My Second Family

Today we headed up to our old college stomping ground, Cedar Falls! It brought back great memories for both Chris and me. We got to tour the new world headquarters of Camp Adventure and see some old Camp A friends.

A trip to Cedar Falls is not complete without seeing the McMullen family. I met Katie my first day at UNI and we became fast friends. Her family, who lived in town, quickly became my family away from home. The last time we were in Iowa we went to Katie's wedding and this trip we got to meet the newest addition to her family, Chris. Emma and Camden enjoying lunch.

Christopher Alan Bjerke-only 5 days old!

The McMullen ladies

Family picture with Pam and Katie
(baby Chris is under the Hooter Hider)

Babi and Pop's Pool

Whenever the subject of Iowa came up the past few months, Emma always talked about Babi and Pop's pool. We got into Cedar Rapids late Sunday night and first thing Monday morning, Emma had to check out the pool and test it with her feet.
Later on in the afternoon, it was time to jump in!
Here is Camden his first few minutes in the pool.

Cruisin' in style

Emma wanted to "ride on a boat" also.

My 2 favorite guys floating together
The hairdo is a classic!

Rock 'n' Roll Seattle!

After Emma's luau we headed to Seattle for the big Inaugural Seattle Rock 'n' Roll Marathon (or in our case, half marathon). Here are Emma and Camden at the race expo crossing the finish line. We had a fabulous cookout in Volunteer Park with friends. Emma wanted to go down the slide with Lily, but I convinced her to just pose for a picture at the bottom. :)
Emma and Michelle are rays of sunshine in their matching yellow.

Chris left the hotel before 5 this morning, but the kids and I ventured out to the race course a few hours later. Here's Chris coming down the home stretch!

We are so proud of our Daddy!

Preschool Luau

Emma's class had a little celebration for those kids who are moving on to kindergarten. It was a wonderful morning full of smiles, songs, and hula dancing!

VIP at Safeco Field

At our Annual Silverwood Fundraising Auction in March, one of the hot items was a day at the ball park with the lovely Miss Vanessa and Miss Cindy. Today we took 4 students to the Mariners game VIP style (Thank you, Cindy!)

We sat 2 rows back from the Mariners' dugout. That is Ichiro coming off the field right behind me. A "no zoom" shot from the camera. I was in awe the whole time-I'd never been this close to the action!
One of the Padres players and managers got booted from the game. If they hadn't started playing music on the loudspeaker, I think our 3rd and 4th graders would have heard an ear full!

Ichiro had an awesome game!

I really wish Chris would have been there with me-he would have been in baseball heaven!

The Art of Eating Sushi

Don't we all wish it was this easy to eat sushi with chopsticks?!?!

A little Velcro wouldn't taste that bad! :)

Still Haven't Learned...

Emma, Camden, and I spent a nice day hanging out at home. They were playing so well with one another this morning (Mommy Emma took her sick baby Dora to see Dr. Camden), I decided to clean the bathrooms. All was peaceful and quiet in the Kasparek house and soon I heard a lot of giggling coming from downstairs... The little stinkers nabbed the roll of paper towels I was cleaning with when I wasn't looking and decided to have a fiesta in the entryway. I will say that it kept them entertained for quite a while!

A Happy Father's Day!

We've had a wonderful day celebrating our wonderful dad (and husband)!
Emma and Camden made Chris's favorite special breakfast: cinnamon rolls-yummy!

Emma made Chris's shirt for him at school.

He was the envy of many at church this morning!

Emma's Documentary

Do we have a future film maker in the family? Emma was conducting interviews this morning...

Emma: Camden, what do you want to be when you grow up?

Camden: A oppopus

(translation: octopus)

Emma: What do you want to be when you are still little?

Camden: A shark

Funny Faces

Emma and I thought we'd share some of the fun we had this morning with her camera...

A Good Morning "Quack"

As many of you know, Camden has a constant companion: Eugene, the duck. His collection has grown to 4 (he favors 2 of them over the others) and this is what came strolling into our room a little after 6 this morning:

Who needs to try to carry all of the Eugenes when you can use a cart?! ;)

The World's Best Helpers

Our yard is in need of a little love and attention, so Emma, Camden, and I spent the day "working" in the front yard. Here are my helpers raring to go!After I mowed the yard, I appreciated the help raking up a few spots.

We have to get fully outfitted with our gardening gloves any time there is work to do in the yard.

I had help pulling about 2 weeds in the flowerbed before my helpers needed a break. I think Camden is the cutest thing ever wearing his bike helmet!
After lunch and a rest, it was time to bring out the sprinklers.

After a hard day's work, it was sure nice to relax!

Training Run

Goal #1 for the first official day of summer vacation was to go running. I am running a 5K in Cedar Rapids on the 4th of July and I need to be in training mode. The kids and I headed out to the Clear Creek Trail yesterday morning for a nice run.

After my run, it was Emma and Camden's turn!Coach #2
Coach #1 helping out

Picking some flowers for Daddy along the trail

Seussical at the Forest Theater

We spent a wonderful afternoon enjoying Seussical the Musical. After my first time at the Forest Theater last spring to see Beauty and the Beast, I was well prepared with our blankets, seat cushions, and snacks galore for the kids.

Here are the 4 year-olds(Emma has a green jacket on) blazing the trail down to the theater. Alison is riding in style with her dad. ;) Emma, Claire, and Dylan (Claire's cousin) take a photo break along the trail.
Enjoying the show!

A gorgeous setting for a great production!