Michael's back!

Our dear friend Michael, Levi's Godfather, spent the weekend with us.


We had an epic Sunday, beginning with a walk from the Observatory in Griffith Park to the Hollywood Sign

Levi 2 years and some change... independent and curious

Levi with his Dada & 'Mah-ikee' -- Levi was on cloud 9 all day

The fam (mama 6 months pregnant)

Levi walked most of the way, but insisted on a few swings on our way back

Quickly realized Mah-ikee was good for a few snuggles

and also offered up a perfect pair of shoulders for a birds eye view

Riding the Choo Choo (one of Levi's favorite past times)

After several tries over the last couple of months, Levi finally decide to go for it and rode a pony for the 1st time

All 3 of us running around the ring quickly trying to shoot pics of our baby

Steering his horse right into Mama and Dada

Proud Levi!


Taking Michael on our evening walk route

Michael just makes Levi laugh and laugh and laugh

Our morning routine in Santa Monica

Most mornings & , we have family walk. It consists of JWG, Levi, Hank & me. Levi has recently added in his bike (now that he's tall enough to ride it), & it's actually made for a much smoother walk, as it gives him a bit of a focus. Nonetheless, he's still a creature of habit...

Levi's all smiles once we get the helmet on... the rain boots are a given no matter how warm it is at 7:30am

Our neighbor has these 2 garden bugs on display. Any time Levi walks by, he insists on saying hello & to them (as well as pulling their antennas out, which the owner has assured us all the kids do!)

For whatever reason, Levi sits (and requires us to do to the same) on the same step near our house. We only rest for a few seconds (it's all of 2 min into our walk!)

Off we go to the park...

Once were there, Levi & "Hankia" (Levi's pronunciation of "Hanky") chase each other around

Levi covers off on the stop lights now that he can reach them on his own

We're trying to teach him to look both ways before crossing streets. Part of the routine is to hold onto a nearby post, but we're starting to think he might correlate this with the cars stopping vs the actual stop light.

By the end of the walk, Levi's confident enough on his bike & take Hanks lead to guide us all home!

A rainy Sunday in LA...

What to do when it rains? We're a bit out of practice, but the cousins knew just what to do....we headed for the California Science Center. It was PERFECT for Levi & girls...the best part...it was free!

Mother-hen, MK w/ Levi, Sadie, & Hazel

Griffith Park...All Aboard!

We woke up to unusually warm January weather (even for LA), so John got us moving! We were out the door by 9am headed for Griffith Park.

Our #1 mission was to ride the Choo-Choo/ We did...many times!

The final lap around...

Complete with a conductor!

Fury Baby even made the trip and received many "Oohs and awes..." from little & big people!

Levi hits the slopes!

Laurie, Sean and Penelope joined us for a weekend up in Mammoth... complete w/ sledding, Chicago Style pizza flown in from the Windy City, Gondola rides, Apres-Ski, Penguin Room, movies. and skiing for the 1st time for the kiddos!


Levi being fitted for his 1st pair of ski boots!

Penelope also got fitted for boots!

Everything about skiing was new to Levi, so he was fascinated...

Levi learning to walk in his boots!

Levi took to it immediately, but had a meltdown over not being allowed to go on the chairlift on his first day out...won't be long...

We practiced on a Bunny Hill since Mama needed to stay off skis

I can't wait for the day when John and I are flying down the mountain w/ buggy (& V3!) in the lead!

Levi w/ his favorite girl, Penelope

We did the loop around the campground, and it was beautiful... warm and not a cloud in the sky

This is the kid spot in the condo. Whenever we have children over, this is where they collect...bird eyes view of the mountains!

Levi took Penelope on a date to the movies to see most favorite film, Cars

Levi's 1st Gondola ride

It was a special treat having Sean, Laurie and Penelope stay w/ us for a weekend!

Jan swim in LA

Even LA can be a bit cool in Jan, but a few grey clouds and low 60's never gets in the way of Levi and a pool...