Greetings from Venice !

Joanne and I are here with our family in Venice! We just got here yesterday and already we've seen all sorts of stuff. I'd post up some pictures except that there isn't any way to do so.

If you haven't already been here, it reminded us of the Venetian in Las Vegas since that's what we saw first.

We already miss Buster and miss you all!

- Russell and Joanne

It's a boy !

Today, we went to see the doctor for our 20 week ultrasound and the big news was that our baby is a boy! He (finally we can say "he") is perfectly healthy for a 20 week old fetus. He sure moves a lot now, which Joanne can tell you from first-hand experience. Here he is, just relaxing in the womb.

And here's a picture of the goods...proof that he's a boy!

Our new baby.

Oh, not that baby. Last night, Joanne and I signed the papers on our new Acura TL. We love it. The only sad news is that I had to bid farewell to the Mini. :( Thanks, Mini, for all the great times.

So, why do we like this car so much? Joanne likes it mostly for its comfortable ride, grown up appearance, fun GPS navigation, and the fact that she can finally drive my car (since it's an automatic). I like it mostly for the fantastic engine (258 hp), the color (black with black leather), the Bluetooth phone link, and the fact that it puts the driver's seat in the right position before I get in the car (no more scooting the seat all the way back after Joanne drove it). And we'll both soon be liking it for all the space it gives us when baby arrives.

So, during my fantastic jury duty experience (which is still ongoing), I decided to take a picture of the car this morning. Doesn't it look great in front of the Disney Concert Hall?
(Yes, I am in the right hand turn lane. It didn't say 'No Parking.')