I always love going back up to the Bay Area. The Vietnamese food up there is so much better than what I can get down here, there are trees with fall colors on them, rolling hills all around, but most of all that is where my family and closest friends are.

I didn't whip out my camera too much, but did bring it on a trip to Napa with my family and to my best friend Linda's baby shower. Here are just a few of my fav's from the bunch.

My sister, Michelle, trying to munch on some rock mushrooms outside of Domaine Chandon.


The family, sans moi.


The champagne bottles. Oh, they were sooooo gooooood!!! I'm a bigger fan of champagne now than I ever was before.


Michelle makes such a great model. This is at V. Sattui.




The Culinary Institute in Napa. Looks very academic.


Linda & Allen's Baby Shower.

Our friend Thien made tea sandwiches that were just yummy. And for anyone interested in comics and art, check out Thien & his wife, Lark's sites: http://www.larkpien.com/
http://www.thienisawesome.blogspot.com/


This future heartbreaker is Linda's nephew, Noah. Really, he is just too cute!


No shower would be complete without Name that Poop!


Normally, we just look & sniff, but Allen's a very competitive guy and will do whatever it takes to win.


Here's Thien, rushing to the doctor before his water breaks.




I have never seen so many grown men drinking out of baby bottles. And they were all such good sports. =)


Everyone's favorite, pass the bottle -neck to neck.


The guys especially loved this game. Wonder why. ;) That's Linda, btw. She's due in another 2 weeks and I can't wait to meet the little guy!

Jane & Kris have got to be one of my most favorite couples and this is why. Everything didn't go according to plan for their wedding. The outdoor ceremony on the lawn had to be moved indoors because of some light rain. Then in the middle of the reception, all the electricity in the area (Mission Bay) went out! That meant people eating their meals by candlelight, no dancing, and no karaoke like they had envisioned. But throughout the whole day, they both were still beaming from ear to ear! Their attitude was basically, Who cares? We're getting MARRIED!!! I love that. So future brides, take heart- even if everything isn't perfect, just remember that the day is still about you two & the love you share, and that's plenty to be happy about!

Jane got ready in the Hyatt down the street from Marina Village where the ceremony and reception were held.



Wow- she rocks as a bride! (BTW, her dress was hand-made by her aunt.)


Kris is Japanese, so they had a Japanese theme running.


Jane's brother wore samurai outfits...


which wouldn't be complete without these awesome swords.


No little girl could be found, so they had a very cute, very shy flower boy. This was one of the most hilarious parts of the ceremony. He walked down the aisle like that the whole way!






This is what I mean when I say these two were just glowing the entire day.




There was also an 80's theme going on during the reception so tables were by 80's movies, and they had 80's music playing all evening until the power went out. (Another reason why I loved this wedding. I couldn't stop singing to all the songs during the reception!)


Ooooh, if you're a wine connoisseur, you would've definitely wanted to be at this reception. 1976 Mouton Rothschild. I won't even say how much...it'll just make your jaw drop.


And all the lucky guests had a glass to toast with.




Here's what happens when the power goes out. Fun with lights!




They really put the sword to good use during cake cutting.


Kris searching hard for that garter...


More fun with lights before we said goodnight. Congratulations happy couple!!! Have fun living in Hawaii!