California - part two

My dad, the kids and I headed off to Sonoma to visit my grandma for three days. We always have such a wonderful time there!

Let me just stop right now and tell you about my hotel. The hotel the kids and I stay at is SO cute - Sonoma Creek Inn. We have stayed there the last three years, and it is great! If you are ever visiting Sonoma, this is a wonderful place to stay. It is central the the Valley and wineries, it's clean and comfortable, everything is new, AND it's very affordable - especially for Sonoma. Check out this room:TOO cute! They had an air mattress that the kids fought over who got to sleep on it each night. Very family friendly place... They all have private patios with lovely little fountains that my kids couldn't keep their paws out of...

Enough about my hotel!

Dad and I dropped the kids off with my mom for the day, and he and I spend some time perusing the vast Napa Valley and all the loveliness it holds - wine! My two favorites were V. Sattui (California Winery of the Year - 2006) and Rutherford Ranch (little family owned winery - great Merlot).

We spent some time at the Mumm Winery taking in the museum collection of some 27 original Ansel Adams prints. Absolutely incredible. There was also some crazy Mustard Festival Photo contest pictures up, but we really loved the Ansel Adams.

After some wine tastings, decided to get some dessert. So it was on to Dean and Deluca Fine Market to get a yummy raspberry cinnamon roll and some kind of walnut/oatmeal/chocolate/wholesome goodness treat! It was delicious!

This was outside Dean and Deluca's - isn't it beautiful?!

After a wonderful day, Dad headed back to Vacaville, so we said our goodbyes!

The next day, we celebrated Madisyn's ACTUAL birthday - finally. She had a record three birthday parties this year - lucky girl!

She wanted to be a princess for the day - who doesn't!

She chose to go to the beach for her birthday. It was a windy, cool day, but still beautiful!

Point Reyes was so much fun. Maddie and I ran around on the beach for a long time, finally succumbing to the wind...

We topped off the evening with dinner at Mary's Pizza Shack! Maddie put away an entire plate of spaghetti AND managed a piece of cake! She picked out the decorations herself! When we asked Maddie what her favorite part of her birthday was, she said she dinner with Uncle Gary and Aunt Gayla (my aunt and uncle)! She really took to them. I am just sorry I don't have a picture!

Taylor was just looking really cute this particular morning. Such a little man.

The trip ended with a wonderful three day visit with my Grandma Mary. We discovered that Maddie looks just like my grandma did at age 5. We found a picture of her and compared it to Maddie - SO crazy how much alike they are...

Four Generations...

Our trip was wonderful, and now it is back to reality. Next year can't come soon enough!

California - part one

The kids and I have just returned from a week long vacation to visit my dad, brother, and grandma in California. It was a wonderful week, a lot of good food, some great wine (thanks Dad), a couple birthday celebrations, and a great day at the beach!

The first part of the trip was to Vacaville, CA where my dad lives. My brother, Bryan, and his girlfriend, Michelle came up from college in Monterrey to stay for the weekend.

Maddie spent a lot of the time at Grandpa's cuddling on his lap!

Taylor was happy to be hanging out with Uncle Bryan and Michelle

One our second day in California, we took a trip with my dad to the famous Pier 39 in San Francisco. We took the ferry from Vallejo to Pier 1 in downtown SF, then walked the half hour to get to Pier 39. We went on a perfect day - sunny, not too hot, a little breezy, and not a lot of people. It was great because the kids practically ran the entire way to Pier 39. We went and had REAL SF Sourdough Bread Bowls with Chowder! It was SO yummy. Then walked down the Pier to the infamous Carousel at the end. The kids love the ride!
We topped off our day with Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream and took a cat nap on the ferry ride back! Perfect day!

The next day was a bit cold, sort of like Washington weather, so we spent time inside.

Maddie was happy because she got to enjoy a cup of hot cocoa!

Taylor was happy because he got a hair cut! Actually, he was NOT happy at ALL! She screams as though the hair clippers were slicing him into pieces - it was SO embarrassing - and ridiculous. Any suggestions on how to get a three year old to be okay with hair cuts, PLEASE let me know!

When the sun was out, Maddie and Taylor could be found in Grandpa Eric's "pool" (aka: hot tub). They really enjoyed swimming!

Grandma Donna's house was fun, too, because she really likes to cuddle, and her "kissing machine" gets a good work out!

We capped off our time in Vacaville with a wonderful birthday celebration for Madisyn. We we to the Nugget Market (SO incredible - like a glorified Whole Foods) and bought four different desserts to part take in in place of birthday cake. SO much better!

The delectable assortment of treats from Maddie's birthday celebration courtesy of the Nugget Market - (Top, clockwise) Tropical Cupcake, Cheesecake with chocolate ganache and red raspberries (MINE!), Chocolate Brownie, and Pink Champagne cake, all accompanied by Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream.

Maddie chose the most beautifully decorated cupcake I'd ever seen. She also got a cute little puppy (stuffed) from Grandpa. Love at first sight!

Our time with my dad was wonderful. I always look forward to getting in a good visit. Looking forward to next year, Dad!

Now - on to Wine Country!

Check our the rest of our pictures clicking on the "Our Family Photos" link to the right OR click here

Easter Blessings

Easter came quick this year. As always, we are blessed to belong to our Lord and to know that He is Risen. I praise Him for everything we have, everything we are.

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the LOVE OF GOD that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39

As we reflect on how wonderful our Lord is, we also take the time to enjoy the blessings He's given us. Our kids are the best blessing! It is amazing how much joy they can bring you. They were so excited to go to the Easter Egg Hunt this year. I loved watching the enthusiasm they both had when they saw all the easter eggs.

We coached both of them to run out to the swing set since most kids would probably stop along the way. Maddie made a killing, but Taylor got out to the swing set and didn't know what to do. She got a basket full, he got three!














They also have a grandma Nani who spoils them rotten. She got them easter baskets the Easter Bunny can't even match!



Easter Blessings to your family from ours! May our risen Lord bring you peace, joy and love!

It's a Bowling Birthday

Maddie and Taylor decided to share a birthday party this year!

They were so excited to go BOWLING! Maddie has been planning it for about 6 months - no kidding! She asked around Halloween if she could have a bowling birthday party. So - here we go...

Maddie had a wonderful time - she got really excited every time her ball even came close to a pin. While the bowling was the highlight of the party, she really liked the socializing. She is a bit of a social butterfly. :-)

Taylor was glued to Lane #2 for the entire party. He would roll the ball (with the help of his cousins, Caleb and Emily), stand there patiently while is slowly rolled down the lane and get REALLY excited when it knocked down the pins. Then, he would go right to the ball return, practically stick his head down the hole to see where the ball was. As soon as it was returned, he'd grab it and start all over. No kidding - I don't think he stopped for over an hour! No one else got a turn either!

Cousins Emily and Caleb were Taylor's coaches the whole party! Thanks, you two.

Five and Three are going to be fun ages... stay tuned!