But in case you didn’t read the recap (and don’t feel like clicking the link) we basically woke up, ate breakfast with my mom, aunt/uncle, and a few [...]]]> I pretty much already recapped Vacation Day 3, but felt the need to remind you of how pretty the views were in Sonoma. *sigh*

But in case you didn’t read the recap (and don’t feel like clicking the link) we basically woke up, ate breakfast with my mom, aunt/uncle, and a few cousins, and then went and hung out with my (other) cousins. It was relaxing and full of wine. What else can you ask for?

On Day 4 (aka our last full day in Cali) we woke up and said goodbye to said cousins. *sniff* Once we finally got our act together we packed up and headed to the breakfast restaurant of my choice. I actually almost forgot that it was also Mother’s Day! We headed to Sunflower Cafe in downtown Sonoma.

It was perfect! There was no wait, I had a GIANT mimosa, and ate an asparagus/goat cheese omelet with potatoes. Perfect!

(Did I mention it was in the high 50s? Brr)

Actually, everyone enjoyed their food.

After breakfast we hit the road.

And headed back to San Francisco. See you later Sonoma! You exceeded my expectations.

After crossing the Golden Gate Bridge we found the California Academy of Sciences.

I didn’t do much research on San Francisco – but I KNEW I wanted to go here. It’s a planetarium, an aquarium, and a biosphere in one. Plus is has a living roof!

I knew the kids would dig it – and they did.

We spent 4-5 hours enthralled by science, animals, plants, and insects.

(this reminded me of Lost. Anyone else?)

Oh look, alligators and cypress trees. Wonder where they have those?

(I took this picture for you Jackie)

While the aquarium and planetarium were cool, my favorite part was definitely the 4-story rainforest. You walk (up a ramp) from the forest floor, through the understory and canopy layers up to the emergent layer.There are different birds and at least 100 butterflies (and different types) fluttering all over the place (several of them landed on me).

They also (surprisingly) had a really great cafeteria (I had some pork dish with vermicelli rice noodles with some kind of Asian flare) that wasn’t super expensive. So rare to find that here in tourist world!

The last thing we did before we left was check out the roof. It was brief (kids were getting a little nutty), but really interesting (they do a lot of different types of research on the roof – so it’s like an outdoor science lab) and there were some pretty views.

We then headed back to the hotel (same one we originally stayed at – Landing Bay!), checked in, and lounged. For dinner we decided on something VERY classy…

In-n-Out Burger

(why didn’t anyone warm me about the mayo sauce on the burger??)

Honestly, I didn’t get the hype, although the prices were really good!

The kids were sweet and spent the last night of the trip like this…

instead of fighting (umm, for the most part). Happy Mother’s Day to me!!

Sadly, on Day 5 our trip ended. Boo!! After another hotel breakfast, we headed to the San Francisco Airport and I braved myself for another 8 hours of flying. Our trip ended up being about 12 hours in total (from leaving the hotel –  to arriving home) and while we were all exhausted, it was completely uneventful. Thank goodness for technology!! It makes traveling with kids SO EASY.

All in all — a great GREAT trip! I am so glad (and truly thankful) that I FINALLY got to visit the great state of California — and I seriously cannot wait to go back!!

This one is kinda a doozy. I’ve done this workout in class and it SUCKS — in that you want to DIE while you are doing it. However, when you are done you feel like [...]]]> I am interrupting my California vacation recap (don’t worry – there’s just one more) to share a new Spin/Cycle Playlist.

This one is kinda a doozy. I’ve done this workout in class and it SUCKS — in that you want to DIE while you are doing it. However, when you are done you feel like a rockstar. It’s a progressive endurance ride – swapping out sprints and climbs for over 50 minutes (an hour including warm up and cool down). Your heart rate is pretty high the entire time, so if you find yourself needing a break TAKE ONE.

Here’s the playlist…

And the workout…

Remember — HYDRATE, HYDRATE , HYDRATE.

And also.. have fun!!

What’s your FAVORITE workout song right now? I’m really loving Let’s Go from Calvin Harris/Neo. That song really wants to make me GO!

As I previously recapped… We started our trip in San Francisco. We crashed the night before in a hotel super close to the airport – Bay Landing Hotel. If you are flying [...]]]> So bad news… Vacation is over. *Sob* Thankfully – we had a great time and are taking some great memories home with us!

As I previously recapped… We started our trip in San Francisco. We crashed the night before in a hotel super close to the airport – Bay Landing Hotel. If you are flying into SFO on a late flight or need to crash somewhere before an early flight I HIGHLY recommend this hotel. It cost us $100/night and includes breakfast, parking, and wifi.

Around 9 we checked out and headed downtown towards Fisherman’s Wharf and Pier 39. We hit a little traffic going into the city but easily found parking once we got there. We walked around for a few hours and checked out Fisherman’s Wharf…

Hyde St. Pier…

There’s Alcatraz

Ghirardelli Square…

And then walked back to Pier 39….

It was an absolutely gorgeous day. The weather was in the 60s with NO clouds or fog.

After sight seeing we headed to Sausalito for lunch — crossing over the Golden Gate Bridge on the way.

Does that ever get old??

We also drove through some hills. We need more hills in Florida.

Lunch in Sausalito was…interesting. It’s a VERY beautiful place, but also a little on the snooty side. We ate a Scoma’s and got some looks for having the kids with us (the patrons NOT the waitstaff, they were VERY accommodating). Thankfully, they were very, very well behaved. The food was pretty good – we started with calamari (and a processo for me!) for lunch I had the seared scallop salad, Dan had an ahi tuna sandwich, and the kids went with fish & chips.

After Sausalito we headed out to Sonoma. The ride was sooooo beautiful. I could not stop taking pictures! We arrived at our hotel (The Best Western Sonoma Inn) and relaxed for a bit before L and I had to head out for the rehearsal at the Winery.

The ceremony was located on this hill in the middle of B.R. Cohn’s vineyards — so we had to drive out through the vineyards to get there. The wedding planner and winery coordinator kept saying how absolutely gorgeous it was. Even 2 weeks before the vines weren’t as a lush and it wasn’t as green. My pictures really can’t capture it’s beauty. You guys all need to head out to Sonoma and see if for yourself!

The rehearsal took maybe 15 minutes (even though I could have hung out there all day) and then we headed back to get ready for the welcome party!

The welcome party was held at the El Dorado Kitchen – this adorable little restaurant/hotel in Sonoma Square. Most of the guests were able to make it to the welcome party – so it’s like we went to 2 receptions. So fun! It was open bar (I stuck with wine) and they served mini dungeness crab cakes, friend green tomatoes, carpaccio, pulled porked sliders, pizza, french fries, and chicken fingers — oh, and course cake!

The groom went to FSU, the bride went to UF — they are a house divided!

It was a fun night – I got to catch up with several of my brother’s (and Christina’s) friends and hang out with my family. Oh, and apparently L charmed the pants off the bartender by handing him a dollar and asking for a glass of milk. My girl knows what she wants!!

After we were all full (and most likely a little tipsy) we walked back to our hotel room and crashed (the party continued — my brother’s friends DEFINITELY know how to party!). It was the end of a great first (full) day.

Up next — the wedding!

So this weekend I decided on a DREAM Mother’s Day gift. Actually, I decided while we were at the wedding on Friday that some day, some how, we are buying a house in Sonoma. No – we’re not [...]]]> Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms! I hope you are having a wonderful, pamper-filled day!

So this weekend I decided on a DREAM Mother’s Day gift. Actually, I decided while we were at the wedding on Friday that some day, some how, we  are buying a house in Sonoma. No – we’re not going to move cross-country for good, but I want to buy a house with my brothers and my cousins and use it as a rental home. It might have been the wine talking – but 2 days later and I can’t stop thinking about it. I’ve never vacationed anywhere where I thought I WANT TO LIVE HERE — but Sonoma has changed that. I mean, how gorgeous is this place?

The wineries right down the road help…  On Saturday my cousins and I visited Viansa Winery and Italian Marketplace and… sigh. I fell more in love.

Even though we spent the entire wedding day at winery (more to come on that – I promise!!) none of us had done an official tasting and decided that we needed to visit at least one. Ben suggested Viasani because of it’s absolutely beautiful views and of course, great wine. Good choice!

We tasted several wines (I like 8-9? The lady just kept filling up my glass!). My favorites were the Arneis (white) and Zinfindel (red) – and I bought 2 of each.  We finished the afternoon with wine and anti-pasto on the overlook. Ahhh perfection.

That night we stayed with my cousins Connie and Kristi (and their husbands Nick and Steve)

And had a feast! Connie and I prepped steak and chicken kabobs, veggies skewers, and caprese salad – while the boys grilled.

We finished up the night with The Muppets, a fire pit, and smores. It was a pretty great last night in Sonoma!

And seriously – wasn’t the rental gorgeous???

(and this is just the outside!)

I’m actively searching for Sonoma real estate now… mark my words, it’s going to happen.

As for MY Mother’s Day?? It’s been pretty awesome — a giant ass mimosa, a trip to the California Academy of Sciences, and In-n-Out Burger for dinner. I definitely CAN’T complain!

What’s your Dream Mother’s Day?