Thursday, April 23, 2009

Happy 60th Birthday Papa Steve!!

Last time we were in Napa Valley was in November of 2007. I had planned the whole trip and found out shortly before we left that I was pregnant with Trey, as a result there was no drinking wine for me. This year my Dad turned the big 6-0 and to celebrate he wanted to head back to Napa Valley. So this time with Trey in tow (out of the belly instead of in the belly) we headed to California and I am happy to say that I tasted plenty of wine.

Trey did really well on the flights out to California but by the time we got to the house that we were renting in Napa, he was tired of being confined. We put him down on the floor and apparently he was determined to get moving and crawled for the first time. It was awesome to see him go and he was so proud of himself. A big moment for the little man!!


Frog Hollow House - the house we rented - it had a huge redwood in the front yard.

DAY 1


We started the day at Opus One where we go to taste wine that we will never buy at $200.00 a bottle. It was good but not the best we had that weekend.



The wine barrels at Opus One


Trey crawling around on the grass at Opus One - he loved being able to get around and check it all out. I am in love with his plaid pants - orange and blue of course.

After Opus One we headed to Silver Oak's new winery in Napa (the old one burned down). We all love the wine here and the servers were extremely friendly and generous with the wine allowing us to taste several varieties.

The wine snobs at Silver Oak.

It was the end of Mustard season in Napa so you could still the mustard seed flowers all over the valley - the yellow flowers everywhere made for beautiful scenery while we were driving around and awesome pictures.

We ended the day at Vine Cliff where Jimmy and Dad went on a private tour while Mom and I stayed in the car with a sleeping Trey. The grounds at this winery were gorgeous!

DAY 2


We started our second day with a tour at Beringer. Here is the Beringer mansion which has been turned into a tasting room and gift shop.


The family next to some of the old wine barrels at Beringer.



That afternoon we went to Duckhorn and Plumpjack.
Here is Trey at Plumpjack with his wine.


Our last winery of the day was ZD Vineyards - the view from this winery overlooking the Valley was gorgeous.

Right across the street from the house that we rented was an awesome park so we took Treybow over for his first ride in a swing. As you can see he had a great time.


Trey also got his first ride down a slide with Mom - he was not sure what to think about it but Mom had a good time.

Day 3

We started our third day out at Whitehall and then moved on to one of Jimmy and Dad's favorites, Franciscan.

A picture of the fountain at Franciscan.


A picnic lunch at Folie a Deux - it was a gorgeous day and the picnic grounds were perfect.


Trey enjoying playing with his water bottle among the flowers that were in full bloom all over the Valley.


We ended our day at Mumm Napa with a champagne tasting outside.
It was the perfect ending to our time in Napa.


Jimmy and I at Mumm.


Trey loved riding with Nana on the scooter.


Day 4

On our last day in California we spent the morning walking around downtown Napa and then headed back towards San Francisco. We made a stop at Muir Woods on the way back since the last time we tried to go it was pouring down rain and we were walking around in ponchos.


The last time Jimmy and I got our picture taken in front of this redwood Trey was in my belly. Here we are with our little man - how much things have changed in a little over a year.


The whole family at Muir Woods.

A view of the Golden Gate bridge from one of the lookouts.

Trey after a long day of hiking in Muir Woods.

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