California Trip

At the end of August, I was lucky enough to travel with my mom to California for a long weekend to visit my sister and see one of my best friends from high school get married. We were gone from a Wednesday to a Sunday, which is the longest I have been away from my kids to date. Super-Dad did a great job holding down the fort in my absence!

Siri and Raum picked us up at the airport Wednesday evening, and I was able to sit in the backseat with Raum for the 45 minute drive from San Francisco to their house in Petaluma. It was during this drive that I remembered just how much I adore my nephew, and also how much he talks. He's so smart and SO chatty! It was a joy to be with him without the "distraction" of my kiddos for a few days.

Thursday we explored nearby Santa Rosa for awhile before heading to two winerys. We were able to meet up with Liz and the wedding party/guests at the second winery. Liz is one of my dearest friends, and although we haven't lived near each other since high school, each time I see her it's like no time has passed at all. I was so excited to be able to celebrate her in person over her wedding weekend!

Grandma and Raum in Santa Rosa

Winery in Santa Rosa

Gundlach Bundschu, winery in Sonoma

Friday we stopped by the small town of Sebastopol to shop around and see where my sister used to live. Then we went to Armstrong Redwoods State Natural Reserve to walk through the giant redwoods, and later, drove to the ocean to walk along the beach. It was really neat to see the vast landscape that this area of California has to offer. From grape orchards to forest to ocean to city, it was all beautiful.

The largest tree in the park.

 Siri, Raum, and Grandma

Raum loves the ocean, and was the only one brave enough to get wet. Brrr!

On Saturday we headed into San Francisco and spent the first part of the day as tourists. We were lucky tourists to have my sister as our guide. She's been living in the area for the last several years, and was able to take us all over! We drove across the Golden Gate Bridge and through a few neighborhoods before stopping at Lombard Street, the famously crooked street. From there we had lunch in North Beach, and then headed over to Haight Ashbury to Jammin' on Haight, the tye dye store my sister has been involved in starting over the last few years. We walked around each area a bit and were able to sightsee more of the city while driving.

By mid-afternoon it was time to check into our hotel so my mom and I could get ready for the wedding, which was held at the Presidio. The Presidio is a former military base, current park on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula. The wedding was held outside with an absolute gorgeous view of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco Bay. It really felt like something out of a movie. After a very genuine and moving ceremony, the party started. Liz and Meredith put so much thought and detail into their wedding, and everything was perfect. After drinks, dinner, fun speeches, and yummy treats, the dancing began and lasted well into the night! It was an amazing wedding!

My mom and I at the site of the ceremony.

Liz, Jenna, and I - it's been 19 years since we all met in high school band!

Having fun wtih Jenna and her husband, Justin.

Sunday we spent some more time exploring San Francisco before we needed to be at the airport. We parked in Union Square and took a cable car to Fisherman's Wharf, exploring all the sites along the way.  

Cable car! 

With my sweet, sweet nephew, Raumers.

We packed a lot into four days, made many memories, and had a lot of fun! A huge thank you to my sister for hosting us and serving as our personal guide for the weekend! Bye, California!