12/29/09

We're BACK!

Vacation took a toll on blogging. A major toll in a major way. Updates are soon to be on their way.

The Chef Family had an amazing vacation. We were constantly going from house to house and always moving, but had fun, nonetheless. It was definitely a treat and a special Christmas to see Ms. A this year. What a change compared to last year! She loved opening presents and thought every package under the tree should have had her name on it. She was caught ripping into a few packages a little early, too.

We experienced snow ... rain ... and came back to warmer (not hot), but warmer weather. The lowest our house temperature dropped to was 56 degrees while we were gone on vacation. :) Good ole California.

Now, back into the swing of things! We hope you had a fun Christmas as well.

12/24/09

I'm dreaming ... of a white Christmas!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight. The Chef Family is vacationing and enjoying our time. We're wishing, dreaming and hoping for a while Christmas for Ms. A.

From our family to yours, Merry Christmas. We hope you have a blessed holiday with family and friends.

12/14/09

San Francisco Treat

Life is busy. I think I'll always be saying that phrase. It's just plain busy, especially with the holidays.

I chopped my hair. Check.

We vacationed to San Francisco. Check.

Even took a little mini overnight trip to Napa. Check. And, without Ms. A, too. Even more fun. I guess I shouldn't say it that way. Just a well needed break with the Iron Chef. Check.

Prepping for vacation. Check.

Here are a few pictures from one of our latest excursions. San Francisco, which was definitely a treat.

Say, "CHEESE" little Miss. I'm not sure when A will outgrow this stage of shutting her eyes while she smiles.



Alcatraz ... super scary looking with the fog.





Lombard Street. Ya know, the most super twisty, curly street in America. They were filming a commercial for Bridgestone tires so we couldn't physically drive down the road.



We most definitely road a trolley as well. Trolley company was probably the biggest scam of them all. Our "driver" told us we could get out at Lombard Street to tour around (he told the entire trolley this message over loudspeaker) so a group of us decided to get off and take pictures. Our driver told us we could just pick up the next trolley if we show our tickets. He lied! The next trolley came around and the only way we could get back on was to repurchase another ticket. So needless to say, we did not get to drive fast down the hill like you see in all the movies. And to make our trolley ride even worse, we left our stroller on the trolley (with the lying driver) and had to go and track it down. Luckily (after chasing down a few trolleys) we re cooped the stroller and were back to enjoying our day. Phew. That was definitely exhausting.





One of our favorite spots in San Francisco - the piers! Walking along the bay, the crazies along the streets, the shops, and the seals!





And one of my personal favorites - Ghiradelli square and the free chocolate samples. Deelish!



12/5/09

A Taste of California

Wine Country! Living in California definitely has it's perks. Especially where we are located in the northern parts of California. Driving distance to Tahoe, San Francisco, and of course, Napa Valley.

This weekend will be full of new adventures for the Chef Family (and my in-laws that are visiting). One our list of places to see and visit? Napa! Of course, we are thrilled.



Not only will we do a little sight seeing, but we have a formal Christmas party while we are there as well. Just another California destination crossed off our list. This is definitely the off season for vineyards as we won't see the grapes and the colors from the rolling hills and wineries, but we'll definitely get a feel of the area ... and great taste as well.

12/1/09

It's beginning to look a lot like ...

Christmas?



Or, maybe there is a little more Polish blood around here than we thought?



Is this more like it?



Regardless of the kind of hat you wear ... or whether or not you have Polish blood or not ... it's definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Our house is decorated, our tree is up and the lights are on outside.

The Chef family hopes you all are enjoying the holidays and getting into the spirit. No scrooges out there! And, as Clark Griswold says, "Tis the Season to be merry."