San Francisco Day Five

 John arrived on Saturday and we met up at the San Francisco Farmer's Market. It was the best farmer's market ever. Lots of fresh fruits, veggies, meats, honey, cheeses, flowers, pastries, cookies and anything else delicious you can imagine. 

Inside the market

We then took John for my favorite meal in SF, a bowl of clam chowder in a sourdough bread bowl. I dream about this regularly.

It was the rainiest, yuckiest day in SF yet but we didn't let that stop us from seeing the city. We hopped on a cable car and rode around SF. 

 And then drove up to see the Coit Tower. 

(Tower)

 View of SF from the tower. 

Following our tour of the city (special thanks to our driver, Dandy) we ate dinner at the Fog City Diner. 

San Francisco Day Four

We spent Friday morning exploring around the SF Bay area. We started at Fisherman's Wharf. 

And then played around on the cable cars.

All aboard!

 We got off the car in Chinatown and spent some time perusing through the street shops and taking in the atmosphere.  

Archway into Chinatown

Loved the lanterns lining the street

And finally we found our destination, The Oriental Pearl Restaurant. When in Chinatown, why not try some of the world's best dim sum?!?!

Dim sum was completely foreign to all of us but the kind waiters helped us order and brought us some tasty finds. 

After walking off our dim sum we ended up at the best place for ice cream in SF, Bi-Rite Creamery. 

I had a garden trio--orange cardamom, honey lavender and earl grey tea flavors. 

Nana had the trifecta--salted carmel, brown sugar and malted vanilla. 

YUM!!!

San Francisco Day Three

We left early from our hotel and headed to Muir Woods on Thursday morning. We encountered this beautiful view on our way down. 

SF bay

Dandy, Mom and Nana

That's one tall tree!

Apples

Me and Dan

That evening we ate a delicious dinner at a restaurant called Seven Hills, located in the Nob Hill district of SF. It prepared locally grown foods in a way that only California can achieve. 

The best part of dining with Dandy? We always order dessert!

San Francisco Day Two

San Francisco is my all-time favorite travel destination. So when my grandparents asked where I'd like to go for a little getaway, SF was the first place that came to my mind! Before we spent too much time in the city though, we detoured to Napa Valley, which might become my second favorite travel destination.

We started out driving around Sonoma and eating lunch at a cute little restaurant on the town square. Afterward, we drove toward Napa and arrived at the Robert Mondavi Winery for an afternoon tour and tasting.

Apples at Robert Mondavi. 

My favorite picture of Mom and Nana. 

The vineyard and mountains in the distance. 

Our tour guide was very informative and walked us through the wine making process. 

This is where it starts, on the grapevine. I noted that harvests are in the fall; we will be back someday for this. 

And then it's pushed through several different machines before it's fermented in the ridiculously large oak barrel. 

Where it then sits, for years, until it's ready. 

There were thousands of barrels. 

But the best part was the actual wine tasting. Our guide taught us how to properly smell, sip and enjoy each glass of wine. Mom and Nana prefer rieslings. I'm good with cabernet sauvignon. And that is what we know. :)

Outside of the winery. 

Beautiful statue in front of the winery. 

Newman Family Gathering

We hosted the entire Newman clan at our house to celebrate March birthdays at the beginning of this month. It was good to see everyone and so nice of all of them to come to Dallas!

My aunts, Shar and Evalyn. 

Cousins Ron and Blake

Blake, my dad, Ethan

People sat on our patio all afternoon and the kiddos played in the yard and in the tree!

Eli and Olivia

Mom and Parker

Andy and Teresa with Eli

Holly, Al, Ron and Olivia singing "Happy Birthday."

Olivia, Eli Caitlin and Parker in our tree.

We loved seeing everyone but especially missed Brad and Lori! 

Spring!

Look what blossomed in our yard.....

I don't know the name of the tree, but it sure did make me smile to see pretty purple flowers on it.

Trinity River Levee Run

John and I both ran and finished the Trinity River Levee 10K! This race was the first and only time people will be able to run across the new Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, aka, Large Marge.  Thousands of people were out there to run in the 5 and 10Ks that began early on a Saturday morning. 

We met up with several of our friends for the race as well. 

John and I with Marge. 

The beautiful bridge, designed by Santiago Calatrava and sure to be a Dallas landmark for years to come!