Wine Country makes toddlers of all ages

Russian River Pinot's. Yes. They are super great. Mom and Dad, Jake and Joanne and Nate and Matt and Brock, also super great. So it made sense that we would one day capitalize on Jake and Joanne's strategic Californian location and get up in that fertile valley and taste some of its fruitful bounty!

Disclaimer: this blog entry is mostly a total rip-off of its counterpost "Little Man Nate" blog entry from Joanne. THANK YOU!  As ever, we totally brought our own personal photographer with us, Everyone Else, so thank you for that as well.

Outside J&J's house, Brock heads straight for the roses.

 

Bright in the morning we set out on our journey with a first stop at the Bay Area Discovery Museum, a fabulous mostly outdoor fun zone. Although a very foggy morn, you get proof of where we are.

Brock hits the hanging noodles with vigor.

Hoop dreams. As in dreaming that I could still make that hoop work.

 

Dad pointing out the obvious.

   

 

 

We all decided that we wanted a "water bed" for our personal Barbie dream home.

 

  

 

 

Have I mentioned that Brock is in love with bells? BEHOLD.

 

Grandma dream shot! How did we get them to smile together on a bench? hmmmm.... I smell gummy bears. Yes, we are shameless.

  

 

Somewhere between San Fran and our airbnb we visited the Petaluma Seed Bank and stocked up on some rare varietals, just in time for April planting. I think we got eight different tomatoes. We gonna need some mo' plastic tubs!

The next morning we made our way to Quivara Winery where Jake's membership got us quite jubilant. Added bonus of beautiful gardens, chickens and pigs!

 

 

 

 

Murray got a special all access pass on this trip. Normally Murray doesn't leave the house, but between car naps and buddy system while we indulged in a rather adult vacation, he was a welcomed friend. That and Sarah and Duck (his video viewing pleasure of that moment). Yes, we are shameless.

 As mentioned, Brock took his naps between vineyards. He was quite a trooper on our adult trip. I think this nap was between Quivera and Bear Republic Brewing? Bear Republic had an amazing selection of sour beers, Matt and I's dejour beer taste preference, stuff we could never get in Chicago. 

After that, without any pictures for proof, we made it to Matrix winery. Also delicious!! Two wineries and a brewery is about all we can take on so many levels. Yes, we are shameless (YWAS).

Our bnb was a quick drive to Armstrong Redwoods. An oasis of the fabled flora nestled in the heart of wine country. We had a very rainy trip, but we were very glad that we did the soggy but striking stroll.

 

 

 

A historical timeline with the rings of the redwood as reference.

 

Brock found this awesome tree hole and after a quick inspection, gave him the ok to explore.

But wait? who goes there? Turns out redwoods are pretty big. Plenty of room for daddy in there.

 

 

and mommy.

 

internal log shot. YWAS?

 Thanks to a long nap from Nate and a very kind Joanne, Brock got a real nap at the house while mom and dad, Jake, Matt and I went out to lunch at Boon. Best. Brussel sprouts. Ever. Near best Mac and Cheese as well. Then we were off to Pride Vineyard way up top Pride Mountain. Such a shame with the fog, the view would have been fabulous!

 

 

 

 

      Pride was no stranger to tag-a-longs, as seen by their hidden crate of toddler and baby goodies.

 

  

 

 I smell a Christmas card in the making.

 

After Pride, we easily convinced mom and dad to put the young-ens to bed so the four of us could have a wonderful indulgent night out at Valette. Gorgery galore. ywas. I'm over that joke though so no more.

How is it Monday already? Off to Iron Horse to get some bubbles! Brock hits his regular first stop at any new Californian location - the flowers.

  

 

The Thomas blood line! 

My little conosuir in training!  As Gramma and Granpa Omaha might recall, Brock is also a fan of sparkly bubbles.

From there we headed back to San Fran with a final stop at Matt and I's much anticipated, Russian River Brewery. More consumption. A case of beer. A nap for all non drivers. I'm not doing the fated acronym again, remember?

Back at Casa J&J in time to fire up the kiddos again at the local playground. We finally got great weather so we made the most of it!

  

Joanne capped her post with a slight innuendo that Sonoma might be next? YES (W.A.S). All and more expectations met, alcohol budget blown for the next couple of years, cousins on civil terms, amazing fun had. Check check check.