Two Weddings, a Birthday, and a Christening, OH MY

As Summer began, so did travel. It seemed liked everyone had an event we just had to be at, and none of them were local. We traveled to the four corners of the US - West Coast to East Coast, Mexican Boarder to Canadian Border, visiting friends and family for two weddings, a birthday and then a christening!

First Wedding in Malibu



The summer began with a trip down to Mailbu for the June 20th wedding of Melissa and Saul.



I was one of the bridesmaids, my first time as a bridesmaid! It was a lovely ceremony in the hills of Malibu with a view of the Pacific Ocean.



We had a great trip to southern California, taking some time to visit the Getty Villa and hang out at the beach with my friends Tracy and Gary.



Second Wedding in DC

The next weekend we headed out to DC for the wedding of my college advisee Kathryn and Greg.



Yes, it was a vegetable bouquet! It was great to see her and her old roommate Grace Maa and go to a large traditional church wedding that did a great job of reflecting the spirit and faith of the couple.



We were also able to hang out in Tacoma Park, MD with Erik, Arne's brother. It was great to see his house and a bit of DC.



We visited the Air and Space Museum and saw my great-granddad on the wall.



Then we took a pedicab ride around the mall to the portrait gallery.





It was fun hanging out at the gallery, one of Erik's favorite after work spots.



Birthday in Tucson



Fourth of July weekend, after some local berry picking, shopping for furniture, and volleyball, found us heading down to Tucson, AZ for Arne's Aunt Kate's surprise birthday party.



We hung out at Hacienda del Sol and enjoyed the hot Tucson weather, before surprising Kate with our presence in Arizona.



It was a lovely party and a great chance to meet Arne's extended family.



Christening



On July 10th, we headed out to Lake Michigan for a Stockstad family holiday. We flew into Muskegon, MI and Arne's parent picked us up and took us to the Lake House near Benona, MI.



We spent 4 days at the beach, watching sunsets,



diverting water to form oxbow lakes,



having campfires,





and generally enjoying the region.



On Monday morning, we had a christening for Sonja Stokstad.



Arne and I are now godparents for Sonja. It was very special to be asked. Arne's dad took lots of pictures of the event.



Tuesday we returned home to California and to our two dogs who were missing us. It has been a long month of weekend trips - and while wonderful events, it is so nice to be home, enjoying Palo Alto and life in CA.

How the Garden Grows

It is now summer - a year and a half after buying Forest House, and oh, my, how the garden has grown. This is what it looked like when I moved in:



Now there are plants growing up everywhere:





And now, of course, there are dogs in the garden!

Yosemite Anniversary

Arne and I headed back up to Yosemite for Memorial Weekend. Last year during this weekend, we met during a hike in the snow

We arrived in the park around 8, after 5 hours of driving. It was so nice to come while there was still some evening light and get to enjoy the Yosemite Valley.



Saturday: Hike in the Sun



We slept in Saturday morning and then after breakfast in the Curry Village dining hall, headed out on a hike. While we considered the 211 mile hike to Mt. Whitney, we decided instead to just head up to the top of Vernal Falls.



It was a beautiful day filled with the sounds of rushing water. The waterfalls were all in their powerful glory, as the snows were melting.



We rested on the rocks, then looped around for a view of the falls and Nevada Falls.



I like that sunglasses reflect the beauty of Yosemite.



After returning to the village, I checked out the pool, then we got pizza for dinner with a table of Dutch boys. One of the great things in Yosemite is that it is filled with people from all over.

Sunday: Bike Adventures

We rented bikes in the morning and headed out to Happy Isles to check out nature and the Isles. Arne found beautiful flowers to take pictures of.



And we got to enjoy the water.



We then biked up to Mirror Lake - the starting point for last years fated hike to the snow. This year we could see the reflections in the water.



We continued around the park, checking out Yosemite Falls and the Village and learning more about the history of Yosemite.



Then it was home for a nap, before heading down to the Swinging Bridge and dinner with the YSCers. The few miles of walking were lovely, in part because we were far faster then all the cars stuck in traffic.



After dinner, I made s'mores - my favorite camping dessert.



Then it was home for another great nights sleep.



Monday: The Drive Home

Monday morning we got up early, to enjoy morning in the park and leave before the traffic go too bad. The drive out is really lovely.



Even with the sun coming straight at us.



The drive home was uneventful, with a morning stop for breakfast in Groveland and then an easy drive home.

Last year on Memorial day I got Summer dog from the rescue group. This Memorial day, Arne decided he would try to shave her for her summer cut. It was hard and we will now take her to a professional groomer. It turns out she has a huge amount of hair!



It was a wonderful one year anniversary weekend!

Boston and Amanda's Graduation

Arne and I headed out to Boston for Amanda's graduation from BU and a tour of the greater Boston Area. He had never been there and I wanted to show him all my favorite places and people.

Friday: Red-eye recovery and Graduation

We flew out Thursday night on a red-eye, arriving in Boston at 6:30 AM. We took a cab to my mom's cousin Besty's house in Brookline - our home base for the trip.



After a morning nap, we walked around Brookline Village, and I got to show Arne all my old apartments in town. We had lunch at the Brookline Spa, my favorite place to eat in town. It was nice.

Then, we got dressed up and headed to BU for Amanda's graduation from the BU School of Social Work!



The ceremony was LONG and we (Carter, Amanda's friend Abby, mom, and Arne) waited for Amanda's big moment.



It was good to see her get her Master's in Social Work with a specialty in Trauma. She is one of only a handful of her classmates that has a full time job lined up. She will be continuing to work with refugees from Somalia through Children's Hospital in Boston. Post graduation we enjoyed the reception.


Amanda and Carter


Arne and Me


Mom and Amanda

Then we headed down to the south end for a celebratory dinner.



Arne coming out of the "T" Stop. We then headed through Copley and town to Icarus for dinner.



Karna and Arne by the Library.

Saturday: Nature and Friends

Saturday morning we headed out of town to Walden Pond where we met up with Phoebe, Charlton and Natalie Shen for a walk around Walden Pond and some catching up time.


Karna and Phoebe.

At the Thoreau home site, with thought about how funny his quotes are given that he went home for 3 meals a day and his mom did his laundry while he was out in Nature.



After Walden, we had lunch in downtown Concord, before heading out to Kimball Farms for Ice Cream.



It was so yummy,


and Natalie looked so cute eating her "child size" of vanilla.



Arne visited with the animals, and then we headed back toward town.



Our first stop was a bridal shower for my old advisee Kathryn Getek.



Then we went out to the Arnold Arboretum and spent some time on Lilac Hill.


Karna


Arne


Karna and Arne enjoying the flowers.

Next it was to the home of Mike and Nan, friends from LA, for a Thai feast. Joy and Carl joined us for dinner (other friends from LA) and we all got to catch up.



We headed back to Betsy's and upon entering the house, we set off the alarm! When Mom took them out to a separate dinner, they set the alarm. Luckily we called the restaurant and got the code from Betsy, so when the cop came to the door, I did not look totally silly.

Sunday: Freedom Trail and Travels Home

Sunday was our day to explore Boston. We started by meeting up with Carter and Amanda at the Boston Garden, and checking out the Make Way for Duckling ducks.


Then it was off along the freedom trail, seeing Ben Franklin's memorial,



Dressing up in a colonial hat at the first statehouse,



and then going to Faneuil Hall. After so much walking it was time for lunch. We headed over to the Union Oyster House and ended up at the JFK table for a feast of seafood.



We then wandered to the North end and Paul Revere's house and some more history in the Old North Church, before heading back to Brookline.



Then it was off to the airport and our delayed flight home.

We had a great time and then a wonderful return to the dogs, who had been taken care of by our friends Craig and Lora.