Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Leo and I just got back from a two week trip to Germany.  We took PLANES, TRAINS and AUTOMOBILES during our fun European vacation.

Leo did great on the flights- as usual. This was the first time he had his own seat, so it was nice for me to have my arms free (at least for part of the time)  Leo slept in my arms for half the flight, and in his seat for the other half)

We stayed with our friends, the Dannellys, at their house in the cute little village of Gries. It was surrounded by rolling green hills, fields of bright yellow rapeseed flowers, and lush pastures with roaming cows. It was lovely. Here is the view from their terrace, and a photo from the village.

Leo and I took a train down to Heidelberg to do some sightseeing. Leo loved riding on the train. He liked climbing over the seats, and looking out the window.

Heidelberg is a beautiful town. We walked around the old city, took photos from the bridge, and took the tram up the hill to the old castle, where we took a tour.  Then we had lunch at an outdoor cafe in in a beautiful courtyard next to a large fountain.  It was charming.

We also drove to the IKEA in Mannheim one day, which was about 40 minutes away.  It was fun driving on the autobahn while we were there. In case you don't know... there isn't a speed limit on the autobahn. You can drive as fast as you want!   We were doing about 90 mph, and people were passing us like we were standing still. (crazy!)  We also drove to the Frankfurt temple, which was about 1 1/2 hours away.

Another highlight was our day-trip to France. It was just a 30 minute drive, so we had a fun day in France. (I served my mission in France, so I loved being able to speak French, read all the signs, and to eat some French food!)  We went to this huge store called Cora- kind of like a Super Target. I bought a cart full of french foods that I love... Chaussons aux Pommes, Pain au Chocolat, yummy yogurt, fantastic stinky cheeses, Bastogne cookies, Ricola tesaine, Lindt chocolates, Lardons, and Emmental.  I was like a kid in a candy store! 

After that we stopped for lunch at a small restaurant. The nice grandma lady (that took our order) thought Leo was the cutest thing, and she kept bringing him little plates of french fries, cookies, etc. (She didn't even mind when he followed her around the restaurant, and even into the kitchen.)   The food was delicious!  One of the many things I love about France- even the smallest, hole-in-the-wall places have amazing food.  Those frenchies sure know how to cook!  I really enjoyed our little trip to France. We had planned to go to France a 2nd time while we were there (we were going to drive to Metz) but we ended up leaving to come home a day early, so it didn't work out.  Oh well...                   I love France.  *sigh*

I had to take some photos when we were at Cora. Check out the rows and rows of cheese. Those frenchies sure know how to make some yummy cheese-  especially those stinky ones!  Yum.  The ones we get here in the states just don't taste the same.

 

Well, that was our crazy European vacation in a nutshell. We had a good time, but it was wonderful to get home, and sleep in our own beds again.  Jack gets home from Iraq in just 10 days, so we are in the final countdown. We could not be more excited!

Rain!

Yesterday the DC area was hit with some major rainfall. It was intense!  We watched as the water built up in the backyard, and then made a river that flowed out towards the street. (see 2nd photo)

There were a few houses in our neighborhood whose basements were flooded, so we were lucky.
I found some water in our basement- a puddle, really. It wasn't too bad. Some water had infiltrated the cinderblock wall in one spot, and had formed a large puddle. Luckily, it was in the unfinished part of the basement, in a storage area where everything is in plastic bins... so there was no harm done. I sucked up all the water with the shopvac, and it was an easy fix.  I will definitely be looking into waterproofing that wall in the near future!

Shoes

I was having a major case of cabin fever today, as we were stuck in the house, waiting for Hurricane Irene to come our way. That's when Leo decided to put on my shoes and walk around the house saying "Shoe, Shoe, Shoe". He kept me laughing for a good 20 minutes. (but don't worry- the video isn't that long) Hope you enjoy the show! 



Ah, Summer.

The weather is cooling off now, and it's made me realize that Summer is drawing to a close. I have been reflecting on some of the fun things Leo and I have done together over the last few months.

We had one visit to California to visit Grandma and Grandpa. We had two visits to Utah to visit Nana and Papa, and cousin Bridger. We've been to playgrounds and water parks, swimming pools and outdoor movies. We've been kayaking on the lake by our house, played at the beach in California, and watched fireworks in front of the Capitol on the 4th of July. We got to experience a 6.0 earthquake here in Virginia. And best of all... we're almost to the end of Jack's deployment!

Here are some of my favorite photos from this fun and crazy summer.

Super G

Nana and Papa have struck again. They sent Leo a GIGANTIC giraffe that's over 4 feet tall!  (Jack has dubbed it "Super G")  Leo is quite smitten with him. He hugs him, tries to climb on his back for a ride, and uses him as a new wrestling partner.

Zoo time

 

Nana and Papa took us to the zoo in Salt Lake, and Leo had a fabulous time. He was really happy to see the giraffes. (His favorite stuffed animal is a giraffe that he calls "G" so he gets very excited when he sees the real thing) 

We saw lots of animals, rode the little train around the zoo, and even got to ride the carousel... on a giraffe of course!  

Nana's house

We went to Utah to visit Nana and Papa. Leo had a great time rolling in the grass, sitting in the birdbath, and eating raspberries right off the bushes.  He also had fun playing at the park and being silly with grandpa.

Kayaking on the Lake

We've been meaning to take the kayaks out on the lake by our house since we moved here a year ago. Last summer we were busy painting, doing house projects, and getting unpacked. And of course, this summer Jack has been gone, so I decided we should just go, and see how we fared doing it on our own. This was our first time kayaking without Jack, so it was a little more complicated getting the boat in and out of the water, but Leo and I managed.

It was a nice (somewhat cooler) day, and the lake setting could not have more beautiful. We enjoyed looking at all the trees, and the clear blue skies. As we paddled around I taught Leo the names of all the animals we saw: duck, goose, frog, fish, turtle.  (He is really learning new words quickly now)  We had a great time!

 

Rocket Man

Leo attended the birthday party of his little friend, Mary Harper last Saturday. It was at a local park, and the weather was actually very pleasant that day (not too humid). Leo had a great time playing on the playground. He also enjoyed playing in the sand box, and eating lots of sand.

Leo liked the cupcakes, although he just licked all the frosting off, and then switched back to his slice of watermelon.

 

They had a pinata full of small toys. Leo came home with a little bag of goodies, which included these cool sunglasses.

He looks like an early Elton John.

Independence Day

Leo and I couldn't think of a better place to spend Independence Day than at our Nation's capital.  We spent the evening on the lawn in front of the Capitol Building watching a free concert and then the fireworks.

The fireworks show was shorter than I thought it would be, but it was still cool to see them shooting off  in front of the Washington Monument. It was a pretty incredible sight.  And Leo seemed to like the fireworks- he pointed at them, and opened his mouth wide, with his 'suprised' expression. 

It was fun spending the evening with a few hundred thousand of our closest friends!  I couldn't believe just how many people were there. It was pretty crazy. 

When the show was over, we just walked back to our hotel room (We found a good deal on a hotel that was just 3 blocks from Capitol Hill) and went to bed at a semi-decent hour.  I'm so glad we did, because the crowds were insane and I know it would have taken us several hours to get home on the metro!

We are so thankful to live in this great nation, and for the many freedoms we enjoy...

God Bless America,
Land that I love.
Stand beside her, and guide her
Thru the night with a light from above.
From the mountains, to the prairies,
To the oceans, white with foam
God bless America, My home sweet home.

Here we go again!

 It's hard to believe that Leo is 18 months old now. I know it's cliche... but it really does seem like yesterday that we brought Leo home from the hospital. He was so tiny. And now he's a walking, talking, busy little toddler-- full of fun and mischief.

We're ready to add another little one to our family, so we started the adoption paperwork a few months ago, and have now been "approved."  Now we just have to wait for a birthmother to pick us...

If you know someone who is considering adoption for her baby we hope that you will pass our information along. 

Adoption really is about love. It is a blessing for both families, and we have witnessed firsthand the many miracles that occur along the way.  We can't wait to see what the Lord has in store for our little family. 

Our profile on LDS Family Services website: https://itsaboutlove.org/ial/profiles/25727318/ourMessage.jsf


I came across this story on adoption today, and had to share it:
http://www.designmom.com/2010/05/adoption-story-from-anonymous/

Free Summer Fun

One of the reasons we love the DC area is that there is always something to do: free concerts, activities for kids, and other fun stuff. Last weekend we went to a free Summer Concert at the lake that is just blocks from our house.  The weather was perfect that night (the humidity was actually very low) and it was a beautiful setting, overlooking the lake. The sun was setting, and the fire flies were buzzing around. It was lovely.  The band was from South Africa and they played "township" music which was fantastic. I loved it.

On Saturday we went to see "Ryan Buckle and friends" which was a free show for kids at an outdoor amphitheatre. Ryan played great songs on the guitar about animals and science... then Zelda did cool science experiments between each song. All the kids loved it.  Even Leo was getting into the music.  (Ryan's songs are cute and fun, without being annoying to adult ears. We bought his CD, and are excited about his new one that will be all about Space!)

Hooray for free summer fun!

Ding-Dong, it's a new door!

The makeover of our front door and porch area is almost complete...

As you can see from the photo below I started by painting the door black, then replaced the porch light with something more modern.  This week I installed some glass panels with a DIY kit I bought online.  Was it scary to cut 3 huge holes in our front door?  Absolutely!  But it turned out great, and I LOVE the way it looks.

This style is authentic to the period of the house (1960s) and the best part is that it lets in a lot of light. I also removed the glass storm door (having to go through two doors with a squirming toddler and a diaper bag was not easy!).  The house looks so much better without it. I'm loving our "new" door!

Cute faces