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...

Food, glorious food

Food and rolling over, there is no stopping this girl. 

On September 15, 2011 Isabella had her first taste of food- oatmeal cereal.  While she initially pushed her tongue out of her mouth with each spoonful, you could see that she was enjoying it.  For months she has been watching us eat looking over at the food longingly.  Now, it is her turn.  She had oatmeal cereal for a few weeks and has now begun yams.  Next up are squash and carrots.  Adding in the veggies have peeked her interest even more- she ensured every last drop gets into her mouth.

Just as with Sophia, we are making all our own baby food  because have you tasted the store bought stuff- yuck! We are also following the same introduction list that we created for Sophia.  It worked perfectly the first time, so why change it? 

Now onto the rolling.  Isabella can roll over and turn herself around.  She is pushing up on her tummy too- I think she is a quick learner.  

Isabella continues to be the happiest, sweetest little baby.  She is constantly smiling, hardly ever cries & adores her sister’s affection, even when it is a little on the rough side. 

Read more...

Food, glorious food

Food and rolling over, there is no stopping this girl. 

On September 15, 2011 Isabella had her first taste of food- oatmeal cereal.  While she initially pushed her tongue out of her mouth with each spoonful, you could see that she was enjoying it.  For months she has been watching us eat looking over at the food longingly.  Now, it is her turn.  She had oatmeal cereal for a few weeks and has now begun yams.  Next up are squash and carrots.  Adding in the veggies have peeked her interest even more- she ensured every last drop gets into her mouth.

Just as with Sophia, we are making all our own baby food  because have you tasted the store bought stuff- yuck! We are also following the same introduction list that we created for Sophia.  It worked perfectly the first time, so why change it? 

Now onto the rolling.  Isabella can roll over and turn herself around.  She is pushing up on her tummy too- I think she is a quick learner.  

Isabella continues to be the happiest, sweetest little baby.  She is constantly smiling, hardly ever cries & adores her sister’s affection, even when it is a little on the rough side. 

Read more...

Kid/Baby Moon

Cyrus and I have never been away from Sophia simultaneously over night; this is most because we don’t have family in town and it is hard to get away.

So, we took an opportunity for a rendezvous on Friday night and went to Calistoga. One of my favorite places to go is Indian Springs because of the gorgeous surroundings and the geyser fed pool. We left mid afternoon, stopped at Domaine Chandon in Yountville for Cyrus to taste and me to get some new Champagne stoppers for when I can indulge in my favorite cocktail again, and then headed to Dean and Deluca for a few cheeses, nuts and a baguette. After checking in we had a little bed picnic and headed to the pool. We floated around for a while, looking at the stars and chatting and then went back to the room to get ready for dinner. Being that we were tired we opted for a local wine bar for dinner, which unfortunately was a little disappointing. This disappointment was short lived though as we indulged in a 12-hour slumber and awoke feeling amazing.


We spent the morning again in the pool and then got ready and went to walk around St. Helena. No trip to the Napa Valley is complete for me without a stop in Woodhouse chocolates, which we procured for our friends and family.

After St. Helena we stopped at Grgich Hills to taste some wines. The wine maker was kind enough to let us taste whatever we wanted, so Cyrus indulged in some 2005, 2006 and 2007 varieties. We ended up with a few amazing bottles, some with great meaning to our lives. We bought Sophia a 2008 Zinfandel for her 21st birthday and a 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon for our 10-year anniversary.

After tasting wine we headed to Bouchon in Yountville for the best lunch of our lives. We started with endive and radicchio with apple and Rochefort and then I had leg of lamb and Cyrus had the Osso Bucco. They were perfectly cooked and seasoned- we will definitely be returning. Being that we had a party starting at 4 in our honor in the bay area, we opted for 2 Bouchons and lattes to go for dessert.

We drove back and arrived at the party right on time; Sophia was thrilled to see us and we had a wonderful time catching up with everyone, including the new babies.

Throw in the Sunday morning farmer’s market and French brunch in Campbell and this was the perfect weekend. I think we got a lot out of our short trip- a chance to reconnect as a couple and not just parents. I am already looking forward to our next couple weekend, even if it will be many months or possibly years away.

Read more...

Kid/Baby Moon

Cyrus and I have never been away from Sophia simultaneously over night; this is most because we don’t have family in town and it is hard to get away.

So, we took an opportunity for a rendezvous on Friday night and went to Calistoga. One of my favorite places to go is Indian Springs because of the gorgeous surroundings and the geyser fed pool. We left mid afternoon, stopped at Domaine Chandon in Yountville for Cyrus to taste and me to get some new Champagne stoppers for when I can indulge in my favorite cocktail again, and then headed to Dean and Deluca for a few cheeses, nuts and a baguette. After checking in we had a little bed picnic and headed to the pool. We floated around for a while, looking at the stars and chatting and then went back to the room to get ready for dinner. Being that we were tired we opted for a local wine bar for dinner, which unfortunately was a little disappointing. This disappointment was short lived though as we indulged in a 12-hour slumber and awoke feeling amazing.


We spent the morning again in the pool and then got ready and went to walk around St. Helena. No trip to the Napa Valley is complete for me without a stop in Woodhouse chocolates, which we procured for our friends and family.

After St. Helena we stopped at Grgich Hills to taste some wines. The wine maker was kind enough to let us taste whatever we wanted, so Cyrus indulged in some 2005, 2006 and 2007 varieties. We ended up with a few amazing bottles, some with great meaning to our lives. We bought Sophia a 2008 Zinfandel for her 21st birthday and a 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon for our 10-year anniversary.

After tasting wine we headed to Bouchon in Yountville for the best lunch of our lives. We started with endive and radicchio with apple and Rochefort and then I had leg of lamb and Cyrus had the Osso Bucco. They were perfectly cooked and seasoned- we will definitely be returning. Being that we had a party starting at 4 in our honor in the bay area, we opted for 2 Bouchons and lattes to go for dessert.

We drove back and arrived at the party right on time; Sophia was thrilled to see us and we had a wonderful time catching up with everyone, including the new babies.

Throw in the Sunday morning farmer’s market and French brunch in Campbell and this was the perfect weekend. I think we got a lot out of our short trip- a chance to reconnect as a couple and not just parents. I am already looking forward to our next couple weekend, even if it will be many months or possibly years away.

Read more...