full house | thanksgiving in the land of san fran | california

nearly two months since the last blog entry...and although i sometimes feel the need to remain more consistent in my posting, i have to remind myself that for the most part...this is the off season, and sometimes my family really just needs me 'off.' and so a few weeks out west to unplug and spend time with my parents was rejuvenating for the whole english clan.  growing up out west, i can distinctly remember the times i would see my grandparents here in michigan - and how exciting those visits always were. and now, my kids have the opportunity to experience something similar and it certainly brings me joy to see them run to their papa and grandma in the airport, ready for new adventures and vacation memories!

benjamin the photographer a true roast beast... we headed up north to wine country, with the hopes of finding our way through napa to the inviting town of sanoma. yeah...this bakery...all sorts of goodness wide-eyed ben...with treats galore! when wine tasting with parents who are club members...you must pace yourself! benja is a good sport...i try my best to follow along on his adventures with as little direction as possible...but sometimes, just sometimes he gets a 'hey bud, stand there...look up at the clouds' grandpa and komali girl just workin' on my lorax stance 'we're going buddy!!' sanoma details ravenswood...yeah, i think i've heard of them* dad and i are working on a new brand / website / logo for his custom woodworking business.  we snapped some shots to help tell his story.. ben wants to be just like grandpa! in grandpa's classroom dad did some work for concannon and we wanted to catch some of the details of his work there...so we decided to stop off for a bit of the afternoon. this place is awesome! dapper jonathan, of english craftsman woodworking the ladies of my life! a table in the tasting room made by english craftsman woodworking out past the skyscrapers of SF is land's end...we arrived in time for a spectacular sunset hike! #bensadventures somebody seemed to be pretty comfortable around people.. a few days later we headed down the coast to monterey, stopping along the way near santa cruz for a little beach exploration.. destination station i couldn't take enough of these silhouette photos in the aquarium...spellbound.. the look of surprise! truly mesmerizing* ben and his love of sharks..

california kids {family.vacation.destination}

with my parents being out in san francisco, there is always a good excuse to hop on a plane for the golden state.  and with wedding season just around the corner, two weeks in the california sun with grandparents was a perfect prelude to summer!

its the simple, and yet, vibrant pastimes that tend to make up our time out west, and this trip was no exception.  wineries, fresh markets, poolside sunshine, city sights, and just plain relaxing! this land will always hold a special place in our hearts!

san francisco {and.the.golden.gate.grandparents}

dreaming of warmer, western days.... last year my folks moved up the coast from san diego to the greater san francisco area - my father took a new job teaching in the town of brentwood, and jana and i figured it was a great reason to take the kids out west.  any excuse to see the grandma and papa, and explore the city by the bay!

we were blessed with a week of great wine, amazing landscapes, beautiful city skylines, california sun, and the very best company of my dad and mom (who may i say, are stepping into their roles as grandparents brilliantly!)

oh west coast, you are always an adventure!

-npe

- norah enjoying the pool!- perfecting the leap- taking advantage of the skin his momma gave him- it ain't portland, but we'll still put a bird on it- why hello- swingin singing ladies- yes ben, you can be loud here- into the city we go- bay bridge- embarcadero- flats with a view- from coit tower- let's take the stairs!- we found jana!- yeah...i bet i could swim from there....said me, never- skyline totally photobombing- crookedest street- where one chapter of my life meets another...- you sell rice-a-roni in your gift shop?- it was very hard to pull ben from this view- there's fresh...and then there is fresh!- to be a fisherman- a san francisco staple- 'so ehhh..you gonna draw me or what?'- street eats- a beckoning shadow cast upon the park- 'oh papa!'- 'your scratchy face reminds me of daddy's!'- some fine sign design- beauty in the details- ben digging the trains and working on expressing his enjoyment - nice thumbs up bud!- riding in style- a fixture on the wharf....i guess- into the mist- a lone bird, paying his respect- goodnight sf- signing the guestbook- my personal wine teacher- yep..i am in love- still in love!- someday this very tradition will be enjoyed amid the rolling hills of bordeaux- dapper indeed benjamin- sweet komali girl- working on form...and fun- want to watch them for a week?- total.hot.babe.- thankful- english ladies..now we just need eve!- these two put up with a lot from me...and they are still smiling*- harvest time- big ol' tree- grandma & grandson- discovery and wonder- oh the joys of youth- redwoods- photo dueling...- in the house of giants- golden gate bridge...as the fog rolls in- burnin' some calories- a new generation of goonie- ♬ 'everywhere you look, everywhere you go...' ♬- entrance to chinatown