I’m in a place where I have so much going on that I don’t even know where to begin. Last week, I was gone for five days to help celebrate Jackie!’s 30th birthday. She arranged for us to stay in a mansion on a vineyard in Napa Valley FOR FREE. I mean, look at this place:
Believe me, it didn’t suck. Well, there was one teeny tiny little thing that sucked…more specifically DOZENS of little sucky things. Mosquitoes. And if you remember, I’ve mentioned how badly I react to bug bites. And if you don’t remember – I REACT VERY VERY BADLY. I have bites all over my arms, hands, fingers, stomach, hip, back, and face. and they are just as swollen and disgusting as ever. I didn’t take pictures this time but I have a feeling some of the other ladies did, because they are evil and want to blackmail me. Anyway, believe me when I say they were gross and really painful and itchy.
So, back to Napa! We went to gorgeous wineries and sampled yummy wines and sparkling varieties and we even went in a cave. I sang the Batman song in the cave because I am twelve. But doood…it was coooool.
And yes, those are just thousands of bottles of sparkling wine just SITTING THERE. Swoon.
The wineries are breathtaking. The grounds are impeccable and the weather was perfect.
If it wasn’t for the bug bites I would have made Mike, Maddie, and Rigby move to Napa. That’s how awesome it was. But those bug bites assured me that I am a city girl, so I was pretty glad when we went to San Francisco for the most awesome 30th birthday party ever. Jackie! throws an amazing party. And look at how many people came. I am pretty certain there won’t be that many people at my 30th birthday party (note to Mike – it’s only six months and eight days away so I hope you’ve picked a location, caterer, and band).
My favorite part of the weekend was spending so much time with Jackie! She started her next round of chemo this week AND went back to work. She makes my lazy butt look bad! She’s fancy.
Even though I had tons of fun, I couldn’t wait to see Mike, Maddie, and Rigby. And while it was great to see them, things were not so great in Southern California….
And yeah, I’m writing this in two parts. SUE ME. I’m tired from all the to be continued stuff!!!
Raging Dad says:
Great photos, especially the leaf one. What color! I freakin’ hate mosquitoes, although I don’t get bad reactions. But the kids… Whoo boy. Major swellage. Hafta bring the deet if we ever go to napa, I guess!
Raging Dads last blog post..There is nothing as lucky as easy or free
patois says:
Wow, you do great photos. I live in Marin, and I’m grateful that the mosquitos are up the road and not here. (Sorry, but I’ve got a daughter who has the same bad reaction to bug bites. So you’ll get sympathy from me, but I’ll still prefer them to be up there.)
Jackie says:
YOU’RE fancy.
Amy says:
I am just glad there’s a new post on your blog!!!! As much as I LOVE Maddie’s sweet cream puff face, I was anxious to know what has been happening in your worlds! Looks like a WONDERFUL party, great scenery, and icky bugs!!!
Happy 30th Jackie!
Kristabella says:
I love Napa. It gets too hot there in the summer though.
I wish I had like a quarter of those people at my 30th birthday party! I am lame!
Kristabellas last blog post..You Know What? Case Of The Mondays Would Be A Good Title For This Post, But I’ve Already Used That
Anissa@Hope4Peyton says:
Oh AWESOME! What a great celebration for Jackie! She can throw me a party anytime.
You and bugs, WTF? You may just want to make sure to get some sort of shot or vaccination against mosquitoes when you come visit me in FL. Just saying.
Anissa@Hope4Peytons last blog post..When bloggers slack…
moosh in indy. says:
THOSE LEAVES!
THAT ROSE!
You take the wine, I’ll swoon over your pictures.
moosh in indy.s last blog post..mortimooshcation.
Backpacking Dad says:
I love Napa in the fall.
We took Erin down into the cellars of a big winery once. She loved the echo of her voice down there.
nana nana nana nana nana nana nana nana BAT MAN!
Backpacking Dads last blog post..Parts of this poem are good
zandor says:
Those pictures are great. I like the leaf and the flower one.
zandors last blog post..My family found out everything.
Vic says:
Napa is great until you have an accident and need medical attention- my husband’s family lives there and routinely come out of the hospital with more health issues than they went in with! (But the wine makes it all better…! )
Vics last blog post..Good Friends