Twin's big trip out West!

To celebrate the kids turning one and Will finishing MBA school, we all headed out west for our first family trip to the West Coast.

At CMH-Carter enjoyed shuffling along the seats and Ainsley wandered around everywhere.

 So it was time for this...

 Ainsley is having lots of fun with her new friend.

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Napa Valley weekend getaway

This Napa trip was different than our last one in many ways. This time we stayed in downtown Napa for four days rather than cramp 8-9 wineries in one day. The focus would be on the culinary offerings in Napa which everyone was on board for....except for Will. He still wanted to go to 6-8 wineries during the weekend.

First culinary stop in Napa - The Farm at the Carneros Inn.
This family friendly converted barn was one of the nicest, fanciest looking restaurants we had ever been to with the kids.

 Will ordered the lamb and I ordered their roast chicken. I'm not one to normally order chicken and it was pretty good here. Outside the restaurant was a great seating area which was where Will took the kids when they started getting fed up with dinner. They handled the dinner great and was so quiet that the 3 guys at the table next to us didn't realize that they were sitting next to a table full of kids.

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Saturday morning found us at Hall Winery. This was a really beautiful winery that was very modern with acres of grapes. Outside the tasting room was a large patio that expanded the entire length of the room overlooking the field.

 First tasting of the day. Will got to try a Cabernet called the Katherine Hall which was $100 a bottle.

We cancelled our reservations to Redd after viewing their site and the food looked even fancier than The Farm. I would've loved to dine there but it wasn't a place to bring the kids. To we grabbed some food from Dean and Deluca and Will went off to get tacos from Tacos Garcia. Apparently there was a very long line and the owners gave her preferential treatment because he had Ainsley with him. $27 got him 3-4 small trays of fish tacos, bean and sweet potato burrito, salsa, chips and other goodies.
 

We went to visit Castle di Amorosa in the afternoon. Will and I had visited this winery back in 2007 when they first opened. I remember the distinct Tuscan-like winding road of box shaped trees drive up to the castle.

The highlight for me was the petting zoo at the base of the castle. Carter had a blast feeding the animals.
Will went on the tasting with Ainsley, bought wine and also the best organic grape juice I had ever tasted.

To be continued...