Fathers Day

For Father's Day, J baked cookies with the help of the girls (they ate the dough). The kids got warm cookies/chocolate all over themselves, and licked themselves like cats. The girls gave me handmade cards, with pudding (!) palm prints (dried fortunately).

After I set up the crock pot to make my anise flavored San Marzano spaghetti sauce, we all went to the local library where the girls enjoyed the playroom and checked out some picture books. Then they came home, took off their jumpers, and ate the messy noodles. After that it was time for a (much needed) bath and then bedtime.

Old Sacramento Jazz Festival

We went and saw the toy train section at the museum, which had a special childrens play area! They had dixieland jazz music playing throughout the museum and old town area.

The girls loved the play railroad, and meeting other children. The concept within the museum is a good idea, although I'm sure they have to replace the equipment frequently.

After this, we tried some Leatherby's ice cream and then came across a balloon street busker. The girls waited patiently to get their mascot monkey and penguins made.

They played with their new balloon friends the whole way home, until one of the kids bit the penguin, deflating its orange feet with a pop.
The balloon to the left is a monkey climbing a palm tree.

Memorial Day Barbeque

A nice slab of ribs, with cornbread, mac & cheese, beet / avocado salad, plus grilled asparagus and zucchini.

This is same rib rub we have used in previous years, which was great, and not too salty.

Google this...

The kids wearing their new google jumpers -- they love them.

A box of munchkins

Storage ottomans can also be used as emergency child containment vessels if the reactor is going into meltdown.

Feeding time at the zoo

Pooped out

Mothers Day Dutch Pancake!

For Mothers Day we made mom and nonny a big Dutch pancake, stuffed with cloudberries, with crispy applewood bacon on the side (for some of us!). This picture is after it collapsed, but while it was in the oven it was triple the height.

Apple FanGirls

We love listening to our iPod and watching cartoons on our iPad!

At the doctors office...

Outrunning an Avalanche

A white Easter!

Easter is unusually late this year, but we still are having a 'white' one. We got 2-4" of snow, so I went up to Tahoe for a day of skiing. There were hardly any people up there, as you can see by clicking on the pictures above. The first two hours were spent by myself, slicing through Sierra density fresh snow. Fortunately I invested $7 in a fresh coat of wax for my skis first thing in the morning, which made it much more pleasant than the last time I was out. Later on a few more people showed up, and it started to get tracked out, but I still came home with exhausted legs. It was a good day, for the last ski outing of this season.

Easter bunny....are you in charge of the chocolate eggs?

The twins demanded some treats from the Easter Bunny!

First ice cream !!!

Water ballerinas

The girls loved their first time in grandpas pool. They cried when they had to get out!

First time on swings!

We took the girls to the park near grandpas, where they played on the swings and slides for the first time.

They loved it, giggling and laughing with delight at the strange feeling of flying. More pix above.

(wait til they try skiing!)

Pea-soup at Andersons

Even though it wasn't Thursday, the girls still had pea-soup and pancakes, at Anderson's famous coffee house on I5. Meribel ate the whole plate of food in front of her (click on the above to see!)

Joyce Ohlsson

After a long illness, Jenn's mother passed away early this morning in her sleep. At the end, she had her husband and daughter by her side, holding her hand. The kids also had a chance to speak to her last night, and told her how much they loved her. We are all very sad, but also thankful that by moving back West we had more time together. She is now at peace and will be missed greatly.

Crazy for Cupcakes!

The girls had their first birthday party, and went crazy with fancy cupcakes.

It was a messy -- two baths needed -- but fun day. Click on the picture above for the slideshow.

Spring skiing at Heavenly

Lots of sun, lots of snow, but it was so warm that the snow was slushy and sticky.

I did about 15k vertical, but it was much more tiring since the skis felt like they were being grabbed by the heavy snow.

Still it was a fun day. Click on the above to see more photos.

View Heavenly Valley 2011-03-31 10:05 in a larger map

Sunday at Nonnys

Flying monkey baby, escaping from our home, a UN No Fly zone.

Upon landing, she was kissed by the dog/pope, which caused howling

Later they patched things up, while her sister decided to throw the Sunday papers all over the family room.

Powder Day at Northstar

I got a mid week ski day in with some old college friends, Mark and Mike, pictured above.

Tahoe has gotten another 7-8 ft of snow in the last week, so conditions were superb.

I even got lucky with the drive, and only had to put chains on the car for one part of the drive through Emigrant Gap.

We got 19k of vertical in, skiing fast, blasting through powder on top of groomed.

Twins = Lots of Diapers

So shiny!

A bushel of babies

Of course, they tipped the basket over about 1 second after I took the picture, which led to lots of yelling and howling.

Last day at Vail

As I often say, with sadness in our hearts, and plenty of lactic acid in the legs, we enjoyed our last day in Colorado. More pix on the photo above.

Despite all the sniping this mountain gets, it's hard to think of a more consistent place for a group with the blend of terrain, snow, size, and all around fun that Vail offers.

Powdery Beaver Creek

Lots of fresh snow today, with more pix on the link above.

Here's a map of where we went.

Bubbly at beaver creek

Still at Vail, but starting out at Lionshead

On my own today as J. went into town, more pix on the link above

First part of my day, via MyTracks


View Vail on 2011-03-02 10:45 in a larger map

Second part of my day, coming down into GoldenPeak

View Vail on 2011-03-02 10:45 in a larger map

Here are my stats from the day

Created by My Tracks on Android.

Total Distance: 57.58 km (35.8 mi)
Total Time: 4:15:14
Moving Time: 3:00:00
Average Speed: 13.54 km/h (8.4 mi/h)
Average Moving Speed: 19.19 km/h (11.9 mi/h)
Max Speed: 47.70 km/h (29.6 mi/h)
Min Elevation: 2461 m (8073 ft)
Max Elevation: 3413 m (11196 ft)
Elevation Gain: 5172 m (16969 ft)
Max Grade: 60 %
Min Grade: -33 %
Recorded: Wed Mar 02 09:45:20 PST 2011
Activity type: skiing

The view from Christmas trail

On top of eagles nest

Enjoying a $4.85 coffee....grrrr

Trying out our newly fitted boots at Vail

Our Vermont bootfitter moved out to Vail, so we saw him and got some fresh adjustments.

Click on the pic above for more pix.

At PHQ

Taking a short break from skiing