Just Life

Today, only 30 minutes into the church service, we were paged (i.e. for Russell). It has been over a year since this has happened. He loves his 'class' (trains, toys, and yes, Play-Doh). I figured he had got hurt. Dan left and came back a few minutes later. The class helpers had noticed that Russell was chewing on something and yes, it was the Play-Doh. They couldn't get any more out of Russell's mouth and hoped that Dan could. By the time he got there, Russell had swallowed it. Later, we met a friend out on the patio. He mentioned that he had showed Russell how to roll pieces of Play-Doh to make cookies. It figures! At least the stuff isn't toxic;-)

Selfishness

When I used to live in Victoria, I knew a couple that didn't want children (sure, that's fine) because they thought it was selfish to want "little Me's"- replicates of themselves. As a young adult, I didn't think much of their attitudes because at the time, being single was all I wanted and responsibility was the last thing on my mind.

Now, here I am, ten years later, and that conversation rings clearly in my mind. I can still tell you where that conversation took place. For all the useless chattering we experience, why did that dialogue stick?

I suppose it could be said that it is selfish to want friends... want a spouse, want a good job, want good health, want contentedness. So is it selfish to want a child? Yes, I suppose, to some extent. We did want a little person in our lives. Dan wanted a little son or daughter to invest in, to "send into a future we wouldn't see." But any (and every!) mother and father will tell you that serving a screaming infant in the middle of the night or a toddler that has a bout of diarrhea isn't selfish!

I read blogs about couples experiencing initial infertility problems... just trying to just get one little baby. I feel guilty because we do have a terrific little boy and yet we know our family isn't complete.

The couple that passed the comment all those years ago is now past their childbearing years. Now, I feel sorry for them. I'm sorry for all the moments they've missed because they believed that what they thought was true.

I know this journey is a process and telling myself that wanting another child isn't selfish is just part of it.

Busy Month of May

Nashville (May 20-24th)

No, this is not Greece, this is Nashville, Tennessee. I left Russell and Dan for four days to visit my longtime friend Laura. Alysun flew in from Portland with her little girl, Mandy. Russell spent Tuesday and Friday with friends, and Dan took care of him on Wednesday and Thursday.

Laura was a wonderful hostess and we enjoyed her home and her food:-) We visited the Opry, did some shopping, and drove by some fancy Southern mansions. I missed my boys but was glad not to have Russell on the long plane trips;-)

Memorial Day/Weekend

Above: this year- second cousins Timothy (4.5), Trevor (7m), Russell (2yr), Joanie (3.5y), Julia (1.5yr). We drove to Lodi on Sunday afternoon and stayed the night with Dan's cousins and we BBQ'd the next day. These are the only cousins that are Russell's age. The cousins in Colorado are 13, 12, and 9.

Below: last year's cousin picture...

SF Zoo- Tuesday

Yesterday, we met up with Russell's little friends at the zoo. We'd never been to this zoo and were excited to see it.

The tiger exhibit is glassed in to add 4' to the existing wall. The big cats were resting when we saw them. I can't imagine getting chased by one of these kitties!!

Mrs. Lion lives here

The gang: Russell (his hat was in the car. Oops.), Jack, Claire and Grace. Little Maddie joined us later for lunch with her mom, Julie.

MARIA SUE CHAPMAN, DAUGHTER OF STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN, DIES IN ACCIDENT AT FAMILY HOME
NASHVILLE, TN...5/21/08...

At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters.

More than five years ago, Chapman and his wife MaryBeth founded The Shaohannah’s Hope Ministry after bringing their first adopted daughter, Shaohannah, home from China. The ministry’s goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption, and has provided grants to over 1700 families wishing to adopt orphans from around the world. Chapman is a five-time GRAMMY ® winner and 54-time Dove Award winning artist who has sold over 10 million albums and garnered 44 No. 1 singles.

The Chapman family is so grateful for the incredible outpouring of love and support at this difficult time.

If you’d like to meet Maria and express your condolences click here
By mail, send to PO Box 150156 Nashville, TN 37215.
In lieu of flowers, the Chapmans request any gifts be directed to Shaohannah’s Hope.

*****************************************************************************

Little Maria is being held by Steven in this picture. Such tragedy is unbelievable. I can't imagine the sorrow that the son will have for the rest of his life over the accident. It is so hard to believe that all things work together for the good for those that love God in this situation.

Results

Just as an update, the bloodwork taken last week resulted in normal/negative results:-) Dan and I still haven't done the DNA tests, though. The dr. isn't too worried about those since we had a healthy, live birth.

Total tests done:
Factor V Leiden- negative
Homocysteine- normal (5.6)
MTHFR (hetero- A1298C)
Protein C- normal (88)
Protein S- normal (62)
Prothrombin 20210- negative
cardiolipin- negative
lupus anticoagulant- negative

PTT Screen (LAC)- 45 (above normal, but corrected with DRVVT screen to 32)
3rd gen. TSH= 2.41 (normal)
Progesterone= 21.3 (normal)
Anti-Nuclear Antibodies- negative
Blood glucose- 83 (normal)
mycoplasma hominis- negative
ureaplasma urealyticum- negative
complete ultrasound

Encouraged

I had another consultation with my OB/GYN this morning. I always have to wait in the office longer than I'd like but I really like him so it is worth it. The play-group gals took care of Russell for the morning.

After all my research online and in books, I took my list of recommended (some, controversial) tests with me. The doctor called a reproductive endocrinologist in the area and he then ordered some of the tests I asked for, in addition to what the RE recommended. The doctor said there is a good likelihood of me having an immune problem of which I am not thrilled, but at this point, we are just looking for answers. We can deal with the solution later. The controversial tests/remedies (not covered by insurance) could run into the thousands financially speaking so we will not pursue those at this time.

From my experience last fall, the tests take awhile to get back once they've been taken.

All this to say, I feel encouraged. I feel like the doctor is taking me seriously, and not just assuming chromosomal abnormality (after four losses), although, I conceed, that is still a plausible reason. So, for now, we wait. I don't mind. I need to be still and remember that God is ultimately the giver and taker of life.

Cost of Living in Arkansas

http://www.foxnews.com/

Michelle Duggar, 41, is due on New Year's Day, and the latest addition will join seven sisters and 10 brothers. There are two sets of twins.

"We've had three in January, three in December. Those two months are a busy time for us," she said, laughing.

The Duggars' oldest child, Josh, is 20, and the youngest, Jennifer, is nine months old.

The fast-growing family lives in Tontitown in northwest Arkansas in a 7,000-square-foot home. All the children — whose names start with the letter J — are home-schooled.

Duggar said she's six weeks along and the pregnancy is going well. She and her husband, Jim Bob Duggar, said they'll keep having children as long as God wills it.

"The success in a family is first off, a love for God, and secondly, treating each other like you want to be treated," Jim Bob Duggar said. "Our goal is for each one of our children to be best friends, and everybody working together to serve each other makes that happen."

The other Duggar children, in between Joshua and Jennifer, are Jana, 18; John-David, 18; Jill, 16; Jessa, 15; Jinger, 14; Joseph, 13; Josiah, 11; Joy-Anna, 10; Jeremiah, 9; Jedidiah, 9; Jason, 7; James, 6; Justin, 5; Jackson, 3; and Johannah, 9 months.

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I wonder what it must be like to live in a family like the Duggars. Even being one of five children was sometimes difficult. Little privacy, lots of responsibility, and little one-on-one time with parents. On the plus side, there was always someone to tag around with. And get-togethers are more enjoyable considering we didn't have cousins growing up (Russell is older than my two youngest cousins).

The cost of living in California (well, in an overpopulated area) is high. I buy groceries twice a week (TJ's and Safeway) just because produce doesn't keep long (we eat a lot of berries and bananas and avacados) and I like to buy some junk food (chips, hot dogs, drinks) for the weekend when Dan is home. He puts up with the healthy meals during the week so I don't mind;-) Gas is now over $4/gallon. Thankfully, our gas bill is only about $150/month because Dan's commute is only 20 minutes and I just putter around town (we used to spend $40/month when we lived in SD and Dan was deployed and we only had the one car).

I suppose in Arkansas, providing for 18 children is still tight, but living on a farm would help. The land is pretty out there (in a flat, endless kinda way). Too far from an ocean, though. I went out to Arkansas in 1999 to visit friends from my days at Palomar Camp. With the solid foundation the Duggar children are getting, I am sure they will all succeed in where God leads them. I'm sure they know how to deal with selfishness!

So, how many automatic dishwashers to you think their house has???

Coming to Terms

Amongst my hours of researching recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) online, I came across this book, “Coming to Term: Uncovering the Truth About Miscarriage,” by Jon Cohen. The author and his wife have also experienced four consecutive miscarriages after one live birth. He is a correspondent for Science magazine (very notable in the science community). He chronicles his journey about gathering “the most comprehensive and accurate information on miscarriage.” He focuses on three clinics; one in Vancouver, one in Boston, and one in London.


The conclusion of his findings? “After the loss of three or more miscarriages, women will, with no treatment, carry to term nearly 70% of the time.” (Assuming all tests give normal results: clotting problems, Rh factor, or other common diagnosis being treated.) This statement gives me hope. I’ve read pages and pages of unending statistics: first-born male stats, age stats, gestation stats, and stats about stats. The conclusion? The fact that a baby is conceived and delivered in full health is purely a miracle. Each. And. Every. Time.

I was amazed at Cohen’s research at IVF clinics that offered PGD (the testing and discarding of chromosomally abnormal embryos): most embryos were abnormal and had either too few or too many chromosomes. Most embryos are not normal, whether conceived in the lab or in utereo.

The sad truth that Cohen mentions is that there is comparatively little recent research about miscarriage because of the lack of funding from the government and pharmaceutical companies. There is no money to be made. Nature is nature and that is that. Any research that is done is usually because of personal interest and passion for RPL.

We have been asked how long we’ll keep trying for another child. I guess the answer to that question is “We don’t know.” If I had known what we would experience seventeen months ago, I don’t know if I would have had the strength to endure. I don’t know where we will be in our journey in 12 months, 24 months, or 36 months. The decision to not try again isn’t easy.

On the positive side, my pelvic ultrasound results came back and everything is normal. Wonderful. So why is this happening? We may never know. As my Bible study group continues to move through Daniel, I have loved the eschatology and the supremacy of God’s timing. I take comfort in that.

You ask if Cohen had a second child? He wife became pregnant (unplanned) at age 41 after ten years and delivered a little boy. She had another miracle baby at the age of 44 when she decided to end her years of birth control.

A New Earth

Oprah's new book selection for her book club is called 'A New Earth' by E. Tolle. The book came up in last week's discussion of the Daniel and eschatology (the study of End Times). Tolle says that there is no God, only god within ourselves. I attached a YouTube video (7 minutes long) to give the 'high-lights' of the recent discussions between Oprah and Tolle. I think it is important as Christ-followers to be aware of what the world is listening to and be able to "give an answer to every man that asks you a reason of the hope that is in you..." (1 Pet. 3.15)

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, ... lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away...

II Timothy 3:2-7

"Finally, my brothers, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities , against powers, against the rules of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore, take unto you the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day..."

Eph. 6:10-18

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW4LLwkgmqA
(This video contains a little political jab at the end... that's another debate for another day.)

South Lake Tahoe

Our friends, Mike and Julie (and little Maddie), invited us to go with them to Tahoe for a few days. We crammed ourselves and the kids into a mini-van and off we went. We arrived late Sunday afternoon and stayed until Tuesday at noon. Travelling together made the trip a lot easier to entertain the kiddos.

Hiking behind the hotel room...

Walking the short path down to the beach...

Mike and Julie and little Maddie. Thanks for the invitation!!


Classic 'self portrait'!


Filling his shoes with sand.

Doing wheelies with Maddie in the stroller. She didn't seem to mind;-)

Russell scampered up onto the table before we even noticed:-) He loved being outdoors.

Russell was being a negative influence on Maddie. She was mesmorized by 'Curious George.'

We drove home via the north side of the lake. The wind was very cold on Tuesday but it made for a picture perfect photo shot. Dan and I had never been to Tahoe before this weekend and it gave us the desire to return later on, maybe to do some camping. Russell enjoys being outside so much but next time we'll need to bring the sunscreen.

Tagged

Alysun 'tagged' me to do a questionnaire...

What I was doing ten years ago (spring 1998):
1. enduring (I mean enjoying) my second semester at UVic (second year was much better)
2. driving my Grandma’s 1972 Datsun 510 (pretty green colour)
3. living at with my grandparents in Victoria
4. getting ready to work at Palomar CCC once again (also worked at Angeles Crest camp that spring since a girl named Alicia was working the odd-jobs at Palomar. I met Dan through Alicia four years later.)

Five snacks I enjoy:
1. Macintosh apples
2. Gharidelli chocolate chips (60% cocoa)
3. fresh blueberries
4. strawberries (okay, any berry I can buy at a reasonable price)
5. whatever is left over on Russell’s tray

Five jobs I have held:
1. Babysitter (not very often)
2. Kitchen gal (Palomar)
3. Lifeguard (Palomar & Camp Tejas)
4. Lab Tech (Alza)
5. Quality Assurance (J&J)

Five habits:
1. reading
2. taking daily walks to park
3. visiting friends
4. brushing teeth
5. keeping Russell out of trouble

Five places I have lived:
1. the Island, B.C.
2. Palomar Mt, CA (4 springs/summers)… San Diego
3. Austin, Tx (2 springs/summers)
4. the Bay area (since December 2004)
5. TBD

Travelling Direct

1. Buying new DVD for plane trip = $13
2. Buying airfare to Grandma's house = $350
3. Travelling direct from SFO to Victoria = Priceless


Although the airlines have been getting bad press lately, I am ecstatic over the fact that United is now flying direct between San Francisco and Victoria. The headache for years has been navigating through SEA (not difficult, but time consuming) and doing customs (only the dying/dead are allowed to use the elevators to travel up from the basement- no joking!).

Hopefully, those days are over permanently! I will gladly pay more for direct flights, especially since amusing a 2 yr-old for 4-5 hours aboard an airplane or in an airport is not on my top 10 (or 100) 'fun things to do' list. I think I'm going to write United a thank-you note.

***UPDATE: Russell and I will be coming up on Saturday, July 19th and leaving on Sunday, July 27th. Dan will likely be in Austin again that week.***

Our Growing Boy

I recently bought Russell some new summer PJ's after hearing the forecast for 80F weather. Sure glad I did! Friday, Saturday, and Sunday were up to 86F. Not bad for April! It is back to normal today, cool because of the wind.

Russell seems to have hit a little growth spurt. Even Dan commented that he looked bigger after a week of being gone. His 18-24m clothing is too short and he is well into 2T/3T, depending on the clothing brand (Circo fits small). I've bought most of R's clothes from the thrift store for the last 1 1/2 years, so to spend $13 on a double-set of pj's seemed a little much, but even R needs new clothes once in a while;-)

Pictured above: after bath time.

Looks like Dan might be a few days late!

*********************************
On Wednesday, American Airlines cancels more than 1,000 flights, for the second time in two weeks to inspect wiring bundles on its fleet of MD-80s.

Business trips and vacations were disrupted for tens of thousands of travelers Wednesday as American Airlines canceled more than 1,000 flights — nearly half its schedule — to fix faulty wiring that could cause a short-circuit or even a fire and explosion.

It was the latest — and largest — in a wave of cancellations at major U.S. airlines that have caused long lines at ticket counters and made flying even more stressful than usual.
***********************************


The above posting was from a MSN report. Hmm. Since Dan flew American Airlines to Austin, he may be a few days late returning. Suppose there is always Greyhound!

Summer Must Be Coming

This picture doesn't do these two XXL-strawberries any justice. The middle strawberry is your average, store-bought-sized berry. The other two must have been raised on steriods. I bought a 4-lb container of fresh berries two days ago. I put half of them in the fridge and froze the rest, since they are starting to 'expire' already. Most of the container had the XXL-sized berry. Yummy. They are so tasty with homemade granola mixed with vanilla yogurt in the morning.

In other news, Dan has gone to Texas for the week. We dropped him off this afternoon and he gets back on Friday night. I would have loved to gone with him to see my old Texas camp and friends in Austin and Houston. Maybe that is an idea for another girls' weekend someday. I was out there in the fall of 2003 when Dan was on his longest deployment. Hmm... we could afford a house there!!

My Grace is Sufficient

Pastor David Jeremiah told the following illustrations:

A little fish is reluctant to drink the ocean water,

lest the water be depleted.

God said, “there is enough water.”

A man at the top of a mountain is reluctant to breath,

lest the air be depleted.

God said, “there is enough air.”

A woman prays but hesitates,

lest her prayers but unheard.

God said, “there is enough grace.”

“My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.” Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

2. Cor. 12:9

How powerful these words are. Paul ‘besought the Lord thrice’ for his thorn to be removed. As we struggle daily to depend on our God, this verse has come to mind. For some reason, we have been allowed to experience this trial. We pray for God's strength because ours has been depleted.

Moving On... to Maisy

If you don't know who Maisy is, then you are definitely behind the times. Russell loves these two books and we read them at least 15-20 times a day. I'm not exaggerating. I found the first one (top) in a discard pile at the library in my parents' town. The second one is courtesy of the local thrift store. It is a 'lift-the-flap' type of book and one flap has been torn off by the previous owner but Russell don't care. We've read these so often that I recite the books to him while we are driving and he is fussing in the back seat (yes, probably because I forgot his cup or snack). It really helps his little disposition. And mine;-)

Failed Hope

I’ve thought about how to compose this blog entry but nothing eloquent comes to mind. Last weekend we found out we were pregnant. Pregnancy #5. One live birth, three failed pregnancies…no, now that would be four failed pregnancies. I had called the doctor’s office in good faith that this pregnancy would succeed. I had to call back on Friday to cancel the prenatal appointment and reschedule a consult, instead. I was taking the progesterone supplements in hopes that they would assist my body. That and prayer. Neither seemed to work.

Easter weekend turned out differently than we had planned. Cousin Maria called and cancelled their plans with us due to colds in their home. We had decided to cancel as well since I didn’t have the physical strength to host. Sunday was quiet for us. I helped with childcare at church but then came home. I needed the time to be alone and not in the midst of happy Easter-morning church goers. Dan had laryngitis so he was out, too. I thought that after having previous miscarriages, the mourning would be easier. It isn’t. Maybe it gets harder because of the failing hope that ‘next time’ will be successful.

In my Bible study on Thursday morning, I learned that as Daniel was being sentenced to the lions’ den, he didn’t panic (do the wrong thing) or be paralyzed (do nothing). He prayed. How timely that lesson was. “…Then the men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.” Beth Moore pointed out that had Daniel been given the option to endure the trial once again, he probably would have done so, in order for God to be glorified. Daniel was at least 80 years old and going strong.

Another scripture that has come to our attention is Psalm 127:1-3

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat-

for He grants sleep to those He loves.

Sons are a heritage from the Lord, children a reward from Him.”

When we lose each pregnancy, my first thoughts are, “what did I do wrong?” Did I eat warm sandwich meat? Did I exercise too hard? Did I not drink enough water? Did I not pray enough? Is God angry with me? “In vain” seems to fully describe my feeble attempts to fix the problem. Drink de-caffeinated instead of regular. Swallow more omega-3 pills. Don’t lift anything heavy. Earn ‘brownie’ points with God.

Our prayer-board in the kitchen has a long list of pregnant friends and their due dates. It pleases me to write due dates beside lonely ‘couple’ names: friends that have struggled as well for one reason or another. God is working. He is answering prayer. I like seeing the pregnant moms I know, with their growing bellies and knowing that each pregnancy is a miracle, for each woman will only carry but a few times in her life. I am happy for them. I am sad for me.

I know it is cliché in the Christian realm to say, “I’ll pray for you,” but I know we have many dear friends that do uphold us regularly. To you, we earnestly ask that you would intercede on our behalf and pray for:

1. God’s healing of my body and our saddened hearts.
2. God’s wisdom for the doctors to know how to proceed with future treatments and procedures.
3. That we would invest in the ‘talent’ God has given us: Russell. His soul is precious and we need godly wisdom to raise him for God’s glory.

“For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”

Jeremiah 29:11

Pre-Easter Egg Dippin'

On Thursday, after morning Bible Study, my friend Lisa invited us over to dye eggs with her son Jack (right). Friend Jen came as well, with her son Owen (left). We told Lisa she gets the "Mom of the Month" award for daring to try a craft that involved food coloring and clean clothes. I am not a craft/art-orientated mom but if Russell likes it, I'll have to learn! Thanks, Lisa!!

The colour should come off their hands by age 18;-)

The Difference a Year Makes

The above pictures were taken in March 2006, March 2007, and March 2008. What a difference! We still are taking our daily walks to the park but now Russell can point the direction to walk. The little kid knows when we are trying to 'cheat' him out of the park. His vocab is slowly increasing but isn't saying phrases (for a yellow bus, he'll say, "yellow" or "bus" but not both). We spell a lot of words so he won't understand us and I only watch TV when I feel like fighting Russell over PBS vs. Oprah. Yes, times have changed, but it keeps getting better!

Raggedy Ann

When I was at the thrift store yesterday (50% off day!), I found an almost-brand-new conditioned copy of Raggedy Ann and Andy. I bought it in hopes that one day we'll have a daughter who will appreciate it. I also found a Thomas the Train book that teaches a child to tell time. Russell loves clocks, so it was a hit!!!

When I got home, I pulled this Raggedy Ann cross-stitch piece out of my closet. I had started it when I was pregnant with Russell but put it away when we found out we were having a boy. After scanning the piece (it had been over 2 1/2 years) to see what needed to be done, I was surprised to see how little was left!! After spending a few hours yesterday and today, it is done.

I'll wait until Michael's puts another 50% off coupon in the paper, since I like their framing, but it is quite expensive. I'm glad there was so little to complete on the piece. Cross-stitching is hard on my neck and back so I probably won't be doing another piece for a few years. Besides, with Russell, there isn't much time to sit quietly;-)

The Perfect Saturday

For the first time in over a month, we have nothing scheduled. The only 'must-do' today is for Dan to buy/install a chain lock on our front door. Russell can open the door and leave. And he does. I'm going to scrapbook- I just finished Russell first birthday pictures. How would you spend the perfect Saturday?

To Tucson and back

We left the Bay area on Saturday and flew to Tucson for the long weekend. There are no non-stop flights on any airline (with exception of an early morning United flight) to Tucson, so the supposedly 2hr flight turns into 3-4 hrs. Our Southwest flight touched down in LA to pick up more people and continued onto Tucson. The short stop in LA confused Russell when he saw others getting off and he had to stay on the plane, so he threw a tantrum and cried the rest of the trip. I now warn the person that sits in front of Russell's seat that he will kick the seat and I can only do my best to stop him! Happy travelling! (Alysun, how did you get to Africa with a 2yr-old????!!!!)

Once we got to Arizona, Dan's dad picked us up. We spent Sunday morning at a mini-zoo (2 lions, 1 tiger, 1 turtle, 2 baboons, ducks, 1 polar-bear, 2 giraffes, a couple other little animals). It was a good experiment and proved my theory right: Russell doesn't care for the animals! He much rather enjoyed running up and down the wheelchair ramps and climbing the stairs and playing with the ceramic water-shooting frog. We'll wait a little longer before spending the money on the San Francisco Zoo.

The father in this picture had his two sons with him and both of them were autistic. He was so patient with the boys and they were so well behaved. We kept running into them as we walked thru the zoo.

Lone Mr. Turtle.

Nowhere close to Africa but maybe someday!

Russell and his Grandpa.

After we visited the zoo, we went across the street and Russell played on the play-structures. Supposedly, the Colorado Rockies were practicing (see below) in the adjoining field. The Padres' were in town as well but we didn't see them.

We came home on Tuesday afternoon, very glad to be back.