Because we just can’t get enough of the Golden State.

We met up with Robin and her son Bailey (minus Dave) to hang at the Santa Ana Zoo. The locals call it the Monkey Zoo for the following reason: it contains 50 monkeys of varying types. A major donor to the zoo actually stipulated that the facility maintain a monkey count of no less than 50, with the consequence of pulling their funding if the zoo was ever found with fewer than 50 monkeys. This place has a lot of monkeys. Every pathway has enclosures with at least one type of monkey.

Nathan seemed to enjoy himself enough, but the real life of the party was Bailey, the train aficionado. The Monkey Zoo has a small-scale train ride that loops around a few of the areas, and Bailey was all over it. Before we even got in the front gate, he was “choo-choo”ing.

Nathan wasn’t too impressed with the ocean, but he loved the sand. His hands were embedded in the stuff, except for the times when he was trying to sneak a taste. Donna and I took turns running interference and taking pictures. We both agree Nathan’s hat makes him look like Papa.

On Sunday morning, we visited Donna’s old church stomping grounds in Huntington Beach. What used to be called First Baptist is now called Beachpoint, complete with a brand new lead pastor, Bill Stafferi. Unfortunately, we didn’t get to hear him preach, but we did get to hear about some very exciting and blessed work that Beachpoint members are spearheading in Niger.

Nathan spent the service in the nursery eating cheese puffs and generally charming the sitters, included our friend Lisa.