Calistoga Aug 12, 2016

Today was a travel day and a confusing one at that.  Joyce picked us up at 7:30 am to get us to the MAX station.  Everything went pretty smoothly.  It was a Horizon Flight so there was complimentary beer and wine but I was not ready for that at 10 am.  We landed before noon in Santa Rosa.

An outdoor cafe at the Santa Rosa airport.  Kinda cool to watch the planes take off and land.

We went for lunch at mOmO's.  It was quite good.  I had a BLAST sub sandwich and George had a tofu curry bowl

We hung out there waiting for Nathan.  He was supposed to land in San Francisco at 12:30 and then catch the 1:30 shuttle bus that goes to Santa Rosa airport.  But he was delayed so he missed that bus.  So he took the BART to the furthest north stop and we drove down.

Bridge into San Francisco.  We waited at the Richmond stop for him.

Artwork at the Richmond BART station.   Then the 2 hour drive to Calistoga.

We stopped along the way to buy some wine.  Nathan also bought some cheese.  It has been 3 months since he had good cheese.

I could not believe the constant line up of vineyards, one right after the other.

Calistoga hot springs resort.  Steve and Jenifer got there about an hour before we did.  The flew into Sacramento.  It was a long drive.  Debbie, Joe and niece Sharon flew into Santa Rosa and went directly to the Indian restaurant for dinner.  We all met there.  Delicious meal.  

Jennifer in front of Pamposh Indian restaurant. No butter chicken and no south Indian foods like biriyanis (rice dish).

night view of the resort pool.  

George, Nathan and sharon took an evening stroll to check out the town. I guess the only places open at night are the bars and the ice cream shops.

I'm home

Once I got through security in Minneapolis the rest of the trip was a piece of cake.  Everything went smoothly.  George met me at the airport. I got home about 7:30 pm.

Another Travel Day All Day!

I said good-bye to everyone last night thinking that no one would be up this morning.  But Liam and Robbie both joined me for my morning cup of coffee.  By the time Jeanne and I left at 7 am only Erin, Tristan and Wilhelm were still asleep.  Jeanne drove me to the shuttle stop.  (2 hours) We were a little late leaving because our driver was a chatty fellow and he saw someone he knew.  (supposed to be a 3 hour drive) Then there was construction traffic.  Ugh.  The shuttle was supposed to arrive at Minneapolis airport at 12:35 pm which would give me plenty of time to go through security for a 2 pm flight.  But at 12:35 we were still a half hour away from the airport.  Also I did not realize how long it takes in the shuttle to get from Terminal 1 to Terminal 2.  I got to terminal 2 at 1:30 pm. Luckily not only did I not need to check a bag but I had TSA Pre Check and it was a very short line so I got to my gate with 10 whole minutes to spare before boarding.  Pam, I DO NOT like to cut it this close.

scenery along the way in Minnesota.  I thought it was interesting because the way the clouds are it looks like there is a mountain there.  But there is not.

wine bottle chandelier 

This is my 3rd airlines for the vacation.  To Minneapolis on Sun Country, to and from Chicago on Delta and now home on Southwest.

I "stole" a bunch of food from Jeanne so I will not need to buy lunch or dinner. 

 I have 2 hours to kill in Denver so I am enjoying a glass of Pinot Gris and working on my blog. This is the first time ever that my next flight out is at the same gate I came in on so I do not have far to walk.

I will tack on a brief note when I actually make it home.  

Happy July 4th

We had a "relaxed" morning (if that is what you call it), then we went in to town to stake out territory where we would be able to watch the parade.

Such big helpers making pancakes

Ben was flying a kite at the park

Wilhelm and Laura taking a break

kids ready with their bags

mad scramble for candy

full bags

It was a long parade.  

followed by DQ then home.  

Jeanne and I went grocery shopping and the rest went down to the lake.  Then bath time and dinner.  This time the kids ate first and then went down stairs and watched a movie while the adults ate. They came up for birthday cake (3 July birthdays, Robbie, Sean and Laura) and gifts.  

Then the kids all headed off to bed.  I got goodnight & goodbye hugs and kisses from everyone. I might not see them in the morning.  They all are very sweet kids. All in all I think they all did very well together.  It was a pleasure to be with them all.  I am glad that I was included.  They really all make me feel like part of the family.  I may be exhausted but that does not mean that it was not fun. 

Jeanne and I will leave about 7 am.  It will be a long travel day for me but well worth the trip.

A Full House

We all went to church this morning. I went early with Jay and Jeanne because they sing in the choir. Laura and crew arrived later.

cake after church

Just after church we got a text from Ben saying they had arrived at the house.  So we hurried home.  Erin was asleep.  They had driven straight through the night and she did most of the driving so she needed to sleep.  After lunch we just did relaxed games around the house.  Ben and Erin have 2 boys: Sean (5) and Robbie (2).  So 5 boys all under the age of 7.  

Sean 

Ben and Robbie

Then we decided to walk down to the lake.  

lily pads

enjoying the lake

the guys are "helping"

\Sean accidentally fell in so he decided to play in the water

collecting rocks.  

We only had to get 2 leaches off of him.  Ugh.  

look at all those shoes in the mud room.  There are more behind me.

Back in for dinner.  what a good meal of green beans, rice and wall eye pike with a peach sauce. 

Our excitement was a visit by a bear.  It likes the birdseed.

Erin, Jeanne and Wilhelm after dinner.

Beach Day

After breakfast we filled up the morning with games and a walk down to the lake.

Tristan is getting very good at skipping stones, Emmet and Liam are good at throwing stones. 

Then we gathered beach and picnic things and headed off to a close lake that has a beach.  We played with a few games and then had lunch before going into the lake.  Perfect weather for this.  

After playing for a few hours the kids were starting to get cold.  They warmed up under towels and then Emmet, Liam and I went for a walk.  They wore me out  I had a hard time keeping up.  Up and down over hills and rocks. Whew.  

Our reward - black raspberry ice cream

Laura

I took a group photo but some how it did not turn out.  This place, the Red Cabin Custard has a different frozen custard every day.  

Once we were home Jeanne and I took a break with our Smirnoffs.  I must say I am not very good with selfies.

Jay took Emmet and Liam out on the boat and Tristan kept wanting to play with us.  We did get a little break.  

A Kid Friendly Day

No walk this morning because we thought Emmet and Liam at least would be up early so we got up, showered and were ready.  But they all slept in.  They did not get in until 1 am.

Jay makes the best pancakes.  We had fresh blueberries and strawberries.  Yummy.

Liam helping Grandpa cook

playing Uno with Grandma

Then we went in for morning coffee.  The kids spent a long time putting pennies into a fundraiser machine.  They could watch the pennies circle. 

making a penny tornado.  How fast can they stick in the pennies?

 Then we went to the park to play.  Lunch was at the nursing home. They have a picnic once a year for the residents and their families.  So we had lunch with Walt.  They had hamburgers, hot dogs, several side dishes and blueberry pie and ice cream for dessert.

Wilhelm enjoying the sunshine

The kids went home with Laura and Wilhelm and Jeanne, Jay and I ran some errands.  Once we got back we went down to the lake and watch Emmet, Liam and Tristan play near the lake.

No, Liam is not drinking a Smirnoffs, he is making a whistle. 

Then games and such until dinner time.  

Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and carrots.

a couple of deer in the yard.

Bath, stories and bedtime.  3 kids to 5 adults - you would think that would be a good ratio!!  We needed more adults.  Actually Laura'and Wilhelm's kids are very enjoyable.  I am sorry to say that I still can not tell Emmet and Liam apart.  When they are next to each other and I know what they are wearing I am ok but separated or with a different outfit and I am back to square one.