Christmas Tree Time at Silveyville Tree Farms in Dixon

Silveyville Pumpkin & Christmas Tree Farm

6208 Silveyville Rd, Dixon · (707) 678-1823

http://silveyvilletreefarm.com/

Kay grabbed her Santa hat and we were off to go find our Christmas tree. This year we decided to go back to Silveyville Christmas Tree Farm, which we've been to many times. Kay's in charge of picking the tree and helping Jonathan carry it to the car.

Kay knows the drill when we arrive at Silveyville -- take a picture at the giant measure thing, grab some free popcorn and cider, smile with Santa, pick a tree, and carry the tree.

Silveyville Tree Farm is located in the small town of Dixon, CA, which is 30 minute drive for us. It's a family friendly farm that offers fresh trees that you either cut down or select a precut one. They have Santa sleigh ride or ATV ride around the farm -- a must do at least once. They have free popcorn and coffee (or cider for the kids). All the prices are reasonable.

     

 

  

Salito's Crab House & Prime Rib Restaurant

Salito's Crab House and Prime Rib Restaurant

1200 Bridgeway, Sausalito, CA 94965 - (415) 331-3226

http://salitoscrabhouse.com/reservations.htm 

For Kay's birthday dinner, she wanted to go anywhere that had crab. We chose Salito's Crab House & Prime Rib in Sausalito. We've never been to Salito's before, but we've been to their sister restaurant, The Dead Fish, in Crockett.

We headed over to Sausalito right after our day at Boo at the Oakland Zoo. We had to cross both the new Bay Bridge and the Golden Gate Bridge on our drive to Sausalito. I love bridges.

For dinner Kay ordered a whole crab, which is steamed in a garlic sauce. It comes with no sides. I ordered the prime rib and crab dinner and that came with potalitos and creamed spinach. I've never heard of potalitos before. They are roasted and smashed potatoes. We ordered a couple salads to share.

 

   

For dessert, we had an order of their homemade beignets. They were served warm, dusted with powdered sugar.

We'd definitely go back.

Boo at the Oakland Zoo

Oakland Zoo

 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland, CA 94605  (510) 632-9525
http://www.oaklandzoo.org/
 
Today, we took Kay to the Boo at the Oakland Zoo ... just as we've done the last few years. This is the one event that I look forward to every year. I think this will be her last year though. Alas ... she's growing up.

This year Kay dressed up as a gothic vampire princess. A joint picked costume -- Kay wanted something not so "girlie" and this was a compromise. Kay actually liked the dress.

http://www.costumesupercenter.com/girls+costumes-vampires/IC7002-elite-gothic-vampira-child-costume.html

This event is held every year on the weekend before Halloween. The kids get a scavenger hunt list at the entrance and they have to identify animals with a riddle. The kids then take their list to the appropriate animal area and get their lists stamped and get a treat.

We have a membership with the Oakland Zoo and there is no additional cost for this event. I snagged this family membership through a special offer through the zoo for past members ($55.00 -- it included a parking pass and 1/one time use family pass to give to a friend).

 

      

  

       

  http://www.oaklandzoo.org/

Kay Kay's 9

Little Miss Kay Kay turned 9 today. She woke up early to a mountain of gifts. She was so happy that I got her the Minecraft Legos she's been talking about. 

A Day in the Wine Country -- Calistoga and St. Helena ... my birthday fun day

My birthday choice for fun was to go to Castello di Amorosa Winery in Calistoga and to dinner at Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen in St. Helena.

On our drive -- we spotted the Oreo Cookie cows out on pasture. I've been wanting to take pictures of them, but either they weren't out or it was too dark on our drive. Today, they were out, so I had Jonathan drive up close enough for me to take a few pictures.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Belted_Galloway

Castello di Amoroso Winery

We then headed to Castello di Amorosa Winery. It's just off Hwy 29 on the outskirts of downtown Calistoga.

http://www.castellodiamorosa.com/

Castello di Amoroso - Castle Grounds

The castle grounds are gorgeous. I'd consider it a fairly family friendly winery since it's theme is castle, which would appeal to children (for those little princesses and little knights).There are stairs to consider though. Kay loved the entire winery and we'll probably go back to take a tour. I'd recommend booking a tour prior to arriving.

    

     

              

             

             

   

Castello di Amoroso - Tasting Room

          

Castello di Amoroso - Outside Castle Grounds

     

       

Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen 

1327 Railroad Avenue, St. Helena (707) 963-1200

http://cindysbackstreetkitchen.com/

Afterwards, we headed over to St. Helena to have my dinner at Cindy's Backstreet Kitchen. The restaurant is small and quaint. The food was amazing. I've been here once before and knew this is where I wanted to have my birthday dinner.