A Visit from los Abuelos Zobrist

 

Eddie's Zobrist grandparents came to visit us in California!

Actually, they're still here, but since we're headed to Mexico this weekend, I'd better get these pictures posted before there are a million more!

My dad and mom have been here for a week, spoiling a certain someone... We've also managed to have a lot of fun--

like visiting JPL.

 "Hmm." I think he's thinking.

 Actually, he's not that enthusiastic about how 

they make the mars yard like the surface of mars, 

in fact, he's fast asleep.

This time, since the tour was during working hours, we actually got to go into the mars yard and get up close to the almost exact replica of the rover currently on mars.

 See? He's totally out. 

We spent Saturday at our old stomping grounds: Manhattan Beach.

 Watching the waves.

 Family picture on the pier.

 Jonathan and Steven took the surf boards out

while we enjoyed the sun and sand.

Yup, this little 6-month-old is

mastering sitting up!

 Making faces. Think he might be feeling something in there?

 I love how he'll sit on my lap and let me play the piano.

(Although he's exploring his pounding abilities, so that will be short lived!)

 With Grandpa and Grandma at church!

A not-so-fun activity my parents tagged along for was Eddie's 6 month check-up.

 He's was such a brave boy, but those shots hurt!

A ride in his fancy new bike trailer made him feel better!

We haven't been able to use our bikes since Eddie was born and have been hoping to find a trailer to pull him now that he's sitting up. It's incredible, but my dad did one search on craigslist and there was a really nice brand trailer just a few miles away in Pasadena that had just been posted. We called right away and in less than an hour Eddie had some fancy new wheels! Grandpa and Grandma have done great introducing him to bike rides in just a few days!

 Love this! He's such a voracious eater!

Except when we try to sneak in some peas.

He shuddered from head to toe and back out they came.

We visited some of Eddie's biggest fans and got to go for a swim in their pool!

 The Klotzle boys love on Eddie! (and he eats it up!)

 Swimming with Grandpa

And, last but not least, we spent a few hours at the Huntington Library and Gardens. Jonathan and I bought a membership for our anniversary a few weeks ago, and we were eager to try it out!

 Watching the waterfall at the Chinese garden.

 Playing in the water at the children's garden.

He loved it! We'll be back--all summer long!

 Sweetie!

This little guy is going to miss his Grandma and Grandpa!

(Oh, I'll miss them too! Believe me!)

Celebrating Big Accomplishments

Wait, who graduated?

There we go! The real Dr. Sauder.

While Jonathan technically already has his doctorate and received his diploma in December, the formal ceremony at USC only happens once a year in May. So last week he took a day off work from his real job to participate in the hooding ceremony which was, thankfully, inside an air conditioned auditorium. It was an extremely warm day, over 100 degrees, I believe, so it was hot enough just taking pictures outside--in the shade!--in all that getup!

Eddie's Grammy came all the way from IL to carry his diaper bag all over campus.

Oh, and to make sure Jonathan's collar was tucked in right!

And to celebrate the big accomplishment, that too, I guess!

I'd never been to a PhD hooding ceremony before. It was waaaaay more entertaining than your typical graduation. The "candidates" walked across the stage where they were met by their thesis advisor who did the hooding. Literally the student sort of squatted so the professor could try to maneuver the hood over their funky square graduation hat (what are those called anyway? oh yeah, a mortarboard). Sometimes they ended up with it caught about halfway over or maybe gagging the poor graduate. It was supposed to be this somber moment but actually had the audience cracking up half the time. Then they were handed their diploma by the dean, got their picture taken, and walked off stage.

There he is,

(posing with the dean and his advisor in the bottom left corner)

and the projector screen has his name, his professor's name, 

and the title of his dissertation.

And that was another source of entertainment--reading the titles of everyone's dissertation. Some sounded interesting, some might have sounded interesting if I'd have had any idea what they were talking about!

Family photo under the arch!

So proud of Jonathan, and all the hard work and long hours he's put in for our family!

Speaking of working hard for our family, we got a tour of JPL again, this time with Mom Sauder and Rachel while they were in town, and also Grammy. And Eddie got to tag along too and see where Dad works! I think he was impressed.

Getting an explanation of how something works.

Even Eddie is an engaged audience!

And he looks pretty comfy there, too!

He sure did get comfortable having a doting Grammy and Aunt around all week. Now he's missing them something fierce! And I'm sure the feeling is mutual!

Checking out Dad's office.

Grammy enjoyed the tour too!

Especially since she used to work there years ago!

Here she is standing by the sign that marks the spot where her boss's office was.

And finally, this post would not be complete without mentioning some of Eddie's latest accomplishments! So it's not earning his doctorate (yet!), but they are still noteworthy!

 

Eating his toes.

 Holding a toy in such a way that he can satisfactorily chew on it!

And downing some big-boy food! 

(I love how his expression is exactly the same in those last two photos!)

Big milestones being reached over here at the Sauder house!

Photo Chronicle

Happy Mother's Day!
He's so excited!

Still chewing away, drooling non-stop, no sign of the little white nubs yet.

I'm doing it!! I'm standing!!

One sleepy super baby.

I just cannot resist these sleeping pictures!

Home improvement project: kitchen wall hanging.

A peacockhen showed up at family dinner last week,

causing quite a stir. She had no fear!

Jacaranda trees this time of year. I love 'em. Kinda want one!

A visit to good ole Manhattan Beach!

Mesmerized by the waves.

Gazing out to sea!

My fav' of the day! So glad he loves the beach as much as we do!

Passover 2014

A few weeks ago, we celebrated Passover for the first time. I highly recommend it! The Seder, or traditional dinner, engages all the senses in remembering the events of the Exodus. You sit down to the meal, hungry--like a slave, and the first bites are of bitter herbs recalling what bondage tasted like to the Israelites in Egypt. The candles flicker as you hear the story of the fateful night when God moved on behalf of His people, and finally Pharoah says, "Go!"

The Seder Plate

Starting at the egg and moving clockwise, we have: an egg, representing new life; a lamb bone, representing the animal sacrifice for the blood that went on the doorposts; a sweet concoction called haroset, meant to look like the mixture of mud and straw the Israelites used to make bricks for their Egyptian masters; horseradish, our "bitter herb", a harsh taste of the bitterness of slavery; and a sprig of parsley, the second bitter herb, which is dipped in the dish of salt water (in the middle), representing the tears of those enslaved.

Traditionally, the youngest asks four questions, starting with, "Why is this night different than all other nights?" And the Father answers with the retelling of the story. I can't wait till Eddie's old enough to participate!

Reading the Exodus story.

There is so much imagery and symbolism. And we added in the piece of Christ celebrating Passover at the Last Supper. To think that He recited those words, answered those same four questions, and sang those Psalms the night before He became our Passover Lamb, His blood rescuing us from death, obtaining our freedom.

"I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will deliver you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be my people, and I will be your God..."

 from Exodus 6

 

After all the traditional dipping and reciting and sips of wine, finally, we enjoyed a delicious meal, rejoicing in God's amazing power having set us free!

Next year in Jerusalem!