The day after the rain.

Today, as I began driving inland on my way to work, my mouth literally dropped open at the sight of the gorgeous snow-covered mountains. The entire range was covered as far down as I could see with the most beautiful snow. It was breathtaking! Clouds that hung here and there around the peaks gave such a powdery, magical feel. I immediately wished we could call a day off and take Kyle to the snow.

Here in Southern California we don't get much rain. In fact we mostly see a layer of smog that rises up from the LA area and gets pushed up against the mountains with no chance of leaving until strong wind or rain clear it away. So the day after the rain is exceptionally beautiful and I look forward to it each rain we get. It always takes my breath away! My entire commute north gave me quite a view and I couldn't help but be encouraged if not inspired by the metaphor.

We've been living through several storms this year. Some little, some big. Some known and some kept private. All along, I've trusted that someday we'd see that glorious "day after" and somehow all the pain, frustration, stress, and/or heartbreak would lead us to something more beautiful than we could have ever imagined. I still believe that. I believe that all this "rain" is developing our character, making us stronger, and helping us realize how dependent we really are on God.

So I'm thankful for the 50 minute reminder I got this morning of what is to come... we can drudge through the rain with the hope of a day like today.

(And drudge, Rudy has... he's taking his 4-year cummulative exam tomorrow to end all exams!!! We are celebrating with a night out! That is, if he doesn't crash the second he gets home!:)

Happy December!

We love December! It's always busy, but so exciting, too. Having Kyle makes us feel like little kids because we're so eager to experience everything with him. We've had a lot of fun decorating the apartment, getting our beautiful tree, and taking walks around our neighborhood's specially-lit-up streets. There are two neighboring streets that go all out with their lights, lasers, and snow-makers. They serve hot cocoa and homemade cookies to everyone who stops by every Friday and Saturday night for the entire month. We've already gone 3 times! ;)

Kyle loves it all and constantly says he's, "So excited!!" He was so much fun last year, exclaiming over every single light he saw. This year, it's even more fun as he's truly anticipating everything about Christmas and can't wait for Santa to bring his guitar!!

We love our tree! Of course, Kyle said every tree was "pretty."

Our tree before we changed to white lights and added ornaments.

Kyle's robot ornament.

Thanksgiving Weekend

Last Tuesday we met our Norwegian cousin, Ingrid, for the first time!! She flew down from Berkeley where she's taking some courses through a study-abroad program for the year. We knew she sounded nice, but we had no idea what she'd be like or if we'd even like her. I'm sure she was wondering the same thing ... so we were delighted to find that she was everything we could have hoped for and more! :) We had a great time with her and surprisingly feel like we've known her forever. She will definitely be missed. 

Kyle loves Ingrid, or "Tusen Takk" (we've already nicknamed her)!

My dad welcomed her right away to the Thune ice-cream tradition. He went a little overboard and made her a unique creation for every flavor of ice-cream he had on hand.

Thanksgiving dinner with my family, uncle and aunt, Ingrid and Carolin (a German student/friend of my sister's).

Kyle kept us entertained.

Introducing Ingrid to our Great-Uncle Bob.

Talking about family, learning about our heritage, and filling in holes in the family tree.

Then, a trip to LA where we hiked to the Hollywood sign, went to Grauman's Chinese Theater and saw celebrity hand and footprints, ate lunch on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, and traveled through downtown.

Then of course, our bike ride to Alta and the beach before church on Sunday.

We had such a fun time. After months and months of anticipating,  I can't believe she's already leaving us. :( 

Kyle's Drums

This past week would be best categorized as "The Drum Week." Just about every moment of Kyle's day is spent playing the drums or having us tell him he can't play the drums yet because it's not even 7am and the neighbors might object! :) Ru's had fun creating various pieces of the set out of  household items. This first picture shows a foot pedal and two "cymbals," one hanging from the ceiling.

This was Ru's first created piece. He's still working on how he can get that thing to swing back and forth like a real foot pedal would.

Kyle doesn't mind though. He's all about it.

And even intuitively waits for the down beat to begin!!

Free, live concerts at the Martin home!

 Kyle belting out his music. What's he singing? "It Is Well With My Soul."

The "Handsome" Store

Or, "The Haircut Store!" Kyle uses both names when talking about a GREAT experience he had getting his first haircut. He's wanted to go back every day since and desperately wants to show me and my sister. The highlights were that he got to watch a Mickey Mouse video and drive his very own car while the lady cut his hair. Then, after holding perfectly still (Kyle?) he got a sucker! :)

We've trimmed Kyle's hair at home, but since he wouldn't hold still for us too well, and because it was looking more and more butchered the harder we tried ... Rudy decided to get it done professionally. It's really cute and very "little boy!" 

Visitors from Chicago!

Our friends from Chicago came out to visit us last weekend. We had a lot of fun showing them "our world" and the things we love about our area. On their first full day here, the guys kayaked through Balboa Harbor and met the girls (and Kyle) at Corona del Mar's secluded little beach. Then, we took the car ferry over to the island side and had some yummy seafood on the water. We rode the Ferris wheel, checked out a couple of arcades and called it a night. The next day we rode our bikes to Alta, a favorite breakfast place a block or two from the water. We rode our cruisers all along the boardwalk, stopping to check out cool things along the way. Next up, was a trip to Huntington Beach. The following day after they relaxed at Newport Beach, we took them to Laguna Beach and finally to Santa Monica's 3rd Street Promenade and beach/ pier. It was a fun time.    We love having people over!! 

 This is us looking down at Rudy and Doug coming in on the kayak.

These guys grew up together and they've been friends all their lives. Oh, the stories they can tell... :)

 Doug and Claudiana

 Watching the sunset.

A stop at the pier on our bike ride.

"Our friends" as Kyle affectionately calls them, brought Kyle this Superman shirt/cape. He LOVES it and wants to wear it every day!

 Kyle loves to get buried.

 Huntington

 Rolling with Papa. Over and over and over and over again! :)

 Kyle spent the first part of the night at Grandpa and Mimi's house while the adults got to have a night out in Santa Monica. He was just too cute packing and rolling his Thomas suitcase.

Rudy scaling up palm trees. If there's one person you could have on a deserted island to help keep you alive... you'd be wise to pick Rudy. 

Happy Halloween!

Happy fall, pumpkins, and Halloween! We've had a busy, busy October. And, out of 3 cameras we used to have... we are down to none! :( The first one was ruined while we kayaked out in the ocean. The second was dropped into the Back Bay during a slippery hand-off, and the third one's batteries can only keep a charge for 4 seconds. We literally turn the thing on and without seeing the picture, have to just snap! Sooo... we have some scattered pictures of our latest memories celebrating Halloween. 

We are loving how excited Kyle is for the things of the season, like pumpkin patches. We drive by this one on a weekly basis, so Kyle was more than ready for it when we did stop by. He enjoyed the bounce house the most, but also got a kick out of riding the several coin-operated machines.

After a playdate party down the street with our friends and several neighborhood kids, we headed to our library's special Halloween story time. Kyle had fun with his friend, Kellan.

Then we went to the fire station next door and Kyle got to tour the place all over again!

When one engine left, another returned home and Kyle got to explore even more!

 Then, later that evening, we hit up some festively decorated houses. We definitely had to bypass some, but Kyle had fun!

Auntie Michelle drove down just to join us!! Aww! :)

It's just too cute. Why does he have to grow up so fast?!?!