Sunday, August 23

Hello All!!!

Well, we made it safely back to Germany today - what a tiring trip. We are all exhausted (so excuse my post today if it doesn't make any sense!!). The flight to Paris from Detroit was really smooth (not like the turbulence I had flying to Ohio). Our luggage was checked all the way to Frankfort - so that was great that we didn't have to claim that in Paris (and it all made it to Frankfort) - although we won't be unpacking any of it until tomorrow. It was very nice to get out and stretch our legs in Paris at the airport (and we had a pretty good hike going from the terminal we landed in to the next one for Frankfort). Brenna slept about 4 hours on the flight from Detroit to Paris and has fallen to sleep on and off as we have traveled today since then. She still won't use any potties when we are out of the house (this started about 2 weeks ago in the US) - I hope this fear doesn't last too long and she is out of it before Christmas. She held her pee until we were on the final train home (at least 9 hours) - I can't believe how long she can keep her pee in! We put a pull-up on her in Frankfort - I had hoped she might use the potty instead - but no luck! She has used the potty twice here at home and she didn't have any big accidents when we were home (just 2 little ones - just little drops in the underware - none on her outside pants - and dry all the nights we were in the US). We took the train from Frankfort to Baden-Baden. All went pretty well there - although I'm sure Dustin wishes I would learn to pack lighter - maybe someday - we can all dream!! So we really had a day full of planes, trains, and automobiles - how often can one say that, lol!!

We picked up Justice on our way home - he seemed really glad to see us. I hope to get trip pictures of my project pictures up tomorrow - I'm not looking at anything on the cameras tonight!! I thought about taking an exhausted look picture of us today - the travel weary crew that we are, but I'm too exhausted for that!

Take Care!

Tuesday, August 18

Happy Birthday to our baby girl today!!!! Brenna how did it happen that you are 3 already??? You are growing too fast - I hope you realize how much you are treasured and how special you are in our lives!! We love you!!!

Brenna had a great weekend of seeing all the family and eating birthday cake (oh man- I have eaten way too much cake and frosting in the last week). The cakes looked great (thanks to my mom for all of her help - I really do appreciate it!!) - can't wait for you all to see pictures! She received wonderful gifts - she has the best family here in Ohio!!!

Well - we are getting stuff around to go out and celebrate her birthday today!! Hope everyone has a great day!
Take Care!

Sunday, August 9

Hello All!!!!

Hope all is well out there. Sorry there has been a lack of posts and photos lately as we have been enjoying our time with our families. Brenna is loving all her grandparent time - she sure is attached to her grandmothers - they are a definite favorite :-) (o.k. - who can blame her - oh to be young and spoiled by fabulous grandmothers - Brenna has the best ones (and Papa's too!!)).

Our time here in the US is going very quickly - I can't believe Brenna and my stay is half over - where did the time go!!! I am missing Justice and so is Brenna. She was really missing Daddy - she finally got to see him today :-) So glad to have the whole family back together (minus one 4 legged companion - don't worry Justice - we will be back for you soon!).

Well, I'm keeping this short to go enjoy some more family time - sorry you will all have to wait for pictures until we are back in Germany!!

Take Care!

Saturday, August 1

Hello All!!!

Hope all is well out there! We have been busy visiting all the grandparents and family here in Ohio :-) I'm really glad that our parents live close enough that we can enjoy visiting with everyone during the time we are back in the US.

Brenna had a chance to go to the park yesterday and today. She loves pretending to be a SuperReader - her new phrase is "to the rescue"... She had to play that she was saving Papa and Uncle Steven today (somehow, Mommy isn't fun to save...).

Sorry, my post is going to be really short today - I need to try to get Brenna down for her nap and I just got off of skype with Dustin! Only a few more days for him before he gets on the plane to join us over here :-)

Take Care!

Tuesday, July 28

Hello All!!!

Hope all is well out there. Brenna and I are working on slowly getting adjusted to our new time in Ohio. We continue to wake up early (but at least it isn't 4:30 anymore!). Brenna has been taking long naps in the afternoon - I'm sure her little body is trying to adjust as best as possible.

We went to the zoo on Saturday - Brenna really enjoyed that although I think her time spent with her cousin Mikayla was her favorite :-) The girls played well together - I think they were both exhausted by the end of the night. We had a quiet day on Sunday - just doing some gardening and stuff around my parent's house. We went to the park yesterday morning - they have a children's garden there - Brenna loved that and the slides and jungle gym that was close by.

Well, that is about it for now! Take Care!

Paris Tour De France

Hello Everybody, Amanda and Brenna are in the US at the moment, so it is kind of slow here. Definately missing them, plus had lots of work to do. I was able to go to the Tour de France finale in Paris yesterday. I took the train over in the Morning and back in the evening. It was a long day, but lots accomplished. I went over there with another American colleague and a German friend as well, so there was 3 of us. We started by climbing the stairs to the 2nd floor of the Eifel Tower. Then went over to the Tour and found a spot on the Champs de Elyses. I was second row to the race. At the finale, there are 7 laps and after 2 of them the person in front me left, so I got to be in the front for the last 5. It was great. Afterward, we went to the Cathedral Notre Dame and looked around. That was the completion of the day, when we arrived back in Strasbourg my friends car had a flat so we had to change a flat in the parking garage at midnight. Kind of funny. I have attached pictures of my day below.

Wish everybody well and miss all of you. See you soon.

View from the 2nd Floor of the Eifel Tower

Here is Contador in the Yellow Jersey

Just wanted to give an idea the magnitude of the Pelaton cycling through, very impressive.

The riders were extremely fast during the end thus the blurr above. The person in the middle with the blue and yellow jersey with black helmet is Lance Armstong (He placed 3rd, Awesome)

Craft pictures that I haven't shared yet

Here are the two craft pictures I didn't share before we left as they were for gifts for Mikayla and Renee. I think the projects turned out really cute! Renee - I'm so sorry that it took me so long to do these towels - hopefully they were worth the wait!