Napa Valley

Our first day with the Van Straaten's was just wonderful! We went to Yountville, to a beautiful park where the kids could play and we could catch up with the family and hear of their new life in Napa.







After lunch we took a drive past an exquisite spa and hotel that was super modern and "green". Needless to say, I got very excited and got Andrew to take me there again later for a better look! Sadly, the Van straatens were due to go away with some friends for a few days, but we stuck around and used their home as a Holiday Venue!

On our way to visit the Van Straaten's in Napa Valley,CA

Napa Valley is about 6 hours drive from Los Angeles. Andrew and I climbed in the car at 7 in the evening and went for it so that we wouldn't have to waste the next day driving up. The trip was really beautiful, and the sun stays up for a long time in the summer.

The ground in the valleys are extremely fertile and there is much farming land on the route up there.

Halfway we stopped at a truck stop town to get some much needed coffee and to update our dear friends in Napa of our progress. They had insisted on waiting up for us so we were eager to get there as soon as was possible! We really have missed the Van Straaten family since Anton Graduated and was called to a church up there.

We arrived at 1 or so in the morning, chatted for a few minutes and then went to bed so that we would be functioning again in the morning! We are in store for a wonderful weekend! So great to see you Anton, Marietjie, Naomi and Olivia!

New additions to the apartment!

This evening was "work on home projects" night at the Zekveld home. There are not many more pleasing things for a wife than to see projects get done, so tonight was the best!!! look what we were up to...

I had stained the wood for a new frame in preparation for the work party...

I was recovering the new dining room chairs that I got with fabric that matches the colour of our dinner plate set...

My most handsome husband was putting together a frame for our bathroom mirror...

And these were a romantic addition to our bedroom entrance!

The lanterns from my wedding were hung in the passage to hide an unattractive light fitting.

All in all we had a great time! Three cheers for the team!

Fun at the Dodgers Game

Today we had the wonderful privilege of going to the Dodgers Game with the Bird family. Scott Bird is Andrew's boss and one of his favorite people. Amy, Scott's wife is one of my favorite people! And let's not forget those most adorable 3 boys - Jonah and Noah (who look more like Andrew's kids than Scott's) and then Jacob who is still in mummy's tummy due in mid October. The trip to the game was also to celebrate our 4 month Wedding anniversary. On our way there, Andrew and I stopped at the best pizza place ever! So yummy! We just got our new cellphones and mine, which has GPS, was directing the way through the traffic to the Stadium.

The parking lot of the Stadium overlooks Downtown Los Angeles

Inside the Stadium, the noise is very loud! It felt much like going to a rugby match back home!

There is the Bird family! Thanks for inviting us to come along!

Noah is 2 years old and a real cutie!

Jonah is 4 and just loves "Mr Andrew and Miss Vicky"!

On the board after the 7th inning the crowd sings "Take me out to the ball game" Here's a video of it if you want a taste of the sorts of things that we do at the game!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gk3MAQQSoT0&feature=PlayList&p=B6EE988C01AFFBC7&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=23

The game lasts quite a while and the sun has set...

With the game over, we took some pics and then headed off our separate ways! We had a great time! Baseball may not be as cool as Rugby but it sure beats a Cricket match!!!