Breakfast with the giraffes!

Kari received a great birthday present this year from Rich - a breakfast with the giraffes at the Detroit Zoo. Her mother in law Shirley, Kim and I accompanied her to the event yesterday. We were taken to our breakfast site - the side walk near the giraffes, where we dined on bagels, muffins, scones, fresh fruit, coffee and juice. While we were eating we were given some info on the giraffes - and reminded that we will be eye to eye with them and even though they are so cute we should not touch them - but they could touch us if they wanted. We walked up the ramp and fed these beautiful creatures rye crisp crackers and let them munch on leaves from branches that we held. She was right - we were eye to eye - and they are so beautiful! There are different kinds of giraffes - you can tell by the area between their spots - some are white and some are more light brown. We were honored to be eye to eye with Charday and Ajax - another one whose name I cannot remember was enjoying getting to some branches he couldn't reach before the storms of the night before. After the feeding time we were given a guided tour of the zoo - while riding one of the carts. How interesting to see the zoo with more information than I will ever remember!

Afterwards we picked up lettuce wraps from PeiWei and took them to Michelle's for lunch!

A great day for all of us! Pictures will be posted after Kim sends some to me - my camera was safe at home! (I have been losing things lately - like my digital camera and dad's house/car keys!)

Enjoy life!

Karla

More birthday pictures!

Megan takes after Grandma - we LOVE cake!!!

Happy Birthday Megan!

Hard to believe that Miss Megan is now 2!!! She turned 2 on August 17 but we had her party today. Unfortunately it rained on her outside party - children got to play on the new swingset for awhile but then we had to head for the garage and house. As you can see from the picture Megan enjoys corn on the cob!

We are so blessed to have Megan - hope she knows how much we love her!

Enjoy life!

Go Tigers!

I have a new camera - lost my old one here in the house....probably forever!!

;-( So, I am learning to use the new camera - and not doing very well.


We were excited to attend the Detroit Tigers vs the Oakland A's baseball game last night at Comerica Park. Michelle was fortunate enough to get 4 of the Henkel seats for the game so we got to go with them. We were 5 rows up from 3rd base and about 5 seats and an aisle away from the Tiger Dugout.

Sydney was a lucky girl too - the Oakland A's 3rd base coach motioned for Mark to bring her down and she was given a game ball - which she promptly threw back at the coach! Fortunately he gave it back to her and Mark helped her hang on to it that time. When they sat back down she was ready to throw it again - we were fast enough to get it put away for her memory box!

Marcus Thames

Granderson got a triple here!

This is Mark, Sydney and I as we left the game. Everyone had a good time - especially the A's since they won the game!

Enjoy life!

Karla and Russ

Olive Garden Luncheon

What a great day we had yesterday! Karen and I were excited to be able to meet at Olive Garden with several of my cousins and an aunt and uncle. Pictured is (in zigzag order): Pam Raska, Elaine Bokano, Retha Ponticelli, Brenda Bokano, Karla Patterson and Karen Teague. We were also joined by Elaine's children, Amber and Barry (with girlfriend Kara) and Elaine's dad, Uncle Augie Bokano and also Brenda's children, Kathryn and Kevin. A great time of food and catching up for all of us!

Enjoy life!

Karla