Memorial Day Weekend and Fireworks

For Memorial Day Weekend we decided to go up to San Francisco and Napa Valley to check things out before my parents come in July. We spent the first day in San Francisco. Paul and I have both been to San Francisco about 5 or 6 times each but have never been the ones to act as tour guide. I really love the city and think it's one of the prettiest cities I've been to. However, I don't find it to be very kid friendly. I guess I don't know the city well enough and the best ways to get around. We started out in Union Square and took the cable car to Chinatown. From there we walked to Washington Square, Coit Tower, Fisherman's Wharf, Pier 39 and then took the Cable Cars back to Union Square. It was so much walking up and down hills. The beginning of the day was a lot of fun but we started hating life towards the end of the day just from exhaustion. We didn't take a stroller which was a big mistake but also pushing a stroller up a hill is not that easy either. I carried Zoey in the Bjorn, Paul carried Paige and we thought Little Paul would walk. However, he got tired and Paul carried both Paige and Paul most of the time. Next time we are going to cab it! I think I know what to do and what not to do when my parents come to visit. Paul will be working so it will just be me giving the tour of SF. Hope it goes well!

The heart at Union Square

Cable Car Ride

Taking a break in Chinatown

Egg Tart Pastry in Chinatown

Enjoying the views from Coit Tower

The next day we went to Napa Valley. It was the first visit for both Paul and I. Napa is a beautiful couples' getaway. We didn't see very many kids there and then we showed up with 2 toddlers and a new baby...not so romantic. Luckily, our kids were very well behaved and actually got a lot of attention. There were 2 wineries I found that accepted kids. We went to Sterling Vineyards because they have an arial tram that takes you to the winery which is set on a hill. The views from the top were amazing and the kids loved the tram ride. The other kid-friendly winery is a recreation of a Tuscan Castle. We drove by the castle and it is pretty magnificent. I think we will tour that one when my parents are visiting. 

Paige on the winery tour. 

The kids learning about winemaking (every parent's dream) :)

The views from the top.

The kids got juice boxes at the end of the tour. 

The tram ride back down. They only allowed up to 4 people in one tram so Zoey and I had to ride in a separate tram. I still argue that a 2-month-old barely counts as a 5th person but no biggie. Zoey and I enjoyed our ride down.

I guess I enjoyed the ride down. Zoey was passed out.

Waiting for dad at the visitor's center.

We also visited the Petrified Forest while we were in Napa. It was pretty interesting learning about petrified wood. The kids loved running around in the forest.

Petrified Forest

Proof that Zoey was with us on this trip

Petrified Wood

More petrified wood

Even more petrified wood

The 4th of the July was pretty mellow this year. Our neighbors across the street had a pool party and fireworks show at their house so we joined in on the fun. Paige was pooped so she was asleep for the fireworks but Paul and Zoey didn't want to miss out on the action.

Paul loved the sparklers

Fireworks!

Enjoying the fireworks