Visit from Oz

It's that time of year again - our annual visit from the Aussies!!

We celebrated their first night in Tahoe with a belated birthday dinner for Van, complete with cake and candles.

Eva and Kenzo were so happy to be reunited! 

The gorgeous birthday girl!

JoJo was back again too!

 

Eva (almost 2 1/2 years old) ready to shred!

"Zia!"

And look, we're matching! 

Rippin' it up on Subway.

Snack break.

Needless to say, with auntie Julie as her first ski coach, Eva did awesome! Another future Olympian!!

Lunch in town.

Hot cocoa break. 

Or as Eva calls it..."baby-cino!"

The kiddies getting funky down at Common's Beach.

Yes, more gorgeous sunny weather - yuck!! 

Me and Van skiing the back side of Alpine Meadows.
 

Backside of Alpine Meadows, hiking out to the boundary line for some corn turns!

Kenzo and Eric after their morning session...

"Bear face!!" 

Licking the beaters.

We celebrated Jen's birthday here with katsu curry for everyone, and peanut butter pie for dessert. Random, but yummy. 

No pics. We were too busy eating. 
 

No flowers necessary today

A fun week with Michelle & baby Axel coming up for a few days, a gourmet birthday party for Derek, and new snow and more terrain opening at Squaw.

Kenzo got a touch of some bug, and missed preschool on Friday....Valentine's Day! Dang.

I made mini cookies and packaged them for his 12 friends at school, and we stopped by to drop them off.

I laughed to myself as I was wrapping up cookie bundles late last night, having a flashback of staying up late doing Valentine's Day chores, but at least it wasn't doing flowers like in years past! No flowers necessary for me on this day - I'll stay far away from that cliche, thank you. Please pass me the chocolates.

RAIN = Projects

Rainy, soggy weather. Time to bake!

Kenzo loves helping out in the kitchen & has his own tools and apron from the Alvarez family.

The guys dressed and ready for work. Note the Ducks wear - perfect for our rainy day. 

Building the frame for Kenzo's "big boy" bed!

I saw the inspiration photo on Pinterest and thought we would give it a try...

Loves helping...or is that "hiding?"

Sanding, with headphones on.

"So, what we're gonna do is..." This was Kenzo's introduction line for each step of construction today. 

Pretty funny. I guess he's watched a few too many DIY shows!

Hammer time!

Love me a good staple gun project.

Taa daa!!

Added a headboard on Sunday and we're done. Pretty cute, eh? 

Just hope he doesn't fall out...it's a long way down for a little guy.

Big Boy!! 

Yep, it rained ALL weekend. Almost 48 hours at time of posting this. Soggy grossness.

It's snowing on the mountains - way up high. Somewhere.

Shot from last week before the storms...

And just a little clip of how we roll! This kid's Oakland roots run deep...

 

 

Off the hill

No, this isn't a fancy new coffee shop in Tahoe. It's at Michelle & Tim's place in Alamo! 

This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to getting spoiled while visiting them :)

Kenzo and I got off the hill and down to civilization last weekend.

The Lindsay Wildlife Museum in Pleasant Hill.

Owls, hawks, eagles, opossum, snakes, rabbits....lots of animals that have been treated at this facility and will live their lives there since they can't be released back into the wild due to their injuries.
 

Lunch picnic in the park.

Michelle and baby Axel (2 years old).
 

Still trying out his bear face.

Yes, gorgeous sunny day down there!

We journeyed into Oakland to visit Tim at work. Oh, and by the way....HE'S A FIREMAN!!!!!!!

We got a tour of the house and trucks, met the guys, and tried on Tim's turnouts. Kenzo was literally shaking with excitement, taking in every word that came out of Tim's mouth.

The tour included a ride in the engine around the neighborhood. I am not kidding.

Lights on, sirens blaring, racing down the street...what an incredible treat! 

Did I mention we get spoiled rotten when we visit??

HUGE thanks to Tim for this special day.

Kenzo and Axel got along great together and gave me and Michelle time to hang out. 
















 Stopped in Sacramento for lunch at Vic's with cousins, Seiko & Noriko and their kids Parker, Jack & Kenji. So fun going back to the place we spent so much time at as kids. No pics of the group - Kenzo was on the verge of a meltdown at that point :(