San Diego

Velda and I went to San Diego to see Scott, Allison, James, and Katie.  We wanted to be there on James' 3rd birthday (official).   Allison did a great job planing our itinerary.

We went to the San Diego Zoo.

James loved to climb on the statues.   On the tigers he liked to roar!

He loved the helicopter.  After his turn, he patiently got back in line for his turn again and again.  It had a real control stick and he loved to push, pull, and turn the stick.

We got to stand in the roots of the giant fig tree.

James doing his favorite thing - "Whee" to tire out Po Po and Grandpa at the Sunset Cliffs.

We got to play on the beach at Coronado near Allison and Scott's place.

James and Velda building sand castle forts.  James loved to come back and stomp them to bits!

We got to eat some really great food.

The breakfasts were enough to feed 2-3!

This breakfast was at Hash a Go-Go.  We shared this one.  Katie wanted to try it!

The desserts at the Elegant Truffle were wonderful!  They gave taste tests of everything.  We took home the chocolate ganache cake and the salted dark chocolate caramels.

And the kids were allowed some play time.

The carousel really went  fast.  Good that Grandpa had no problems.

James had fun on the rides at the condo even when we didn't feed the machine.

Velda hoped to show Scott her air hockey skills but Scott beat her three times.   Velda said she fought with all she had.  

James BD Party

On March 16th, we had James 3rd birthday party.   Allison made cupcakes in the Cars theme.

And they were a hit with James.

  

James acted bashful but really enjoyed the attention when we sung Happy Birthday.

It was held at a activity center on Bainbridge Island.  James loved to swing.

And swing.

And play with his cousin.

Katie's Baptism

On March 10th, Katie was baptized at our church.

 

Katie was very good during the entire ceremony.

She was held by a number of people including Great-Grandmother Ruth.

St. Thomas Places of Religion

Frederick Lutheran Church

The congregation was established in 1666. This church was the official church of the Danish West Indies. The building went up in 1793 and replaced two earlier buildings that were destroyed by fire. It has since been refurbished.  

The pipe organ even had steel drums.  We did not get to hear them.

We went to Transformation Sunday and Ash Wednesday service at this church.  During Transfiguration Sunday, the Pastor and Sunday school children painted their faces to represent what Transfiguration meant to them.  A 10 year girl (Candisa Lake) ended the service play by playing a classical piece that she composed.  Amazing!  She is destined to become quite a musician.

St. Thomas Reformed Church

Established around 1660, this church has the oldest congregation in the Virgin Islands. Organized by Dutch traders as the St. Thomas Protestant Reformed Dutch Church, early services were held in Fort Christian.  The first church was built in the mid-1670s and remained in use to at least 1731.  Current building is from 1844 and designed like a Greek temple. 

Fans are available in most churches

St. Thomas Synagogue

Built in 1833, the structure was built with local stone and ballast brick and the mortar is made with molasses and sand.  The floor is marble and they continue the tradition of having sand on the floor commemorating the Israelites exodus from Egypt.  This is the oldest synagogue in continuous use under the American flag and is the second oldest in the Western Hemisphere.

This sign was outside the Synagogue.

Velda stopped at the gift shop and bought 5 ornaments (2 of the ark and 3 doves).  The ornaments are made in Thailand.  The proceeds of the sale of the ornaments go to programs to help protect children from going into the sex trade.

Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Cathedral

Completed in 1848, this beautiful cathedral serves as the seat of the Territory’s Roman Catholic Diocese.

Mural paintings on the ceiling and walls depict more than 12 major scenes from the Old and New Testaments.

Christmas Time

We had Christmas Eve at our house.  It was a wonderful time with family and friends.

There was plenty of good food!

 And of course desserts.

James loves cookies and was patiently awaiting approval to have some.

And guests.

Chris was home from the East Coast.

He and James bonded well.  What's not to like when you have someone to play with!

Velda put some fake snow on the table with the village.  We caught James blowing the snow at the end of the village.  The animals and figurines now look like they are covered in blizzard conditions.

He also loved assisting people in opening presents.