California Dreamin'

So, last weekend, Brad and I and the kids got on a plane and traveled to Oakland. Now, you'd think we would be crazy to get on a plane with three kids...well...after this trip - I think we agree. They're all crawlers, walkers, movers and shakers and can't seem to sit still - much less hang out in one seat on a plane. The 'plus' was that we were going to a place with NO SNOW ON THE GROUND! Novel idea to us Coloradans.

We flew into Oakland, rented a car, and drove to my mom's house in Marysville (she would tell all of you that it is a little known fact that Marysville was the first city in California) and checked into a hotel.

The next day we drove to the "gold country" in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Nevada City, to be exact. On our way there, we made a quick stop to see Bridgeport, which has the longest (and possibly the oldest) single-span covered bridge. I felt like I was Laura - ready to run down the grassy hill - in Little House on the Prarie. My mom had painted the sign at the entry of the bridge and relayed a funny story of how one woman was looking at the sign (a mock-up of the tolls back in the day) and asked where she should pay to cross the bridge. Anyway, the kids loved it - especially Jack - as they were sick of planes, trains and automobiles. Nevada City was very cool and feels like you are transported back to the Old West. We shopped a bit, ate a $4 truffle, sampled some wine from a local winery (and bought a bottle) and had some good Mexican food.

My grandmother came to visit that afternoon. She is 87 and still VERY spry. She is doing awesome. She attributes her nimble abilities to the 100 push-ups she does every morning! Yikes! She is my hero...The picture below is 4 generations of women in my family.




That evening we all went to a Chinese buffet. I would have to say that it was less appetizing than most of the buffets we had in China (I can't believe I'm saying that)...but it was still good. However, my little brother and step-dad apparently had the "teriyaki poisoned chicken." They didn't feel too good after the fact.


The next morning - my mom, Brad and I and the kids left for Santa Rosa. The Diocese of Santa Rosa's youth director, Stan, gave us directions to go through Napa and Sonoma. Loved it! I discussed fleeting ideas with Brad about the fact that we were going to retire here...that is, until my mom picked up a real estate flyer and we figured we could probably afford a shack in someone's back yard (ah, life in ministry). But what a beautiful drive! Once we arrived in the Sonoma Town Square for lunch, we quickly realized that we have a knack for taking our kids to places that most people don't! Las Vegas - no fun with kids. Wine country - really, no fun with kids. Wait...I should rephrase that. Not to mention, not too many kid-friendly restarants. We did, however, find one that beckoned us in with another double-wide stroller in the entry way. After a good lunch, in which Ava discovered the wonders of the "french fry" and Caedmon cracked us up with his "lemon face," we traveled on to Santa Rosa.

Do I like it?

Yes, I do!!

When life gives you lemons....eat them! Wanna bite?

The next day was crazy. We were up early in the morning, ate breakfast, got the kids ready, and traveled to the church for the leadership. We were pretty much on (either Brad & Gene or I) from 12pm until Mass was over at 11:00pm. Brad had left early with the kids before Mass, so I could sing...When I finally rolled in at 11:30, Caedmon was screaming...and I mean, SCREAMING! He did so until about 12:15am...and then fitfully drifted off to sleep. He woke up 2 more times until we all had to wake up at 4:15am. I think I had maybe 3 hours of sleep before it was time to leave for the airport. Fun!