On safari

It's amazing what we can find in California. About an hour from our house is a safari sanctuary where we can go see the wild animals in authentic safari jeeps, with a very knowledgeable guide. Something really fun to do with the family.

The Big Blue

A few picture of a wonderful week spent with our family by the Mediterranean.

Missed snow

We were promised snow down to sea level, something which occurs only once every 30 years. Some smart guys were already planning the best ski slopes on the San Francisco streets. At the end, we had a glorious sun, and not the shadow of a cloud. So, we went to the zoo, bundled up still. It's always a treat to go, the kids are super excited, but I think what they enjoyed most was the little farm, with the pigs, sheep, llamas and alpacas (again...), and especially the goats and hens on the loose. They got to feed them and brush them, and don't even think of skipping one...

Stairs, finally...

Since we bought our house, in 2003, we've been looking at a way to add a staircase to access the attic and finish two extra bedrooms under the roof. The biggest headache has been to find the right spot for the say staircase. Our house isn't really big, but the space is well used, making it feel quite spacious, but doesn't leave much room for extra stuffs.

Anyway, after months of thinking of the right spot, many other months of renovation, quite a few adventures with our China-made stairs which got held at the harbor in LA, then got lost by the delivery company, we can finally access the upstairs room without a ladder... Yeah...
A huge thanks to my parents who happen to be here and have been a great help to get all the pieces together, we were desperately in need of extra arms to put the beast together.

The picture is a quick snapshot from a timelapse movie Michael did, which you can see by clicking on the following link: STAIRS INSTALLATION...

And just to be clear, it took a bit more than 45 seconds to install the whole thing...

Seaside

Short weekend getaway to go see the Monterey Aquarium (and a very nice exhibition about seahorses and sea dragons), and enjoy slightly warmer temperatures (let's say that the water is a tad warmer there). To drive the two and a half hours, we rented a minivan to haul everybody down the coast. It felt like a school trip.

I'll start with a few pictures of the beach, the first day. You can see the beautiful jacket Odile knitted for Anastasia (the kids were all in home fashion, Anastasia with her caterpillar pants, and Kyan with his stingray shirt and seahorses pants).

I think we all enjoy that little expedition. Back at home Kyan transformed part of the living room into an aquarium. Beware where you set foot.

Super trailer

I ordered a trailer to hook up to the bicycle, so Bernard could enjoy it with Kyan and Anastasia (until I can use it once I'm done with that big production at work). And, it's even better than I thought. Not only does it work great with the bike (no pictures yet), light and easily manoeuvrable, but it's also very handy as a stroller-carriage, or to haul home groceries, shrubs (here a blueberry bush) and tomato plants. Indeed, the beast has a trunk. The kids love it, they even managed to nap in it (it comes with a removable sunroof), and since it's quite low, it's easy for them to jump on/off.

And I'm adding a picture of our brave heroes at the top of a "mountain", culminating at at least 45 feet above sea level.