Busted!!!

Little Leif has been busted for monkey activities this morning.

Kris turned his back for a second and Leif managed to push a large box across the dining room, climb on top and precariously make a grab for his beloved pepper grinder (we're still not sure why he's so fascinated by the salt and pepper shakers). Later in the morning, our little monkey managed to clamber onto the Sven recliner to bounce up and down. Suddenly, our house demands a new watchful eye for items Leif can climb on and over.

Leif's First Protest March and Spring Celebrations

Last Saturday marked the 6th Anniversary of the Iraq War - we joined 4,000 other Los Angelens in a protest march against the war and called for investment in jobs and education, not war and occupation.

After the protest, and Leif' nap, we went to Franklin Canyon Park to celebrate the Spring Equinox and enjoy a sunny day of nature. We almost lost Leif in the tall spring grasses, and we learned that he does not appreciate the taste of fresh nasturtiums.

Birthday, Baboon, and Beach

We spent last weekend in San Diego to celebrate Gretchen's 28th birthday.  

Jim did his kitchen magic and made a wonderful dinner on Friday night of authentic pulled pork sandwiches and chocolate ancho chili cake -  we pondered opening a pulled pork sandwich stand in the front yard...wouldn't Leif make the most convincing, or at least the cutest sandwich vendor?

Saturday was spent at the San Diego zoo (our annual membership has already paid for itself).  We encountered a baboon who was intimately aware of himself, a monkey perched like a parrot, and a metallic polar bear. Leif loved the underwater turtle cove.  We also took Anouk to Doggy Disneyland (the beach). And we had dinner at Pomegranate - a Russian Georgian restaurant.  The sweat toad ice cream is to die for, the Shashlik is mouthwatering, and the beer is excellent. Sadly, Leif is no longer a well behaved little diner -  he is devoutly expressive of his desires and is not afraid to tell everyone how he feels...at the top of his lungs.  

Sunday was spent blowing bubbles.  

Gretchen is most grateful for the wonderful gifts she received - a big kudos to Kris for surprising Gretchen with her own patio vegetable farm!

Vacation Re-Caps

During the Valentine's/President's Day holiday, we ventured out to Joshua Tree for a long weekend and vacation with Karin and Jim. We stayed at the 29 Palms Inn in the Guest House and enjoyed our off-road/4 wheel excursions throughout the park, the great cooking of Jim (gnocchi and lamb in one weekend - oh my!), the geological treasurers of the Park, the hot tub at the Inn, cacti desert beauty, wind farms, and the antics of Leif.  Our favorite set of pictures are of Leif "serving or rationing" our picnic and keeping the apple for himself.

We had also trekked out to Utah to visit Gretchen's dad during the New Year's holiday - who would have thought that the distance to Utah from LA is about the same  as LA to the Bay Area!  With Mike, we enjoyed Zion National Park, the budding relationship of Anouk and Mike's cat, Frodo, and Leif's first experience of snow - yes, he did eat snow.  

We hope you enjoy the slide shows.