Mom & Memom Visit

My mom and grandmother came to visit for 6 days and it was so much fun! It was so nice to have them here because it was a breath of familiarity after 2 months of everything being new and unfamiliar. It was nice to have them "ooh" and "ahh" over everything here and be so pleased with our living situation here in Sac. They had a great time and I got to experience new parts of California with them!

The day they got here, we spent time in Sacramento, walking through my neighborhood in East Sac, driving around the city and spending time at home. Sacramento isn't the exciting part of the visit but it is where we live so it's worth spending some time in.

Welcome to Sacramento!

On Thursday, we drove 5 hours south and visited the Hearst Castle. This was on my Memom's bucket list and it was so worth the drive! This famously rich man built this castle on top of the hills overlooking the ocean in central California in the 1920s. He threw elaborate parties that often included the rich and famous. Now the castle belongs to the state and is a park open for tours. The castle is designed and decorated with inspiration from Europe so you feel like your'e stepping back in time. Super fun!

Hearst Castle pool with the hills behind us

On Friday, we spend the day in San Francisco on the Fisherman's Wharf and on Alcatraz Island. San Fran is a stressful city to drive around in so we just parked and walked for most of the day. Because we were on foot, we didn't see a lot of the city but mom and Memom have been before so we did the things they hadn't done yet... like Alcatraz. It's a 2.5 hour tour so it takes most of your afternoon but it's worth it if you have the time. They take you out to the island that was once a U.S. penitentiary for bad criminals that were violent, rebellious and would try to escape. The island is over a mile from the San Fran shore with cold water and strong currents in between. It was inescapable.

Golden Gate Bridge

About to head to Alcatraz

On Saturday, my husband gave up golfing with a buddy to take us to Napa Valley for our wine tour and tasting. We went to Beringer Winery on a recommendation from a friend and absolutely loved it. I didn't know it would be so educational. Wine making is a science and an art! We felt so fancy tasting our wine! The house outside was beautiful and there was a massive tulip tree that was blooming magnificently. So pretty!

Wine tasting room at Beringer!

Beringer House after wine tasting

In front of the tulip tree at Beringer

The highlights of Sunday were church in the morning, lunch at In-N-Out Burger and watching the Oscars while Mitchell went to go see Act of Valor with a guy friend. Meems needed a slow day because of all the excitement and busy-ness of the previous days.

Yummy lunch after church!

Oscar watching party!

Monday we attempted to go to Lake Tahoe and enjoy lunch overlooking the lake, however we were thwarted by bad weather. It decided to snow up on the mountains and you couldn't pass unless you had chains on your car. Memom lived in Denver for 3 years and was very nervous about continuing on so we snapped some pics and came back down. On the way down we stopped in Placerville and found a cute little store that did olive oil tasting. I didn't know there was so much to making olive oil either!

On the way to Lake Tahoe!

Placerville

Tuesday morning was nice and slow at our house with coffee and Good Morning America. :) We went downtown and met Mitchell for brunch and then headed to the airport!

Last pic in Sacramento!

We had a super great time! Memom was most definitely our entertainment without meaning to be. She called a seagull a "barking duck" and would often go to bed by 9pm each night. She was such a trooper and kept up with us... as long as she could grab on to your arm as you walk because "when I get to swinging my head from side-to-side, I get a little dizzy". ;) They were both so helpful with getting my home set up for visitors and making it more cozy. Some things just needs a mother's touch!

Photo album on Facebook

We can't wait for more visitors! :D