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:-)

Almost 1 Year Old!

Russell loves pullling himself up on our bookcase and any other object he can scale (patio windows, the dishwasher, Mom's legs). How far he's come in the last few months. We hope to have a 'Giraffe' themed birthday for him since his favorite toy is his stuffed yellow giraffe which he sleeps with.

Passport Photo Shoot

We were told by U.S. Immigration on return to the States, that Russell would have to have a passport to travel (internationally) after January 23/07. We attempted to take the photo shoot at home since we could not take him to the post office and have his picture taken without a minor catastrophe! Poor little boy;-)

Christmas in the Bay- before we left for Canada, we had our mini-Christmas first.

Oh! The joy of tearing tissue paper!

Spending quality time with cousin Dawn-Marie- what a nice girl!

Christmas 2006

Candice is modeling her new skirt from Aunt Annette at the van Dop dinner.

Mom and Andrea admiring the new purse...

At my parents' home in Cobble Hill- new silverware to start off the new year!

Snow! (Not here- in Colorado)

Kurt, Dan's bro-in-law, in Colorado, shovels the white stuff off his back porch. Nice time to use the hot tube! Dan and his sister Carolyn actually got locked out of Kurt/Bev's house a couple of years ago and spent the whole night in the hot tub to keep warm- in the middle of a snowy winter. Two summers ago, Dan and I sat on this back porch and our faces felt like they were blistering due to the sun- and the thinner atmosphere. Colorado does have great seasons:-)

Waiting for Santa? No!

You'd think that our little blue Angel was waiting for Santa and his raindeer to pull up to the house, but no- Russell is waiting for the UPS man who brings such nice things from a wonderful place called 'Amazon.com'. The nice man in his brown outfit rings the doorbell and dashes away before we can even get to the door- he'd easily beat Santa in a disappearing act! Mom and Dad love Amazon because they have rock-bottom prices and they can shop while their little boy is asleep in his bed. Merry Christmas! 

Christmas Photo Shoot

On Sunday, we did our photo shoot for the Christmas card. Needless to say, you'll be receiving them a little late this year. I still feel like it is October so we're behind in the scheme of things. Russell has recently started to blow bubbles with his mouth and what results is a very wet shirt. He is quite proud of his talent and will show it to you if you encourage him! We also decided not to decorate the little tree this year since he enjoys playing with it so much and I don't want him to hurt himself on sharp edges. The lights are fiber optic so we don't have to worry about wires, either!

Oldest Lady in the World Dies

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Elizabeth "Lizzie" Bolden, recognized as the world's oldest person, died early Monday, the administrator of the nursing home where she lived said Monday. She was 116. Bolden was born Aug. 15, 1890.

Family members said she had 40 grandchildren, 75 great-grandchildren, 150 great-great-grandchildren, 220 great-great-great grandchildren and 75 great-great-great-great grandchildren.

How is that for a legacy? Not to mention an old-fashioned Sunday dinner after church!

An Eagle's View

Check out this view from the Blue Angels! The Golden Gate bridge and park can be seen in the background. Our friend, Derrick, sent this picture out to us.