Birthday Celebration

Janet and Dave Hawkin's Family that includes sister Marsha and bro-in-law Doug, sister Jeanne, brother Richard and son Mitch have been spending a week in Cayucos for the past 27 summers! They have always invited 'Uncle Dick' during this special family time and we always feel so honored to be included. 

This year, as part of the weeks fun, we all went to the Melodrama in Oceano - next to Pismo Beach. If you are ever in the area, look it up, a guaranteed fun, entertaining evening. The house is always PACKED - get your tickets early. The skits are so cleverly created and performed! Everyone had a hoot of a time and it is for the young and the old alike.

Since it was sooooooo hot in the valley, we had fog every morning but it would eventually burn off and we had sunny afternoons. We ran every morning and the clean ocean air was GREAT for the lungs and soul!

I had heard that my former boss from my banking days had moved to Cambria.  We emailed each other and arranged to reconnect while we were in the area. She creates beautiful oil paintings and never took a lesson. She is a cancer survivor and during that ordeal, she discovered her hidden talent. She quite her 30 year banking career, sold their home in Merced and opened an art gallery in Cambria, living 5 - 10 minutes away. We hugged each other tightly, reminisced about the 'old days' and were able to share stories from our hearts.  She remembered Dick from trying to gain Malibu's business at one time.  It was a great little reunion and we are glad we made the time for each other.  Art From The Heart is the name of her gallery. On the website you can view her story and her art.

We said our goodbyes and thanked the Hawkins Family for their love and kindness.

Next stop - Santa Barbara!

We stayed at The Harbor View Inn and WHAT A TREAT it was! We met David and Vasi 

in the evening and the birthday celebration began! Vasi's birthday was Friday, mine on Saturday. We went to The Palace in Santa Barbara - a favorite restaurant and met up with Mitch! We twisted his arm to come join us for an amazing bread pudding dessert. Was nice to see him again!

On Friday, Vasi and I had a massage while the boys were pool side. In the evening we went to Santa Barbara's annual wine tasting event of reserve wines, amazing food, cheeses and desserts! The BIG event was scheduled for Saturday (2500 - 3500 people) but the event we chose had only 300 - 400 people attend and was very very nice!  BBQ lamb chops, crab stuffed tomatoes, live jazz music on a sunset beach with the one you love calls for an unforgettable evening.

On Saturday, we wanted to do a mini "Sideways" tour. Funny movie! Our first stop was of course, The Hitching Post! It was closed so we continued on to Solvang where we walked the streets of shops, had lunch and enjoyed the sunshine.

David and Vasi's son went to a private boarding school in the area so we took a drive in the hills.  Across the street was Michael Jackson's Neverland so we had to stop and take a few pics.

We headed back to HP where we had a few tastings of Santa Barbara wines, appetizers and laughs before dinner.

The owner/winemaker/head chef hung out with us for a bit. 

We talked to the bartenders about the movie and enjoyed our time.

We went to dinner at Trattoria Grappola in Santa Ynez. A restaurant that D and V would enjoy when in the area. We did too!! What a special birthday dinner, week, well MONTH, well, YEAR! 

We returned home on Sunday after picking Gabby up from spending the week with The Carlstrom's!  She was a good girl and became Friends For Life with Cali and Maddy!  

Being ever so thankful for the love we share and continue to grow in His glory.