Fun with Mimi & Grampy!

Ann and Steve spent two weeks with us and left on Monday. 

We couldn't wait for them to come and were sad when they had to leave!!! But, we had a fabulous visit together. 

Steve rented a bike, so we were able to get out and go on some great rides (road biking) around the area. I am so thankful to be able to see Germany from a different perspective. The German countryside is so beautiful.

We went on some great walks, ate great food (and icecream), had good chats, went on a few adventures and enjoyed each others company. I am also so thankful to have such a great relationship with my in laws! It sure does make life just that much sweeter...A true blessing! 

Thanks for coming Steve and Ann. Hurry back! We love you!

Hitscherhof Pumpkin Festival!

LAst year at this festival I looked like this...

I was 41 weeks pregnant with our big 8 1/2 pound baby and was being induced the next morning! SHe took forever to get here... I was huge. It was hot... 

This year we returned to the pumpkin fest and had another great time. This year we made it for the pumpkin soup!!!! It was divine! 

I scored two great vintage suitcases from the early 1900's and the 1930's from one of the vendors, the kids ran and played in the hay bales and trees and we enjoyed walking around the grounds. 

Mimi & Grampy's Visit in Instagram

Here are the pics I took in Instagram while Ann and Steve were here... 

 Feankfurt Square in the rain!

 Story time with Grampy

 Nunnie and Grampy

 Morning coffee and a story with Mimi

11 MOnths Old...

This little girl would NOT SIT STILL during her 11 month shrinking Bear photo shoot. All she wanted to do was rock on the chair, laugh at her brother and attack the bear. 

We bought Bella a double bed and moved the crib out of our room into Bella's room... And I let Emalina 'cry it out' and stopped nursing her at night... It took all of ONE night for her to get used to the change and has literally slept through the night since. SHOULD HAVE DOEN THAT A LONG TIME AGO!!!!! Thank goodness for the cry it out method (mean mom... I know). But to get a good nights sleep... it is SO worth it! 

• Started crawling and pulling herself up 
• Has 7 teeth
• Only nurses in the morning and at night
• LOVES FOOD! 
• Has the sweetest disposition
• Its almost impossible to change her diaper... she flips and rolls all over the place
• Fits in size 4 diapers, 6-12 month clothing
• Poops A LOT!
• Still loves her susu and her blanket
• Still has 2, 2 hour naps during the day
• Goes to bed at 7 and gets up between 7:30 and 8
• Loves being outside

Bella Goes to Preschool!

This sweet little girl started preschool a few weeks ago! She couldn't wait to go and meet her teacher and the kids in her class. I was a little bit bummed that we were not able to get her into the local German kindergarten... But We have her enrolled in our church preschool... and I must say that having her in a christian learning environment is priceless! She learns Bible verses, Bible stories and the Love that Christ has for her while she's at school! It's great! And it turns out, Bella's teacher is a German National and is teaching the kids a little German during school. 

Can't believe that she'll be in kindergarten next year. She is growing up so fast! 

Adventures in Deutschland: Baden Baden

Baden-Baden! 

Ben and I snuck away for a night in this fabulous city an hour and 40 minutes south of here. 

Our hit list included this ancient Roman bathhouse, one of the main reasons why people head to Baden Baden. Well, it sure was an experience... Don't quite know how to explain it. It was a little weird, awkward, crazy, relaxing and peaceful all at the same time...

The bathing rooms were beautiful and you could tell you were surrounded by centuries of history... 

Our coed spa experience included 18 stages or saunas, pools, steams, showers, a loofa and soap scrub down, sleep room on warmed beds (where we were wrapped up like burritos) and a tea room. 

Oh yeah... DId I mention we were totally naked!!! CRAZY!

And even Crazier, we saw people from CHURCH! No joke! 

Luckily we were wrapped in towels at that moment...

Naked Baths in Baden Baden... check! Now we can say we've been there done that, and if we ever go back to Baden Baden, I think we'll try the other Bath house... Bathing suit required! Ha!