Mulder, it's me...

Greetings from the Land of Perpetual Sunshine! As you can see, the weather has changed in our favor and it's been nothing but sun, sun, sun... Just kidding. But it has rained less today and I saw my shadow twice.


Today we went to the Woodland Park Zoo and saw Lions (one was clearing his throat), and tigers (actually, it was hiding), and bears (all three Yogies were sleeping) - oh my!



We also got to see a bunch of Hyenas (or pronounced, "Hi-eees!"). Every time I see them, I keep thinking: "Mufasa!" *shudder* "Ewww.... Say it again!" Thanks, Whoopi. Ian liked the Hi-eees so much that he got a stuffed one that he is sleeping with as we speak.


What was cool about this zoo was that you could view most of the animals from multiple angles and the exhibits were large and original (like, actual trees instead of plaster-like trees). The lion and hyena exhibits were actually connected with a window so they could see each other through glass. Here, the lioness (or according to Ian, "Elise?") is walking over to "speak" to the hyenas about being loud first thing in the morning...

I loved the wolves! Ian thought they were all Tank. Here's a photo of a white wolf... peeing... and looking at me... just like Tank.

Believe it or not, this is part of the bear exhibit... Not bad. It reminds me of those old beer commercials. Unfortunately they were all sleeping and Ian didn't believe me that the snoring ball (i.e., 2500 pound ball) of brown fur was an animal.



Ian couldn't see the Otters - they were sleeping in since it was cold - so he decided to take the big brass one home.


... Um, don't ask...

We also got to meet up with Mark and he gave us a tour of his office. It was cool... It was a really awesome plain building containing plain white hallways with tan trim leading to plain white offices with tan trim... Of course, there was that one door that had the nameplate reading: F. Mulder and D. Scully. I asked about it but Mark said he'd have to kill me and plant a cancer-causing tracking device in the base of Ian's neck that would later make him the target of a massive government cover-up involving a chain-smoking reject from the movie, "Goodnight and Goodluck."

As soon as Ian got to Mark's desk, he immediately sat in the chair and picked up the phone... That's my future little bureaucrat!

Tomorrow we're off to the Sci-Fi museum and Mark's house for dinner... Take care!

Greetings From Seattle!!!

I apologize now if this doesn't make much sense. We're all exhausted and I ain't proofreading it. You all just wanna see photos anyway.

Howdy everyone! We're alive and well up here in Seattle. We had an uneventful trip so far and Ian's been handling all the changes with ease. Heck, he even got to meet the Dalai Lama (sorta).






We left Burbank Sunday and were lucky enough to have a flight where Ian got to stay in his carseat. He handled the flight great but was a little unsure of the takeoff with all the changes in g-forces and the vibrations. Other than a quick paniced look, he never cried or fussed. We landed in Oakland on time but our flight to Seattle was 30 minutes late due to our plane having to be replaced due to some mechanical issue. This gave Ian time to run around, make some new friends (a few that didn't want to be disturbed as well), and have lunch. Unfortunately, the flight was packed and Ian had to sit in our lap(s) for the second half of the journey. Again, he handled it well and Seleta's planning had it timed that he slept through the flight and woke up in time for the landing.

After getting our bags, we picked up our rental (an '07 Trailblazer), and made it to the hotel around 3pm. Ian immediately picked out HIS bed... Shame it was the wrong one! ;)



Later, we met up with his Godfather, Mark, and we got to have dinner together. Later this week, we may run up to his cabin and play in the snow.




Today, Seleta started her class (she's got fellow students that came from as far away as Australia and South Korea) while Ian and I checked out the area and went to the Children's Museum. This week is a big week for Seattle since the Dalai Lama is visiting and speaking at various places. His first stop today was the Key Arena - next to the Children's Museum. So as we were walking up, he was walking in. Unfortunately, I didn't have my camera handy. But during lunch, we got to sit, eat Chinese food (no, not because of the Dalai Lama), and watch the Dalai Lama speak on a big screen TV set up in the food court. It was pretty cool.









Tomorrow, we plan to maybe head to the zoo - depending on the weather! Just kidding. Apparently the saying up here goes, "if you can't do it in the rain, then you can't do it."

Gotta say, though, that it's been weird. To go from everything being blue and brown to everything being gray and green. I also can't figure how it's possible for it to be so dark during that you have to use your headlights all day and yet it stays lighter outside much later (like 9pm). And that if a bridge floats ON the water, is it really still a bridge?

More photos later...

Fillmore Rail Fest 2008

Sometimes it pays to live in a hick town. Fillmore has a Rail Fest every year and until approximately 18 months ago, we've never had a reason to go. Ian had so much fun going on Saturday with Grampa Lee and Grandma Michelle (sorry, no photos posted on that day yet), that we had to go again on Sunday. But only after a small nap...


Ian got to try a strawberry Snow-Cone for the first time - sugar-free, of course! He was grubbin' pretty good until the brain freeze.

And a brief little ride on a pony. He wasn't too sure about that.




And of course, chillin' with Dad and listening to Bluegrass music. "Show me the way to go home... I'm tired and I wanna go to bed..." (Seleta and Mary were horrified that I knew the words!)

Just a Few Odds and Ends...

Happy Easter!

Enjoy a movie on us!

A Few New Pics!

Enjoy the days...


How do you stop a speeding toddler?


Mister Scruffy relaxing at the beach...


Future truck driver...


Arch Bunker never had it so good.




The only time you'll see my dog looking majestic.