Experiencing a Little NapaStyle

Billy's older sister, Marie, was born on December 25th. Needless to say, her birthday often gets overlooked due to Christmas. This year we decided to celebrate her birthday a little earlier by taking her out to lunch after church. The venue of choice was a new restaurant opened just a few weeks ago called Bottega, the eleventh and last run of restaurants by celebrity chef, Michael Chiarello. As we sat there enjoying our delicious lunch, the last thing we expected was to see Michael himself. We were surprised when he showed up at our table to greet us and shake our hands, even more when he picked Andre up and offered to give him a tour of his kitchen, saying "I have one of these at home." Much to our delight, Andre complied to go with him, giving us the opportunity to take some memorable photos. Later on, our waiter told us that M. Chiarello often makes an appearance to his guests at Bottega as this is supposed to be the very last restaurant that he opens. Very cool!

Bottega in Yountville

Andre with Michael Chiarello

Andre with Auntie Marie

hubby and I

Kiddie Quote

Maybe it's just me but I found this to be pretty funny.

Today, I handed Andre his sippy cup of milk. He paused to look at it for a moment before saying: "Drink my milk and eat my dust" then he proceeded to down it. I wonder what movie or television show he got that from???

Guitar Hero

Concert of the Year

Every year, Billy and I usually attend at least one concert. We've been to quite a number of good ones, too. This time, Billy opted not to attend due to the fact that his work schedule wouldn't permit him. Fortunately, I had some friends who were more than happy to join me! The headliner was OneRepublic and opening for them were The Hush Sound, The Spill Canvas and Augustana. In case you were wondering, it was a very good show!

Okay, I think I have a thing for light fixtures!

fellow music aficionados

OneRepublic frontman singing with Augustana's frontman

Arabian Nights

Well, not exactly...We did, however, celebrate Leilani's birthday at El Morocco.

Where did October go?

I mean seriously, I can't believe that Thanksgiving is already next week and I haven't even posted Andre's Halloween photos!! I got some major catching up to do....

Andre as "Cookie Monster" at the Trebotich Halloween Party,
Elijah as Captain America

Andre as "Thomas the Train" on Halloween Night

Pumpkin Patch Kids

Today was the perfect day to take the kids to the pumpkin patch. The Stanly Lane Pumpkin Patch in nearby Napa is my favorite place to take Andre during the fall. This time around I got to go with two other moms and their kids and it was all the more fun!

top: Keegan, Mia
bottom: Ronin, Lucas, Andre

field trip for some school kids
on top of the pyramid of hay

pumpkins make good seats

my little boy

Tea for Two

My friend Melissa invited me to high tea one Friday afternoon, to which I eagerly agreed. I love tea time and it had been a long while since I last had the privilege of enjoying it. It was especially enjoyable because as the mother of young children, it's not often we can enjoy two lovely, uninterrupted hours of conversation over four courses and ten cups of tea. I'm already looking forward to my next tea date....

Fall is Upon Us!

Autumn Wind

When autumn wind goes running
It does some magic things.
It gives the shadows dancing shoes,
It gives the bright leaves wings -
When autumn wind goes running.

It curls the bonfire's tail of smoke
And shares a little whispered joke
With cornstalks who delight to prattle,
It turns a seed pod into a rattle -
When autumn wind goes running.

Bowl-A-Rama Birthday

The birthday celebrants, Tay & Margaret

lousy bowlers = lots of laughs

the cheerful champions

Playing Around in NYC

This was our first day in NYC and boy was it hot! In fact, it was hot the entire time we were there. Our first foray was into the nearby neighborhood of Chelsea where we happened to stumble upon a children's water park. None of us were dressed for it, but we decided that after obligingly spending many restrictive hours on a plane, Andre deserved to run around in the water on such a stifling day!

And here is our little guy stripped down to his diapers
and loving every minute of it!

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We hit up quite a few playgrounds in the city. This is one at Central Park on the Upper West Side. Have you watched The Nanny Diaries? If so, you'll understand our dismay at discovering that many of the children at these parks and playgrounds were not there with either of their parents or any member of their family for that matter!

Billy and a nice shot of Andre's legs.

Okay, this is a better one!

"Wanna play?"

Squeezing in Some Art & Culture

At opposite ends of Central Park lie two great museums to visit while in New York. On the east side is the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It holds an impressive collection of art and artifacts, my favorites being the European paintings.

The grand lobby

Billy viewing Monets

Vince photographing Van Goghs

Vince educating Billy on Seurat's work

Len caught between Van Gogh's Blue Irises
and the master's self portrait

Me, viewing John Singer Sargent's work

Painting of a painting

Entering the domain of architectural elements
and statuary

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The American Museum of Natural History lies on the west side of Central Park, directly opposite of the Met. It was the inspiration for the movie Night at the Museum.

Lots of cool but freaky creatures
and critters on display here!

Oh and dinosaurs, too!

Central Park

Central Park is vast and lovely--a gem of a refuge for crowded and hectic NYC. It's the perfect place to escape to when feeling overstimulated by the sights and sounds of the city.

Saxophone player on the mall

The famous Bethesda Fountain that's in
nearly every NYC movie or television show.

And us in front of it

A classic Central Park photo op

Vince and Len taking a hike

Bright Lights, Big City

New York is called "the city that never sleeps." It's amazing to be out at night past ten and see crowds of people milling about and shops and restaurants that are still open!

on Broadway

us in Times Square

Rockfeller Plaza

the Manhattan skyline

Brooklyn Bridge

Spotted in SoHo

One of several highlights in our whirlwind NYC trip was a pair of celebrity sightings that we made in the neighborhood of SoHo. We came here to do a little shopping and to have lunch afterward. Unfortunately, no one except for Andre scored anything in the shopping arena but the expedition wasn't a complete loss! While lunching at Balthazar, we not only discovered that our friendly waitress once happened to live in our neck of the woods, but we also spotted...

Dylan McDermott

Afterwards, a quick stop into the nearby Dean & Deluca allowed us to rub shoulders with this gentleman....

Jean Reno

Unfortunately, none of us had the courage to approach either of these men for their autographs or to take photos. Besides, it's common knowledge that New Yorkers pride themselves in treating actors/celebrities like anyone else, so while in New York....