The Botica Bed and Breakfast

Guess whose butts these are? Aidan and Ben's, together at last. This was the first time I got to meet by best friend's son Aidan! Ben loved him instantly, too!

Our very first day there, Caitlin treated me with the ultimate gift, a day at the spa and shopping! We tried on hot mama jeans, and came home with a little loot. At the spa, in the mountains, we were treated with not only a jacuzzi, massage, and parafin wax treatment on our hands and feet, but also fudge, wine, "time-outs" composed of champagne and cranberry juice, a delicious salad, & peach cobler, all beside stunning view. A very relaxing time out for these mommas! Thank you Caitlin!

Aidan bonds with Uncle Theo back at the house.

We spent Thursday or so in Orangevale with Caitlin and her family, and were spoiled the whole time. Here, Nana Cindy, Caitlin, myself and the boys went to the mall, and of course, rode the carousel. Oh, and most importantly, I had my first fish taco at lunchtime. Yummy! Thanks Cindy!

While at the mall we went into the Disneystore. Papa Matt insisted Nana Cindy spoil the boys while we were there, so she picked up Disney plates, utencils, cups, and bowls, and stuffed animals, too. Thanks Papa Matt & Nana Cindy! I found Hunter's costume for Halloween here: lately Hunter had been really into fish, and he can actaully say "fish," although it comes out as "ish" or "ssshhh." So, he's going to be Nemo! Yes, this costume is every bit as cute as it looks.

One night Caitlin invited family and friends over for a BBQ. It was so great to see everyone. And to eat the world's best brownie, thanks to Jeanette!

This is Kimmy and Grandma Virginia (who eats her burgers in the cutest way, with no lid, and the meat broken up in little pieces. Adorable.)
Here are the boys eating with Grandma Irma and Auntie Caitlin.

The Botica's have a giant apple tree growing a million apples in the back yard. Papa Barry peeled and cored one for the boys; Ben was so excited.

Hunter found dump trucks and shovels, and thus found bliss.

Aidan brought Theo a birthday candle on a brownie. Not just any brownie, either. Caitlin's good friend Jeanette drove quite a way to a little bakery called Andre's, in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada's. She brought us a dozen, and I consumed most of them. They are the most decadent things I have ever tasted. They are almost layered, with a moist layer and cakey layer repeating, and topped with cocoa. I don't think anyone else finished their brownie... Hunter did, and I did, and then some... and then some more for breakfast, two days in a row. Heavenly. Worth shipping across the country in the future, for sure. Thanks Jeanette! You rock!

A recent addition to the Botica Bed and Breakfast is a jacuzzi, which we were in nightly. Once night, for some reason, Theo ended up in chaps. He loved the attention.