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!