So, to kick off our trip, we visited friends and family for about a week and a half. We got to visit with my grandma Fran, spend time with my folks and Steve's, see Steve's "second mom" Sharon, fondued with Greg and Amanda, followed by a really fun swim and hot tub at Steve's parent's pool, and dinnered with my uncles and cousins. Alas, Aunt Jan was out of town. :)

Also, Steve got to spend a night doing car/guy stuff with his good buddy Mark, and I had a little girls lunch out with my Mo and Meli. Can't remember the last time the three of us got to hang together. For those that don't know, they were the bass player and lead singer in my band, Tilly's Everywhere, as well as being two of my very best friends for very many years. They are now, also, officially, the devils that forced me into eating a pazookie at BJ's, taking me completely off my diet, for which I have yet to return. Ugh!! But, mmmmm.....pazookie....half baked chocolate chip cookie ice creamy goodness! And you East Bayers wonder why I had trouble giving up my chain restaurants for two years!

So, I didn't take nearly enough pictures of that part of our venture, but here's a few, anyway.