10 year anniversary trip - Day 1

We just returned from our first (but not last) trip to Napa Valley. We went with a group of 6 other friends (and met up with 2 more while we were there).

A quick pic of the kids as I dropped them off on Thursday night.

Followed by coming home and working, finishing up packing, then sleeping until 4 a.m.

Friday's itinerary:

7:00 AM – Sarah & Derek depart DFW - Virgin Airlines - is there any other way?!
9:00 AM – Arrive at SFO and go to Parc 55 Hotel to drop luggage. Hang at Union Square and see half our group on the street.
10:45 AM – Meet at Parc 55 to take trolley to Fisherman’s Wharf.
11:30 AM – Lunch at Scoma’s. Drool....
1:00 PM – Cat/Josh and Jill/Steven take Alcatraz Tour.
Sarah/Derek and Lolly/Lane visit local bars.
*Pick up booze for limo ride
5:00 PM – Meet at Parc 55 for bus to Napa
6:30 PM – Check in to The Meritage.
7:30 PM – Black Tie Taxi picks us up at The Meritage.
9:00 PM – Dinner at Bottega Get a bucket for the drool.

Ok - that's the short version... now with pics.

Union Square -->
Then on to catch a cable car to Fisherman's Wharf. A bum mis-guided us. He suggested going up the line some to avoid the ticket line. But every car was full at that point.

So after 3 missed cars, we walked back up and hopped on.

Our driver "Hang on tourists! Lean in, tourists." Or to people at stops along the way "Hey tourists, the next car is empty. [quietly to our car] No - it's not, but you gotta give them hope."

Quick walk to Scoma's (damn good seafood - Dungeness Crab makes me want to slap somebody). We shared the Dungeness crab cakes and lobster ravioli. Is that a lobster tail on the plate?! Indeed!
Then half of our group of 8 went to Alcatraz. The other 4 of us just wanted to take in the city and intentionally had no plan. And our afternoon magically filled up with a 30 min walk around town to meet a college friend of Lane's, Mike. Derek used one of SF's public bathroom's on the way. They automatically clean themselves!!! But it takes 55 seconds in between each person and Derek just.couldn't.wait. So he used it with the door open. About 30 minutes later, I got a pic from my dad of Grant doing almost the same thing. Like father like son!
We tried to get into a cigar bar, but they didn't open until 4 p.m. So we went around the corner to a wine bar at the suggestion of a local on the street. At 3 p.m. we tried the cigar bar again, and Mike persuaded them to let us in. They even turned others down, saying "No. They have a private reservation." YEAH MIKE!! Mike gets even more points for driving us back to the hotel to meet our ride to Napa.
In the van on the way to Napa, Jill brought Cards Against Humanity to entertain us (and wine). It was definitely entertaining (and I won!!)
We checked into the hotel, freshened up and headed to Bottega. If Scoma's makes you want to slap someone, Bottega may lead to assault... or worse. BEST MEAL OF THE TRIP!!!
I had the Ribolita Tuscan vegetable and bread minestrone, white beans, cavolo nero, olive oil, bruschetta, Parmiggiano Reggiano.

Derek had the mushroom appetizer special. It was AWESOME! I don't have the full description so insert some fancy cooking words into the description, then add some more and wipe your drool. Others in our group had the Green Eggs and Ham or Polenta under glass (GOOOOD)!
For our second course, we shared the Red Wheat Tagliarini Bolognese veal, pork and porcini mushroom sugo, rosemary, parmigiano reggiano. Others in our group had Ricotta Gnocchi della Nonna ricotta "pillows" with old hen salsa di pomodoro and pecorino - it was also awesome!
For our third course, we shared the Wood Grilled Lamb Chops braised kumquat dressing, pistachio pesto, and cauliflower fregola Sarda. Nom, nom, nom!!! But we declared the Smoked & Braised Short Ribs polenta-speck polpette, espresso agro dolce glaze, smokey jus to be the winner of the night.

We had molten chocolate dessert. I don't have the full description, but it came out hot and wrapped in the oh-so-thin specialty cooking paper, then tableside they unwrapped it and poured a delicious white sauce on top, then sprinkled with shaved pistachios. My iPhone photos don't do it justice, but I've GOT to try!!
We headed back to the hotel and CRASHED HARD!!! Derek and I had been up for 22 hours.

Weekend wrap-up - Mothers Day and a Graduation

We had a low-key Friday night at the casa with Karl. "Low key" involved a few cocktails and one of us "falling asleep" on top of the covers fully clothed. (cough, Derek, cough).

Saturday morning we ran some errands. We had to run several and wanted to knock out as much as possible. So we found ourselves at the mall with 2 kids under 3 and NO STROLLER! We were exhausted when we got home. The bright side is that we got 3 pairs of shoes for the kids for $45 TOTAL! Grant's hideous awesome Lightening McQueen shoes were only $10 at the Stride Rite Outlet after our 20% off coupon. He LOVES them!

After naps we went to Andrew & Tori's baby shower. With the kids. Again - it was exhausting. But Shauna did recommend our kids, basically saying to the parents-to-be "When it's time to baby-proof, just have Grant and Abby come over and you'll see really quick what you need to do." Ha! Abby wore a pillowcase dress that my aunt Sandy made from my great-grandmother's (Big Mama) handiwork. Precious!!
In the car though the kids were amazingly good and giggly. I looked back to see what was so funny. Grant said "I hold Abby's hand."
Today was Mother's Day and my brother's graduation. He definitely didn't take the easy route - detouring to step into the family business when needed, then falling in love, getting married, and starting a family. I'm quite proud of him!
Steve's fan club:

After walking:

Post-ceremony pics:



After the ceremony, we celebrated at La Margarita. And my Mothers Day gift? A nap when we got home. YEAH!

Playing Outside

Derek got out the hose today and sprayed the kids. They loved it!

They were sad when it stopped.

So it just kept going....

More fun photos:

Trip to Red Oak

Derek kidnapped the kids and took them to Red Oak.

Grant rode the tractor, then took Abby for a ride on the Gator. He has to drive slow when Abby's in the Gator. Our last visit, he was NOT interested in driving her around - he didn't want to drive slow. But apparently he was a caring, sharing brother on this visit!

After the stop at the farm, the crew headed over to meet their other Papa, play at a park, and grab some pizza for dinner.

Weekend wrap-up

Saturday we tried out a different park and got milkshakes (Sonic has a TON of new flavors!).

In the evening, the day care had Parent's Night Out. We went out to Southlake's Art on the Square with Jill. Within 3 minutes, we saw some family! The weather was perfect, so we ended the night by dining on a patio.
Sunday, I got an itch to try Klyde Warren Park. We hadn't been yet. So I texted my friends at 8 am and by 11, Mike, Laura, my crew, Jill, Erin and (at Grant's request) Oliver were all enjoying brunch in the park.

I liked the park, but honestly, we have WAY better parks in the 'burbs. Especially for the kiddos.

After naps, we initiate pool season! Derek and I only put our feet in (I went to my knees but that was it). But Grant and Abby sat on the step and played. It was pretty chilly, but at least it was almost 90 degrees!

And a few shots of us playing before dinner.