http://youtu.be/vM6RmSEtP4M

The above is a new song I wrote:  "Most Of All I See Dreams"

It is all about the journey of the dream, the people you touch and your experiences while trying to achieve your dream.

As you noticed birthdays in our family seem to come in bunches.  John has always been a great son.  Now he is a wonderful husband and Father. We love you John. This month we will celebrate John, Brooke and Robert altogether.  I feel blessed.

Happy Birthday John!

Happy Birthday Brooke

Today is Brooke's 18th birthday.  She has grown into a fine young lady.  Brooke is still in school and loves animals especially horses.  Her brother Austin is with her in the photo below.  How did this happen so quickly?  It is one thing when you own child turns 18 but when your Grandchild turns 18 it is overwhelming.  Happy Birthday Brooke.  We love you!!!

I am taking another family interruption from our road trip to say that Robert had a birthday last week.  He was moving on his birthday.  We went to his empty apartment to assist  him by waiting for some deliveries.  Everyone including Robert is very excited he is moving to Ft. Worth.  He was working in Baton Rouge for a couple of years and his job brought him back home.  We are going to have a multi family birthday celebration over the Thanksgiving holidays because we have several birthdays this month.  Ben, Jane and Jake will be here to also celebrate.  The entire family is looking forward to the Thanksgiving Holidays.

Robert Had A Birthday Last Week

After leaving Monterey Ca. we drove up the beautiful coast of California to San Francisco where we spent the day with our niece.  She had just moved there to attend medical school.  I think she was as happy to see us as we were to see her.  It has been an adjustment for her to move so far from her home in Chicago.  We had lunch in Sausalito just across the Golden Gate Bridge.  On our return to her apartment we took some very steep hills in San Francisco. It was so scary and noticing that I was the only one screaming I asked Denise if it frightened her as well.  She said "yes, but I was busy looking at the street names so I would make sure not to take that route in the future." Bob said "lets do it again!"

San Francisco Bridge

Denise

Niece, Denise and Aunt Barb

Bob and Barb in Sausalito Ca.

While in Monterey we visited the Museum of Art.  I have a couple of photos taken from the two exhibits.  Andrew Schoultz was exhibiting.  You may notice he has many hidden eyes in the photo below.  Portraits of Meiji Japan was also on exhibit.  These exhibits are still on display.  

Andrew Schoultz exhibiting at Monterey Museum of Art

Photography from the 1880's on exhibit at the Monterey Museum of Art

After we spent about a week in the San Diego area we drove up to Monterey Bay in California.  We have been there before but it has been years.  There is so much natural beauty in the town of Monterey and surrounding area including the rocky beaches and wildlife.  We took a lot of pictures and here are just a few.

People Enjoying the Walkways of Monterey Bay

Sail Boats on Monterey Bay

Colorful Grass and Rocks on Monterey Bay

Beautiful Trees and Colorful Grass by the Shores of Monterey Bay

Bird on the Shores of Monterey Bay

Me by Monterey Bay

Bob on Monterey Bay

Colorful Rocks on Beach of Monterey Bay and Wildllife

Rocks on the Shores of Monterey Bay

Rocks and Waves on the Shores of Monterey Bay.

Deer in the Town of Monterey

These deer ran out in front of us as we were driving through the town of Monterey Cl.

Monterey Bay Aquarium

Monterey Canning Co.

By the Shores of Monterey Ca.

I am pausing from the pictures of our month long road trip to see what has been happening on the home front.  As always, there is a lot going on.

Austin Celebrated His 15th Birthday

Peyton Went to Homecoming with Jordan

Brooke Went to HomeComing

Texas has a tradition of wearing Mums for homecoming.  I think Joy made these.  Since then Brooke has a new boyfriend so I am just showing part of the picture as to display the mums.  

Angie and Brent Celebrated their 12th Anniversary in October

Our Son-in-Law Bennie Had a Birthday in September

I won't say his age but it was one of those birthdays where they get out the black balloons.

Balboa Park, full of beautiful gardens and Spanish style buildings has many museums of all types.  We visited four art museums.  One would need to spend several days touring that area.  I would have loved to have had more time.  If I lived there it would be a place I would frequent.  It was lovely and fascinating. Enjoy just a few images below.

Gardens in Balboa Park in San Diego

Sculpture in Museum in Balboa Park, San Diego

Fun Animal Sculptures at Museum in Balboa Park in San Diego

Glass Birds in Balboa Park Art Museum

Artful Animals in Balboa Park Art Museum

Glass Art in Balboa Park Art Museum

Fountains at Balboa Park in San Diego

Beautiful Building in Balboa Park, in San Diego

The day after we went to the San Diego Safari we visited the San Diego Zoo.  It is an amazing zoo.  There is only one warning to those who have never been there but plan to go sometime.  That is, if you have any issues walking it is a tough terrain. There are very steep hills all over the park. There is a buss but you still have to walk far to get to it in various areas.

Below are just a few of my favorite photos.

Koala Bear at the San Diego Zoo

Bird at San Diego Zoo

I Can't remember the name of this bird but I was struck by the colors and texture in the eye area.  It almost does not look real.

Panda at the San Diego Zoo

Panda from the San Diego Zoo (head shot)

Pink Flamingos in the San Diego Zoo

"Let Me Think About It" Urangatang From the San Diego Zoo

Urangatang from the San Diego Zoo

This guy has such unique colors that I am thinking he might make a cool subject for a painting.

We spent a day at the San Diego Safari which is about 20 miles north of the city.  All animals in their natural settings can be  seen on a train ride through the park.  Our guide was very informative.  They have a huge breeding program. I was so impressed with the work they do there.

Cheetah in the San Diego Safari, my second to favorite animal.

My favorite animal in the San Diego Safari

Giraffes at San Diego Safari

Rhinoceros at San Diego Safari

Zebras at San Diego Safari

Elephants at San Diego Safari

Flamingos on a pond at San Diego Safari

The reason flamingos are pink is because of what they eat.  The pink usually comes from their diet of algae and crustaceans that contain pigments called carotenoids. I am not sure what these flamingos have been  eating but they are not very pink.