Sounders' March

A lot has happened in the last few months: graduation; two months of studying for the bar; and most recently, an epic cross-country trip in celebration of the completion of the bar exam. Phase 1 . . . Seattle!

Heidi and I travelled to Seattle and stayed by one of her good friends. There were a lot of great sites to see. Below are some of the highlights.

On the Rattlesnake Ledge trail with my friend Hans Zeiger, a Washington State Legislator

Perhaps the most delicious cappuccino I've ever had, courtesy of Espresso Vivace

A necessary visit to the original Filson store

On our final night in Seattle, we were able to take in a soccer game. The Seattle Sounders took on F.C. San Francisco from Panama in the first round of the CONCACAF Champions League. The Sounders won the match 1-0 and won the series by scoring an overtime goal. The atmosphere was amazing, and began even before the game started. As part of Sounders' tradition, we joined the "March to the Match" as fans processed from a nearby park to the stadium. Along the way we chanted Sounders' cheers to boost our team spirit. Below is an except of one of the cheers.



If you ever get the chance to visit the city, I highly recommend it.

Xander the Stander

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Jason's Ordination

I felt compelled to write a little something to update you all about Jason's ordination at Faith that I had the privilege to attend last night. I apologize for the fact that I have no pictures! Grandpa gave the charge for Jason before the ordination became official, beginning with "This is truly the season of B-L-T," and followed with a three-point speech about how he needs to love the Word of God and henceforth Belive It, Live It, and Teach It. He finished with a story from a trip with Frank and Marie Drown about an Ecuadorian woman who has full confidence that her son, killed by a poisonous snake, is now in heaven. Grandpa closed by telling Jason that he needs to go out with urgency and bring the Word to a world full of snake-bitten people.

There were also some solid small sermons given by Pastor Bouwer and Pastor Pitsenberger (my new personal favorite). Basically, it was a great night of giving God the glory for bestowing Jason and the other guys there with gifts useful for serving the church. And I have to say, the whole event was a little poignant for me (and I am sure for most others in our family), as almost exactly two years ago to the day we sat gathered in front of that same stage for Nikki's funeral. It's cool to see God's faithfulness to our family through all the high and lows. And keeping us united together in the process.

Congrats to Jason and family - it was awesome to see!

Ms Expressive Eats Breakfast

Sawyer is one of the more expressive children you'll meet. This morning, she was particularly happy while she ate her Cherios for breakfast. I basically took my camera while she was eating and just went rapid-fire click-click-click-click to capture her every face that she made. Here is the result.

Jason's ordination and graduation party

I sent out an e-vite, but just wanted to be sure that everyone got the invitation to Jason's graduation party and ordination. The ordination is on Wednesday at 7:00 at Faith Dyer. Grandpa is giving Jason's charge. The party is on Saturday, from 2-5 (Open House) at Faith Dyer. Let me know if you have any questions. Hope to see you there!

Xander's Crawling and Sawyer to the Big Girl Bed

Family update: Xander's crawling (video soon) and starting to pull himself up to standing. Sawyer has just made the transition to her "Big Girl" bed. She loves it.

Celebrity Sighting

Besides spending the last week lounging by the pool in Parker Lakes, we've enjoyed a couple trips to the beach, including dinner at the Beached Whale (picture below), ice cream at the Love Boat, night swims at Fantasy Island, shopping trips during a thunderstorm, Bananagrams at the dining room table, and late night stops at Publix...

 Tonight we spotted a celebrity while picking up a couple items to provide breakfast for the next two days......

Even Frank Torino shops at Publix.  Everyone....we witnessed Elvis out of costume...and couldn't believe our eyes....

And to think just nights earlier we were serenaded by him at the Parrot Key...

(and Kim would like to let the sisters know....she got a ring:)

also...Scott-  we miss you! 

VanDrunen Open

and we'll have fun, fun, fun till daddy takes the T-Bird away

I know many of you have been waiting for this day and counting down the days on your calendar just as I have been for the arrival of THE BEACH BOYS at the Porter County Fair! They are playing on Saturday, July 23rd at 7:30 p.m. Kristen and I were talking and I believe that their whole family wanted to attend and I will be going for sure, so we wanted to make sure all of you knew that the offer is on the table for whoever would like to join us!!! Even though only 3 of the original boys are alive, they are still just as good:) So let us know so we can buy tickets in the same area!

I need addresses!

Hello, everyone!
I am getting ready to send out jason's evite invitation to his ordination and graduation party, but I don't have everyone's e-mails. Would you send them to me in the comments? I also need them for those who are not married, but aren't living in your parents' household. Also... I need auntie lee and auntie jean's. Thank you!!! If I don't hear from you, consider yourself knocked off the list. J/K!! :)