A Day at the Beach

Today (Tuesday), our family and Brit went to Half Moon Bay. We stopped for fish n'chips, of course, and Russell did so well at the restaurant. He liked sucking on the lemon wedges- this, being the same child that won't eat vegetables with exception of peas. Go figure!

Russell loved the sand and the unlimited play space he had. He went right up to the water's edge and Dan kept him from going any further.

Our Week in Review

Russell loves to play on our porch and likes to be outdoors. He was sick this past week but every day is getting back to his regular old self!

My sister Brittany and my high-school friend, Melissa came to visit for a few days. We were limited the first few because Russell was sick and Dan had to sleep during the days since he worked at night. On Tuesday, the weather was PERFECT- and Dan's day off. Us gals hit the city and left the men at home.

A view through the morning haze from the bridge. Even though we've lived here from 2 1/2 years now, going to the city never gets old and we enjoy it more each time (probably because we find better ways to get around the city than driving!)

Officers' Row on the Presidio. I'm not artistic, but I did like the symetry of this view. How we'd love to have a house like one of these!

After seeing the Bridge, we went to Alcatraz. I was surprised to find that even on a random Tuesday morning in the middle of April, hundreds of people were drawn to the island. The tour had even gotten better since we were there two years ago. Brit and I had the honor of meeting one of the ex-prisoners (bank robber) who had written an autobiography and was signing his book in the gift shop. After his time in prison, he became a Christ-follower and was involved with Chuck Colson's Prison Ministries. We asked to shake his hand and thanked him for his service. How wonderful it is to meet another Believer and immediately share the same bond...

The only residents of Alcatraz now!

My beloved California poppy.

Grandpa Waitt used to have these flowers in his garden at home and when I see them, I always think of him. How incredible this plant was to grow out of the stone wall on Alcatraz.

More California beauty...

After Alcatraz, we headed downtown on the electric bus (circa 1950's) and then had lunch. After lunch, we hopped on the Powell-Hyde cable car and went to Lombard St. In this picture, the men are turning the car around at the end of the street.

The view from the top of Lombard...

Brit and Mel and the infamous street. But, those that walk down must also walk back up!

It is fun to look at our 'prayer board' in the kitchen and note the pregnant couples listed:

Alysun/Jeff- #2 due September 12
Julie/Mike- #1 due October 4
Natasha/Scott- #2 due October 29
Gretchen/Steve- #2 due October 31

Each of these couples have godly, Christ-centered marriages, for which a child could not be more blessed by. Congrats to all these friends!

Later this week, my high-school friend Melissa, and my sister Brittany will be coming for a visit. We'll leave Russell with Dan for one day so we can see SF without too much delay.

In a few weeks, Dan and Russell and I will be heading to Washington D.C. for our own family vacation. Of course, Russell will never remember the trip, but what are photos for? We're dreading the flight (4hrs to Houston, 4hrs to D.C.) but oh well. You can't stay home all the time. Besides, if Alysun and Jeff can take Emma to Mozambique, we can do this!!

This past weekend, I decided to finally do some scrapbooking. Summer is coming and I still hadn't working on last summer's pictures. "Don't touch" was our moto for the weekend and Russell did quite well with a few exceptions;-)

Russell's new trick is dislodging the couch cushion and climbing up onto the couch. He loves his red sofa. We already told him he could take it with him to college/university someday:=)

He really is the king of the castle!

When you see this picture, you will probably think, "Why is Russell crying?" Maybe a lost toy? Maybe no cookies today? Nope... it is because I bought new shoes for him! Socks have always been Russell's enemy and shoes were just too much for him to bare. He loves his little toes (and so do we!) to be free and uninhibited. After cruising around the house for a little while, he seemed to forget about the shoes. I finally took them off after lunch so he could nap:-)

Happy #5!

Many congratulations to our friends, Alysun and Jeff, on their fifth anniversary! May the next five be even better.

St. Patrick's Day

On Saturday, we visited Dan's cousins in Lodi. It was such a beautiful day- warm with a slight breeze. Joanie and Russell played in the back yard while Maria and I and little Julia looked on. Dan and Jon worked on the broken computer.

This little boy loves wheels!!!

Double Trouble

I'm still taking care of Beckett on Wednesdays and as you can imagine, I keep busy chasing the boys around the house! (Yes, there are covers over the electrical outlets.)

Having fun playing with the couch cushins!

We've Come a Long Way, Baby!

When you are this little, a lot changes in twelve months. It was at this time last year that my parents came to visit us.

We've learned to really cherish Russell in the last few months. Each day he is becoming more and more his own person with likes (bananas, cheese, ice cream, his favorite Dr. Suess ABC book) and dislikes (vegetables and being strapped in the cart while at Target).

I suppose the biggest lesson Dan and I have learned the past year is the perspective of a loving parent- and the slightest glimpse of how God views us. Sometimes He allows us to test the waters of our will so we'll learn (like allowing Russell to touch our hot coffee mugs so he won't touch them again) and other times, He just keeps us from harming ourselves (like keeping plastic covers over the electrical outlets). Most of all, we've learned unconditional love for our child. There is "nothing he could do to make us love him more, and nothing he could do to make us love him less." (What's So Amazing About Grace- Yancey)

No News is Good News:-)

We don't have any new pictures to post since life has been quiet around here recently.

Russell 'walks' behind his toys but still leans on them for support. He also does quite well when he holds onto our fingers and walks around the house. He has become a picky eater but hopefully that will change as well as he grows older and can chew better. He still has two naps a day.

Dan keeps busy at work. He enjoys the short commute to work and we are thankful for that. It is a true blessing that I can stay home and Dan can support us. He meets occasionally with a couple other men for a care group and enjoys the guy-time with them. Russell and I always enjoy Dan's days off. I take advantage of the opportunity to get numerous errands done while the boys bond:-) We try and do something fun on his weeks off- like next week, meeting up with the Peters family.

Anyway, thought we'd post something...

Auntie April's birthday toy for Russell

My friend, April, sent Russell a wonderful present for his birthday. Russell was so thrilled and he has been saying 'wow'- (it is almost clearly spoken!)- and walks everywhere with it! Thank-you, April!!!

Link for video:
Playing with Toy

Queen Mary 2

Today was Dan's day off from work, so we drove into the city to see the Queen Mary 2- one of the largest ocean liners in the world. It is partially through its' 80 day cruise around the world. An inside cabin is reportedly $20K but that is only $300/day for all transportation, hotel, and food- not bad;-) Next stop is Sydney, Austrailia.

The QM2 arrived in SF yesterday afternoon at 3pm with only 28ft to spare while it passed under the Golden Gate bridge. We visited the original Queen Mary ship which is now docked in Long Beach, California, when we were on our honeymoon- quite a marvelous history she had!

Russell's First Birthday

We tried to take a family photo but Russell decided to play shy and wanted to stay close to me for the rest of the party. He started to warm up to the other babies later on. There were six other moms and their children (all under 12 months) and one newly pregnant friend as well!

The giraffe cake (also could be called the 'Woodstock' cake for Snoopy fans). It was lemon and had lemon curd between the two layers. Much thanks to Dan for his patience with me on this project!

One of Russell friends, Abigail- a real blessing to her parents:-)

Russell's first snow

We took Russell to Tucson for a few days to visit his grandparents, and low and behold, it snowed! It snowed for 1-2 hours but only a little stuck since the ground was warm.

The desert and the snowed-sprinkled mountains in the background. Certainly a sharp contrast!

At the Wildlife Museum, Russell saw his first giraffe:-)

...and his first Grizzley bear

Three generations all together

The best part of the museum was the fact that Russell could push his own stroller- which he loves to do. Ride anyone?

What a nice way to wake up from a nap

Day at the Park

Today, we spent some time at the park in the sunshine. It was so beautiful today with the crisp, cool air and the bright blue skies. From the park, we could see the East Bay hills topped with a little snow. The boys play well together:-)