RAVE!! Just about 2 weeks now until my brother's wedding!

Ok, June 18th is the big day, so two weeks from tomorrow I am off to my hometown to celebrate with my family.  We are all so excited!  I could not be more happier for my brother and SIL, Suzanne! 

Another recent milestone for my brother was his 30th birthday on May 18th.  Not that I'm super old, but gosh, it sure sounded weird to say my brother is 30.  He will always be my little baby bro - I see him like that, and yet see him as the man he has become.  I'm so proud, and so happy he has found a wife and partner who loves him so much.  I'm excited to see what life brings them and wish them much blessings!!!

CA Trip: Napa Valley, May 1, 2011

Lunch @ Mustard's Grill, Napa

Another day of gorgeous weather in CA!

Arriving at Sterling Vineyards

getting ready to board the tram up to the tasting rooms, 300 feet up!

Renata on the tram

View from the tram

beginning of self-guided tour

patio at Sterling.  80 degree day. Didn't want to leave!!

Tasting patio at Mumm Napa.  Mumm does sparkling wine exclusively.

Ahhhh, do we really have to go back to Seattle?

@ Mumm Napa, in Napa

CA Trip: San Francisco, April 30, 2011 - night time

main bedroom of our hotel, Hotel Diva

Diva on the pillows!

me and my very good friend, Stephanie.  We both worked for AIG VALIC (She still does), and she was living outside of Boston when I was.  This dinner was the first time we'd seen each other in 5 yrs!!

tuna tartare @ Michael Mina in San Fran.  Amazing splurge dinner

my entree - trout done two ways.  Poached and crisy skin side down.  the side was a fava been thing that was very good

Renata and Aydan enjoying Michael Mina

Here we are at a champagne lounge, called The Bubble Lounge.  Super cool place!

Bubble Lounge, San Fran

Cheers!!  Enjoying our champagne!

CA Trip: San Francisco, April 30, 2011 - day time

our hotel, Hotel Diva on Geary Street.  Around the corner from the St. Francis Hotel

Union Square, San Fran

World Famous St. Francis Hotel, which survived the 1906 earthquake

Huge palm trees in Union Square

Chinatown

Chinatown

Transamerica Building, view from North Beach neighborhood

St Francis of Assisi Chruch, est. 1849!  This was a beautiful church!!

North Beach, the Italian neighborhood of San Fran.  I really loved this area. So many restaurants that smelled heavenly

I love the townhouse architecture along the way to Fisherman's Wharf

Passed by this place.  Gotta try it next time.  Oldest Italian restaurant in America? yes please!

World Famous Fisherman's Wharf.  Definitely even more touristy than our waterfront in Seattle

had lunch outside at this place.  Really good grilled cheese sandwich filled with crab! YUM

Renata and I at lunch

Lined up for the cable car, looking back at the Golden Gate Bridge

Aydan and Renata on the cable car

Me and Aydan.  My first ride on the cable car