say cheese!

We mostly saw crabs, but Tom also found a beautiful Mussel shell, and what was probably the arm of a sea-star...

checkin' out the tide pools

We had a gorgeous, so we walked all the way to the north end of Pacific Beach. The tide was out, so it was a perfect opportunity to explore the tide pools.

one of Tom's signature self-portraits

It wouldn't be official without one of these....

Hi mom!

During the latter half of our trip to San Diego, we managed a wonderful 48 hours of R&R with Mike & Sherry. We didn't want to leave! We started out by accompanying them to Arne & Gisela's house for a food & wine pairing party. (This is the same couple who allowed us to crash their New Year's Eve party in 2005 -- how remarkable of them to allow us back!) The evening was quite tasty.... Then, for the next 2 days, we basically alternated between enjoying Sherry's cooking and walking on the beach. Vacation doesn't get any better than that....

Sea Life

We went with Mike & Sherry to the pier in PB, and saw this beautiful jellyfish. Unfortunately, it was on the shore-side of the breakers -- so we suspected that it wouldn't be long before it was washed up on the beach.

ok, enough is enough.

hahahahaha!

the gang reunites

We were so happy to get together with our Crew in San Diego. We missed the Toloczkos, but they were with us in spirit (and in the picture-in-picture!). We are looking forward to doing this again next year in DC.

A chair Kiran's size!

Hey, look! This chair is just for me....

If I eat the seeds, will I grow a tree inside me?

Simmona really enjoyed this apple -- core and all!

What's up with these bubbles?

Although the beach was beatiful, it was rather windy... which made it rough on the kids. (At their height/proximity to the ground, they kept getting sand blown in their faces.)

We were quite fortunate, however. Kaleo, Camille & Simmona were staying in a friend's summer home -- which was unbelievably gorgeous. It had a picture-perfect yard, with comfy chaise lounges, and a very nice hot-tub. We also made use of the grill that night at dinner... and generally had a very relaxing evening.

Jennifer & Henry

Jennifer often laments that she inadvernently closes her eyes whenever someone takes a picture of her. Sunglasses: problem solved.

the Gullakkis

We achieved one of our big goals: going to the beach (this one happened to be on Coronado Island) and eating fish tacos. Mmmmm, fish tacos.....

happy boy

The best part about going to the ACP conference was getting to stay with Anu, Vijay & Kiran, and Jennifer & Henry. We all stayed in Anu's parents' condo -- which gave us plenty of time to do what we do best: sit around, eat, and gab. As usual, Kiran was a treat -- he's such a happy little dude!

We meet Taran for the first time!!!

Taran is 3 months old already, but we didn't meet him until last week during our trip to San Diego. We only got to see Wendi, Rasesh & Taran for a few hours, but we were very glad for the opportunity. The whole family was looking great -- I don't know how Wendi manages to be a new mom, plus a resident -- and you can't even tell she just had a baby.

Henry & Taran

Need a babysitter? Call Henry -- he's a natural!

the newest Toloczko

I had the great fortune of visiting the Toloczkos tonight -- and got to meet Jacqueline Coral. The whole family looks wonderful, and Katie & Gracie were wonderfully entertaining. We played UNO, and Katie read the bedtime story all on her own ("A spider in my bedroom.")

Katie & Jacqueline

Katie is a very helpful (and experienced!) big sister...

The Toloczkos

Tony and his beautiful women.... can you believe that AnnJane had a baby just 4 weeks ago?

Tom's Magic Bread

Among other things, Tom made wonderful fresh bread for dinner. Grace couldn't get enough of it! (or of the butter that she slathered on it....)

Playdough is good

Katie made me the yummiest tacos I've ever had! She says her secret is hot sauce...

Tom wins

Last night we went to a Permanente Medical Group awards dinner. It was a Western theme (which meant that we got to wear jeans to a semi-formal event). Each table setting had these chocolate boots at them.... Tom collected them when the awards ceremony was done, and we enjoyed our chocolates all the way home.

Community Ditch Trail

We've had gorgeous weather recently; we've enjoyed several local hikes. We've done other parts of this trail before, and last week we discovered another section. It was gorgeous!

VRI

Tom was not too thrilled about me taking (or posting) this picture, but Anu insisted....

This week we were preparing to go back to RMNP to do some snow-shoeing, or perhaps take a local hike. Tom decided that before we went, he should clean up the apartment a bit. He stubbed his toe while vacuuming -- a vacuum-related-injury! To add insult to injury, after he stubbed his toe, he ran over it with the vacuum cleaner.... definitely not one of his better days....

So we put the hiking/snow-shoeing trip on hold -- and we're waiting for Tom's toe to recover.

Tom is on a roll...

This week Tom tried a new recipe: shrimp cakes with avocado & corn salsa. So yummy! I think he started out shredding the shrimp (so very similar to crab cakes) and then making the cakes in the usual crab-cake fashion.... and then the accompanying salsa had corn, cilantro, tons of avocado, red onion, and I'm not sure what else -- but it was fabulous.

The best cookies EVER

I never thought I'd say this about one particular cookie: that one cookie could truly stand above the rest... but now I know it can.
Thanks to Kathee -- who gave Tom the Cook's Illustrated Baking cookbook -- we have now discovered the bliss of these double-chocolate cookies. They are sinful! (Although I've been exercising more recently, so I'm eating guilt-free.)
Next time Tom makes them, I'm lobbying for him to add chocolate chips: then they'll be triple chocolate cookies! MMMMmmmmmm, chocolate.....