Wine Country, CA and Thanksgiving

November marked two very special events for us.

The first was a visit to California's wine country hosted by Carly and Tiffany. We visited wineries in both Napa and Sonoma Counties and had a wonderful dinner at the famous French Laundry restaurant in Yountville.

The second was a sensational Thanksgiving family gathering in Toledo.

We are truly blessed!

Overlooking the insectary and vineyards at Benziger Winery in Glen Ellen.

Tiffany and Carly inspect the caves at Pride Mountain Vineyards near St. Helena.

In the tasting room at Lancaster Vineyards near Healdsburg..

Testing samples at Buena Vista Winery in Sonoma.

The historic Sebastiani Theatre in Sonoma.

Beautiful moss grows on trees along a hiking trial at the Meadowood Resort near St. Helena.  Carly enjoys a hike while working.

Barb and Jim inspect the croquet field at the Meadowood Resort.  Later, Jim demonstrates that wine is not enough. Bread is important too--at a bakery in Sonoma.

 "Let's eat some turkey!"

David gets ready to begin the carving.

Jonah and Mike - barely getting started.

Granddad referees the breaking of the wishbone.

Hayley enjoys her meal at "the kids table."

So does Evan!

October Highlights

October was another blur of a month ...but it's all good! We opened with a great trip to Williamsburg with the NoVa Pearces. Jim then followed that with a quick trip to DC and then on to Florida.  Travelwise, after Sandy visited, we ended the month heading to Napa and Sonoma with Carly and Tiffany (pics in next entry.)

This cannon was near the armory at Williamsburg.

Jeff models a Colonial bonnet - looks pretty cute!

Lexi and Michaela with the corncob dolls they created

Nathan on a cannon at Yorktown

Colonial girls climb trees, too.

Sami with a Florida duck near his house.

This park is in Sami's new neighborhood

Sami models his Thomas costume for Halloween

Willie and Sami recover from Granddad's visit

With the Banner family celebrating Ray's 70th birthday.

Carly's first 5 K - The Tremont Steeple Race

The gingko in our front yard - almost at peak color.

Celebrating Int'l Champagne Day at Mon Ami Winery in Port Clinton with Loey, Dave and Jen.

An uprooted tree behind our house - due to Sandy.

September 2012

Ah September - we were gone exactly half the month. We started with a birthday celebration for Nathan, and ended with a birthday celebration for Jim. In between - 2 visits to see Sami and Mel in Florida, and a week vacationing in Aruba with Jen and Tom. Ah - September!

Florida visit #1 - Sami, Willie, Jim and Mel all pose for the camera.

Goats, burrowing owls, ancient Indian cave drawings and pelicans plus the beautiful Caribbean, lunch and dinners seaside and great companions - the recipe for a relaxing Aruba trip.

Enjoying a seaside lunch--fresh catch of the day. A pelican, a regular visitor we were told, stopped by our table.

One of Aruba's newest power sources complete with local free range goats at the base.

Aruba's national bird, the burrowing owl or "choco."

Here's Mel. Sami and Jim out side the "new" house.

One more year for Jimbo...20 yr old porto,  Greek blanket and GQ satchel might help distract from the next big one.