Saturday, March 29, 2014

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...

Friday, March 21, 2014

Carter and Ainsley turn one!!!

Carter and Ainsley's birthday arrived Febuary 6, 2014 and we celebrated with a Dr. Seuss Thing 1 and Thing 2 birthday party that weekend.


 















Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Who cares about order anyways?

It's hard to keep up with the babies as it feels like they are growing faster and faster every day. I have so many pictures and yet when I look back on this blog, I feel like there is only a quarter of the pictures I have taken. I usually try to keep it in chronological order but let's throw order to the wind, look back and see some of their fun moments.

This was at their buddy, Zach's 1 year old birthday Halloween bash. Carter had gone down for a nap when this picture was taken.
 

Carter laughed like crazy here when I put him in a plastic tub with some plastic balls.
 
Taken before bed. Ainsley always closes her eyes when the camera flashes.
 
Carter and Ainsley hanging out with their friends. Ainsley done with pictures.
 
Playing with some pots and pans I got them. These were their favorite for a while until new toys came along.
 
Love this smile!
 
And this smile...
 
You can see Ainsley's little teeth here. She got her middle top two and bottom two first. Then two more up top and two more on the bottom for a total of eight now. You don't see any pictures of Carter's teeth because he's got none. Just kidding, two top and two on the bottom.
 
Ainsley loves playing in these Ikea boxes we have. Here we're trying to do laundry (never ending) while keeping her entertained.
 
What Thanksgiving looked like...
 
See that foot on the table? yeah, that's going to be a problem later.
 
Yarn party!
 
Playing with Jingle.
 
Bella's 1st birthday
 
Hanging out with friends at Bella's birthday party
 
Bella is wondering why everyone is playing with all her toys.
 
They're just as cute from behind.
 
 
Will is excited that him and Carter match.
 
My daughter dresses better than me. (That little girl behind us has a career in photo bombing)
 
Sunday school. Ainsley has the answer.
 
The kids love to take on Goliath.
 
Ally's 1st birthday
 
Ainsley shows how to do the fancy feet.
 
Having so much fun!
 
This table is awesome.
 
Same party. Ainsley changed. Guess what happened?
 
 
Most popular toy at the party.
 
Carty forgets he's not at home sometimes.
 
What happens when we try to get them together for a picture.
 
Around January 10, 2014, Ainsley learned how to walk.
 
11 month pictures...
 
 
...got harder and harder to take.
 
 
Photo session fail.