It's always fun when Mom comes to visit.

I love it when my mom comes to visit. Even when it's a short weekend trip we still seem to pack our days with fun. Well most of it. Sometimes I put my mom to work. This time she helped me take my Christmas tree down and get it all packed up and ready to go back to storage. Yes, I know it's March and that I'm showing a little bit of my true colors via the internet.

We also did some shopping, stayed up late talking, watched movies and took a drive up to a small town in wine country called Sebastapol. Our main reason for going on this two hour drive was for Matthew to get fitted for his custom made cowboy boots he received as a Christmas gift from one of his co-workers. Did I just say that?? I never thought in a million years I would use the words "cowboy" "boots" and "matthew" all in one sentence. The entire process was fascinating watch. He picked out a beautiful piece of crocodile leather and we are pretty anxious to see how everything turns out. Apparently we won't see the final product for a year and half.

We went to Farmhouse, Russian River Valley for dinner. This place is off the beaten path hidden in tall redwood trees and is the cutest place I've been for dinner. The food was amazing! Farmhouse is officially on our favorites list.

Dad came to work and play.

My Dad came into town to help me build a few things and hang some pictures after we were a little more settled in the new apartment. To thank him we took him to a Giants game and they clenched the Western Conference Championship that night. Thanks Dad for all your help! Especially for not breaking my bookcases :) You are the best and well always love your visits. Come back soon. 

Z came to visit.

Z came to visit and brought her parents along. We were happy they came and miss them already. Our 800 square foot apartment got a feel for what it would be like having a toddler running around. I learned that my apartment is not baby/toddler proof. Z did pretty good (especially with the Christmas tree) and listened to her Mama. Speaking of Mama. Z is such a Mama's girl. She always had one eye on Marissa no matter what. Z had changed so much since we last saw her. I know it's cliche to say that but it's true. It had been 6 months for me and a year for Matthew. For some reason it is so bizarre to me how she is so aware of everything around her, talking, forming sentences, and actually understands what you are saying even if you can't always understand what she says back. It really is amazing how quickly little ones develop. Z is such a shy (extra shy with us because we are new people to her) but sweet little girl. She wouldn't let me hold her (except for those few minutes on the last day she was here) or sit by her but she would give me hugs, kisses, high-fives and knucks. She thought her Uncle Matt was pretty cool too and he had a pretty good time teasing her. We are so glad that Ryan, Marissa and Z came to SF and we are looking forward to seeing them and getting reacquainted with Z over Christmas. Do you think she will remember us after 2 weeks?? I'm keeping my fingers crossed that she does!!

December is such a fun time to visit SF. It's no NYC at Christmas time by any means but it's the next best thing ( I think). Union Square is the place to be with the big Christmas tree, palm trees lit up, outdoor skating rink and all that shopping. I love the feel of the city during the Christmas season. It's kind of magical. 

Things we did during Z's visit. 

• Visited Pier 39
• San Francisco Zoo 
• Shopped in Union Square 
• Absorbed all the Christmas decorations
• Muir Woods
• Temple Hill

On a funny side note. One night we ordered pizza (bad hostess I know). Anyways - so I open the door and the delivery guy see's Z. Right off he asked me how many kids I had. I continued to tell him I don't have kids and that my niece is visiting from Texas. In so many words he kindly tells me that I should have kids and that the time was now to enjoy them. Now imagine Ryan and Marissa laying on the air mattress snickering away while the pizza man gives me his kind unasked advice about having children while I'm hurrying to pay this guy so he will leave.  Once I shut the door we all had a pretty good laugh about it. Ryan and Marissa then said the man who delivered my Extreme Pizza order was my Christmas Angel. I guess we will never know for sure.

Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival

A few weeks before Halloween, Half Moon Bay puts on a huge pumpkin festival. It's one of those things where you have to be there by 8 am or you will be sitting in traffic for hours. This year it fell around Megan's birthday and since her and Dave have put roots down in Sunnyvale, Craig and Diane made the trip up to celebrate. We walked by every single craft booth (being serious), tasted a variety of pumpkin flavored foods (them, not me) and searched for the perfect pumpkin(s) from a beautiful pumpkin patch (my favorite part of the day).

Quick Fun

We always have so much fun when these two come to visit. It gives us a chance to play "tourist" in the bay area. We sported orange and black at the Giants game, had brunch at the Ritz Carlton Half Moon Bay, drove around the beautiful vineyards in Napa, shopped, went for walks in the neighborhood and tried out a couple new restaurants, Waterbar (SF) and Celadon (Napa).

I love that my parents visit periodically through out the year and enjoy exploring San Francisco. Some days it's hard living so far away from home and family. Do you think I can convince them to move to SF? Probably not, but that's ok! I love visiting my Texas roots!

Who is next to visit? Oh wait, it's the Bassham bunch in November!! Happy face.

E + B

Bianca and Eric were in the Bay Area for family stuff and they decided to come into the city for a couple days so we could play. It was great to spend time with them both. Bianca and I had some good one-on-one time :) It was a blast and the weather couldn't have been more perfect (warm, sunny & sometimes a cool breeze). Having weather like this while the East Coast and even Texas was/were dealing with snow/ice made me glad that I am living in California.

Have I mentioned that I love visitors?!