We’ve been off-line for a few days and are eager to get back on to tell you about a few “firsts” for Rudy. After careful consideration and preparation, Rolf and I decided to attempt a little family roadtrip to Pine Valley, CA (just outside San Diego). Our dear friends, Grace and Marlin (Rudy’s godparents), were marrying off their son Josh (of whom I have very vivid memories toddling around in diapers, I might add). We wanted to be there so bad as it would mean so much to us and the kids to join in celebrating Josh and Emily in person. We went back and forth on the decision but by Thursday morning Rudy was looking good and we figured if he didn’t tolerate the drive or he wasn’t looking comfortable, we’d just turn around and come home. San Diego has a good Children’s Hospital nearby so we knew we could get help if we needed it. As it turned out, Rudy did GREAT!!! Our six-hour trip landed us in Pine Valley around 1am Friday morning. Thanks to the generosity of some friends of Grace and Marlin, we borrowed a mobile home that was conveniently parked right next to their house so we settled in, went to bed and enjoyed falling asleep to the sounds of rural California. So, Thursday marked Rudy’s first “roadtrip” that didn’t involve UCLA as it’s destination. Friday marked Rudy’s first wedding. We were able to help with last minute preparations a little bit on Friday morning before the 2pm ceremony. It was fun to watch Grace and Marlin navigate seemingly effortlessly the many details of the day, to visit with their family from Canada who I haven’t seen in almost 20 years (!) and to introduce Rudy to many friends in our San Diego circle who have been praying for him so faithfully. As you can see from the picture below, Josh and Emily were glowing…a confident young couple we are proud to know and were thrilled to celebrate. Rolf and I found the escape from the daily routine and telephones very refreshing and it was good for the soul to be together as a family.
We enjoyed the VanNortwick’s hospitality one more day and packed up early Sunday morning to make our way home. Rolf was kind enough to record the Indianapolis 500 for me so we looked forward to tamales in front of the t.v. watching the race as soon as we got home. I found out last week that my friend and neighbor Jannele likes the Indy 500 maybe as much as I do so I avoided making any contact with her as we drove in so I wouldn’t find out any race results! We have a date to watch the race together next year. 🙂 So, Rudy’s big first yesterday was hearing Jim Nabors sing “Back Home Again In Indiana” and watching the start of “the greatest spectacle in racing”- nothing could be better. Rudy dozed off pretty quick as did Rolf and I at about lap #160 but Max dutifully woke us up with only 3 laps to go to see Helio cross the finish line for his third Indy win!!!! Rudy missed the big finish but I think he liked all the excitement nestled snuggly in his little port-a-crib set up in our living room. Good times…good times.
Rudy's Beat 
Yay! Alot of Rudy ‘firsts”! Awesome. Glad to hear about his first road trip too!!! He is getting so big and so cute!
Continued peace and many more blessings like this!!!
Love always,
Tanya
sounds like a great time….keep it rolling, Nick’s Grandma
Yep, that kiss from the Canadian Godparent probably had a little something to do with that photo of Rolf in his “lederhosen” and pink scarf! 🙂
Glad you all had a good time and that Rudy enjoyed his firsts!
What a wonderful post of fun firsts! Thanks be to God . . .
Trish, I’ve known you your whole life and had no clue about your passion for the Indy 500….also had no clue that Jim (Gooooleee!) Nabors was still alive and singing the state anthem at the race! Glad to hear all about Rudy’s “firsts” this week.
Love from the Kansas Wilsons!
It was GREAT to meet mister Rudy!! What a blessing he has been to all of us who pray for him. I was especially blessed by big brother who was holding Rudy when I made the comment,”you sure are a great big brother”, to which he replied ” a big brother of 3! ” I am glad that you made the choice to make the trip, it will give you confidence in other firsts for Rudy too. I will post pics I took of him soon…love you guys, thanks for sharing your family with all of us.
Awsome! You did it! I am so glad you were all able to make the trip TOGETHER. What a wonderful weekend. Congratulations to the greatest parents and siblings ever!
Nurse Joyce
Well, I must say that meeting and getting to hold your little Rudy was the highlight of my year! What a sweetie pie. My whole family enjoyed visting with you and your family. I loved it when my son Jaron (almost six )walked by Rudy and smiled and gave him a sweet little wave. Even he knows what a great thing it is to get to meet Rudy. Hope we will see you again on your next road trip to San Diego. We will keep praying for you all.
Hugs and kisses…
All I can say about the Canadian godparent custom is that it must be a Saskatchewan tradition!!! That husband of mine!!!!! I’ll make it clear that it has nothing to do with lederhosen and pink scarfs!!!
RUDY RUDY! What an honor to have you and your fun family come and make thewedding weekend even more special!!! I love the way your mom and dad just bring love and laughter to every situation and your brothers and sister make it so fun for my kids. You were the quiet little miracle amonst us….we were so blessed to hold you, and smell that baby fragrance, and feel your little heart beating strong under your cute jammies.
Thank you for bringing your family up here to Pine Valley….it was wonderful! You’re always welcome!!!!
Way to go Rudy! ROAD TRIP!
Nice to see Grace & Marlin again too.
Congrats!
Sounds like a wonderful weekend. Happy to hear all the firsts and good news!
Have a blessed week! Rudy Rocks!
Kisses and hugs to everyone.
Love, Sarah and Family!
Wish we could have been there–what fun. Grace and Marlin look so good and Josh chose a beautiful bride. It is hard to believe he is a handsome young man and has grown a bit since we saw him romping around in San Diego. Congratulations Josh and Emily and also Grace and Marlin. You needed to add another female to your family! Even with all of our handsome Geyling grandchildren there you were still the “stars for the day”. It sounds as if Rudy may have shone a little twinkle, though. You know how the Geylings can take over in a crowd so I hope they controlled themselves (just kidding). Our lives have been so blessed by all of you. Love and hugs to all! Dick and JoAn
Maybe Rudy needs to experience his next Indy race live next year! Nothing like the deafening roar of the engines in person! There is always room in Lexington. No RV next door, but we do have closets for your kids to sleep in 🙂
How wonderful to have such a normal weekend! So glad everything went well. I do need to add one thing that was not mentioned, Danica and her 3rd place win!! I am sure Rudy will be all decked out in #7 with orange and black if I have anything to do with it next year. Absolutely awesome the road trip was done without a hitch, and the wedding was so fun for all. Glad you are all safe and sound, now ready for round two, promotion, picnic, dance, last day of school!!!