Sickies

Last week everyone but me got sick!  Early early Tuesday morning Elia woke up 4 times to puke and was completely recovered by 8am.  Gianna was feverish Monday and Tuesday so I took her to the doctor where she tested positive for strep.  So Gianna missed school for the rest of the week.  Then Thursday Chris came home early from work sick with whatever Elia had.  I was waiting and waiting for one or both sicknesses to hit me, but alas, I remain unscathed.  Must be that awesome immune system I've developed while teaching.

Lots of artsy crafty stuff since we couldn't hangwith friends.

Love this one of Elia- I used to always wear my hair like this.

G also learned how to milk her sickness- Elia was her little servant fetching pillows for her and drinks of water etc.

By Friday everyone was completely healthy so we got out to the park for lunch.

Another awesome one of Elia- a month ago she couldn't climb this at the park without my help, and now she is a pro!

Today was G's first day back and she got her book order.  She was so excited to read to Elia.

Gianna and Gabby

Gianna told me the other day that she wants to be a mom when she grows up.  After getting her *blood drawn, she was pretty set on never having babies because that would mean she would have to get her blood drawn a lot.  So when she told me she wanted to be a mommy, I asked her what changed her mind.  And she said one word: Gabby.
I'm not so sure how Gabby felt about Gianna's constant, nagging, sweet attention, but Gianna sure is crazy about Gabby!

Trying to swipe a kiss

Walking

Always walking!

Oh that G and her sweet cuz Gabbers.

*Gianna tested negative for Celiacs!  Yay!

Elia and the dogs

Every morning in California, the first thing Elia would go do is find all the dogs and say hello to each one.  The one who was probably most receptive to her is Bella.  Sometimes Elia would accidentally call her Koda.  They kind of look alike.



A few days after we got back from Cali, Gianna told Elia how much she missed California.  Elia said me too!  I miss the dogs.  Elia is helping Chris wear me down more and more to get one!

California: A Wedding

Chris' cousin got married Saturday night.  The groom's brother is one of Chris' good friends from Napa.  Chris is excited that this is the closest he will become to being related to his friend Rob.

My girls!

Dad, Son, Grandpa

Classic Daddy daughter dancing

This pic cracks me up.  Chris and Vince are trying to get Elia to dance and she just wan't into them!

California: Family Pictures

Early Saturday morning we came back to Andretti Winery armed with M&Ms and a good camera.  The results, after taking over 300 pictures, were truly amazing.  Chris put a lot of them up on facebook, but here are a few for you to ogle!

Rowles and family

Mary and Chuck and kids

Just kids



I'm going to frame this one!

And this one!

Grandparents and grandkids

Just grandkids!

California: Wine Tasting

Friday we went wine tasting! Before we had kids, we would go wine tasting at least 2 or 3 times per visit. Now we are lucky if we squeeze it in at all! Since Sarah was here for the first time we made a day of it.  Uncle Brian drove us in his 15 passenger.  We went to 4 wineries.
Our first stop was Andretti Winery. The famous race car driver Mario Andretti owns this winery. It is so beautiful! Chris and I have been here before and brought home a really good dessert wine last visit from there. This time we bought a bottle of red. We also decided this would be a great place to take our family pictures the next day. You can see why:

Awwww- siblings!

I'm sure we were talking about something really deep here over our wine.

Sister in laws!

Why wouldn't we get our pictures taken here?  Breathtaking!

Our next stop was Hegafen. This was just as beautiful, and felt more mom and pop. They touted the fact that all their wine is kosher. We bought a yummy bottle of Rose here.

The outside was gorgeous!

The inside was cute too.

Next we went to Daurioush. This is quite the winery! Everything is very polished, including the people who work there. They all looked like super models. (and ahem, were a little stuffy) Chris and I went there last visit and brought home 3 bottles but we opted out this visit.  

The whole crew!

Lastly we went to  ZD.  By then we were all sort of tired and ready to go eat, so no one bought anything here.  Don't have any pictures worth putting up- no one is looking at the camera.  Afterwards we went to Silverado Brewing Company for lunch.  It was a fantastic day!  

California: Bunnies and Ping Pong

Thursday started off just hanging out at Grandma's house.  Becky had the day off.  We decided to bring the bunnies into the house to play.  First, we put up the gate so the bunnies couldn't run away

THese 3 got along so well this visit!

Then the bunnies hopped around and we fed them.

Our future vet!

Gianna helped grandma make a dirt cake truffle for dessert.  It was yummo!

Then we had a gigantic ping pong tournament.  Chris even made up a tournament bracket board.  I lost right away to Becky, but Chris did ok.  Matt ended up winning the whole thing.  The winning prize was an it's-it.  I think you can only buy these in Cali.

There is always something fun happening at the Rowles house!

California: Park and the City

I took one picture of the kids the whole day Wednesday, and it sure is a beauty!

Aunt Jenny braided G's hair

We took the cousins to the park with Aunt Cathy and her 2 little ones (they are G and E's second cousins).  For dinner all the adults went into San Fransisco for dinner.  We went to Q, which was featured on Guy Fieri's show, Diners, Drive-ins and Dives.  We could have just eaten the appetizers and been completely satisfied, but I went ahead and got the Duck Confit, and it did not disappoint!  I don't think I had ever had duck before but it was so, so good!  I'm so mad I didnt take any pics!
Afterwards Chris and I picked Matt and Sarah up from the SF airport.

The most amazing dessert ever! 

California: Pajama Day and a Fashion Show

Tuesday everyone stayed in their pajamas. 

Love that Gabbers!

chocolate bunnies!!!

I slipped out to see my dear friend Annie, who lives about an hour away from Napa.  So we met halfway.  I think it has been 2 years since I have seen her!

Later that night everyone put on a fashion show.

Beth's dance wear has really come in handy to dress these girls up.  Remember last time?

California: Marine World

Monday we took all the kids to Marine World. They got to pet an elephant, which was pretty stinking cool. It was an exhausting day, but all the young ones had fun!

She wanted to do this over and over!

Oh Auntie Ana!

All the girls.  Gianna is trying to squeeze the softness out of Gabby.

It was really cool to see the kids pet the elephant!

Not sure about the tasmanian devil.