The Bayres

January 8, 2013

Weekend visit with friends in Oakland

We spent our last weekend in California with our friends Carolyn and Mario who live in Oakland, CA. We ate some good food (dulce de leche filled churros not pictured but delicious), watched some good movies (Moonrise Kingdom) and enjoyed catching up with friends. This was the first time time Care and Mario met Oliver and they were so great with him. Both here and in Santa Cruz it was so nice to see our friends with Oliver. I wish we lived closer. Thanks for the great visit you two!

he loves lights, calls them "hiiiights"

Mario & Oliver

french toast for brunch near Lake Merritt

Carolyn & Oliver

Cheers to my long-time friend Care
(we've known each other for 16 years!)

Santa Cruz Part 2

On our last full day in Santa Cruz we went back to Cafe Brasil (we met up with my graduate school advisor).

After that we went up to the duck pond. Oliver fed the ducks and then played on the playground for awhile. It was another beautiful day.

After Oliver's nap we decided to go to Natural Bridges Beach on the west side. Oliver loves the beach and ran around and explored the sand and water. Not long after we arrived, he sat down in the water and was pants-less for the rest of our beach visit (he didn't seem to mind). We stayed and watched the sunset. A near perfect day!

Thank you for hosting us Vickie and Marc! Santa Cruz, we love you. Hopefully we'll be back soon!

*First photo by my advisor and some photos from Vickie and Marc too.

January 7, 2013

Santa Cruz Part 1

We said goodbye to Cathy and southern California and flew to San Jose on New Years Day. It was a short flight and Oliver did well. Marc and Vickie picked us up and we stopped for lunch in San Jose before driving over the hill to Santa Cruz. We haven't been to Santa Cruz since leaving in 2008 and it was just as beautiful than I remembered.

Unfortunately Oliver got sicker the day we arrived and we had to call in to his doctor to get some medication. After a day or so, he improved and was in mostly good spirits.

Our first full day in Santa Cruz we went to Cafe Brasil for brunch. The food was amazing (as always).

Acai bowl at Cafe Brasil

Orfeu Negro at Cafe Brasil

That afternoon Oliver still wasn't feeling well so Marc and Chris stayed home with him while Vickie and I took a walk on West Cliff and then did some grocery shopping at the recently opened New Leaf. It was a beautiful day on the coast and lots of people were out walking and surfing. I miss West Cliff so much!

posing on West Cliff

The next day we drove up the coast to Davenport and had brunch at the Davenport Roadhouse. The food was delicious and Oliver was feeling better so we really enjoyed ourselves.

group photo in Davenport

me and Vickie

That afternoon we walked around downtown Santa Cruz and then stopped to play at the park near our old house. Oliver had a blast at the park!

ice cream at Penny's Ice Creamery

loving the slide

he's always loved swings

father and son playin'

family photo in the park

After Oliver went to bed we played board games and ate more Mexican food (including cactus). It was another day in beautiful Santa Cruz with great friends!

Oliver and "Uncle" Marc

nopales enchiladas!

game night with Vickie and Marc

*Some photos courtesy of Vickie and Marc.

January 1, 2013

SoCal

The last day of 2012 was also our last day in Southern California. We had such a good time!

Some of the highlights of the last few days include the Farmer's Market, the aquarium, and taking walks in the beautiful weather, Mexican food, playing cards, and spending time with Cathy. Thanks so much for the great visit Cathy!