Happy Father's Day in Ventura, CA

For Father's Day we spent the morning in Ventura, CA at the beach (Marina Park). It is a great beach with a jungle gym and grassy area right near by. We went with the Fitch's and the Schneider's so there was a total of 5 kids under 4 years old. We set up our beach sun tent compliments of Grandpa & Grandma Stutelberg and spend most of the time digging holes and making sand castles. We also flew some kites, played on the swings and slides, and had a picnic lunch. Matt was scared of the waves so we didn't go in the water. He also wasn't feeling to good (he is still not himself). Micah loved watching all the kids play in the sand. Both the boys fell asleep instantly on the way home. We had dinner at the Crane's which made for a busy Father's Day.

Cherry Picking

We went to Leona Valley to pick cherries this morning. The weather was beautiful! We went with my brother and met a friend's family there. Matt had a great time picking cherries. We gave him his own bucket and let him go! The only rules were to look for snakes (there was a large King snake roaming around the orchard for awhile until it was caught) and to have help if he wanted to eat some cherries! After picking cherries we grilled burgers and let the kids play.
Thank you to everyone who has been thinking and praying for my dad. He is doing MUCH better. He continues to take it easy but is up and moving around now. Hopefully in a few days he will be 100%!

Clark's Graduation

Happy graduation to Clark!! He is an official Quartz Hill High School graduate! Wow...that is something to brag about! He is off to Cal. Lutheran next year. Karl and I are proud and excited to see him attend our alma mater! We put together a little post graduation party at our home after the ceremony. Clark and about 10 friends came over and hung out until almost midnight. My grandma, mom, sister and Jon were also there. My dad wasn't able to come and Karl showed up late because he was with my dad...more on that later! Matt, Micah and Luke slept through the whole party!My poor dad came down with a horrible headache last Friday night. He lasted until my brother's name was called at graduation then had to go home. It turns out this was more that just a typical headache. He went to the ER on Saturday and had multiple tests done including MRA, CT scans, and a spinal tap. All test turned out negative. It turns out he is leaking spinal fluid. This was is probably what was causing the headache on Friday and since the spinal tap the pain has accentuated. Basically his head hurts so bad because there is not enough cushion for his brain. He went back to the hospital today and had a blood patch injected. This will hopefully "patch the leak." He may need 2-3 more. As of this evening he is doing a little better.
My parents and brother were supposed to leave for Italy yesterday. Obviously this didn't happen. They plan to work on rescheduling the trip for later in the summer after my dad is better. Italy in July or August will be more fun anyway...hotter, more humid and stinkier!!
Please pray for my dad. What he has is not terribly serious, just painful and could take a week or more to resolve.

Vegas Weekend

Sorry it has been so long since the last post! The video below was from Jack's birthday. Matt is really into blowing out candles and singing Happy Birthday! As Matt would say, "Only grown ups light candles!"
We spent a long weekend in Vegas, May 15-18. Karl took a course on Friday and Sat. The boys and I had a great time hanging around with Brad and Jeanette. We went to the park and the Springs Preserve. The Springs Preserve is an interactive museum and garden dealing with dessert life and conservation issues. It was really interesting and had great exhibits for kids. Matt enjoyed himself and wore Grandma and Grandpa out!!
Saturday evening Karl and I took advantage of childcare and went out after the boys were asleep. We went down to Fremont Street and saw Sugarland play for free! They were in town for the CMAs and put on a free concert the night before the awards show. It was a great concert despite witnessing two fights, a few drunken people and noting that Karl and I were among the few present with all their teeth! It was an interesting crowd! Karl and I had a lot of fun on our little date!
This week my grandma is visiting from CO and my aunt is coming to town from Northern CA for my brother's graduation. It is hard to believe Clark is graduating high school! He is attending Cal Lutheran next year. We are all so proud of him and can't wait to see what he does in the future!

Happy Birthday Jack

Happy Birthday Luke

We celebrated Luke's first birthday on Saturday. The party was at our home and went really well. Luke performed perfectly, as you can see from the picture!. The theme of the party was "bathtime." We had a bubble machine and Ernie's "Rubber Ducky" song playing at the front door. Luke had his own bathtub cake and the kids had a great time playing with bubble wands and bubble guns!
On Sunday we went hiking with some friends. Karl and I each carried a little boy and hiked up to an old fire lookout. We then went for a run. Karl and Bill did a 4.5 mile trail run and Dawn and I pushed the joggers on a 4 mile run around the campground. We then cooked hamburgers and hot dogs and had a fantastic picnic! It was a great family weekend!

Go Twins!

Go Twins!!!

CSUN 10k

The boys and I went to the zoo again on Friday. Matt really likes seeing the animals and the bird show. We probably won't go again for awhile because it will be too hot. Micah didn't enjoy the zoo as much as Matt. Our poor baby was hot and tired. After the zoo we went to my sister's house for the afternoon and night. Karl met us there after work on Friday.
This morning my friend, Dawn, and I ran our debut race together. We did a 10k at Cal State Northridge. It was a fun race and we placed 2nd and 3rd in our age group, 30-34 years. Our time of 49:19 was the same but they gave Dawn 2nd and me 3rd...darn having a last name late in the alphabet!! Karl watched the boys while we ran. He got lucky and had some help because his boss, Clay, was there with his family. I asked Matt what he and Daddy did while I was running and he said "We went to Boston!" They are very efficient travelers! We then went back to my sister's and Karl took Matt swimming. Luke's first birthday party is next weekend so I helped my sister with planning. They are doing a "bath time" theme.
Micah has two teeth now. He got the lower front right tooth last Sat and the left came in on Thursday!
Tomorrow we plan on having a family day at home. The pictures posted are of Dawn and I at the race and Luke and Micah playing at Louise and Jon's house. Karl took the picture of Matt and I because we have a similier picture of Jeanette, Karl's mom, and him after a race she did when Karl was a baby!
Congratulation to John, Karl's uncle, for his acceptance into the radiology program in Chicago!

Boston Marathon

Karl completed the Boston Marathon this morning in 3 hours and 13 minutes! He was on pace to run under 3 hours but the hills around mile 20 got him. 3:13 is a great time and Karl seemed excited to be part of such a famous marathon. Congratulations Karl, we are so proud of you!
Karl comes home tomorrow night and we are anxious to hear more and see more pictures.

Boston or Bust!!

Karl left for Boston yesterday, 4/18, and arrived safely this morning. He has already been to the marathon expo where he listened to a few speakers, bought some treasures and got a few autographs. He said the weather is beautiful and the city is buzzing with runners. He plans to go watch the women's Olympic trials tomorrow. Karl is staying with Brad's sister and her husband. It was so nice of them to offer accommodations for Karl. Karl is so appreciative.
Yesterday the boys and I surprised Karl at work for lunch. His coworkers had a little Boston send off lunch for him. I took this picture in the morning and had a wallet size printed for Karl to carry in the pocket of his running shorts during the race. We miss you and are thinking about you! Think fast thoughts for Karl on Monday morning!