Bay area turkey

Man, Brock is so lucky that both sets of aunts and uncles live in the coolest places. Seattle and San Fran. This round we headed to Cali to feast with the Thomas/Penko crew to reunite the cousins (after almost a year! oi oi oi). We arrived on Thanksgiving after swearing off Wednesday before turkey travel, and were rewarded. I was quite nervous as our United "Economy Plus" tickets had a caveat that families would not sit together and nothing was to be done about it. Apparently the "Plus" is in regards to headaches; seat assignments are given at random from left over middle seats during online check in. I stalked my time teller and checked in the minute it turned 24hours ahead. Either my timing paid off or, despite the threat, they do try to put children under 5 with a parent because we scored two seats together.

 Upon arrival, citrus was harvested in the beautiful 64 degree weather in preparation for the feast. 

 Reunited with an old friend (I think I am referring to the ball popper, although Brock was happy to see Nate as well), the boys came together in their toddlerly way.

 Nate was an awesome share-er, showing much more temperance to Brock than Brock did to Nate at his age ("No baby Nate! No!").

 Oh lawd the food. What an amazing meal. Slow clap for Ms. Penko.

 

The next day, Nate and Brock reenact the Thanksgiving meal prep.

 

and the pumpkin is served.


At some point the girls snuck off to get amazing coffee at Philz, some cash, and do a tiny bit of window shopping. The area had adorable shadow paintings on the side walk. Here mom and Joanne's shadows try to get in on the action.

 After a relaxing morning and the caffeination field trip, we hit the road for Sonoma to be with the grapes and the trees. Along the way, we stopped at Lagunitas, one of Matt and I's favorite breweries in Chicago that is also here. Their original location was in California, but with growth, and some historical ties we learned of on the tour, and our EXEMPLARY water (thank you lake Michigan)  they moved to Chicago.

 

 Anyhow, this was just a fabulous tour, I think the best brewery tour I've been on, and absolutely scrumptious brews. And... a fabulous hill to roll down for the chitlins!

 They must be talking about Chicago, I have that wistful look in my eye. Or maybe my sample cup just went empty. 

 A modern marvel!

The mornings were quite foggy, pensive, if you will. I am am recalling this from San Diego, but surly it can't be the same weather reasoning.


This is the view from our fabulous hotel-house (that we were SO lucky that Jake and Joanne nabbed, apparently housing over Thanksgiving in wine country is a hot ticket. We are thinking maybe the fires helped? Bittersweet.)

That morning we head to the farmers market to get some glorious smoked salmon (which did we eat? I can't remember...) and meet with some friends of Jake and Joanne for lunch who live in the area.

 Matt got Brock some honey sticks and a chain reaction of honey stick purchasing and consuming ensued.

From there, we met up at Bear Republic for lunch and then, out of the phone booth came...

The AMAZING PICKLE MAN!!!

Nate gets a sample of his aunts hot air. 

Joanne generously volunteers for boy nap duty (and really everyone nap duty) as the "extroverts" (and Jake) check out a local winery. This one was called Gracianna. Quite good, we schmooze with the vinter's father, Trinny, who it turns out worked at a radio station in Alaska for over a decade. We think he was lying to us about visiting the Duck Pond, and honestly, I think we lied to him about listening to KWAL, but a good time was had by all.

Where is this? As always, I steal my sister in laws' (plural, yes indeed, thank you ladies) glorious shots and I'm not sure where this was taken. Regardless, it gives you an idea of how beautiful the area was. So very fall, a season that we were denied this year in Chicago.

The wolf family welcomes the night and pays tribute to its lunar appointment.



OMG!! Look at this adorableness!! True cousin love!


 Wait a minute. It seems true cousin love is centered around Paw Patrol.

 

 Ok. This is more than fog. It is rainy this morning.

But we were not to be kept away from the glorious redwoods of Anderson Woods!

We visited here our last trip, but we didn't have awesome puddles to splash in, and Nate didn't get to come last time! Both were a treat.

During all this beauty and cuteness I am on my phone with United Airlines, using the the visitor center's very faint signal to attempt to check-in at exactly 24hours ahead. Grumble *##$@#%%%. No worries, it worked!

On the way home we stop at our favorite brewery, Russian River. Best sours ever. Too bad the wait was like 2 hours. So we got a six pack and went to the less known but quite pleasant brewery down the way. 

 On the way back to J&J&N's, the extrovert car (as we were dubbed) took a spur of the moment detour to downtown San Fran for Donuts and Almanac Brewery (more delicious sours).

 Back at home, we feed the boys before we sneak off to our FANCY dinner! Featured is our guest, Fortune Head (did we not name him?), whose antics at Thanksgiving meal and otherwise entranced and delighted all parties. And then there was the fancy dinner. G&G Donut were kind enough to snuggle the boys to bed while we lifted our pinkies amongst the Silicon Valley elite. 

Family photo taken before heading out to fancy meal. The gang is all here (including Steve the demon-possessed gnome in the background). As usual, we had a smashing time and are truly thankful to have a great time with our family every time. Thanks hosts and thank you Bay area for your amazing bounty!!