Save Me San Francisco!

Last blog post on the trip! Woo hoo!

So we stopped at the Napa Valley Wine Train station on our way out of town. The train ride itself wasn't our thing, but love lock bridge was JUST cheesy enough that we had to do it. We are dorks like that;-)

The story

 Bill did the honors

 Our lock

Threw our key in with the rest!

After, it was Fisherman's Wharf! So much fun! Sea lions, shopping, good times!!

Alcatraz 

Super cute sea lions 

Golden Gate Bridge

That afternoon we headed home (a day early, but it was all good!). Fantastic trip I'm sure we will repeat! (Eventually. Missed the munchkin bunches)

Gratuitous munchkin shot courtesy of her daddy

Grab Some Cheese and Wine a Little...

Blog post on day 2 of the best birthday gift ever starts.....NOW!

And don't worry, I didn't take QUITE as many pictures on day 2;-)

We started the day with a rockin-awesome brunch our hotel gave for free! If you have never had balsamic marinated strawberries, do yourself a favor and make some.

After brunch we took a drink to go and relaxed in the room for a bit. It was cool and rainy and oh so quiet (not at all what life is like at home).

In the room after brunch

Front desk called to announce that our driver had arrived, so we headed back and met Frank. I would like to say that if you are ever in the Napa area, call Beau Wine Tours and request Frank. The Benze he pulled up in is worth requesting also. But back to Frank. He's super knowledgeable and has great taste in wine, thus makes great winery suggestions. He's also an all-around cool guy and made the day a lot of fun. On to the fun...

Our first stop was Peju winery. I can not say enough about this place. Just big enough to have something to see on your tour, beautiful grounds, great wine and the greatest gem in Napa - Chef Emily.

I thought a braid would help my hair survive the weather. It didn't stick:(

Patio. That fountain runs around the tower, so pretty.

So we start with a tour. There was another couple there alone, so they asked if we minded being paired. Well, of course not. Best decision of the morning!The husband is a part time sommelier and asked some excellent questions. And our host has started out at the winery as an intern in the field, so she had actually helped make some of the wines we tasted. Win-win!

After the tour and tasting, we had booked the food experience. This was the BEST part. Peju doesn't have a restaurant, but they have a chef for private events. She set a beautiful place for us at the end of her table and served up a delicious 3 course wine paired lunch. It was Ahhhmazing! And the conversation was great! Our hostess stayed with us to refill our glasses and answer questions, another staff member was there helping for an event that night, too. They were so much fun!

Our table setting and cheese plate.

Prelunch pick

Post lunch pic. I love that you can see the dish storage in this one.

After lunch we pried ourselves away and headed to Gamble. Gamble is a true boutique winery. There is nothing to tour, just a small private tasting. But the wine is out of this world! This was the place we let Frank pick. Great job!

Us the famous Frank. That's Gamble's vineyards behind us:)

After Gamble we headed to Schramsberg for some sparkling wine. They have what seems to be the only had riddler (bottle turner) left in the country and the biggest wine cave EVER. It's also kinda famous. The Blanc de Noir is the official toasting wine of the white house and the Blanc de Blanc has been used at international political events. Our host was great and the sparkling was good, but I did get a little chlostrophobic at the end of the tour.

Leaping frog pond

It was just too cute to not take another shot of it;)

The cave. Kinda half expect to see batman pop out...

Our tasting set up, it was pretty elegant!

In between stops Frank drove us through a few bigger properties and gave us a little history behind each. We really learned a lot, especially about pairings and wine flavors.

After we were dropped back, we ordered room service and took a nap. We had dinner reservation at Cole's Chop House in downtown Napa. It was good, but I must say California does not cook a steak like you find in Texas!

In the car after dinner

Well, that was day 2! Not to bore you too much, I'll end it here for now!

Valentine's Day/My Birthday

We celebrated Valentine's Day a little early. Bill was so excited about having all 3 nieces and Leighton and our moms at our house at once that he surprised all of his Valentines with special gifts.

The girls got these super cute bears that talk when you hug them and a little cash (obviously they were very excited with the cash).

Leighton was actually more impressed with the bear, but the general consensus was that this would be a cute picture

Mom, Vicki and I got these beautiful plaques and a large Yankee candle. I was then surprised with an additional gift, these really great sunglasses I had been eyeing (no picture of those, they weren't in yet). It was a really big surprise because we had already talked about our new phones being our Valentines gifts to each other. He's so sneaky (in a good way!)

Leighton also got this great boutique baby lotion from Maw Maw and Paw Paw (my parents) and I bear holding a picture of her, Lexi and Braylee with her Paw Paw (Bill's dad) from Meme (Bill's mom). We all miss Paw Paw Clyde very much.

This is Leighton on Valentine's Day

The night before Valentine's we had Jacque, Matt and AnnMarie over for my birthday. We ate lasagna from my favorite Italian place and leftover cupcakes from Leighton's party.

My "big" present is a trip to Napa that was supposed to be taking place right now. Poor Bill came home from a business trip with the flu:( We have rescheduled it, so hopefully I will have lots of pictures to post from that. And hopefully it won't take a month for me to do it;)

But I must brag on my husband just a little. He went through a lot of trouble to get me a gift he was sure I would really want so I would have something to open, for Valentine's Day as well as my birthday. He called the people that know me best (Mom and Courtney) and found the sunglasses and shoes I was completely wanting but in no way would ever buy for myself. It is just so sweet when he goes through trouble like that. He works hard everyday to make sure we have everything we want  and need. Generosity is mst definitely the love language he speaks and I am so thankful for him.