Our Family Trip To Cali (Part One)

Last Friday we headed out to California for a week of family-filled fun along the west coast. We hadn't been back since our wedding in 2011 and thought now was a good time to set out for a long journey of seeing friends.

INSANITY

We flew into Oakland arriving around lunchtime. With a jam-packed car we headed north to Sonoma for a little wine tasting. BR Cohn is an amazing winery that Kim & Jerrad suggested when we moved to San Fran. It is owned by the manager for the Doobie Brothers so it has a laid back, car-collecting, music-loving feel that suits us perfectly. We felt like this was the perfect place to kick-off our vacation.

And man did we need a little wine after our travels. Adelaide was perfect from NY to Houston. She was perfect until about half-way through our flight from Houston to Oakland. Then explosive screaming & crying ensued for a bit before she tired herself into a nap. Same thing on the LONG car ride up to the winery. We thought it was maybe the time difference...until she wouldn't eat or drink anything. If you know her, you know that she does NOT skip meals ;)

So upon our arrival to BR Cohn, we settled onto a blanket on the lawn and got to drinking a bottle of crisp chardonnay while snacking on cheese & crackers. Our dear friends the Mahonys came down from Sacramento to spend the evening with us. Autumn, Tim, & Hope joined us to kick-off our Cali tour. After chilling out with wine, we all headed to Kimmie & Jerrad's in Petaluma for a cookout.

Kim & Jerrad bid us farewell when we moved to NY by hosting us in their new house. I loved seeing all of the decor and progress they have made as the house has become their home. It is such a homey, warm place and made us feel at home. We enjoyed yummy burgers, sweet potato fries, and fresh caprese salad from Kim's garden. And more wine of course :)

Our first day was filled with anxiety, exhaustion, and memories. Just the best of life showing its finest skills...