Barrett California Vacation ...

We just got back from our once a year trip to see Tim's family in Northern California. This is the first time we stayed the entire week in the Gilroy/Morgan Hill area (last year we did half a week with the family in Gilroy and half the week with just Bob and Kim and our boys in Lake Tahoe). The impetus for this year's trip was a family wedding for Tim's Uncle Todd to his beautiful wife, Tiffany.

Tim's parents (the fabulous Grandma Kim and Papa Bob) took the week off to come down from Sacramento and spend time with us - which was awesome. Our famiy of FIVE stayed with Tim's Nonie (Bob's mom) - otherwise know as the most hospitable woman on the planet - the entire time.

Tim loves going home to northern California to see his family - they all pretty much live within a 30 mile radius of each other in this Gilroy/Morgan Hill/Hollister area just south of San Jose. The area is beautiful ... rolling hills, oak trees, farmland. His family is great, too. As Tim puts it, "Of course I love going home. It's like a non-stop party for ME!" True to that statement, when we pulled into town late Saturday night (after the LONG drive), there were grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins at Nonie's house to greet us. Such love. :-)

We had some big plans to really enjoy lots of different things in the surrounding areas while we were in town and enjoy we did. We packed A LOT of fun into this one week!

We took Sunday off to recover from the drive, Tim enjoyed a long bike ride with his cousin, Rick, and we took the boys to the park. I came down with a wicked migraine and spent most of the afternoon in bed - missing out on some of the visiting. BUT - Nonie made me chicken soup in bed. :-)

On Monday, Nonie made plans for us all to go together to Gilroy Gardens, otherwise known as "California's only horticultural educational themepark". The park was created as a botanical gardens - it is BEAUTIFUL - they added rides for small children, as well, so it is PERFECT for our family with the ages are kids are at. Nonie takes the boys' cousin Kaden often, and was excited to take our boys for the first time this trip. She volunteers at the park in her free time as a "docent" handing out maps and generally being the nicest grandma ever. She loves to stay active there and do her walking in such a safe and beautiful place. How cute is that?

First stop at the Gardens was the mini-carosel...

Granda Kim took Caleb

The three cousins rode their own horses ... Kaden (Tim's Cousin, Sara's son), Will, and Jared.

Jared was in heaven. This was the first time either boy had ever done anything like this before.

We also drove these old-time cars around a track made out to be an old highway. Jared picked the sports car and ME as his passenger. Love.

Not surprising for a boy who is so much like his Daddy, Jared was a REALLY good driver and barely bumped the track at all!

Next up we rode the boats around the little river.

Will hopped in with Grandma and Papa.

Jared, Kaden, and Nonie took the next boat.

Tim and I took Caleb with us. He was required to have his own seat, which, surprisingly - worked out ok. :-)

We stopped at the falls to take a picture of the boys with Grandma and Papa.

Caleb missed the photo op to take a quick snooze.

The boys rode on balloons ...

... and ferris wheels.

Will snapped a picture of me and Caleb - which turned out to just be Caleb and my tummy.

Will was awfully worried that I would drop the camera since we were so high up - and told me to be careful several times. He then realized that he had an empty seat next to him and asked me to "pass" him the baby. I had to remind him we needed to be careful not only with cameras, but also with small babies!

The boys had a fabulous day ... they rode roller coasters, did a rock maze, played in the water and had a blast with their grandparents, great-grandma (Nonie), and cousins.

Baby Caleb even got to ride his own ride!

Nonie took Stephanie and I with our babes over to the fishies and

let Easton and Caleb try it out. Huge hit with the littles!

So cute!

We also took our babes on the bigger carousel.

Stephanie (Tim cousin Rick's wife) and their 1 yr old son, Easton.

Nonie with Caleb and Easton (yes, she always looks this nice!)

Before the park closed, Caleb and I also rode on the strawberries.

As you can tell, he liked them too. :-)

Caleb also got to know the youngest Barrett cousin, Molly (Kaden's little sister) when we were in town. Aren't they adorable together?

On Tuesday we went down to Santa Cruz to enjoy some beach time and spend the day with some of the relatives on Tim's mom's side of the family.

Caleb with his Uncle Mat (Tim's younger brother)

The three Barrett boys playing in the sand with Cristina (Tim's cousin, Ryan's wife) and their son, Noah.

Caleb enjoyed a faceful of sand.

The boys enjoyed digging with Noah.

Cousin Candace showed them how to catch sand crabs.

... which Will proudly showed off to me.

Love this boy!

Jared held Will's hand to help him brave the ocean.

We took a walk down the beach and the dad's pulled the little boys in the wagon. Of course, Caleb thought this was great fun.

Family picture on a BEAUTIFUL day at the beach.

My three sons.

Beach days are always my favorite.

For them too.

While we were in California, Tim wanted to take a day and travel by transit into San Francisco to get a feel for what the city was like. Tim's parents graciously offered to watch the boys for the day so we had a full day solo date!!

We took Caltrains into the city from San Jose. 90 minutes - but an easy trip.

We enjoyed a glass of wine and a beautiful view at The Cliff House.

We had a beautiful walk through Golden Gate Park and enjoyed the botanical gardens there.

The views from these botanical gardens are just a little bit different than the ones from the Desert Botanical Gardens we go to in Phoenix. :-)

We also learned that the muni trains throughout the city aren't too reliable and spent a lot of our day on the city bus with views like this. :-)

All week I looked forward to Friday when Tim was going to make my dream of picking fruit with the boys at a real life farm come true!! Whenever we've been in California, I've looked at all this beautiful farmland and wanted to do something "farm-ish" but it had always been the wrong season. Not so this trip! On Friday, we went with Tim's aunt and a few cousins to Gizdich Ranch to pick Olallieberries!

Jared, Will, and Kaden were pretty excited!

Jared worked hard at picking berries. I think he heard his dad joke about selling them so he wanted to make sure he did him proud! :-)

The ripest and juiciest berries are the darkest ones.

Steph (love her) and her sisters.

Between all the cousins we picked A LOT of berries!

Cheaper by the pound when you pik-yo-self.

After we picked our fill, we sat down at the farm to enjoy a picnic lunch.

How is this for a backdrop?

Aunt Kim treated us to some dutch apple pie from their pie shop - yum!!

Cousins and bff's.

What farm experience would be complete without a tractor for the kids to play on?

Great spot for a little baby photo op. :-)

And another family pic.

We bought the apple pie, but decided to make a few pies from the ollalieberries we picked from scratch. Cousin Jocelyn (Tim cousin Freddy's daughter) helped me bake using Nonie's recipe for the pie crust.

Sooo good! wish I had some now!! We had a birthday party for another cousin (Joey) that night, so all the pies purchased and baked were very much enjoyed!

Nonie and our three boys.

Saturday, Tim and I went down to Hollister for Uncle Todd's beautiful wedding. I tried taking some pictures of the scenery, but they just didn't do it justice. The area is so pretty!

(PS: While Tim and I were at the wedding, Nonie and Aunt Kim - not to be confused with Grandma Kim - took all 3 of our boys AGAIN to Gilroy Gardens. How lucky are they?? They had an absolute blast and went on even more rides the 2nd go-round than the first.)

Sunday was our last day and also Father's day. Kim and Bob brought over donuts bright and early to enjoy the last few hours we all had together before braving our 12 hour drive home.

Papa Bob said it was the best Father's Day ever.

What wonderful grandparents!

Jared with Kim's mom, Grandma Bertie, the spiritual prayer warrior of our family. Jared had just brought tears to her eyes as he recited for her all 26 memory verses he learned this year at preschool!

Grandma Bertie with her grandkids (Bridgette and Brooke and the left, and Brittany and Tim and the right) and her great-grandsons.

Jared and Will love Uncle Mat.

And Auntie Brittany too!

We were sad to pull out of town and say good-bye, but we really enjoyed our time there (as well as the beautiful weather). We're hoping to go back for even a little longer next year.

We love our family!