Jerry turns 40 and Max turns 20 months

Jerry's 40th Birthday from Catherine Just on Vimeo.

Jerry turned 40 on September 28th and he thought we were going up to Monterey for one of my photography workshops - but we decided to cancel the workshop due to low numbers of people signing up. I took advantage of it and created a surprise trip for him. We went to Disneyland for 2 nights and we spent his birthday showing Max Disneyland for the first time. I thought that it would be memorable. Jerry LOVES Disneyland - and I HATE it.
h.a.t.e.....But - I wanted to give it another try - as a mom - and as a wife to someone who really loves it.
Max only went on 2 rides. The first was "it's a small world" and he would look out and then turn and kiss me - back and forth - look and kiss - look and kiss - he LOVED the ride so much. It was the highlight of Disneyland for sure!
After our 2 day adventure there ( which was REALLY fun! ) We went into Phase 2 of the surprise and we drove up to San Francisco and stayed in a rental house for 4 nights.
We took a walking tour, visiting my cousin Andy and his girlfriend Brienne, Went to the Ferry Building Farmers Market, tried the sandwiches at Tom Colicchio's restaurant, Tried a Mexican restaurant my friends in LA raved about called Gracias Madre, walked in different neighborhoods, took my cousins advice to try Anthony's cookies - and YES I ate a cookie...And YES they are to DIE FOR and went to Golden Gate Park and introduced Max and Jerry to Redwood Trees. The weather was perfect - sunny and need a sweater weather - and it was nice to explore the city from a neighborhood we'd never seen before. Jerry asked me to marry him when we visited San Francisco years ago - and we stayed in North beach. This time we stayed in Noe Valley. Much more baby friendly area - parks, lots of strollers, cute walking neighborhood etc.

I took some photos and made the video above to remember the trip. I also took some video of Max at Disneyland and on the road in the car seat rocking out to music from the movie the Breakfast Club. I'll post those later this week.

It's good to be back - and I'm grateful we were able to take this time and get out of town. October is our favorite month in general - and to travel - and to get married
( our 3 year anniversary is this Wednesday! )

I have much to report about how Max is doing - all the sign language he is doing now he is doing now and I'll get that up on another post this week as well. He was a dream to have on this vacation with us. He does so great in the car for many hours, he's not a fussy guy - no tantrums, dealt well with new surroundings, weather, different people, and different schedules. Seeing San Francisco with a baby is so great as we experience it from a new point of view and with new goals. No longer rushing around trying to see and do a zillion things - it was more about being a family and remembering who we are and what each of us needs or wants. I feel we all learned more about each other on this trip and got even closer as a family - if that is even possible??

next stop....CHICAGO!!!!