29 Palms, Joshua Tree and LA!!!

We had a great time in CA over the Memorial Day Weekend. Marie picked us up at the airport on Friday morning then we headed to the desert. We had lunch in Palm Springs then we were off to 29 Palms. We stayed at the 29 Palms Inn, which is a cool funky hotel with individual cottages. When we got to our room, Marie told us to be on the look out for rattlesnakes and scorpions. Needless to say, I was a little freaked out. Of course, we did not see any snakes or scorpions but we did see a few lizards. After our pool side dinner at the Inn, we took a walk around the hotel grounds and disturbed an owl on the prowl, he screeched at us to let us know that he was not happy that we scared away his dinner, a little bunny. During the night, we heard the coyotes a few times (it was really cool since we were inside and not outside in a tent).

On Saturday morning we went on a hike in Joshua Tree National Park, the hike is really close to Marie's property in 29 Palms. The hike we went on is called 49 Palms Oasis. The hike is a mile and a half up to a beautiful Oasis in the desert. We did the hike in the morning, before it got too hot. On the way down we saw some people that were definitely not prepared for the hike (ask Tim about the girl in the tank top and flip flops, he told us he would stay behind and make sure she made it down). After the hike we went back to the Inn for more pool time and lunch. After lunch we were off to LA.

On Sunday, we walked to my favorite breakfast place in LA then took a long walk home. We relaxed at Marie's for a few hours, I read a trashy novel Tonia sent me. Then we were off to La Placita (sp), which is the oldest street in LA. After La Placita we were off to the Observatory. The view from the Observatory is awesome. From the Observatory, we got a good look at the fire damage from the recent wildfire in Griffith Park. The fire almost destroyed the Observatory, which was just redone. The renovation cost 45 million and took 4 years to complete.

Of course the best part of the weekend was hanging out with Marie. Tim and I always have such a wonderful time in LA with Great Aunt Marie!

Marie in front of her property in 29 Palms.

Tim and Marie after lunch in Palm Springs
Tim and I walking back to our room after an afternoon at the pool in 29 Palms
A Joshua Tree
Tim on top of a rock in Joshua Tree National Park


Our back yard at the Inn at 29 Palms
Our living room at the Inn
Our room at the Inn

Tim at the Inn
Marie and I on the hike. She made me wear the hat, which was a very good idea.
Marie leading the way up to the Oasis.
Tim on yet another rock, 29 Palms is the view behind him.
Baby lizard, we saw a full grown one later on the hike.

The Oasis
Tim and Marie relaxing in the oasis.
As you can see from my photos, Tim likes climbing on rocks.

The view of LA from Marie's apartment
Griffith Observatory

Update from Clackamas

We had a very busy week last week and last weekend getting ready for, and hosting the "Clackamas Classic". My plan was to take photos of the event to share but I got to busy and forgot. I think it was 11 pm on Saturday when I realized I had not taken any photos. So, you all are asking yourself what is the Clackamas Classic, well let me tell you. Tim and his friends decided they were not spending enough time together (that is a joke) so they decided to create a summer golf league, there are seven events with a championship tournament at the end of the summer. We hosted the second event. Tim told me about 2 weeks before the event that we were going to host a BBQ for 30 to 40 people after the golf tournament. After a lot of work and a small panic attack on Saturday afternoon, everything turned out great.

This weekend we are heading down south to CA to visit Marie. We are going to spend Friday and Saturday in Joshua Tree National Park and spend Sunday in LA.

On the adoption front, we are waiting on the next batch of referrals. Hopefully the referrals will come out in the next few weeks. I will keep you posted.

The Great Lawn Project Completed!!!

We are finally done with the lawn. We still have to plant a few plants around the side of the lawn but the major work is done. We decided to install a sprinkler system, which required help from outside sources. We finished last Sunday.


This is the access to the crawl space under our house. With the help from his friend, Tim ran the wire for the sprinkler system under the house.

As you can see, he made it out alive.



Don't worry, the rock is not staying. We are going to plant a small tree where the rock is.

Weekend with the Girls

On Saturday afternoon, Kiley and Auntie Resa went to the Zoo while Ellis attended a friend's birthday party. The girls spent the night, which gave their parents a kid free night on the town.


Kiley at lunch. She had to eat all her fruit in order to get dessert, which she did.

Waiting in line for the Shuttle bus to take us to the Zoo.

Kiley on the bus.

Kiley with Packy (he is lying down in the background) Packy is the largest Asian elephant in the U.S, he is 10'6 and weighs 13,500 pounds, he just celebrated his 45th birthday.

Looking for the Zebra

We found the Zebra


The leopard was sleeping on a blanket, it was very cute.

After a long day at the Zoo and birthday party, it was time to relax and watch movies.

After the movies, Uncle Timmy read bedtime stories (Kiley is under the blanket).

After breakfast this morning, the kitchen table became a fort. The penguin is guarding the fort form monsters.

Playing the bunny game in the garage. Ellis won.

April Referrals

April referrals were a disappointment. The CCAA only did 3 days of referrals, so everyone that was LID as of Nov 1, 2005 has been matched with their child. We, of course, are very happy for those people that are now looking forward to traveling to China to bring home their wonderful little girl (or boy).

Unfortunately for us, the wait just keeps getting longer. I am trying to stay positive. I have to believe that the CCAA will increase the referrals in the coming months. I am glad that we have a lot planned this summer to keep us busy.

On a lighter note, the lawn project should be done on Sunday. I will post photos as soon as it is completed.