Good times in SoCal

We enjoy many days with family and friends so it's only fitting that we start this new post with a shot of Miles laughing with his cousin Gavin.

There was a time when putting a hat on Miles was near torture. Oh how the times have changed.




On New Year's Day we started a nice family tradition by enjoying time at Will Rogers State Park where Miles loved running around with the wind blowing through his golden locks. Yeah that's right, our boy finally has hair.


A picture perfect shot.


A couple weeks later in January the NorCalAllens and Uncle Fred ventured to Santa Monica.

Here is Aunt Cortney, cousin Daphne, Uncle Ben, Jill, and Miles in Manhattan Beach where we stopped for breakfast after collecting the NorCalAllens from LAX.


Daphne enjoyed her time with a nice run along the beach. If you enlarge the picture by clicking on them and wonder why she has a sticker on her forehead, Uncle Peter takes full responsibility.

Daphne in a classic beach pose with a tip-toed left foot and the pier in the background.

Peter rescued Miles who insisted that he was ready for the surf.

Daphne running away from the water to the great delight of Aunt Cortney.

Eventually it was time for the kids to start walking back to the car ...

... but not before Miles decided to give Uncle Fred a seashell as a keepsake from their time at the beach.

After a half day at the beach, here we are back at our apartment exploring Miles' toy basket.

In blog time a mere seconds transpire from the beach to home, but Peter's car broke down a couple blocks from the beach so the journey was a bit more complicated. We mention it here only to remember the Camry one last time. Baby Blue Toyota Camry 1993 - 2008 R.I.P.

At the end of January twins Jack and Dylan hosted a birthday bash.


At one point it rained here in LA so Miles finally discovered umbrellas. For those of you who subscribe to the science of superstition like Senator McCain, you should know that to open umbrellas indoors is not unlucky when you place the umbrellas with a good-natured toddler strategically positioned to drive positive energy.

On the subject of politics, Miles was proud to join his parents at the polls on November 5 to receive his first "I Voted" sticker.

Miles is all smiles in the hope that the senator from the great state of Illinois is our best choice to lead our nation towards an even greater future.

So here's another plus for Santa Monica. We took this picture while we were waiting for a table for Sunday brunch.

After a great meal with Peter's stepmom and dad, Grannie and Grandpa took us to the Santa Monica Aquarium.

We then headed to the Santa Monica Pier for a ride on our famous Ferris wheel.


Apparently Grandpa is not a huge fan of riding on 90-foot-tall contraptions placed on a pier elevated atop the ocean in an earthquake area, but he was quite the trooper. Now he can look forward to riding our new $1.5M state-of-the-art replacement on his next trip out west.


Great eyes Master Miles!

Miles and Grandpa Pete in matching hats during a family get-together at our place.

In our constant desire to experience all that Los Angeles has to offer, we discovered a great park in Rustic Canyon. Miles was a huge fan of the swing.



Miles also enjoyed the baseball diamond, where he officially threw down the gauntlet to Bo Jackson.


Even at this young age Miles worked to perfect his dreaded two-ball split-finger fastball.

Miles enjoyed riding around the diamond on Jill's back.

Eventually Miles turned his attention to the basketball court, or as he calls it "bibbedyball." Peter is dunking the football while Miles watches in awe.

Miles was also quite astonished by the two girls in the background who had wheels for feet.

After a few hours at the park, Miles insisted on one more crack at the swing. Who are we to say no to this adorable face?

Thanks to Miles, we continue to make great new friends. The Skuros invited us to spend the day with them in Calabasas. Miles, Sophia, Season (Sophia's Mom), and Gino (Miles' long-lost twin brother) are taking a break from brunch.

After brunch we got a great picture of Sophia, Neal, Season, Jill, Miles, Judy, Peter (Judy's Peter, not Jill's Peter), and Gino sitting by a turtle pond.

Jill and her family made a trip to Palm Springs to see her grandparents later this same day. Here is Great-Grandpa Al, Miles, and Grandpa Pete.

In a quick turn of the hand, Grandpa Pete replaced Miles with his other grandson Gavin.

Then Great-Grandpa Al captured a great shot of Grandma Daisy (Ablueloca), Miles, Grandpa Pete, Aunt Leslie, Gavin, and Jill.

Later in the day Miles decided to offer himself in the hotel lobby as the perfect gift. Apparently you can also purchase Miles as a gift certificate.

At the end of day, Miles and cousin Gavin headed back to their crib for a few laughs.

Now we are caught up through early March.

Next on the horizon is a trip to Northern California for cousin Daphne's 2nd birthday, Easter, friend CJ's first birthday, lawn bowling, Peter's birthday, Mother's Day, and a trip to Phoenix. Oh my!