Knock, knock...

Imagine the doorbell ringing

and being presented with these

gorgeous blooms

from a great friend!

What a surprise and

talk about making my day!

Thanks, Meredith!

Love,

Olivia

Madness

But it's our madness...

And we wouldn't trade it for the world!

Love,

Mom & Dad

82 Spankings and a pinch to grow an inch!

My grandma

-my children's great-grandma!-

turned 82 years old!

And what's worse,

we were late in giving her her gift-

almost a whole year late!

For her birthday

we invited her over for a special meal.

And though we celebrated on her actual

birthday with the cake, hoopla, and what-not,

and though, since then,

we've had her over many, many times since that big day...

Not one meal was specifically devoted

to commemorating her special day!

Oy!

And with her 83rd birthday

fast approaching in April,

we needed to burn rubber!

Hence,

her birthday brunch...

finally!

Great-grandma Lopez, Grandma Rose, and Aunt Julia

The kiddos

The Menu

Greek Feta & Spinach Pie in a Phyllo Crust

Lemon Ricotta Puff Pastry Tarts

Sun-dried Tomatoe and Olive Pasta

Fresh Fruit

Cinnamon Rolls

Chocolate-dipped Shortbread Pecan Toffee

Hot Cocoa

Grandma,

Always taking pictures...

Always walking...

Always enjoying life's little (and big) wonders...

I love you!

You are a rock,

and I know grandpa is so proud of you!

Thank you for being a wonderful grandma,

to me, my husband, and my kids!

We love you!

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Olivia

P.S. 

Your 83rd is right around the corner! 

What a blessing!

A Little Piece of Heaven on Earth

love...

Another one bites the dust!

Congratulations, Iris!

Yer just as purdy toothless

and don't let anyone tell you different!

Love,

Yer Ma & Pa

Isa & The Mosaic Art Contest

Our town hosted an art contest
and called for all area
fifth graders to participate!

The goal?
To create a mosaic art piece
using the theme:

Nature and Wildlife

All winning entries would
be turned into real mosaic pieces
to be displayed at a local sculpture park!

Isabella's mosaic representation of

Half Dome

(It's in her blood!)

was selected,
and she, and like classmates,

set to work with real mosaic tile!

Isabella and her good friend Katie!

Woo hoo!

Congratulations, Isabella!

Your piece is amazing!

{Now we just have to hike you up there!}

xoxomom

Neighborhood Bocce Ball

One of our all-time favorite scores

at D.I....

Our bocce ball set!

There's a new park just down the way,

and it's a great pastime.

Before you know,

you have all kinds of people checking out the game

and wanting to play.

Talk about a great way to meet people!

This time,

it seemed like we attracted half the students

at the girls former elementary school.

It was great catch-up time with so many familiar faces,

and since I had a huge bag

of candy they all stuck around awhile.

I kind of felt like the crazy lady that lures

kids into keeping her company by offering lollipops!

{smile}

Happy Anniversary: San Francisco & Muir Woods

For our 11th anniversary

we dropped the kiddos off with their

aunt and uncle

and headed to our favorite place in the whole world:

San Francisco!

The first day we hit the Mission District

for some serious foodie advenuturing,

the second day we reserved for

hiking in Mt. Tamalpais and Muir Woods

and exploring Mill Valley.

It was...

perfect!

Cannoli-time!

{Too bad it wasn't the best we've had!}

Our "Best Thing I Ever Ate" stop...

"Mr. Pollo"

The Chef's Tasting Menu came highly recommended

by Chris Cosentino

and can I say,

we are so glad we made it here!

It is the tiniest restaurant I've EVER been in

{picture room for 6-max}

but the variety and complexity of the dishes

that poured out of this tiny 2-man kitchen

was amazing!

We counted our good fortune in being the first

one's in the door,

getting front row seats,

and settling in for culinary masterpieces

plate after plate!

As we finished our last bite-

we heard the chef turn away the next couple to walk in the door.

After one service,

he was done and off to shop

for dinner service!

Here's the restaurant from the outside.

Totally inconspicuous but do not be deceived!

Note:

If you plan on going,

arrive before they open to be first in line.

They WILL turn you away within minutes

because they're already full.

Bring cash!

Be mindful that halfway through our meal

we realized some of the music was

just as punchy as the food!

Also,

leave the kiddos at home.

This meal is best savored with your sweetie!

The rest of the day we spent on our feet

exploring this fabulous city.

We love to window-shop,

and go inside and peruse all the insanely priced

shoes, furniture, etc.-

Question:

Who actually buys this stuff at these prices?

Crazy!

Photo opp for my boys at home!

With all of our strolling we worked up an appetite. 

We foolishly thought we could get in to Nopa on a whim-

turns out they suggest you make reservations

at least one month in advance!

Then we hit Foreign Cinema,

again full,

but definitely,

like Nopa,

high on the "To Visit" list!

Finally we settled on two local favorites,

take out pizza from Delfina's Pizzeria

and dessert from Tartine Bakery.

I am now a fan of Proscuitto and Arugula Pie

and Passion Fruit Lime Bavarian Cake!

Can I say how excited I am

to buy the Tartine Cookbook

 with my ever growing Swagbucks?

Woo hoo!

Can't wait!

With goodies in hand we cross the bridge!

And there she is...

Home sweet home!

The Pelican Inn...

the closest thing to visiting across the pond!

This would lead you to believe that we jumped in our jammies

as soon as we arrived-

afterall,

it was nearly 11 PM!

But no,

this picture was taken after our pitch black walk to the ocean.

It was beautiful...

cold...

but so worth it!

Party pooper!

And yes,

I amused myself by waking him!

Enjoying the gardens...

The Pub

Breakfast on the patio

with a roaring fire...

Bangers, Broiled Tomato, Bacon, Eggs, Toast...

Samuel was in hog heaven-

literally!

For me,

English Porridge...delicious!

Ha!

I hit a Bulls-eye!

Then I nailed him in chess!

What a GREAT day!

I never beat him in chess!

Another shot for the memory books!

Love that I always see a crazy goofy car

when we hit the road together...

Our "hike"...

{smile}

Samuel took a ton of shots of this huge crow.

I spared you by posting only two...

Heading down to "Pirates Cove"...

Love these!

It inspired us to make our own!

And it stood!

After our hike,

we lounged a bit on the beach and munched on treats. 

This doggie took a notion to befriend me.

Obviously, he doesn't know me well

or he would have known:

We can NEVER be friends!

{Sorry, kids, not dogs,

have wormed their way into my heart!}

...

 Later we checked out Muir Woods

-we'll definitely return with the kiddos-

and ate at the Muir Woods Trading Co.,

another "Best Thing I Ever Ate" recommendation

from Tyler Florence.

We love you Tyler,

but seriously,

save your money and make a banging grilled cheese

at home!

After a tour of downtown Mill Valley

-a charming city-

we headed home!

...

I love you, Samuel!

You are the love of my life!

Happy Anniversary!

xoxoXoO

me