Gift party for baby Jarin
With Jarin having just been born and too young to do much more than lay there and be cute, Ashlyn was, of course, still very much the center of most our attention.
Gift party for baby Jarin
No, it wasn't Ashlyn's birthday. That's in February.
Gift party for baby Jarin
"I'll take it, anyway!"
Gift party for baby Jarin
"And this."
Gift party for baby Jarin
"This, too."
Gift party for baby Jarin
"Okay, baby Jarin can keep his boy clothes."
Gift party for baby Jarin
"even though they're cute."
Gift party for baby Jarin
"More clothes? Where's the toys?"
Gift party for baby Jarin
Ashlyn apparently found interests elsewhere.
Gift party for baby Jarin
"Oh, I think I left too soon."
Gift party for baby Jarin
"On the other hand…"
Gift party for baby Jarin
"…maybe not."
Gift party for baby Jarin
"Oh I see, we go back and forth between clothes and toys."
Gift party for baby Jarin
"Is the bear baby Jarin's or mine?"
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Okay, enough presents. Here's our day at the San Diego Wild Animal Park. Look close, there is a hummingbird there.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Hey Ashlyn, someone's taking your picture.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Pole peeping.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Flamingos flocking.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Duck feeding.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Lorikeet feeding.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
The lorikeets seem to like Bryan.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Whaddya know, they still like him.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Wow, they REALLY like him.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
No, nothing was loud—just an itch.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
"'CAH-peez! 'CAH-peez!"
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Actually, it's called an "okapi" and Ashlyn LOVED them.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
They're pretty unique.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
"Would you please untie this thing!?"
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Giraffe feeding time.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Awwww.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Note the tightly clenched toy animals.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Cheetah feeding time.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Still feeding.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
And still feeding.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Train ride time. Ashlyn was giddy…
San Diego Wild Animal Park
…and intrigued…
San Diego Wild Animal Park
…and getting tired.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
But, the rhinos were cool.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Cattle in formation.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
More cattle in formation.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
I wonder if Melissa ever did this tour. She said she wanted to.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
The motley crew.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Animals seem to like climbing fences.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Sometimes, I never know if I'm trying to take a picture of the surroundings or of the kids.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
Ashlyn discovered her shoes made a cool sound when she ran across a boardwalk.
San Diego Wild Animal Park
So, back and forth and back and forth she went.
California sunset
Back to my aunt and uncle's home, a rare beautiful sunset in southern California.
Balboa Harbor
Lunch time at Balboa Harbor.
Balboa Harbor
"This is baby Jarin."
Balboa Harbor
Yikes!
Balboa Harbor
Everyone (except me).
Balboa Harbor
Balboa Harbor boat ride.
Balboa Harbor
"Ashlyn, there are seals up on that buoy."
Balboa Harbor
"What's a buoy?"
Balboa Harbor
"Oh, THAT thing is a buoy."
Balboa Harbor
Someone's tired.
Balboa Harbor
Homes of famous people. Sorry, I don't remember who's was whose. I remember one of them belonged to Peter Falk (a.k.a. Columbo).
Balboa Harbor
More famous people's homes.
Balboa Harbor
Ferris-wheel ride time.
Balboa Harbor
"Wave hi!"
Balboa Harbor
Wheeee!
Balboa Harbor
Ashlyn liked the carousel better.
Balboa Harbor
Awwwww.
Family dinner
Dinner shindig for Heidi's soon-to-be-born baby, plus gift-giving all 'round.
Family dinner
"I like it."
Family dinner
"It's just more clothes!"
Family dinner
More things for my soon-to-be nephew.
Family dinner
And, of course, some things for the soon-to-be parents, too…
Family dinner
…including a book on how to handle the soon-to-be son.
Family dinner
"I like…"
Family dinner
"…THIS one!"