The Enzler Family: Baby's First Vacation

The week leading up to your first vacation was CRAZY! Mom had her company’s user conference in Frisco so she was very busy with company events and actually ended up staying in Frisco one of the nights. This meant dad was on baby patrol and was in charge of taking and picking up a lot of the week. Finally Friday rolled around. I picked you up from school and we dashed to your dad’s office. We visited with your dad’s co-workers while he finished up and then we went to the garage and transferred all of the bags into my car. So we thought. The back of my car was full with clothes, strollers, diaper bags and extra stuff. We pulled into the airport parking and we were proud that we were so prepared. Until we checked our bags and realized that we had forgotten your bag in dad’s car back at his office. The trip was getting off to a rocky start.

It’s crazy the amount of stuff that we went through security with. I think we had 7 bins of things. Of course we had to have our carryon bags searched for liquids and had apparently forgotten to check a rather large, expensive bottle of shampoo. Into the trash can it went. Finally we made it through security, got a bite to eat and then got on the plane. Since you never had been a plane before, I was really nervous that you might have a major meltdown. I think the guy sitting next to me thought the same thing. But we should have known that we were sitting next to a celebrity – the best baby in the history of the world. You slept for the first half of the trip and for the second half, you “talked” to the people behind us and giggled at your mom and dad. Everyone in our area said what a great baby you were. We caught an Uber cab at the airport. We had to do a little arranging, but luckily all of our things fit in the truck of the car. We had to beg the driver to stop at Target so that we could get you some clothes after the left bag incident. We divided the list and conquered. Mom was in charge of clothes. Dad was in charge of miscellaneous baby paraphernalia. In just 27 minutes, we were in and out – has to be some kind of record. Your second cousin’s wedding was in Half Moon Bay – which was about 30 minutes away. The road was really windy and foggy. Finally we got to the hotel.

I had called ahead and so our room was on the first floor (thank goodness! There were no elevators and we had a ton of stuff), had no air conditioning (had to open the door) and a pack n play already set up for you. Nonnie, Grandad, Laura and Son were at the rehearsal dinner and then stopped by. They took your dad to dinner while you and I unpacked and got into bed. The next morning, we woke up and went to eat breakfast. You met your adorable cousin Jordan (Carolyn and Scott’s little girl) and Aunt Bonnie, Aunt Kitty and Uncle Tom, cousin Andy, Aunt Laurie and Uncle Ted, Aunt Laurel and Uncle Pat (who gave you the coolest growth chart). Your Nonnie has 10 brothers and sisters so there is always quite a crew at family events. Next we loaded up a full diaper bag and headed to Stanford (about 45 minutes away). We spent some time in the bookstore. You got a very cool “FEAR THE TREE” t-shirt, toured campus (including the tower) and walked through the tailgate (both Army and Stanford’s). We believe that you probably got some knowledge via osmosis and that one day you will be a fighting tree…I mean cardinal…how do you get a cardinal when the mascot is a tree (sigh)

We concluded the Stanford tour by going to the Dutch Goose (which was apparently is on the must see list of your Great Grandfather). We got some great greasy burgers and fries and watched TCU v. Minnesota (your Uncle Alex was in charge of running the flags but we didn’t see him). On the way back to Half Moon Bay, there was a ton of traffic. We literally had 10 minutes to get ready. The wedding was held at this great place called Longbow Saloon. The grounds included a little country church and then a little town with activities (such as a campfire to roast s'mores and a sling shot range). The wedding was beautiful. We then ate great BBQ (not you buddy – you missed out), pie and listened to the toasts. Around 8:30pm, you gave out. This was understandable, it was 10:30pm our time. We took you home.

The next morning, we went to Paul and Kelly’s house for breakfast. They are your great aunt and uncle as well. They served a delicious brunch and we had a great time chatting with everyone. Then, somehow, Laura and Son lost their ride into San Francisco and had to go pick up two rental cars back at the airport. Laura and Son caught a ride with your cousin Molly and her boyfriend, your Grandad and dad picked up the cars and somehow me and your Nonnie got stuck in the airport rental car garage. First we went to the wrong parking lot and had to follow a worker back to the rental car section and then we didn’t have a contract so we couldn’t get out. FINALLY, we got a guy at National Rental Car to look up the contract and let us out. We met everyone at an iHOP, transferred stuff into new rented cars and hit the road to Napa with your Grandad and Nonnie following. You slept the entire way to Napa but we went over the Bay Bridge and “I’m not sure what it’s called so I will call it the new section of the Bay Bridge.” We drove to downtown Napa to get something to eat and view the earthquake damage. Yes, Napa had a 6.2 magnitude earthquake only 3 weeks before we got there. After our little snack, we went to our first wine tasting…one of my favorite…Peju. The wine was as great as I remembered. Go there some day but be 21 and take your mom :)

After the tasting, we drove to Calistoga Ranch where your dad’s CEO had very generously given us 2 nights at their lodge. You knew that a place will be pretty special when you pull up and see 3 Porsches, a Bimmer and super nice Mercedes. We dropped the cars off at the valet and took a golf cart to the “lodge” which was really 4 buildings and an outdoor table and chairs with a fireplace. It was heaven. Once we got everything unpacked and finished drooling over our accommodations, we went to dinner at this quaint little place called Cindy’s Backstreet Kitchen in St. Helena. We had the quirkiest waiter from New York. Dinner was delicious! Everything was super fresh and local. You didn’t even make a peep the entire 2 hours we were at dinner. Because you are a rock star baby. We finished up the evening sharing a bottle of wine around the outdoor fireplace.

The next morning, you stayed with your granddad and your dad and I went on a power hike. The hike was pretty steep and the end of the trail gave us a great view of the valley. It was so much fun! After we got back, we had a delicious breakfast (best eggs your dad has ever had so he says) and then we met Michael (our wine tour driver) and drove to Spring Hill. The first place we tried was Sherwin Family. We were the only people there and Donna helped us. The winery looked over a fantastic pond and vineyard. Our next step was Barnett Family Winery. The tasting was on top of the mountain that overlooked the backside of Napa Valley. It was truly spectacular. Afterwards we went into the wine cave. Again we were the only people at the tasting. We felt like VIP. We had lunch at a cute little sandwich shop by the third winery – Ehlers. Ehlers is one of the oldest wineries in Napa and the wine was great. We wrapped up our tour at Realm – which was held in a wine cave (you guessed it…only people at the tasting). We had a blast and bought lots of wine.

For dinner, we went to this great place called Goose and Gander in St. Helena. Half way through dinner, we discovered that we only brought one bottle of formula so I had to make a mad dash to the grocery store next store which luckily had your kind of formula. The restaurant staff helped me get it mixed up for you and dad kept you entertained while we could get the food situation remedied. Great team effort. Another night was spent by the fireplace. Such a serene place. Put in a good word with your dad so we can go back.

Tuesday was our last day. We started the day on a hike with your Nonnie and you hung out with your Grandad. It was so great to have them there. They had to get on the road early because they were meeting Paul and Kelly for an Alcatraz tour, so we said our goodbyes once we got back from the hike. We ate another delicious breakfast (your dad got the eggs…) and then we packed up to go. We did a little shopping in St. Helena and then drove the back way to Sausalito. We ate a late lunch there and then drove across the Golden Gate bridge to the airport. On the flight home, we were the only people in our row. You slept like a champ again. And it was awesome.

It was a great trip! Can’t wait for many more with you little man.