Farewells!

The house is about empty -- we are down to one bed, one couch, and one piano that we are leaving for Sydenhams (our renters) and 2 kitchen chairs that will go out to the garage tonight.  And we are living out of our suitcases.  We've got them packed, and weighed and we are all under 50 lbs per bag!  We aren't taking much besides basic clothes and a few electronics.  Russia is not a 3rd world country, so we can buy most anything we need there -- including warm coats and boots.  And we have a fully furnished apartment waiting for us.

We've had some fun farewells over the last 2 weeks.  Here are a few photos.

Sue meets bi-monthly with a knitting group at Ken's office.  We knit caps
for chemotherapy patients, scarves for the homeless, and blankets
for pets at the animal shelter.  It's a fun group, and this month
they did a special going-away cake.

Palo Alto 2nd Ward "Picnic in the Park" at Seale Park
We started up the BBQs and had a pot-luck dinner.  People brought their own
meat and then a side or dessert to share.  We had quite the feast!
And we couldn't cook at home, because the kitchen is all packed up.

On March 12 our son, Reed, with his wife Jen, twins Lilly and Lucas and
daughter Myra, came to visit for a few days.  Ken and Sue were the speakers
for Church that day and Reed played his violin, accompanied by Jen.

March 13 is Myra's 4th Birthday  She LOOOVVES Cheetahs!
So, we went up to Safari West in Santa Rosa for the day.  We did see Cheetahs,
and Zebras and Rhinoceri and Antelope and many other wild animals.
This is the jeep we rode in for our Safari.
Then the family left us, and they took my car!  Reed is going to drive my
Ford C-Max Hybrid for the next two years.