Vignola's visit

I was so thrilled when my best friend from kindergarten, Allyson, said that she and her family would be making a stop at our house this summer during their month long road trip across the country! They live in New Hampshire and were headed to California for a family reunion. I hadn't seen Allyson since January of 2008 and Brian hadn't seen them since our wedding, 10 years ago!

Since we had last seen eachother, we have each had a daughter. Molly is also 4 and she and Macy became quick playmates- 

They got into town on Thursday night and Brian cooked up a feast while the kids all played and we caught up over delicious wine. Friday morning Brian headed to work and we headed to the Jelly Belly factory!

Then we went to the It's-It ice cream store in Suisun and walked along the harbor while they enjoyed their first It's-It! Then we went to Chic-fil-A for lunch- another first!!!

While there was LOTS to see in the area, we decided to just lay low for the afternoon and stay out of the car, their home for the next 3 weeks! 

So we headed to the park with all 5 kids- 

Friday night, again Brian made us a delicious meal- trying to give them some good for before they have just fast food for the next few weeks on the road!


Saturday we headed to Muir Woods-

Check out this giant banana slug!

It is just such a peaceful place-

Yes, my strong husband, please hold up the tree for me to pass! (I'm sure Macy was really helping!)

Just magnificent and tranquil throughout the park-

We left Muir Woods and headed up to the Marin Headlands State Park in Sausalito for the best view of the Golden Gate Bridge-

Then on to San Francisco- sightseeing and lunch in Chinatown-

Then for the first time ever, I drove down the famous Lombard Street!  According to Wiki: the roadway has eight sharp turns (or switchbacks) that have earned the street the distinction of being the crookedest (most winding) street in the world. The switchback's design, first suggested by property owner Carl Henry^[3] and instituted in 1922,^[4] was born out of necessity in order to reduce the hill's natural 27% grade,^[5] which was too steep for most vehicles.

Here we go!

I have been the passenger many times going down Lombard St, but never the driver. I was pretty proud of myself!
We did a little driving tour around the city, through Fisherman's Wharf and then headed back home where we stopped off for some ice cream and a mean game of checkers for Emma and Tate!

The last night, all 3 girls had a slumber party in Macy's room! 

Our days flew by with Allyson, Joe, Zack (13), Emma (10) and Molly (4). If only we could be neighbors! Joe would teach Brian how to brew beer and Allyson would teach me to make homemade mozzarella! (By the way, when the arrived they showered us with
zucchini's they grew and Joe's "home brew" all the way from NH!) Sunday morning after breakfast we said good-bye as they headed off to Yosemite for the day and a night with my sister.