As I mentioned yesterday, Chicken Face and I just had our first anniversary. Apparently, tradition says that couples should exchange paper to celebrate their first year of marriage. Paper?! Yawwwwn. Instead, Chicken Face stepped up to the plate and planned a surprise trip to Sonoma, CA. All I knew is that we were going to wine country for an extended weekend and copious amounts of drinking would be involved.
Needless to say, the weekend was one of my favorites ever and hopefully the photos depict why…
Instead of a hotel (which were outrageously overpriced), Chicken Face surprised me by renting the most adorable bungalow deep in some of the most gorgeous trees. The interior was modern and full of amazing art, beating any hotel hands-down.
Lola came along for the weekend as well. I love my little family.
Tastings, tastings and more tastings! We averaged about three vineyards a day, which usually equated to about 15 tasting per day. I’m a cheap date and was completely, um, how do you say, enjoying the libations by the end. But here’s the trick on how to not spend ANY money on tastings: Chicken Face found a list of wineries (and there are a ton) that offer free tasting and a discount on wines if you show your Visa Signature credit card. By doing this, we saved over $100 in tastings alone!
The food. OH THE FOOD. We literally ate and drank our way through the weekend, eating some of the most amazing meals ever. If you are ever in Sonoma, be sure to stop at the Glen Ellen Inn Oyster Grill & Martini Bar (that’s where the world’s most amazing watermelon salad is from), and The Girl & The Fig (see the chicken and salmon above). Want more photos of food? Oh I have them…trust me.
Someone was setting up for their wedding and had this adorable sign that I couldn’t resist snapping a photo of. I know it’s overdone, but it’s still adorable.
Monday morning, we got up at 4 a.m. so that we could experience my anniversary gift to Chicken Face: a hot air balloon ride – one of our bucket list items! A completely unique experience, it was absolutely stunning and a moment that I will never forget. The perfect end to an amazing weekend.
No swimming, no cycling, no running — all perfection.
What an amazing trip! We just returned from a week vacationing in SF, Napa, and Sonoma. Wish we had known about that adorbale bungalow! You’re so lucky to live so close to wine county – Happy anniversary!
Happy Anniversary from one July 23rd couple to another!
Glad you enjoyed your weekend and can’t wait to hear about your recommendations for our own trip up there!
Awwww I Love it!!!! Soooo Cute! I also love that you took a weekend break from running, cycling, swimming to hang out with your Hubs.
Congrats on the one year! Sounds like you had a perfect weekend!
Yay! What a great 1st anniversary! Now how will you surprise him for #2?!
What a perfect way to celebrate! Love it! I’ve always wanted to go up in a hot air balloon like that!!!
what a fantastic weekend and a great way to celebrate one year! i have a groupon for a hot air balloon ride and i can’t wait to use it!
Sounds like a wonderful weekend! I’m so glad Lola was able to take part in the fun!
The bungalow looks incredible, too.
What a wonderful trip!! You guys make such an adorable couple! What great ways to surprise each other! The photos are absolutely gorgeous. The ones from the hot air balloon literally gave me goose bumps! Bucket List item for me too. Wishing you guys all the best in your marriage!
That looks like the best weekend ever! Gorgeous pics… and ohhh the food & wine! Totally jeally! Happy Anniversary!
What an awesome weekend! I have always wanted to go on a hot air balloon ride!! Happy Anniversary!
happy anniversary! the hot air balloon ride looks amazing!
You are the perfect happy family and I wish you all the best for the future! You make me happy sharing all these photos and stories!
Awe- thank you so much!