ZTP in the Bay Area

Hidden Villa Farm, Los Altos, CA 2010

kids in cabin

We spent a few wonderful days at the oldest hostel in the U.S. along with some good friends.  Hidden Villa is only about 40 minutes from San Francisco, but it's another world.  A beautiful organic farm with chickens, pigs, gardens and lovely hostel.  Each family had its own cabin - just enough room for bunk beds (our kids were in heaven).   There's a great room with games, toys, couches and a wonderful kitchen.  A very communal and lovely way to spend spring break!

While there, we learned that Zuzu knows how to catch a chicken...

 

now I'm gonna talk to a chicken

 

caught!

 

The bunk beds were definitely a highlight

As was the enormous heap of dung.

dung

Banana Slug!

 

banana slug

Just funny...

3-D

"Are we not men?  We are Devo"

Happy Valentine's Day, Dad

They got him 3 shirts...

 

gifts for Dad

Kid's first visit to the Marin Headlands

Golden Gate Bridge

The Marin Headlands are located just over the Golden Gate Bridge and have to be one of the most incredible places in the world.  Mountains, hills, beaches, hiking trails all overlooking the city of San Francisco, the SF Bay and the Pacific Ocean.

Can anyone spot Gary lurking in this next photo?

Kids in the headlands

 

Marin headlands

 

Z in headlands

 

And here's my clever girl becoming one with the hills and mountains...

making mountains

Random stuff..

Here's snap shot of what we've been up to and how we spend our time.

A visit with Uncle Darin.

 

kids with uncle d

At the park wearing only underwear (is that wrong?)

 

Peer wearing his solid gold outfit and perusing a catalogue, while sitting in a box (is that wrong?).

gold lame

The boys love to bake - chocolate chip cookies are a favorite!

Haircuts!

 

hair cuts

Just for fun.

Potato Heads

Babushka Head

 

sweet girl

Nighty Night Peer

 

sleeping Peer

Gary goes to Memphis, TN

 

The Kings

Gary and our friends, Yasmin and James, made a pilgrimage to Memphis to see Graceland and all things Elvis. 

 

Graceland II, an Elvis exhibit, housed in a private home about 30 miles outside of Memphis.  No reservations neccessary, just knock on the front door any time, day or night.  Run by an Elvis freak (emphasis on the word "freak")

 

Wow

Sun Studios

Outside the Civil Rights Museum, housed in the Larraine Motel, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

 

Larraine Motel, Memphis

Elvis' favorite diner and booth

 

In Elvis' booth

The SF Ballet "Nutcracker" 2009

 

 

nutcracker 2009

It must be Christmas time!  This time our friend Lisa joined us for the performance.

December 2009

A visit to New Jersey to see family and friends in early December. 

We attended our dear niece's wedding - Jennifer Lykin Burns!

We got to meet Santa and give him our demands.

We caught up with family and friends in Lambertville.

Played and cuddled at Grandma's house.

in bed with grandma

playing at Grandma's house

Thanks from the Birthday Girl!

I'm 6

Another birthday in our house!  Zuzu Frances turned 6 on December 5th.  We want to thank all of her adoring grandparents, aunties, uncles, friends and family who helped us to give her a wonderful celebration.  She had a 2-day celebration, which began with a special breakfast of pie and apple juice served in mom's fine china (Z thought she was "da bomb"). 

 

first breakfast as a 6year old

In the afternoon, Zuzu and her friend Cassandra (and Christine) attended a performance of "The Velveteen Rabbit" ballet in San Francisco.  The girls enjoyed themselves silly and followed up the performance with a sleep-over!

 

Time to open the many, many presents!  Thanks to Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop, Grandma and Opa, Aunt Yas and Uncle Mark, Uncle Darin, Aunt Jackie & Uncle Bob, Aunt Lise and Uncle Kevin, Uncle Rich and Aunt Kris, Aunt Lori, Aunt Karen and Uncle Shawn, Uncle James, Kyle & Christopher, Julie and Cassandra for making it an abundant affair.

 

 

And finally THE CAKE!  Z and mommy made the cake together.

 

Happy Birthday, big girl!

 

Happy Birthday Z!

Thank you for a wonderful birthday!

 

 

 

A couple of 4-year olds

The boys wanted to send a great, big, wet thank you for all of the wonderful gifts and wishes they received for their 4th birthday!  Huge thanks go out to Grandma and Opa, Mom-Mom and Pop-Pop, Aunt Jackie & Uncle Bob, Aunt Yasmin and Uncle Mark, Uncle Darin, Uncle James, Aunt Lise and Uncle Kevin, Uncle Rich and Aunt Kristine, Aunt Karen and Uncle Shawn, and Aunt Lori.  Thanks again!  Here are some pictures from their special day.

 

Peer is 4!

  

It's good to be the king