spring hiking

This has been wettest winter EVER (well, in our lifetimes anyway).  And we are still getting rain in these parts.  But, there have been moments that make it feel like spring.  And man does it look like spring out there!  A few weekends ago, we had a gorgeous, warm, sunny Sunday upon us, with no plans.  So we took to the hills and went hiking.

Ryan brought a note pad, and made a list of everything he saw -- while wearing his backpacking backpack that he got for Christmas.  He demanded he bring it on this hike.  Who could argue with that?  

yay for our picnic lunch spot 

we tried to go a different route to avoid some crowds, which ended up taking us up a reaaaaaly large hill.  The kids were super hikers, and made it to the top -- with some never ending story telling and jelly beans for energy.  They did so great! 

I love this area this time of year! 

going down the other side of that huge hill 

boat cruise on the Bay

Eddy and his dad have birthdays 4 days apart -- and this family loves to make sure both of them are celebrated!  This year we all climbed aboard a boat on the San Francisco Bay, and took a cruise for brunch, celebrating Nonno's 92nd birthday.  It was a lovely morning!  We sailed right out under the Golden Gate Bridge and then back.  And of course stuffed our faces in the mean time.  What better way to celebrate another family birthday? Happy birthday Nonno!

was a tad windy on the top deck 

selfie fail!

Alcatraz in the background 

Drea and Chris trying to determine each scent of Kaitlyn's smelly markers

 After the boat cruise, we walked along the Embarcadero a bit to work off our brunch, and popped in to the Grand Hyatt for a bit. Love all the shapes in the lobby!

told the kids to strike a pose -- and this is what I got 

city playground

Eddy's birthday and family

Eddy's birthday this year was celebrated with a lovely adult dinner in Yountville -- but then then next morning we had brunch with his family to keep the party going.  Mixed in with a little baseball here and there, which is what we seem to be doing a lot of this spring. 

dinner with Cristen and her new boyfriend Tracy -- we like him!

cousins came to cheer Ry on at his baseball game earlier that day 

 Birthday boy brunch:

It's always a good day when you start with a mimosa cheers with your mama!

More baseball at the park after brunch: