shrimp on the BarB were the show stopper. Delicious!
We did carve out a few non-labor hours. The weather was incredible all week. On Saturday, we cruised around the Mission district absorbing sunshine, eating burritos and people watching in Dolores Park. Kate and Paul joined us in the park for a few minutes and then we indulged in frozen treats from the Bombay Ice Creamery (flavors included Cardamon, Cardamon Rose and Ginger...yum, yum)
gDad and Patrick toasting to burrito time at Taqueria Cancun
Smiles and sunbeamsWe also managed to celebrate my birthday (3/28) by dusting off our bowling skills at the Albany bowl. Oddly, I did not bring my camera. I know weird huh!? I will have to stir up some pictures. Lots of folks rolled out for the occasion. My friends, Libby and Jen made a awesome bowling cake! Alston had a great time hanging with his baby friend, Zadie - both of which slept on and off depsite all the thunder of the lanes. I guess it kinda creates a white noise effect...well, whatever the case it worked pretty well.
It was a short week that I was sad to see end when I dropped my dad off at the airport. We had a great time hanging out and catching up on what seems almost like a life time of changes, growth and additions. Clearly, no one was happier than Alston to have a very special week hanging out with his grandfather.
My dad was able to capture this ridiculously over the top gleeful smile. I swear, the elated energy coming out of his eyes has me begging for more every time I look at this picture. This image does a pretty good job of capturing his fun loving spirit. wow.
1 comment:
Mmmm, Taqueria Cancun... I'd follow that up with a stop at Faralito, Papalote, and then the place where they make tacos out on the sidewalk (maybe on 23rd street?). In the meantime, I've been making gringo fajitas to fill the void-- when I'm not in prison that is.
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