Autumn Stroll

Going on a stroll is an everyday occurrence in Russia. No matter how cold or warm, you've got to get out and go for a little or long stroll. We lived on the edge of a forest in Novosibirsk and this was one of the many walking trails we'd go on. The birch trees line the path and are preparing themselves for the long winter!

Los Angeles Zoo

It's been a few years since we've been to the Los Angeles Zoo. Actually the last time we went to the zoo, Jojo looked like this:

Jojo with mommy, his Grandma Judy, and cousin Rachael

We usually like to go to the San Diego Zoo but that is quite a distance from where we live and since we had some extra time yesterday and a coupon we headed over to the Los Angeles Zoo. First of all, I have to say that I have never really liked the L.A. Zoo. I always saw a lot of wasted and empty space. I am happy to report that this has changed a ton! They have done some major renovations and have added some beautiful exhibits. The zoo has really changed so much and since we arrived after 12:00 it wasn't even busy...actually at some exhibits we were the only ones there!

It was "Boo at the Zoo" so there were some real cute Halloween decorations.

Jojo loves snakes and so we made our way to "The Lair"... a new exhibit for us. We loved this exhibit!

I could watch the gorillas ALL. DAY. LONG! They are one of my favorites.

I could watch this guy all day too but I think he was watching me!

The koalas are so cute! The Australia exhibit is pretty amazing!!

The boys behaved so well which I think added to such a wonderful visit to the zoo. We took our time, sat and relaxed, and headed to whatever animals the boys wanted to see. In comparison to the San Diego Zoo, the L.A. Zoo is fairly small but there are a lot of hills and we got in some great walking!

First Snow

This past week while we were in a sweltering heat wave in Southern California, Samara received their first snow. Quite early in the season for Samara but not for Novosibirsk. This is a view out of our apartment in Novosibirsk at the beginning of October many years ago. I didn't grow up in the snow so you can imagine when we woke up that morning the first thing I did was to go outside.

The Tram

Yesterday someone asked me what I missed most about Russia. I never really know what to answer people because there are so many things I miss. If you were to ask my children what they miss they will quickly answer you that they miss the tram. It was their favorite mode of transportation and one that we took often.