Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jig

Reese is quite happy to be home again... He LOVES it at Opa and Oma's house--he mentioned this several times while we were there, but now that we are home he will remark that he is happy to be home. Today while driving he saw several familiar sights and that is when he'd say he is happy. Funny kid.

Our old hometown... Was nice to visit. The boys ate up Grandma Keri... as well as Papa Dave, Auntie Diana and Uncle Ju ju.

Some other cute ones of the boys at Oma's...

While at Oma and Opa's we got to see the neighbor take down a tree with his bobcat... Opa and Oma had a tree come down, but not all the way, so the neighbor just grabbed a hold of it and pulled it down. He then tried to push another one down. Both boys were mesmerized by the action... They sat in a wheelbarrow to watch.

The End...

Thursday night dinner out... Carsten looking his usual grinning self.

Ahhh.... vacation

Vacation is rough... We have rode bikes (I shouldn't include myself since I have yet to get on mine). Reese has figured out the tag-a-long is a pretty good ride. We rented it and might end up buying it as he loves it! We pretty much have just hung out and relaxed. Today we went to a museum that had outdoor exhibits and animals--it was a nice day. So, to all our fans that check up on us here we are!!! (check Alicia's blog for more pictures...)

Thursday: museum, riding bikes...

Reese on the tag-a-long... What a way to ride!

Wednesday: went to lunch, more biking...

Papa keeping Justin occupied while the girls crafted... We made these growth chart mirrors!

Tuesday: rode bikes, rode bikes...

Monday: rode bikes, went on walks, rode bikes...

Cousins...

A visit from the cousins... always fun. Chaos reigns, but love abounds!
Here is our attempt at a picture right before everyone left--I believe the kids were done at this point.

We are now on vacation with the family... a week of relaxing! We have internet, so I'll try to update more regularly, maybe more so than when I'm home?

I keep forgetting that Carsten now has teeth number 13 and 14... These last few teeth really haven't bothered him much--maybe he is getting used to the swollen, achy feeling in his mouth?

Our week...

We got to stay at Auntie Alicia's before we came home. The three cousins took a bath together--there was much splashing and giggling going on...
The trip home went really good. It was an eight hour drive with three under three years old and everyone was excellent. There were very few tears and no mishaps.

On Friday we met at a park to celebrate Jace's 1st birthday (which was on Saturday). Here are a few of the people that were there... It was quite warm, so we didn't stay too long--headed to lunch together. It was great to see everyone and all the kids. It seems we know them all from the blogs...

Carsten at the park.

Our boy--a hoodlum???

Rory enjoying his mother's Starbucks--I think he got more than she did...

Oma and Carsten

Chloe

Jace--the birthday boy!

Kay and Tsiava

Auntie Alicia and Justin

End of Summer...

Carsten is doing much better with his clavicle... He really only complains when he falls and at night when he rolls on that side. It has not slowed him down at all and he continues to get himself in predicaments--I don't know if that will ever end.
He also has 12 teeth just for the record with two more working at coming in on the top...

Unc received a gift certificate to a fondue restaurant and he offered to take me with him! Last night we left the little ones with Opa and Oma and went to fondue... It was great. We started with a cheese fondue, then salad, next was the meat fondue, and of course a chocolate fondue to finish it off. We chose the S'mores chocolate fondue for dessert--chocolate, marshmallow creme, and graham cracker crumbs... delicious! It was a fun evening--fondue takes about 3 hours, so we were gone awhile...


After convention the boys and I rode home with my parents in the motorhome to their house... A good friend is going to be coming west and I'll get to see her later this week!

At Oma's there was a surprise hand-me-down from these kind kids... He loves it!!! A peddle tractor his size. He peddles it up and down the driveway--last night until he was beet red in the face!

Oma and Opa's neighbors offered their pool to us, so we might be heading over there later this morning...

Last week we spent 4 days at our church convention. My Uncle and Aunt were there (my dad's older sister)--great to see them. It was a wonderful 4 days!

Father's Day Weekend...

Last minute we decided to go away for the weekend. We left after lunch on Saturday and drove a couple of hours to stay in a nice hotel and to relax away from home. We had a nice time. The boys slept on the way up and the way home for a couple of hours--traveling at nap time is great. We didn't do too much, a little shopping, a little sight seeing... Sunday we met with people we hadn't seen in a long time...

This was Jim's Father's Day! Thanks for being a great dad!!!

Big fluffy beds with lots of pillows make a fun playground...

Reese all dressed up on Sunday. He enjoyed being on the 13th floor and watching all the goings on down below. He would report on what he saw.
As soon as we got to our room he said, "Look they have a TV, I've always wanted a TV." Wonderful. Thankfully he didn't figure out how to turn it on and he didn't ask so our peaceful getaway remained peaceful.