Girl's Trip: Northern California 2011

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.

Boston 2011

Last Friday, Grandma Andrea (Corey's mom), Corey, Kya, and I headed east to see the newest baby Hager - Connor Francis.

We flew out in the wee hours of Friday morning and after two layovers and three flights, we arrived in Boston Friday afternoon. Kya was a super traveler and we even got a few compliments (yippee!).


Connor is adorable and such an alert one-month old. I'm so excited that Kya already has a cousin. It will be very fun to see these two grow up so close in age - only 18 months apart.


Kya was very nervous about the baby. She was jealous when I held him and really not sure what she thought about some little creature that makes noises – she would run away crying whenever he fussed.


However, she did enjoy giving Connor many light kisses on the cheek.

. . .


On Saturday morning, all the ladies (and Connor) went to Penzey's Spices. Andrea has been a loyal Penzeys catalog customer for many years and it was great fun to visit the store with her for the first time. We all went away with a few jars of spices to add to our pantries.


While we were buying spices, the men were tailgating at Harvard. Corey thought the tailgate food of Italian calzones were a nice upgrade from bratwurst and burgers.


This year Harvard is celebrating 375 years.


Built in 1903, the stadium is the oldest in the nation. More stadium info here (it's actually quite interesting).


In case you are wondering, Harvard won.

. . .

Sunday was baptism day.

We went to morning Mass and relaxed at Jesse and Megan's house for the rest of the day until the afternoon baptism. Jesse and Megan made a delicious Irish brunch with beans and bangers (Irish sausage) and eggs. As you can see, Kya enjoyed all the grandma time.


We arrived at the church a bit early, so Corey and I walked around the grounds with Kya.


I would have a better photo if her sitting here but she sat for literally a split second before running off to the next adventure.


And then she found the wall.


If this isn't the most adorable little gal, I don't know who is.


On another adventure.


She is a little nature explorer - even in urban Massachusetts.
This just might be my most favorite photo ever.

And then it was time for the baptism. As expected, Kya thought she had better things to do, so as she and I paced in the back of the church, Corey snapped away with my camera.

We are so glad we were able to make the trip out to be there for this special day.


Jesse (Corey's brother), Megan, and Connor



After the baptism we gathered for an early dinner at an Italian restaurant in the neighborhood. It was a special urban treat to be able to walk to church and to the restaurant from their house in Medford, MA.


Kya discovered a love for french bread. She is perfectly capable of chewing it but she savored the bread by sucking on. It kept her busy for quite a while, so we let her be.

. . .

On Monday morning, Corey, Kya and I headed into Boston via the T (subway rail system) to explore the city.




In the Boston Common (central park in Boston)

Kya's first carousel ride. In Boston Common.

The famous "Make Way for Ducklings" ducks. I bought the book on our last trip to Boston in 2008 (for Jesse and Megan's wedding).

Kya got to enjoy another extended bread chewing/sucking ... this time with a soft pretzel from Quincy Market.

City views from the docks on the Charles River.

Later that afternoon, we challenged ourselves to a climb up the Bunker Hill Monument. We climbed all 294 steps to the very top. Corey and Jesse get extra credit for carrying Kya up.

View of Boston from the top.

. . .

On Tuesday we had to head home but not before some last minute snuggles with baby Connor.

Proud Uncle Corey.