Evidence attached.  On a similar note, I'm enjoying being home with them.

Stef and I made it out to Monterey for a couple of days over the weekend (we left the kids with Emile and Jane).  We had a fantastic time relaxing, talking about life, and rolling around the Monterey peninsula doing whatever we wanted :)

We hit some old family favorite restaurants around town (The Grotto on the wharf, Gianni's Pizza, and  First Awakenings near the Aquarium), and tried some new ones (Latitudes, on Lover's Point).  We also drove the 17 mile drive (beautiful) for the first time in forever.  The weather could have been nicer, but it didn't put much of a damper on the trip.

Anyway, we're back, rested, and happy to be home with the kids.

Our friend Brooke Sauder took this picture of us. I think my favorite thing about it is, it wasn't posed. She saw us standing there and snapped the moment. Well, we did smile once we realized she was taking our picture. :)

Several of you have asked and I keep forgetting to post it here, so here I am!

I have an update on my Dad. He went to the Dr. on Tuesday morning and had his x-rays checked. Looks like he does not have to have the cast after all. He has to wear a boot on his foot/leg for 2 weeks and is actually encouraged to walk around throughout the day, to keep his leg exercised and not stiff and weak. They said because it wasn't the main bone in his leg, that supports all his weight, then he can walk around on it, just very carefully.

He looks better, as far as the scratches, bruises, etc... but he's still not himself at all. The meds have made him either tired, cranky, dopey or just staring off into space. He's hating the way they're making him feel, but thankful to have them for the pain. :)

Thanks to all of you for your prayers! He really, really appreciates them! -Stef

Yes, yes, as noted by Stef below, we're back from vacation.  We had an excellent, relaxing time (honestly, there's not much to talk about because we didn't do much but eat, walk around, and sleep).  I enjoyed being disconnected from the various sets of work that I normally am wrapped up in, and being able to spend time with the kids without feeling like the clock is constantly running.

Random thoughts from the vacation... 

• The ocean is beautiful.  Sharks are both scary and exciting.
• Visit Gianni's Pizza in Pacific Grove for family fare, and Isabella's On The Wharf for grown-up dinner.
• Avoid Lambert's Ice Cream on Lighthouse Ave. in PG like the plague.
• Online play with Metroid Prime: Hunters on Nintendo DS is horribly addictive, though it can also be difficult to find other players, even around the world.  Not surprisingly, most non-US players are from eastern Asia ;)
• The day of the 20" TV/DVD combo have passed.
• Honking the horn in the tunnel between Monterey and PG is still fun.
• I had more fun at Dennis the Menace park than Ethan (see pix).
• Try the Bison Chocolate Stout beer (obtainable at Whole Foods)
• Pretty much anywhere is much cheaper to buy stuff than Whole Foods.
• When you find a 20 year old collectible PlayMobile dollhouse that you wanted really badly as a child hidden on a top shelf in a toy store, ask about it.  It's just possible that they may sell it to you dirt cheap!

Sending our very happy congrats to our brother-in-law Caleb and his new job! Its very exciting to see God answering our prayers and we're thrilled to have you here with us.

Love you 6,

Us 4

Over the last few weeks, our family has been going to Hayward to clean out Grandma Elsie's trailer and move her stuff to the new apartment in Livermore.  Last weekend Dad and Uncle Larry were digging in the tool shed and came up with the attached news article.

As many of you know, Dad's birth father, Darrel Arnold, was an Army medic in the European Theater of World War 2, and was captured by the Germans near the end of the war.  This news article documents his release by the Russians.  

We haven't done any more digging to find out which paper this ran in, or more about the camp he was kept in, but we'd love to.  Does anyone have any thoughts on resources we could use to find out more?  I'm sure there must be something on these Internets to help with this sort of thing.

We were very thrilled to find out, on Rachel's birthday, that Jason's cousin Ross and his wife Alyssa are expecting their 1st baby in January!! I can't tell you how excited I am to have more babies born on his side of the family. :) We're very excited for you guys and can't wait to meet your little son/daughter!! Love, J&S

Happy birthday to my Uncle Jon! We hope you have an awesome day.

Love you ~ J,S,E&R

In our business this week, we forgot to send our anniversary wishes to Jason's parents. On June 26th they celebrated 31 years of God's blessings to them in their marriage. When you've only been married 3 years, 31 sounds like SUCH a long time... but the truth is, in today's world, it IS a long time. 

 We hope you guys had a fabulous day and enjoy the next 31 years.
Love you lots, J&S