A 75 Degree Winter Day in LA

It was a warm 75 degrees today, so the boys insisted on ice cream.  A bit strange for mid-Jan, but nobody was complaining.

Gus Gus Tours The NW

Gus and I traveled to the NW to meet his grandparents and great great parents! We had planned on surprising GGMA, but sadly she passed away the day prior at a whopping 95! We did however drive over the mountains and surprised Nana and Papa.

Steven's Pass was gorgeous.  The sun was shining brightly, snow covered the trees and the roads were bare.

Pop Pop, Gus and I stopped for yummy breakfast along the way

Nana and Papa were so surprised to see us!

Nana couldn't wait to get her paws on baby Gus

Gus Gus 7 weeks old

Papa and Gus 90 years old

Papa was a Doctor and delivered over 1K babies, so he was just as excited as Nana to hold Gus Gus

Rudi Pauly and Gus Gus (also a mother of 3 boys)

The drive over Snoqualmie Pass was just as beautiful!

Gus finally met his Grandaddy and Grandmommy!

We think Gus will take after Levi, and have blue eyes like Grandmommy

Our dear friend Tricia also met Gus Gus

Rockstars

Levi and Penelope rocking out during their play date. Best of Friends.

Sleepover at Sea World

As part of the Indian Guides program with the YMCA, Levi & I were able to hav a sleep over at Seaworld. We slept in the...wait for it...wait for it...Penguin Exhibit!! It. Was. Awesome.

  

Because Levi & I are the only two people in our tribe, b/c he is by far the youngest child in the program, we're heavily recruiting new members. For this event, we were able to harness in Sean & Penelope. Levi loves Penelope. I am in heavy like with Sean. We had a blast.

The night began with a class about penguins. Who do you think passed the test?



We then visited and fed the Sting Rays followed by a visit with and lesson about Walruses. Then, the big moment...

Both Levi & Penelope stayed up until 11:30. At that point, we laid out our sleeping bags on the other side of the glass that separated us from the penguins, changed into our PJs in the bathroom and slept with those magnificent animals staring at us. Both generations agreed, it was magnificent. 

The next day, we visited the shark exhibit, fed the seals, and visited the whales. The kids were overjoyed and, alas, over-exhausted. But, it was well worth it. 

Levi did it!

I'm so proud of Levi; he's been practicing and practicing the monkey bars on his own, and he surprised me the other day and went all the way across!

And, on the accomplishment front, over the holiday break, Levi mentioned how some of his friends at school could write their names, but that he couldn't. I've caught him practicing several times and just this week he showed me the above. WOW! Proud Mama bear & Dada bear.

Felix, Our Gentle Giant

Felix can be quite serious, but when he's in the comforts of our home, he lets his guard down.  I caught a few precious moments of Felix when it was just he and I the other day.

Improv drumming session

Felix and his fury BFF

A Happy Day

The Holidays are over and school is back in session. We're all thankful! :)

Levi's 1st day of school in 2013

Levi requested we paint a new bird feeder for our house since we left the old one at the Yellow Sub!