Meemaw/Mimi Visits

Being that Cyrus and I are both transplants to the area we live in, we have very little family around.  The family we do have around is a 2 hour drive away, so we have created our own family of friends that we see and do things with regularly.  On occasion though we find ourselves longing for a family visit.  Last week Sophia had preschool winter break, so it was the perfect time for Meemaw to come out and visit.  And boy did she visit.

In addition to many little presents, new books, stuffed animals and other gifts she showered the girls with, she really spent quality time with them.  She crafted and bathed them, played games and even babysat them for 2 days while we had a parent's time out in Napa.  It was a wonderful week with lots of adventures- Half Moon Bay on Monday to fly kites and eat lunch, play dates with friends, a visit to the Children's Discovery Museum, Disney on Ice, and Sophia's first lemonade stand.  Here are a few pictures of our adventures.

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Meemaw/Mimi Visits

Being that Cyrus and I are both transplants to the area we live in, we have very little family around.  The family we do have around is a 2 hour drive away, so we have created our own family of friends that we see and do things with regularly.  On occasion though we find ourselves longing for a family visit.  Last week Sophia had preschool winter break, so it was the perfect time for Meemaw to come out and visit.  And boy did she visit.

In addition to many little presents, new books, stuffed animals and other gifts she showered the girls with, she really spent quality time with them.  She crafted and bathed them, played games and even babysat them for 2 days while we had a parent's time out in Napa.  It was a wonderful week with lots of adventures- Half Moon Bay on Monday to fly kites and eat lunch, play dates with friends, a visit to the Children's Discovery Museum, Disney on Ice, and Sophia's first lemonade stand.  Here are a few pictures of our adventures.

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Drum Roll Please----We Bought a New House!

For about 6 months Cyrus and I have been looking for a house.  As he puts it “Issy took my office”.  We needed more space- an office to work from home, a guest room for our many visitors & if possible some adult space, not littered with toys.  We looked and looked, but couldn’t find just what we wanted.  We talked about building or moving out of our current area, but decided we liked where we were. Then a house came onto the market and I knew before we saw it that it was the right one.  The neighborhood, location, size, gourmet kitchen were perfect- everything we wanted plus a pool.  So, we jumped and landed a few miles away from our old house.  We are so happy to be settling into our new house- we think it is just the right place to raise our family.

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Drum Roll Please----We Bought a New House!

For about 6 months Cyrus and I have been looking for a house.  As he puts it “Issy took my office”.  We needed more space- an office to work from home, a guest room for our many visitors & if possible some adult space, not littered with toys.  We looked and looked, but couldn’t find just what we wanted.  We talked about building or moving out of our current area, but decided we liked where we were. Then a house came onto the market and I knew before we saw it that it was the right one.  The neighborhood, location, size, gourmet kitchen were perfect- everything we wanted plus a pool.  So, we jumped and landed a few miles away from our old house.  We are so happy to be settling into our new house- we think it is just the right place to raise our family.

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Trip to the Shore

It happened to coincide that the week that we moved was also the week that Cyrus’s mom and stepdad were coming to visit.  Prior to going into escrow we had planned a trip to Tahoe, but after going into escrow we scrapped that and decided to stay more local.  They visited for 7 days and requested that they help get us on our feet that week- that they did.  They watched the kids, unpacked boxes, climbed through the attic to move wires, painted the girls fort, etc.  They were amazing.  But, knowing that this week was going to be exhausting and what grandparents really want to do is enjoy their grandchildren, we planned a 3 day trip to Monterey and surrounding areas. 

We left on Tuesday and made the short trip to Moss Landing, where we had rented a beautiful townhouse on the beach.  We explored the area a little- the 1 road town and got some lunch.  Then we went for a long walk on the beach to find shells and play in the frigid water. That evening Bennett, Cyrus and I found a local fish place with live music.

On Wednesday we got up early and went to breakfast at a local place known for great everything.  The fresh artichoke omelet was delicious.  After breakfast we headed to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where we spent most of the day.  The kids, especially Sophia, were in heaven.  She is still talking about the trip and the fun new jellyfish exhibit.  After a stop at the gift shop for plastic sea animals we headed down the street to Ghirardelli for an ice cream the size of our heads.  


Needing a slight rest & a nap for Isabella, we piled into the car and went for a drive- a 17 mile drive to be exact.  I am sorry to say I have not done this drive before- it was gorgeous.  At the end we stopped in Carmel for an early dinner before heading back to the house exhausted.  Thursday we packed up and headed home, but not without a pile of artichokes to enjoy! 

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Trip to the Shore

It happened to coincide that the week that we moved was also the week that Cyrus’s mom and stepdad were coming to visit.  Prior to going into escrow we had planned a trip to Tahoe, but after going into escrow we scrapped that and decided to stay more local.  They visited for 7 days and requested that they help get us on our feet that week- that they did.  They watched the kids, unpacked boxes, climbed through the attic to move wires, painted the girls fort, etc.  They were amazing.  But, knowing that this week was going to be exhausting and what grandparents really want to do is enjoy their grandchildren, we planned a 3 day trip to Monterey and surrounding areas. 

We left on Tuesday and made the short trip to Moss Landing, where we had rented a beautiful townhouse on the beach.  We explored the area a little- the 1 road town and got some lunch.  Then we went for a long walk on the beach to find shells and play in the frigid water. That evening Bennett, Cyrus and I found a local fish place with live music.

On Wednesday we got up early and went to breakfast at a local place known for great everything.  The fresh artichoke omelet was delicious.  After breakfast we headed to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, where we spent most of the day.  The kids, especially Sophia, were in heaven.  She is still talking about the trip and the fun new jellyfish exhibit.  After a stop at the gift shop for plastic sea animals we headed down the street to Ghirardelli for an ice cream the size of our heads.  


Needing a slight rest & a nap for Isabella, we piled into the car and went for a drive- a 17 mile drive to be exact.  I am sorry to say I have not done this drive before- it was gorgeous.  At the end we stopped in Carmel for an early dinner before heading back to the house exhausted.  Thursday we packed up and headed home, but not without a pile of artichokes to enjoy! 

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Cutting down our Christmas Tree

It was our 2^nd annual trek to the mountains to cut down our Christmas tree.  It was cold, but gorgeous day.  We headed out and managed to cut down the perfect tree, tie it to the roof and get it home in one piece.  Then we spent the next day decorating it. Now I can say it is definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas. 

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Cutting down our Christmas Tree

It was our 2^nd annual trek to the mountains to cut down our Christmas tree.  It was cold, but gorgeous day.  We headed out and managed to cut down the perfect tree, tie it to the roof and get it home in one piece.  Then we spent the next day decorating it. Now I can say it is definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas. 

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Apple Picking

I have always wanted to go apple picking; this fall we did just that.  We went to Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville and picked Gala apples.

Sophia had fun running around....

and Isabella tried her first apple!

Then we took the picnic lunch we brought and ate at the picnic tables.  We finished off the perfect day with a slice of apple pie and fresh pressed apple juice.  Once home we made applesauce and contemplated what to do with the other apples- we are thinking maybe apple pie.

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Apple Picking

I have always wanted to go apple picking; this fall we did just that.  We went to Gizdich Ranch in Watsonville and picked Gala apples.

Sophia had fun running around....

and Isabella tried her first apple!

Then we took the picnic lunch we brought and ate at the picnic tables.  We finished off the perfect day with a slice of apple pie and fresh pressed apple juice.  Once home we made applesauce and contemplated what to do with the other apples- we are thinking maybe apple pie.

Read more...