California #4

California, Sept 4-9, 2010 ~

On one of the hills of Santa Ana. Notice the sections ravaged by the fires. Below are some pictures in the Santa Ana zoo; and then more pictures in Long Beach; and finally a picture with Joya, a Baha'i who hosted us for 19 Day Feast. I am wearing a beautiful poncho Joya made.

California #5

California, Sept 4- 9, 2010

More pictures. Here we visited the Aquarium of the Pacific at Long Beach. It was fun. There were tons of sea creatures to see. I even saw sea lions for my first time. Jayron was, first scared, and then fascinated, especially with the mesmerizing movements of the jelly-fish. We had a great time. It was just the three of us that day; Sahar had to work. But I had to put this first cute picture somewhere:) I couldn't put in all the pictures, but we saw crabs, lobsters, starfish, and all kinds of colorful fish.





















A whale made entirely of recycable plastic bottles














Crabs

Jayron is fascinated

So colorful!

Ah, the Jelly-fish!














Sea lions lazying out of the water on the rocks


















Aaron in one of the small acquaria
















Visiting with the shark and stingrays

We were encouraged to touch the stingrays, who can be deadly, but with these ones, their poisonous stings have been removed. It took me a while to get the courage to do it, but I did. It felt velvety.

Jayron's First Birthday, #1 of 3

July 31, 2010 ~

Jayron's first birthday! His actual birthday was the 30th, but we planned the celebration on Saturday the 31st. It was hot (97degrees), although it cooled off as the evening wore on. But it was a lot of fun, for Jayron and everyone else. There were so many people who showed up; unfortunately I can't put up pics of everyone (I'll put them up on Facebook), there was a lot to eat, the cake was delicious and home-made, and the kids loved the games and adults loved their volleyball! The kids enjoyed the clues of the treasure hunt too.

The evening started with a prayer by the pre-youths. Then we ate and cut the cake and sang to the birthday boy. Then we had fun games starting with the piniata, then treasure hunt, then volley ball. There was good music in the background, and all in all, it was a very fun day. The Marshallese Baha'i friends treated Jayron to a cultural show where they sang and danced, playing their euculayli (that's how it's pronounced. It's a miniature guitar-like instrument), and dancing around Jayron while giving him money. And he had many gifts from others too. Thanks to everyone who helped make it a huge success. I'm sure Jayron couldn't have asked for more cuz he loves to see new faces.




















Cake in the making

It was so hot. Jayron alighted from the car asleep and immediately started perspiring. Ma Angeline fanned him.

Jayron is awake now

Tahirih offers a prayer

Jayron's Marshallese friends

Some of the African friends

Our very skilled punch maker, Larry

My cousins, Lionard, Feh, and Lionel

Gifts pour in and surround the piniata

Eating time

Jayron is thirsty. You can see how I'm perspiring

Jayron's First Birthday #2 of 3

July 31, 2010 ~

More pictures.

Below, the Marshallese perform a cultural welcome song to a baby in the Marshallese dialect. They also contribute money as they sing and dance around the table;
Jayron eats his birthday fruit cake (made by his mama!); The fun of the piniata; all dressed up as Sherlock Holmes for the treasure hunt; Jayron's wic; Jayron as his gifts.

Jayron's First Birthday #3 of 3

July 31, 2010 ~
More pictures.

Mostly the cutting of the cake as Jayron preps to cut; has help blowing the candles and everyone sings for him! It was fun!