Bird Watching

On a lark we decided to go bird watching at Huntingon Gardens. The organized walk started at 8:00, so we had to leave our house at 6:15. Other than the early start, it was a great day. More pictures here.

Short trip coming to an end

Cooper is tired and ready to go home. We've spent the past 27 hours on
a short camping/boating vacation with the neighbors. We need to return
home for Mother's day and church. It's been a great time.

This is the life

Camping at the lake. Enjoying the restful sounds of water laping on
the shore.

Now we are six plus five

For his birthday Campbell wanted a sundae bar at Metella and grandpa's
house.

Morning at the Huntington

We took my mom and the boys to the Huntington for some early morning garden time. I had just been there a few days before to meet with someone to learn how to best display and protect a few old books. It's a great place to spend time.

We love going to the garden anytime, but there is something special about mornings in the garden.  More pictures from our visit here or if you prefer flash here.

Yech in any language

What were they thinking? Clam juice, tomato juice, and beer - it's a
joke drink, right?

An extra "S"

The letter S is frequently overused on signs. This example was found
in Valencia.

Awana Games

This year both boys competed. Changes from last tear: Campbell set no
records and Cooper was permitted to participate. The church tell boys
played for (note how passive I made it) came in second this year. The
boys both had a great time.

He is not here, He has risen

This is the tomb we made this year for Easter.

Preparing for Earth Day

Doing our part to enjoy an American-sized carbon footprint. For Earth
Day I hope to scale it up.

Today we'll just enjoy the stored energy and the soothing aroma.

M and M enjoy the swing together

What not to wear

Either Jay or his uncle is not dressed for the weather. You guess who.
it's 88 in the shade.

Weasel Stomping Day 2009

We had some great fun decorating for WSD



A warning to any weasels



Campbell did a warning in chalk on the walkway -- we wanted to make sure that the weasels were well warned.



Megan made viking helmet apples for dessert for the children.



The viking horde is ready for some weasel stomping.



The children spread one quart of mayonnaise on the lawn to attract the weasels.

Thesaurus happy

Leprechaun sighting

This little fellow was up the street from my house today. Too bad it
wasn't orange.

Hospitals and dogs

My mom's friend knew of a little known California law that allows
elder patients to have visits by their pets provided the attending
gives permission. The problem is the staff usually is unaware of the
law.

We had permission, but to avoid problems we carried General like an
infant into the hospital. Once we were in the room we had no issues.

My dad enjoyed visiting with the family an the dog.

Ride Metro

I found the last space in the Metro parking lot - it was tight but I
was able to get out. There were hundreds of other spaces, but they
were permit only. I tried to buy a permit ... but they can only be
purchased in advance. Go easy ride Metro.

Yet another hospital visit

My dad is not too well. Besides the normal issues, he has a pulmonary
issue. My sister has come down to visit and were all remembering
funny things from our family's past.

The staff has been great letting all six of us stay in the room.

The star of my new opera

I've found the star for my new opera "Donde esta Chupacabra". I'm
still working on the libretto.

Yes I know she's dead - but who better than a zombie to play in a
chupacabra opera?

Good wishes from The Queen

This year I sent a Christmas card to HM The Queen, and received this thoughtful reply. The reply was sent from Sandringham Estate in Norfolk.

How polite

Only on the South would you find this sign.

Burbank on Parade

My dad wasn't having enough attention - so we had 2 trucks and 10 men
come to my mom's house. We went on a parade to PSJMC. After a tests
and an obstacle course they sent us home. He's sleeping in his chair
now.

So what time do they close?

Glow golf

We played indoor glow golf at Fin's in Valencia. Cooper won and got a
hole in one on the 15th.

White weekend

Today we did what many people in California like to do: we went to
visit the snow. We "visit" snow - others must live with it. After
passing hundreds who were content to play in the mud, we found a place
devoid of people and filled with snow.

We had a great time.

I bet they are softer than pillows

Is this what the duck from Babe was thinking?

The duck said, "Christmas means carnage". Do you think this is what he
was honking about?

This was a birthday cake that someone left on the Sunday school snack
table this morning. Looks like the cake was in an accident - people
who ate it said it was good.

What were they thinking?

A new shop has opened in the Valencia mall food court - Mojo's Mac.
They make . . . Macaroni and cheese. I'm sure it's very good, but mac
& cheese in this economy. It's 5.45 for.te basic mac, more for extras
like chicken, bacon, ground beef and such.

Some parent might buy it for their begging child. While I had my lunch
they made two sales, both were for children.

I give them 4 months. Cooper might like it.

Snow in Valencia

We had an unexpected surprise today snow; Well it was man made and
pushed into the lot of the Bridgeport Market Place for their grand
opening. The boys had a great time.

Dad's recovering

My dad is smiling after his brain shunt. He will be in the hospital
for a few days.

The lizard whisperer

Campbell loves lizards. This one did not mind roaming around
Campbell's shirt. Once we left the scarf factory he let it go.

Not in Valencia

The boys enjoyed shooting BB guns at targets in El Centro. This is
something that is not easy to do at home. They love playing on the
dirt and shooting. As soon as they are awake they start asking when
they can shoot. Nice clean boy fun.

Now it's clear

I'm glad it will be stooping until future notice.

Remember

Remember.

I took this photo in Ypres Belgium before the Last Post Ceremony.

Another year

Today we had Cooper's annual cardiology appointment. We praise the
Lord that we have another year with nothing to do - no surgery, no new
restrictions.

This appointment was tinged with some sadness - our doctor is retiring
in December. He has been a doctor for 50 years. He has been very kind
and understanding to Cooper for seven years. We will miss him, but we
trust that Cooper's next doctor will be as good. Thank you Dr. Fink.

Hospital visit

Visiting my dad in the hospital again. C1 and C2 cheered him up. He
seems to be more like he used to, polite and kind.

Unwanted gifts

Someone left us two unwanted gifts under one of the trees at GTY.  A used diaper, and a banana that even Garry K would have said was too ripe.

Beyond the gifts under the tree, someone also left a pair of flip-flops in our driveway.  The gift tag must of blown off in the wind, so I cannot send a thank you note.

Happy Birthday to me

To round out the unusual birthday celebration, I ate my cake with chopsticks.

Andy still fun

Andy is growing fast. He is now 7.25KG, about half of what he'll be when full grown. The boys love taking him for walks and tossing his "guy" down the hall.

Happy Birthday to me

For my birthday I went to a party with 7000 people at Philippe's. Sandwiches were rolled back to 1908 prices (10 cents). We waited 5 hours in the party line. A great time was had by all. When we came for their 95th the lines were not so long - this was much longer than I expected.

Rain?

John Daley stands in the rain during our brief storm. It took me a while to remember the word for it.

It's less of a gate than you'd think

Since thing have gone so well we were able to take the morning and see a few things around Berlin.

When I think of gates, I think of barriers and such, this is more of a triumphal arch. It was still amazing to see. We also walked through Check Point Charlie, some wonderful neighborhoods, and visited the German memorial to the murdered Jews of Europe.

After our morning tour, we met back at the church to finalize everything for Sunday.

Now we pray that a room full of people with GSM phones doesn't through everything wacky.

Jay puts it together

After a trip to a few stores we had what was needed to put together the system to record the sermons adapted from John MacArthur's material and preached in German. Unlike many projects this one has gone smoothly. Sunday will be the live test of the system.

German Efficiency - East Berlin Style

The hotel I'm staying used to be on Lenin Street. After The Wall came down, they renamed the street, but some of the habits take longer to change.

Earliest Yet

Labor Day we found these at the Valencia K-Mart. It's nice to know that the Christmas season now begins in September. I'm sure that one day soon, the decorations will come out Memorial Day.

Meet Andy

Well after much waiting and waiting and waiting, we finally have a dog. This is Saint Andrew Clonrichert of Waterford a Kerry Blue Terrier -- we call him Andy.

He is cute, soft, and bouncy. Now for the fun part: house training.