2009 Ways to Celebrate the New Year

2009 was rung in at Kristi R's house here in Clovis. (Yes, Kristi R moved back to Clovis from San Francisco!) It was a nice little family night. Kristi R cooked an amazing dinner for us and the Heck Family. We played Apples to Apples as we awaited the ball to drop.

January 1st we began the new year with a whirlwind road tour of Northern California. We started off our journey to Soledad after picking up Joseph in Salinas. Our overnight visit with the Wilsons was splendid. Blaine made us tacos for dinner (ps... the sour cream was good!), Kylie made an appearance, Stacey made us aebleskievers for breakfast, and Jane just made us smile!!

January 2nd we were off to Vallejo after a quick stop in Salinas to say "Hi" to Nana, Grandpa and Uncle Billy. In Vallejo we exchanged gifts with Steve's Dad, Sam, and ate hot dogs at the local wiener joint!!

After our quick visit in Vallejo we were headed north to Calistoga. Keegan (Rene's Boyfriend) scored us a locals rate at Solage on the Silverado Trail. The room made our list of favorite hotel rooms complete with a contemporary style to include a pebble stone shower and concrete floors. (Other favorites include the Hyatt on Maui, Highlands Inn in Carmel and "The Level" at the ME Cabo.)

On January 3rd, we enjoyed a wonderful afternoon in Calistoga. Keegan works at the local Fire Station so Carson got to play on the Calistoga fire truck. We walked through Calistoga and then finished our day in the beautiful Napa Valley sun at Bennett Lane Winery before heading to Sacramento.

What we thought was our final stop, was at the home of the Serrano Family in Sacramento. Carson played with Emelyn and Delaney while we played Scattagories with Jodi and Dean. Dean and Jodi treated us to BJ's take out then Dean made a special trip to the store to purchase Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches that I was craving after having them at Stacey and Blaines!! Darn those pregnancy cravings!!! Sorry, I don't have any pictures to show from our visit with the Twins.

After turnovers for breakfast on Sunday, January 4th we were once again on our way. We stopped at Sara (Dove) and Jeff Hendersons on our way out of town and were finally on our way home... so we thought.

We had been trying to book a cabin at Bass Lake for the Tjerrild Family Picnic this year and struggled with the arrangements due to various reasons. Frustrated with the situation, Steve suggested that we just go to Bass Lake and take care of things. So we did!!! To much avail, we booked the original cabin that we wanted... A lakefront property with a dock, beach, and fire pit!! The Wilsons, Hayes and Serrano's were able to get a cabin just up the street from ours and as luck would have it, Jimmy and Beth's Cabin is within walking distance as well.

Here is a beautiful picture from the lakefront house as the sun was setting on Bass Lake!

We made it home safely, shortly after... Finally!! Happy New Year to you!!