We started a new tradition (we hope) this year and flew up to Oakland over the long Veteran’s Day weekend. While there, we visited Dan’s parents and brother and – the best part of all – escaped for a parents’ only night away to Napa/Sonoma. This was my first night ever away from William, but at nearly 19 months old, he was fine with it and I was ready for some rest. Grandma and Grandpa watched our three kids for the 24 hours that we were gone (this is the part that we’re hoping becomes a tradition!).
After packing everything the night before our trip, waking up super early, driving to the airport, getting all three kids through checkin and security by myself, flying up to Oakland, taking the BART Connector and then BART to Dublin/Pleasanton, and then waiting on the curb for Dan’s parents to pick us up and take us back to their house, well, I already needed a vacation from our vacation! I got the kids settled, grabbed some car keys, and then left to enjoy a quiet lunch by myself reading and then a manicure and pedicure. After I regrouped, I helped put the kids down for their naps and then Dan and I drove up to Napa and Sonoma.
Our first stop was the Roots Run Deep Winery. We’ve liked their Educated Guess wine for years, so when we drove by the winery that makes it, we turned around and made our way to the tasting room, even though the sign outside of it said “tastings by appointment only.” We enjoyed a relaxing tasting on their wrap-around porch right before sunset. Perfect.
First Stop in Napa – Roots Run Deep Winery
We spent our one night away at the Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn & Spa. We enjoyed a luxurious dinner in their AAA Four-Diamond restaurant and then a full night of sleep!
Well Rested Parents!
After a wonderful breakfast in downtown Sonoma, we toured and tasted wines at Benziger Winery. This winery operates using biodynamic farming principles, which was especially fascinating to me since I watched The Biggest Little Farm last August. In fact, Benziger used the same consultant, Alan York, who was highlighted in the movie!
Touring the Benziger Wine Caves
Our 24 hours was up, so we headed back to Dan’s parents’ house to rejoin the chaos. We spent the rest of the weekend hanging out with family, taking the kids on a walk, bowling with Uncle Alex, celebrating Dan’s dad’s 71st birthday, and exploring the Mt. Diablo summit.
Bowling with Uncle Alex
Mt. Diablo Summit
Hiking the Mary Bowerman Trail
Hiking the Mary Bowerman Trail
It was especially good that we had this weekend away to relax a little bit and enjoy some special time together because the second we got home (literally!), Dan started writhing in pain and puking. I rushed him off to the ER where he was diagnosed with a kidney stone. He’s spent the past ten days in the ER (twice), the doctor’s office, hospital (he had surgery), and recovering at home. Hopefully he’s feeling much better very quickly, as we leave on our next trip (Oahu, Hawaii!!) in two days!
The Chambers Family - A.D. 
It was fun to read and see about the Napa part of your visit where we were not. Enjoyed having the kids to ourselves. It was an adventure. Your trip up Mt. Diablo has inspired me and Frank to check it out. My post on your visit is still in the works so stay tuned.