California, Part 4, Wine Country Inn

After our time in Mendocino, we headed inland and south towards Napa Valley.  On the way we stopped at Guy Fieri's restaurant called Johnny Garlic's.  Wow, it was wonderful!  We all shared some appetizers...garlic soup, fries with garlic, caprese salad.  Then the entrees came.  Ryan had a spicy chicken pizza which he enjoyed, and I absolutely loved my pizza called French Pig.  It had pancetta, brie, green apples, leeks and a balsamic glaze on it...oh my my.  Finally we made it!

 We stayed for three nights at the lovely Wine Country Inn.  Such a quaint little inn.  They have 25 rooms and 5 villas.  They serve a homemade breakfast each morning (the granola recipe is in our family cookbook, and it is so good!), and they have a wine and appetizer time with a different winery featured each evening.

 This was the view from our balcony.  We look right over Duckhorn Winery.

 Even though I loved the humongous jacuzzi tub in our bathroom that looked out over the vineyard, this fireplace is my favorite part of the room.  There are no tvs here, so in the evening, it was great to light a fire, read a book and relax.

 We may have enjoyed some wine and cheese on the balcony a few times!

 We explored the Duckhorn vineyard a little bit one day since it was so close by.  I love seeing all the rows of grapes!

 Since we arrived just before the harvest, all the rows of grapes were full, like this.

 Walking around the Inn's grounds was nice too as there were beautiful flowers everywhere.  Here are a few pictures of my favorites.

This is such a lovely place to stay!

California, Part 3 - Mendocino Headlands

One of the things we love about Mendocino is visiting the headlands.  One day we stopped at a little deli and picked up some items to enjoy on a picnic.  Here are a few of the pictures from that gorgeous day.

What a great way to spend the day!

California, Part 2 - Mendocino

After leaving lunch in Tiberon, we started the three hour drive north to Mendocino.  After getting up so early and flying out, this drive is kind of tough.  There are a lot of winding roads through huge forests and along the coast; the end is definitely worth it!  I love this town.  I would gladly spend many, many days here.  I was sold as soon as the innkeepers said temperatures are 45 to 75 year round.  How perfect is that? 

We made it!

I truly can't decide what my favorite thing about Mendocino is...see if you can help me decide.  Is it the adorable Agate Cove Inn where we stay?

 Is it the comfortable seating with fireplace in our room?

 Maybe it's the sunset view from our room's back porch.

 The amazing homemade breakfasts are a definite plus.  This picture is me enjoying hot chocolate with breakfast.  One morning we were given a delicious blueberry and cream cheese bread pudding, southwestern quiche and melon, and the other morning it was a poached pear, potato quiche and fresh peach slices.  Again, homemade and delicious.

 Who am I kidding?  You know laying in a hammock and enjoying this view has to be one of my favorite activities!

 We couldn't get over the view; this is what we looked at from our breakfast table.  We enjoyed wine and cheese outside in the Adirondacks here one afternoon too.

 How can you not love the gardens around the Inn too?  I love the soothing sound of this fountain.

 The garden statues are adorable too.

 The flowers are like nothing I have seen.

 How beautiful is this?

 The wildflowers are pretty awesome too!

 So that's just at the Inn.  How can you not love that place?  Then you head into town.  By the way, it's where the tv show "Murder, She Wrote" was filmed if you're familiar with that.  Isn't it a quaint little place?  We visited lots of cute shops...the bookstore, the jam shop, the holiday store; I love it!

 I loved these flowers outside one of the shops.  Aren't they cool?

 Ryan found this beautiful flower too.

 We enjoyed several good meals too.  One dinner was at Albion River Inn and the other was at 955 Ukiah.  Both very yummy!

 Mom and Dad loved it too.

Such a great place to visit.  I truly can't wait to go back someday!

California, Part 1 - We've Arrived!

Our trip finally arrived!  Back in 2005, Ryan and I travelled with my parents on a California vacation.  Soon after we returned, Ryan and I begin talking about how fun it would be to go back.  So, in June, we surprised Mom and Dad for their birthday; we are treating them to a return trip!  They couldn't believe it!  It thrilled us to see how excited they were, and we have had fun making plans ever since.  Finally, on Saturday, August 25, the four of us headed out West.  We had decided to follow pretty much the same path that we had taken before since Mom and Dad have made this trip several times and have always loved it.  We arrived in San Francisco, headed up to Mendocino for two nights, drove down to Napa for three nights and then ended with three nights in Sausalito.  It was an amazing trip!  

 

We arrived in San Francisco after a nice Delta flight.  Ryan and Dad picked up our rental car, and we headed across the Golden Gate Bridge to Tiberon.  This is a beautiful little town that sits right on the bay.  On a clear day, you have a beautiful view across the bay of San Francisco.  We headed straight to Sam's Anchor Bar.  It doesn't look like much when you arrive; in fact, you walk through a bar to get to their balcony.  It's worth it though because the views you can get are wonderful.  Unfortunately, it was a little overcast when we arrived so our bay view wasn't fantastic, but it was still a nice day to be out.  We all love the cool bay weather!  Here's the view of the marina while we were eating.

 Leave it to California to provide some unique entertainment while you enjoy a meal!  While we were eating, a man strapped on his jet pack backpack and start swirling all around the marina.  It was pretty fun to watch; we haven't seen anything like it before!

 This last picture is purely in because of the giggles it gave Mom and me.  When we left Atlanta, it was hot.  We knew it would be cooler on the bay but everything was packed and we didn't have everything within easy reach.  Ryan, Mom and I threw a little jacket on, but Dad couldn't find his so he put on what he had.  A long-sleeve gray shirt covered up by a short-sleeve red shirt topped with a green sleeveless vest.  It cracked us up, so I had to snap this picture and post it just because it makes me smile!

After lunch, we started the drive up to Mendocino.  We're officially on vacation!

Happy 34th Birthday Ryan!

Happy 34th birthday to my wonderful husband today!  So how did Ryan spend the day?  He started out by having breakfast with his best friend, Brian.  From there he came home to hang out with Mia while I went to work; they played all morning and then enjoyed Steak and Shake for lunch.  After picking Lily up from school a little while later, the three of them went to Chuck E Cheese.  Not the place you would expect an adult to spend a birthday, but he knows how much the girls love it, and few things make him happier than seeing his girls excited and loving life!  I came home after work and we gave Ryan his birthday present: 4 tickets to an upcoming Braves' game.  This is Chipper Jones' last season and Ryan really wanted to see him play one more time.  I was able to get some great seats just up from 3rd base!  After that, we fixed a quick dinner for the girls, and then I headed out with Mia to her soccer practice while he took Lily to hers.  It was after bedtime by the time everyone got home, but I gave the girls showers and dried their hair and let him relax.  The girls have gone to bed, and Ryan has run to Dominos to pick up a pizza for us.  Maybe not the most exciting birthday he has had, but a nice one.  Here's to another great year!

15 Years

Wow.  Ryan and I met each other 15 years ago today.  We have his friend Kyle to thank for the introduction.  See, when I started at Samford, I knew two people.  However, both of them were in sororities, and with Rush going on, they weren't supposed to talk to me.  So, one week into school, I didn't have many people to talk to.  I had checked my mailbox and was on the way to my Pre-Calculus class that morning.  Ryan and Kyle were in that class as well, and Kyle and I had been assigned to work together in a group.  I ran into them on the way there, and Kyle and I started talking (yay, I had someone to talk with!).  He introduced me to Ryan, and the rest, as they say, is history.  We went on our first date later that evening after the Samford / Furman football game.  Never would we have imagined that evening what life would be like 15 years later.  It's better than we ever could have imagined.  As we have said many times, we may not be perfect, but we're perfect together.  God had a plan, and we are so grateful it brought the two of us together! 

Cute Picture

I thought this was a cute pictures of the girls that Ryan snapped with his phone this evening.  After dinner and a visit with Meme, we decided to let Ryan treat the girls to frozen yogurt while I ran into Publix for a few things.  Needless to say, they were pretty happy with that choice!

One Thumbsucker is (Mostly) Done!

Both of my girls are thumb suckers...always have been.  An ultrasound picture showed Lily sucking her thumb.  I couldn't get either of them to take a pacifier; their thumbs have always soothed them.  There are some definite pros to this when they are younger, but now, ugh, it's just frustrating!  We have been trying to figure out what to do to get them to stop.

 

We made a discovery with Mia.  If she wasn't holding Glowie (her Glow Worms, of which she has three), she didn't suck her thumb.  It is only when she holds Glowie.  So, about a month or so ago, a new rule came into play: Glowie must stay in bed.  No more car rides or playing in the playroom...only bedtime.  For a couple of weeks, Mia tried to sneak her out every now and then, but mostly she stuck to the rule.  And you know what?  She hasn't been sucking her thumb.

 

So, a few days ago, Ryan and I upheld our end of the bargain for when the girls stop sucking their thumb.  We took Mia to the Disney Store at Town Center and told her to pick out whatever she wanted.  We figured she couldn't pick anything more expensive than braces!  While she walked around and pointed to everything (seriously, everything) in the store and said "I want that," she gravitated to a few items that we rewarded her with.  First, a little plastic Minnie Mouse camera.  Second, a Captain Hook dress-up outfit (they had just brought out all of their Halloween costumes), Third, a pirate sword and hook.  Fourth, a set of interchangeable hooks for Captain Hook.  Here she is all decked out!

She loves it!  I have to say, she's pretty stinkin' cute too, isn't she?  She has carried that sword around all evening today.  She even took it when we went to visit my grandmother.  She loves pretending to be a pirate!

Now, I realize that she holds her Glowie and sucks her thumb at night, but I'm okay with that.  It's comforting and it helps her sleep.  But during the day, there's no thumb coming near her mouth, and I love it!  Yea Mia!

First Day of School!

Summer came to a close this week as school started back.  We had a great summer, but I think we're all glad to be back into a routine.  About two weeks ago, Lily received a postcard in the mail letting her know that Mrs. Worrell had moved up to Kindergarten and would be her teacher.  Lily could not have been more excited!  Several times during the summer she said she didn't want to go to Kindergarten because she wanted Mrs. Worrell to be her teacher again.  When we gave her the good news, and she got over the disbelief that her dreams had come true, she literally fell over backwards with excitement! 

Last Thursday was "sneak-a-peek" so we all went to the school to see her room, take her supplies, catch up with old friends, meet new families and of course, give Mrs. Worrell a big hug.  I'm not exaggerating when I say Lily stayed by her side the whole time.  She just wanted to be near her.  I made her give Mrs. Worrell a break when it was time for the school picnic, but that wasn't easy.  After the picnic, Lily and Mia chased Mr. Worrell around in a game of tag; at one point, they chased him back into the classroom, and he was locked in the class bathroom!  He was a great sport, and we appreciate the love both Mr. and Mrs. Worrell show to the girls.

All weekend, Lily couldn't wait for school to start.  On Sunday afternoon, she made this card for Mrs. Worrell.

 On the inside she wrote (translated): Dear Mrs. Worrell.  I hope you are excited too.  See you soon."

 She couldn't wait to give her that card and a big red apple (Mrs. Worrell's favorite snack) on Monday morning!

We snapped a few pictures before heading out, and this one is my favorite.  I made a sign that says "First Day of Kindergarten.  When I Grow Up, I Want To Be:" and then I filled in Lily's answer: "A Babysitter."

 Of course, we had to snap a picture with Mrs. Worrell once we arrived!

 Monday was a half-day for the whole school.  Ryan and I picked her up, and we surprised her with a lunch date at her favorite restaurant: Veni Vidi Vici.

 The first week has gone great for Lily.  Tuesday was a half day as well, and then she has been going full-time (until 2:40) since Wednesday.  When I asked her on Wednesday what her favorite part of all-day Kindergarten is, she quickly replied "lunch!"  Last year they only ate snacks since she left at noon, but this year, she loves that I pack her a lunch each day.  I'm glad one of us loves that!

Mia started to school (2 day a week, Parent Morning Out program) on Tuesday.  I will be honest, I was terrified of how it would go.  Mia had a horrific experience at "school" last year; it was so bad, we pulled her out mid-year.  Unfortunately, when you mention "school" to her, she thinks of the bad experiences she had.  She would get upset, ask if the same kids would be there, say she doesn't want to go, etc.  Last Thursday was her "sneak-a-peek" as well.  As we walked in, she started crying and begging Ryan and me not to leave her.  She refused to talk to any of the adults.  I pulled the lead teacher aside at one point to explain what happened and let her know that this is not typical Mia.  I did not have very high hopes for the first few days.

On Tuesday morning though, we saw an answer to prayer.  Mia was excited and happy about going to school.  I made a sign for her like I did for Lily that said "First Day Of 3 Year Old PMO.  When I Grow Up, I Want To Be:" and Mia responded "A Real Superhero."  She also told me "You can call me Captain America then."

 She loves getting to carry her bag!  She is also very excited to see what I pack for lunch each day.  She has requested strawberries each day.

 When I picked her up on Tuesday afternoon, Mia was happy as can be.  She told me how much fun she had coloring, and she enjoyed watching Veggie Tales because it was too rainy for the playground.  She couldn't wait for Thursday to arrive so she could go back! 

I surprised Mia with a trip to a new yogurt shop to celebrate her first day back at school.  Ryan then surprised her later in the afternoon with a Daddy Daughter date to Chuck E Cheese.  Needless to say, Mia was quite happy about both of these treats!

I think this is going to be a great year for both girls!

Mia Melts My Heart

Mia made me melt the other day.  She found a little bunny sticker, and she brought it over to me.  She said "I'm giving this to you because you're the best mommy in the whole world."  I couldn't help but scoop her up for a big hug!