One evening, a couple months ago, my mom called to ask if Kya and I wanted to accompany she and my sister for a quick girl's weekend in northern California. The plan was simple: have fun and spend a few days visiting old friends and celebrating Caitlyn's upcoming marriage.
Well, upon arriving in California, I realized that I had not been back 'home' for over three years. I also realized that I was basically an Amish woman visiting the big city. Wow do things move quickly in California. Good ol comfortable North Dakota seemed like another planet.
I wondered how on earth I ever learned to drive in traffic like that. I wondered how my dad managed a long commute for so many years. I wondered how these west coast city folks deal with a snow-less Christmas. I wondered if I ever really appreciated the beauty that is Sonoma wine county. I wondered why I willingly traveled with a toddler again (not really - she is actually a great traveler - it's just a tricky way to travel). I wondered a lot in those three short days.
* I just noticed that although I have a lot of photos, we don't have a single one of my mom or the four of us. Darnit. I guess that means we must take another girl trip soon?
. . .
Kya was another travel pro on our flights to California. She played, slept and giggled without a fuss. I even got a few compliments. Awesome.
Upon arriving at the San Jose Airport, mom, Caitlyn and I headed into San Jose to visit Caitlyn's former workplace and have lunch. Before any of that, we had to install the car seat. On this trip, we opted to rent a car seat from the car rental company. The car seat was far from the super heavy-duty, comfortable, padded safety seat we use at home. At home, Kya is still rear-facing. As you can see, this car seat didn't install correctly in the rear position. We got lots of laughs out of Kya's serious/nervous expression here. I did finally get the seat installed but settled on using the front-facing position.
After a delicious Mediterranean lunch we ventured east to Brentwood to visit a great high school friend.
How is it possible that between us, Jessica and I have FOUR of the most adorable kids on earth?
Apparently it can be difficult to get FOUR kids to pay attention and smile ... all at the same time. Hilarious.
Jessica's kids.
I just wish they lived closer so we could have weekly play dates.
To prove how far back we go, this is Jessica (second from left) and I (goofy blue hat) in 1997 at a high school cross county meet.
After our play date at Jessica's, we drove north to Santa Rosa. On our way north we grabbed a quick dinner at In-N-Out in Rohnert Park.
On Saturday morning, we headed to Bella Winery in Healdsburg, for a surprise birthday party for Krichelle, my mom's friend.
We arrive a bit early and Kya had lots of fun exploring the grounds.
'Grape Crushing Only'
In a tree.
Me, Kya and Aunt Caitlyn in front of the Bella wine cave tasting room.
I spotted this beautiful (and accessible) vineyard along the road so we stopped to explore and take photos.
Kya meets grapes.
We had lunch at the most delicious Taco Truck.
We ordered and ate. And then I ordered more and ate again. Delicisous. I was trying to decide what to order Kya (she was napping in the car) so the lady taking orders suggested a quesadilla with freshly made corn tortillas. I said that sounded great. It was wonderfully tasty. She also included avocado on the side. All for $1. I love taco trucks.
My first helping of three tacos.
For anyone that wound want to try it, it is parked at the corner of Healdsburg Ave and Alexander Valley Road.
Kya met lots of new friends too. I can't believe we didn't take more photos! arg. [hand to forehead] dumb dumb dumb.
MaryJo - My high school boyfriend's mom. A dear friend that taught me how to quilt. We had a little tea party at her house on Saturday morning.
Laura - My best friend. Forever. For real. We met our freshman year of high school. We decoratively painted any door frame or windowsill we were given permission to tamper with. When we were done with those, we painted tissue boxes and bowling pins. We painted everything. Laura is without a doubt my most creative and artistic friend. I do not see her enough. At all. She drove over to our hotel in San Jose on Sunday evening for a visit. It was a good evening, even if we didn't paint.
Krichelle - My mom's friend and also a great family friend. Krichelle babysat for Caitlyn and I when we were young. When my parents moved in 2001, by chance they moved very close to Krichelle and her husband Scott's house. My mom and she have been the best of friends ever since.
Krichelle's niece Isla (eye-la). Kya and Isla were too darn cute together. They were so nervous and so curious.
Krichelle and Isla.
Saturday evening we went to dinner in downtown Santa Rosa. Lots of fun hanging out with Caitlyn's friends but pretty unlucky for me that I didn't run into any of my old classmates.
On Sunday we drove back down to San Jose for our Monday departure.
The hotel bathroom didn't have a tub so Kya got a sink bath. She is getting too big for that!
Relaxing at the hotel.
Ready to fly again! (she was picking out her Christmas gifts)
. . .
All in all this was a fantastic trip ... way too short ... but fantastic.
