BBQ @ the Parson's Place

Since my summer Chemistry course began this past Monday, I've had to bow out of a couple band practices.  So last night (Thursday, since classes are just Mon-Thurs), Myk invited our family over for a BBQ at the Parson's Place.  Will, his wife and 4 kids, as well as Nikhil, were all there for hamburgers, salmon, hot dogs, grilled veggies, homemade potato salad and everything else you can think of.  Myk insisted that after food was served and cleaned, him, Will and I (and Nikhil, of course) needed to enjoy a beer on his back porch in the fading sunshine and play through some of the new songs.  A sneaky way to get me to a practice, but a fun and appreciated one.

Taryn, the kids and I walked over, since it was a beautiful evening and the Parson's live just a block over and a couple blocks down.  They had their new 4' pool out for all the kids to swim in.  Myk had built a play fort for Darby that all 6 of the older kids smooshed into at one point.  Addy wasn't even the youngest kiddo there, since Teagan (Myk & Catrina's daughter) is just 3 months old.  Will & Rebecca have a baby daughter barely 2 months older than Teagan.  Needless to say it was raucous.  And very entertaining.  

Since Darby has almost every toy ever made, and is very generous with them, it was inevitable that Eli would find his way to the Avengers stuff.  The kid is obsessed.  Although, I know it didn't help when I went ahead and bought him the Marvel Diamond Select action figures of the Hulk, Ironman, Thor and Captain America (and Spiderman, just because he was one of my favorites).  Captain America has been Eli's favorite for a few weeks now, and Darby just happened to have Captain America's shield and helmet.  Eli was so excited!  He asked to have them put on, then spent the rest of the night using his shield to block Darby's lightsaber and Liam's long sword.

Too cute, Buddy.

Disaster Zone

This is what happens when you just stand back and let Addy 'do her thing.'  

This only took her 5 minutes!!

... and Taryn wonders why I'm constantly picking up.

The strangest part is that almost all of this stuff is her brother's.  And within that junk pile is Eli's entire drawer of socks and undies, painstakingly emptied 2 pieces at a time and transferred to our bed.

Don't ask me why.

Mom's 60th Celebration Day

For Mom's 60th birthday, Taryn & I thought it would be fun to check out some of the vineyards and wineries here in the Central Valley.  None of us had been to many (or any) of them, and between Lodi, Al Campo, Lockeford, Murphys, and many other of the small towns along highways 12 and 88, there was plenty to see.

We started the day at a winery named Burghold.  It has 20 some acres, but only 15% of the grapes grown on the property are kept and harvested for their reserve wines.  And each wine is crafted by hand, from the picking to the pressing to the fermenting and bottling.  

The place was beautiful.  They were setting up for a wedding later that afternoon, with chairs in the back (facing a huge fountain) and tables for the reception in the front (in a clearing amidst the grapes and another large fountain).  The vineyard itself is over 30 years old, but the winery has only been making wines for the past 5.

We tried 8 wines at this place (2 whites and 6 reds) and left with a bottle each.  They were all delicious (except the Late Harvest Viognier - which tasted like a butterscotch Port - blech!).

We weren't able to secure babysitters, so Addy & Eli came with us for the day.  We were a little apprehensive about bringing them into the winery environment, but we needed not fear - the kids were angels.  Even in a place like this, where every item and piece of furniture is exactly what a small child would love to touch or climb on, and inevitably break.  They were very mindful to hold on to our hands and stay close.  They were incredibly patient, quiet, and adorable as they put on the charm for all of the older folks who wanted to say hi.  

To keep things interesting for them (and to allow Taryn, Mom & me to enjoy some tastings), Grandpa took the kids for walks through the vineyards.  It was pretty funny watching him stooped over holding onto each kids' hand, with Eli trying to point things out and ask questions as Addy trudged forward, pulling both boys behind her.  

The second winery we tried was called Acquiesce.  It specializes in whites, with it's labels, bottles and other extras manufactured in France.  They had a large century-old barn that they converted into their tasting room.  This place was perfect for Mom, since she prefers whites over reds.  They offered a Viognier, a Grenache Blanc, a Roussanne, a Belle Blanc, and a Grenache Rose - Mom was in heaven.  They also offered food pairings with each wine tasting.  We had aged Irish white cheddar and a jam made from Violets.  It wasn't something any of us would have picked out in a market, but it was surprisingly great.

Because we were the only folks there at the time, the proprietor took us on a short tour of the grounds just for the fun of it.  She showed us pictures of the old barn before the renovations; we saw their vineyard and the division between the mass grown and reserve grown grapes (and learned quite a bit about how watered and water-deficit growing can affect flavors and quality - Educational!); she showed us their fermenting tanks with the fancy new tech for ensuring temperature control.  It was a fun stop.  We left with 2 bottles from this place too.

On their right-hand wall in the table area they had a large chalkboard hanging where guests were encouraged to write down the one thing they wanted to do before they died.  I guess every time it's filled, they take a picture and wipe it clean for the next guests.  They have a large display of some of the better pictures that they've taken over the years.

Taryn, Mom & I added ours to the list. 

 Mom's is 3rd to last.

Mine is 2nd to last.

Taryn's is the final entry.

Because the kids were so great, we ended the day with a trip to Baskin Robins for ice cream (Ice Cream!).  Eli had been once before, but was probably too small to remember it.  Addy had never been to an ice cream place.  We let them each choose their own flavor (Addy chose American Birthday Cake; Eli chose Chocolate) and put a scoop in a bowl.  Both of them made a huge mess, but Eli took the prize.  The picture below was snapped after we had already taken extensive action to clean him up so that we could allow him back into the car.  

Luckily, going home and dumping the kids directly into the bath and clean pjs was perfect, since Taryn & I (and Mom!) were so exhausted.  Our tastings started at about 11:30 that morning, and we didn't make it home until close to 5.

But the best part is - there are so many more places to try!

Fort Bacon 2.0

After running around the backyard in the heat yesterday afternoon, the kids & I decided that we needed a good spot somewhere in the house to cool off in the shade and rest.  So we set about building one.  

By the time Taryn came home the entire front corner of our living room had been transformed.  Behold Fort Bacon!  We put our pj's on early and spent the night playing.

And did I mention that it was a double?!

Pixie Woods

Pixie Woods is a place Taryn & I had visited on numerous occasions growing up, but hadn't been to since high school - almost 15 years ago.  It's also a place that Nonni was at on its Opening Day.  Which is ironic, as we just so happened to visit the park on its 58th anniversary.  

It's right on the edge of town and offers everything from play structures to fantasy villages to rides to animals.  Each section of the park has a different theme.  Here we are arriving at the Wood, entering through the Pixie Castle.

There were turtles (Turtles! ... still one of Eli's favorites) laying on logs in the water, baking in the sun.   And there were multiple ducks (Ducks!) too.

There used to be 3 real pigs that lived in the 3 Little Pigs' houses.  But although the houses are now empty, Addy and Eli both loved the exhibit.  The story is still one of their favorites.  At home we have a version of the book with my recorded voice that plays the story.  

(Daddy has a great Big Bad voice)  

 

Both kids were very cautious of the Big Bad Wolf (guess my acting is just that good).

We must have played on every slide, structure and obstacle the park had to offer.  Eli especially enjoyed the giant dragon and the western outpost; Addy preferred the gnome village and braved the super slide in the tall crooked house (with Daddy, of course, and I still have quite the bruise on my elbow).

Both kiddos, however, agreed that the best by far was the roller slide.  If you could only have seen Addy's cheeks flapping as she bounced and laughed her way down!

We took 2 highly anticipated rides on the Train and Paddle Boat.  

There were short waits for both, but between Nonni and random objects, there was plenty to keep Eli & Addy happy and busy.

We saw elfs, dinosaurs, neanderthals, pirates (Pirates!), peter pan, mermaids, native americans, shipwrecks, random floating baseballs, turtles (Turtles!), and an exploding volcano!
(And it was a much appreciated rest for us adults)

Here's one for the history books ...

The day was hot and bright, and although Pixie Woods is heavily wooded and offers plenty of shade, by 2pm we were all red in the face.  Even through countless applications of what can only be described as a profane amount of sun screen.  

Addy found the perfect spot to keep cool, and while Eli preferred to stay dry, Addy ran right in.

The western outpost came complete with a wagon, horses, a barn, a jail and a general store.

This is where the Bad Biddles go ...

This is Where the Wild Things Are ...

This is what happens when you spend too much time in jail ...

When we made our way to the carousel just before calling it a day, Eli finally agreed to try a movable horse for the first time.  Usually he likes to sit in the buggy and people-watch as we spin.  But one horse was painted in red, white & blue, and because it was wearing Captain America's colors, Eli agreed it was the horse for him.  Addy also took her first spin on a moveable horse and loved every second of it.

Here's one of the only full-family pictures we have!  Poor Eli was so tired by this point (Addy was lucky enough to nap in the car on the way).  On the way home we swung through Jamba and indulged in fruit smoothies.  A perfect end to a great day.

Thanks Nonni!