San Francisco -day 2

wondering around the old downtown

 

 

 

Alcatraz prison in the distance

 

Lombard street

mission district

Clarion Alley, mission district

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MM's favorite one

 

in San Francisco museum of contemporary art

San Francisco day 1

morning flight to arrive on San Francisco around noon, but it rained pretty heavily for the whole afternoon. We did not see much except finding food in what is probably the largest Chinatown in America.
This is a pic from our hotel room

much better the next morning... San Francisco's famous cable car

and its slope 

 

 

the fisherman's wharf

Ming Ming blending in in a Alcatraz prison souvenir store 

sea lions sunbathing 

taking the cable car

union square

ginger bread houses and castle

 

Castro district

The nativity tableau at Rockefeller Chapel

This is our second time spending Christmas in Chicago, and first time going to the mass at Rockefeller.

Ming Ming and Kiaus (Jessica too) were part of the Angel chorus and had one line to say from the balcony.

 

after saying their line, the angels descended to the stage

 

Antoine was too happy to sing so many Christmas songs!

Ming Ming biting her nails during the whole time (a new habit, blame Antoine the life-long nail biter. of course, she also grinds her teeth, which is from me. Arrrgh.. why does she pick up the worst things from us!)

 

before going to return her costume and claim a present.

Christmas dinner

Just came back from Rockefeller and Santa had already passed! He must knew that we would be leaving early next morning for California and hence would not have time to open presents.
About Santa, Ming Ming's big worry this year was that since we did not have a chimney, Santa may not be able to find our place. And even if he knows how apartments work, since we live on the first floor, would not Santa leave more presents for Lucas and Lily (third floor) or Gabby and Aviel (second floor) while making his way down to ours? And despite Avi's very firm statement that "Santa does not exist, it is your mom or dad," Ming Ming still believes adamantly. After Avi left, she told me, "Avi is just kidding! Santa really exist, for real!"

some family photos first

 

 

 

Christmas dinner... yum...
with Selina as main chef, we had prosciutto ham with melon, smoke salmon with asparagus, margret de canard au sauce de cerise.  

 

 

some dancing in between

and we shared a buche de noel with the Rubyhofers.