When Jace broke my phone at the end of last year, I lost a lot of my photos, and haven’t been to an Apple Store yet to recover them. But thankfully I found these gems saved in my email! Back in October when Pam was visiting I was given suite tickets to the last Giants game of the season – fan day! The view was amazing and we enjoyed all kinds of perks in the company suite. Part of fan day were games and freebies and first game certificates for the boys. Such a beautiful day and a great game. Jace was full of brotherly hugs and photo bombs too. Such a lover that one. Glad I was able to treat my sister to a little fun in the city. We even got to run the bases after the game!
Browsing Category
Family
Wow! What a blur these holidays were! And so much I don’t want to forget. Thought I’d do a little Christmas recap, in the theme of 12 days or “things” I want to remember, starting with a little project Jace and me did one afternoon over the break. We made elf hats! And Mr. Jace insisted on wearing it for the week straight, even on the strolls to the market, he wore it. Such a cutie that one. We did so many art projects this holiday. Our house was decorated with cotton ball Santa beards, snowflakes and home-made ornaments.
This weekend we boarded the Santa Cruz Holiday Lights Train at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk (put on by Roaring Camp) and although I want to say it was all that, it really wasn’t. I was quite scarred from the experience actually. Of course I was warned as to how ruthless the crowd can get if you’re not there early enough to get a seat, but I was not prepared for what I saw with my own two eyes. What I had hoped would be a magical Christmas-y night, like when we did Polar Express last year, was a stressful, uncoordinated night on all parts. Rob and I didn’t communicate the best and he was getting food, while I needed him to get the car seat and stroller back to the car before the train came. I was in line early, only to be left with two kids and a bag full of corn dogs and ketchup oozing all over the place, and a monster crowd of rude Santa Cruz @$$holes, pushing their way and cutting me in line. There wasn’t much for me to do by myself, holding an 8-month old, hot chocolate, and everything Jace didn’t want to carry, while Rob was loading stuff back in the car. All the friendly people around me at the start immediately became oblivious to my baggage (literally) and turned into cutting, push you back, I don’t care people. I even felt bad for the elf conductors taking tickets who were verbally bashed and talked down to.
Well, we are jumping right into the holiday season around here. Starting with getting our Christmas tree from none other than our favorite Christmas Tree Farm – Crest Ranch! We wore our layers because when the wind blew, the chill would freeze you to your core! But gosh, what a beautiful day to cut down a Christmas tree and drink hot chocolate. Carting around 2 kids this time around was pretty tricky. Also, random site note, why do I even try to wear the Ergo? Walker just can’t be restrained. He’s a beast that can’t be reckoned with and rather sit in the dirt and touch each speck or twig (or chew on Jace’s trash) >D Anyway, we quickly eyed a tree that was full enough to fill up a corner of our house and after some strong sawing (on Rob’s end) we cut threw a wicked knot and had our tree! It’s a smelly one, too. Jace was more involved with his hot chocolate than finding a tree, but managed to help Rob with some of the action at the end. He’d been looking forward to getting a Christmas tree all week, so of course it was all worth it. Hope you all are getting excited for the holidays and getting your trees decked out. Our living room is very much a-glow right now and so wonderfully fragrant. This time of year is truly the most magical, with so much to celebrate. More Christmas fun to come (if I can ever get around to documenting it!)
This photo here was right before Jace threw Rob’s coffee on the ground, with no regret and with a smile on his face. Funny how toddlers just do those kinds of things, right? oh-well. We’ve learned to just say “whatever” and move on to the next thing. No use crying over spilled coffee. And Mr. Jace wanted to wear Walker’s little hat and swiftly stole it from him. Go figure. Reminds me of when he wore it as a baby way back. Now my 2nd born is wearing all his hand-me-downs, and it’s so sweet. I just love re-purposing the little sweaters and booties and hats. Brings all kinds of great memories back. Plus, Walker is just delicious right now. I mean, come on! Look at that little drooly face and snotty nose! Ha.
And instead of Rob riding the Christmas tree this year, I decided to make him put it over his head. I’m so thankful he’s game for my crazy photo ideas ;) Also, I totally look 7 months preggo in this pic. Not sure what it is this time, but I’m eating even more food than usual while pregnant. Haha. Oh-well. Growing a human an’t easy!
While my sister was here visiting in late September I took her to the Folktale Winery in Carmel Valley for yoga and wine tasting. I’ve been following Folktale ever since I moved back to the area, and have been dying to go. And boy did I need a good yoga session! My body has been so out of whack. It was an hour and half of yoga, stretching and meditating, in probably one of the most beautiful settings. The sun warmed our faces, there was a crisp, cool breeze. The birds were chirping, the sky a gorgeous blue with the clouds floating by slowly. And quiet. So quiet! Such a beautiful sound silence is. Our bodies were a little sore after but it was so worth it. We felt very relaxed. As part of the $20 class, you can go into the tasting room after and get a glass of wine. The little patio was absolutely darling, with lots of yard games, including foozeball! Very family friendly, which I wasn’t expecting. The tasting room was enchanting, and the labels just as enchanting. Pam got the Chardonnay, and it was so delicious she had to buy a bottle. All that yoga also made us starving so we ordered a caesar salad and cheese plate. The chef’s station was right on the patio where you could watch his team make all the plates fresh to order. We were drooling over everything that came off that counter! Overall, this place didn’t disappoint. We loved it and now I have a great place to take friends and family when they come. And I definitely need more yoga in my life! It’s so good for the soul (and obviously your body). A nice morning with my sister all to myself. Couldn’t have asked for a better morning with one of my favorite people.