Napa - part 2

First afternoon we walked around
the downtown Napa area,
close to our hotel - Avia
Look at the size of those hydrangeas!

They looked like hats....
I swear I had not had that much
wine yet - promise.

We had dinner at Tyler Florence's
restaurant Rotisserie and Wine.
Wine bottle chandelier on the patio.

The decor was simple, clean, casual,
and a bit rustic.
Loved the miss-matched silver,
water glasses made from wine bottles
and the monogrammed plates.

Look who's checking all the dishes as they
go out... Yep, Tyler Florence himself.
We were really
surprised to see him there, but
to chicken to say hello
or get our picture with him.

view of the patio

There he is again...

Enjoying a glass of wine at the bar,
I know... shocking!

Sisters in Napa - part 1

Ahhh.... the beautiful Napa Valley.

We were in Heaven! The weather was

spectacular - 75 with a cool breeze.

We could not have asked for better.
(p.s. It's 116 in Mesa today - yuck!)

These pictures are all a bit random,
too much wine perhaps...


Champagne and decadent snacks at

Domaine Carneros - mmmmm!

So refreshing....!

Kim looks relaxed - who wouldn't be?

Cheese plate - mmmm.

We ate ALOT of cheese - but who

could resist?

We even tried some

truffle Caviar - good, but...

(still not sure that we like the stuff....)

View from patio at Cuvaison.
I did not realize it at the time,
but the place is all solar powered.

We took a tour at the

Cakebread Winery.

Kim looks at home in the barrel room.

Just love the smell in these rooms!
Wish I could bottle it!
More wine and food to come.
~

Dad

Happy Birthday Dad!
picture taken on Aug., 16 1958,
at a castle in Germany.
He would have been 76 today.

Happy Friday

Happy Friday!
It's been a long, hot, week.
Glad the weekend is finally here.
Leaving for sister trip to S.F.
and Napa on Sunday - can't wait!!
Great wine from Trader Joe's
Great price too - $6.99.

~

First day of school

Backpacks are ready - check.
Pencil box is filled with new crayons
and colored pencils - check.
Lunch is made - check.
Water bottle filled - check.
We are ready for school!

Logan looks a little worried, but
really he is excited - I swear.
Chloe looks adorable as always,
and she is excited - really.
*Note to self - must change that wall
color - it looks like poop.

The school grounds are all nice and green
and freshly mowed. To bad it's sooo hot,
perhaps kids would like to run and play
on them - 106 today - yuck!

And so another school year begins....

Birthday stuff

We surprised Chloe with the guitar
that she wanted for her birthday.

She wanted her nose pierced too...
but we did not give her that - ugh!

Later, we had some family over to
celebrate with ice cream sundaes.
Yum!