Thursday, July 21, 2011

Our trip to California, Part 1

After a 3-year absence (has it REALLY been that long??!!) - we booked a trip to California for a visit. :)

We left on June 30, and flew Virgin America to SFO.

Todd and the kids looking out to spot our plane.
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The flight was really cool. Each seat has its own television monitor, and you can also order food and drinks from a touch screen menu!
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The kids enjoyed watching Nickelodeon and Disney channels, and had a fun snack box.

I got to have a cheese and fruit platter and a glass of wine!! :D
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The kids did great on the flight. Once on the ground, we picked up our rental car and headed north to the house where Don and Carol are living while doing a long-term housesitting gig.

I was super happy when I saw "my" bridge. :D
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Before we headed to the house, we had to stop for dinner - Amici's pizza, of course! YUM!
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We settled in at the house and then hit the hay until morning.

On the 1st, we headed up still more north to spend some time in my hometown of Healdsburg, CA with my dad and step-mom.

There, I learned that my dad can catch lizards with a long piece of grass tied with a slipknot!! The kids thought this was the greatest, and enjoyed having "pet" lizards for a little while. :D
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They have beautiful blue bellies!
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The yard.
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My sweet girl. ;)
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Looking for another lizard, so they wouldn't have to share.
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Soon, we were hungry. Todd and I wanted to try the Jimtown Store, which had been featured on Food Network.
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It was delicious!

Then we headed back to downtown Healdsburg to do some walking around and have some gelato at Powell's Sweet Shoppe, where they have more candy than you can imagine!!
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They have some really weird stuff!
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And an amazing case full of truffles!!!
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After that, we visited a local art shop where Candy has some of her artwork displayed and for sale!!
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Isn't that so neat?!
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Then, the kids needed a place to run around a bit, so we headed out of downtown and to a park.
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Here is the field where my high school plays football, and also where my HS graduation was held. :)
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The park is right next to it.
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Spinnnnnnnninnnnnnggggggg!
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It was pretty hot, so we headed home after a bit.

My dad wanted to make pasta with the kids, so they got to it.
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Enjoying the final result.
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Then they needed some dessert, so we gave them some It's-It ice cream sandwiches. Soooooo yum!! Todd and I both love them. We figured if they each had their own, neither would finish, and we could have the rest. We were right, ha!!!
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We enjoyed some evening hour time on the deck in the back yard for a while.
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Grandpa and Luken played some croquet. :)
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Then it was time for beddy-bye, and that ended the first full day of our trip! :)