A Busy Weekend

Noah had a very busy weekend. It started on Friday with a visit to Olivia's work while Victor had an appointment.

Eating an apple in Mommy's office.


Enjoying the view from the chapel balcony with Mommy.


Hanging out in Laura's bean bag chair and playing with Micheal's Chinese meditation balls.


Walking in St. Francis Courtyard.


How does this umbrella work?


Cool!



On Saturday morning, we headed to The Oakland Zoo. We were attempting to make a point to visit with animals, not just Victor's coworkers, but we still had some special activities planned.

Hanging out with the ferrets in the animal room. Noah loved them!


Playing peek-a-boo in a tortoise shell.


Checking out the White Handed Gibbons with Mommy.


Sweeping up Daddy's office.


After the zoo, we went out to Livermore and stopped at Boot Hill which becomes Daffodil Hill in the Spring.




Our last stop on Saturday was a trip out to Stockton with Grandma Paula, Grandpa Art, Uncle Erik, Auntie DeAnna, and cousins Katherine and Markus for a Stockton Thunder game. The Stockton Thunder is a minor league hockey team and we watched them beat the Utah Grizzlies.
Before the game, Noah met a giant tooth.


He also met Thor, the Thunder's mascot.


Noah decided to sample Mommy's nachos. 13 months is the right time to introduce plasticy fake cheese, right?! Don't worry, he rounded of his dinner with a bowl of oatmeal with yogurt and lingonberry jam, mixed veggies, and an apple.


Noah had fun playing with our souvenir hats!



And to top off the weekend, we headed out to Sausalito to volunteer at the Marine Mammal Center on Sunday night as usual.
Noah had to do some studying up on Elephant Seals so he could do his best to help them.


Hi Mr. Elephant Seal. I'm Noah. Nice to meet you!

Run for the Seals

On Saturday we participated in a fundraiser for the Marine Mammal Center where we volunteer. Run for the Seals is a 4 mile run/walk through the Marin Headlands. As you can see, it was a spectacular day for a stroll. Unfortunately, we remembered the camera, but forgot the memory card! These pictures are courtesy of our friend Andrea and her cell phone camera! Thanks to Monte's friendliness and not helped by a sighting of river otters in the lagoon (when our group included 2 zookeepers who care for river otters), we managed to come in dead last. Yes, we were the slowest group of walkers finishing our 4 miles in just over 1.5 hours!

Noah wanted to play with the straw on the CamelBack backpack, so Victor and Olivia had to walk very close together.


Noah met Monte, the new love of his life. Monte belongs to our friend Karen who got Monte as a foster after Hurricane Katrina. When Monte's owners were never found, Karen volunteered to adopt him permanently.


Noah loves Monte. He gave Monte lots of kisses. Thankfully, Monte is a very kind and compassionate dog. He is even a trained therapy dog who does reading programs with little kids at libraries! It's easy to read to a dog. They don't correct your pronunciation. Just look at those faces! Have you ever seen a happier boy and dog ?

Earning his keep

We've been making sure that Noah pulls his weight around this place. Here are some of his chores.


Doing the laundry

Installing childproof locks with Daddy


Loading the dishwasher


Sorting coupons


Sweeping up


Resting after a long day

Some fun videos

Playing Ball




Trying to jump




Dancing (there is music if you turn the volume up)




Up close and personal with Noah

Another fun weekend

Noah had a great weekend playing with his cousins.

Here's Noah watching the big kids climb.


Cousin Kendra on the bars with help from Auntie Cara.


Cousin Katherine swinging on her belly.


Cousin Markus in mid jump.


Noah liked the wood chips.


Cousin Savannah being a monkey and hanging from the top of the swings with one hand!


Cousins Markus and Kendra.


Noah and Katherine


Savannah and Noah


Noah and Daddy

Fun day at the park

Saturday was a beautiful day so we decided to go on a family outing to the park. Noah had a great time exploring and Victor and Olivia had a great time watching him explore!