Monday, September 29, 2008

Two Weeks in L.A.

A few highlights of our most recent time in Southern California:

This is what it's like to sit behind me and Abe on an airplane. Yes, I asked the guy sitting behind us to take this picture. He basically made faces at Abe the whole flight to Sacramento.

Our first night in town, we got to have dinner with these people, whom I have described in the past as "the gods of parenthood." As Keri says, "My kids aren't angels--they're just civilized." I plan to email them often when questions arise.

We always want to see Staci when we're in L.A. She teaches Abe cool tricks like the one above.
On Ted's birthday, we went again to Porto's, where Obama is winning the cookie-war.

And in North Hollywood, he's winning on the picket fences.

Abe charmed some ladies on a slasher-zombie movie set. He was dressed in his Ethiopian outfit since we were on our way to the streetfair in Little Ethiopia to visit Steven and Julie.

I got to splurge on a brand-new outfit for Abe at H&M (we usually buy from consignment stores, but this was too cute to pass up).

Abe met a few more relatives, here his great-aunt and second cousin.

Chris and Heather had us over last Sunday where we got to see Angie, Anil and Noah again...

...along with Steven and Julie

Julie saves the day while Mom chooses to take a photo of her son falling over rather than help out.

Abe practices his camera mugging skills with Heather.


Why we don't have many "family portraits." We all end up looking sort of dorky (not that we're anything but).

In the Sacramento airport on the way home, this lovely women from Senegal "stole" our baby from us for a little while (her words).

By Ted's birthday, generous friends and family had helped us to surpass our goal of $2,000 to build half a well in Ethiopia with Charity: Water. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all who gave.

Now we're happy to be back in Oregon for a while and are taking Abe on his first camping trip this evening. That should be interesting.

...and stay tuned for a big Abe-announcement

23 comments:

Elisabeth said...

Ohhhh - those photos are to die for!!! He continues to be precious and you are a beautiful family!!

ellen

emily said...

Nice little teaser at the end................:)

Staci said...

Did you do something to your hair, Lori? It looks groovy!

Cindy said...

Sounds like a wonderful trip! I LOVE that Obama is winning the cookie war.

Jana said...

OH, I love that the Sengalese woman stole Abe. *sigh*

Jill said...

looks like a fun-filled trip to LA. Good luck with the camping trip, that is BRAVE.

Erin Sager said...

Your little guy gets cuter and cuter!!!! Love the new outfit!!!!

Dan, Misty & Ashar said...

Nice update. Is he walking on his own? Is he getting a little sister? Well, anyways, have a fun camping trip!

Autumn and Dan's family said...

Seriously, are there steps? Is Abe walking? Abe is a hard kid not to love...that's for sure! I'm glad you are back. Have fun camping. I can't wait to see the pictures.

Blog Shmog said...

I was going to ask about your hair too? It looks really nice. Did you get a new cut?
Love the Abe pictures and am dying for the big announcement!

Amy B. said...

That picture of Abe's face squished between the airplane seats is adorable. I want to know what the big Abe news is! What is it?...tell me tell me tell me!!!

Amy

Claudia said...

My favourite pic is the squishy airplane seat one too. TOO CUTE.

And I could be wrong, but I'm guessing your boy was the only person, maybe in the whole world, who spent a day on a slasher zombie movie wearing traditional ethiopian dress last week. Cool.

los cazadores said...

From one dork to another, those are great and super fun pics! Looks like you got to visit with a gajillion peeps. Thanks for sharing the trip with us!

(For a minute I thought that Abe was flirting with Eva Longoria in that one pic...serious mack daddy!)

Cindy

mama becca said...

Great update!
Glad you had a fun stay in LA.
Love Abe's new outfit :).
becca

filoli said...

The airplane picture is fantastic. I love the play-by-play of the weekend...and also, completely in love with the fact that you buy mostly from consignment stores...that is so very positive...he will thank you to no end when he gets older...

The Soucys said...

Can't wait for the camping pics! Oh, and for details related to the suspenseful footnote!!!!!

coffeemom said...

What a beautiful life you have and have built. Just rich and wonderful. Lucky Abe. Lucky you. How lucky we are to be able to follow. God bless you all. Love M

Danni and Tommy said...

I love that you are going camping- you'll have to give me tips. Beautiful pictures.

Julie said...

Hey- I just figured out that if I turn the camera I can probably get all of Ted in the next family portrait. Duh!
I love, love the airplane picture. I would fly much more often if that was the view that I had.
Great to see you guys. Come back soon.

Sam said...

Love the charity water shirts. and very cute pics. esp the plane one!
hope camping went well

Laurzie said...

I love the family shot. We're dorks, too, so join the club! ;) What's with the teaser, huh? Come on, fess up already!

DrewCareyShow said...

I am bummed that we didn't get to see you guys on this trip. We're officially done traveling (fingers crossed!) for a while, so please let us know when you're going to be back. We'll host the next BBQ =)

~Laura~ said...

Dang it! We don't have an H&M and Canaan needs that cute outfit. :) Off to look online. :)