Fast and Frenzied Fourth!

 This year, the Foster household had visitors for the long 4th of July holiday weekend... Aunt Amanda and her friend Mike!  They came on Thursday (the 4th) and left us on Sunday, so we had a lot to do in those four short days.

 

This was the forecast for the week:  



 

Supposedly, this heat wave is "not normal" around here - but I distinctly remembering heading to a local lake for relief from 109 degree temperatures last year... I think maybe the heat does something to people's memories here.  Well, we didn't let the heat stop us from heading to the local 4th of July Parade that morning... but the heat definitely affected my memory, because these were the only two pictures I remembered to take!  You aren't missing much though, it was definitely a "local" parade - pretty short, and mainly the local clubs walking in matching shirts.  Much to my disappointment, there wasn't even a fire truck at the end!   (Later, I discovered why... I spotted them along the highway as I headed to the airport, heroically fighting a brush fire.) 

 

 

Notice Andrew's poor red cheeks!  It was HOT!

They've arrived!  And Andrew couldn't be happier to see his Aunt Amanda!

 

The weary travelers were exhausted by Andrew's energy!

That night, after a barbeque at our house, we headed to Livermore to see fireworks.  We decided to not sit in the line to enter into the over-priced "show", and instead parked in a nearby parking lot hoping for a good view.  It didn't end up being a good view at all, but we had fun anyway!  It was Andrew's first fireworks show, and besides being up waaaay past his bedtime and getting cranky toward the end, he seemed to really like the fireworks and wanted to keep getting closer to them.

 

 

 

 

The next day we tried to beat the heat by heading to the coast.  It was Mike's (Amanda's friend, not my Mike of course) first time in California, so we had to show him the Cali beach life!  So, we drove just under 2 hours to Santa Cruz and then a little further south to my favorite beach town, Capitola.
After having lunch on the pier, we walked the very crowded boardwalk, where we decided to buy some ride tickets and let Andrew ride the carousel, and his very first solo amusement park rides!  The kid did awesome!  He wasn't at all afraid, and was extremely patient when waiting his turn to get on the ride... I was so proud! 

Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz Carousel

Mike got 2 rings in the clown's mouth!  I was so proud, only one other person made it in!

Captain Andrew!

 

Hey Mom!  Look at me!

What's going on back there?

 

Driving the Pepsi Truck!

The Ferris Wheel was a bad idea... Andrew is not happy here, but not because he was scared... because it takes FOREVER to get on and off the ride.  This was also the last one of the day, and he had been patient enough!

On the beach in Capitola

 

 

 

 

 

The next day, we stayed close to home to give us all a break from the car and because, why go far, when you can go to the wineries here?!  :)   We started the day in Pleasanton, with a quick stroll through the Farmer's Market and brunch at Nonni's.   After filling our bellies we took Mike to Concannon for his first tasting.   We then headed to our favorite location - Bent Creek Winery.  The weather was gorgeous, the live music was amazing, and the winery was a picture perfect backdrop for a lovely afternoon.

 

 

On the last day of Amanda and Mike's trip, we took them back to San Fran and had lunch at Boudin's on the Wharf and then headed to Pier 39 to see the sea lions... unfortunately, the sea lions left for the summer and won't be back until August.  So, what else could we do but ride the carousel?  Andrew is going to think that carousels are everywhere soon!