Choo Choo Lo Turned 2!

We had a wonderful time today with friends gathered to celebrate Lo's Birthday! It took me a bit of work to get this all together. What didn't help the past couple of days were my darn allergies. And Benedryl is the only safe over the counter medicine I can take(um not thanks, did not need anything to slow me down).

 

 Here is the table set up! I think it turned out quite nice, and colorful. We went with a train theme.

 Here is my attempt on a train cake. It turned out nice, but could of been better. Maybe next year. lol

 This was my first attempt with making frosted sugar cookies, its a bit harder than it looks.

 The party favor bags, had a train shaped whistle, stickers, candy, and some other fun stuff.

 Drinks.

 My cardboard boxes turned into trains! The kids loved playing in them.

 Lo playing with his friends in the train. Notice the cool hats I got everyone.

 We played games, I had them toss balls into the mouth of Thomas. They enjoyed it.

 Logan with his future "wing man", Blake, at the party! So glad he came!

 Playing Pin the candle on the cupcake. The kids really enjoyed the game.

 Can't have a party and not have a pinata! We ordered it online, and got here on time.

 Look at that face. Loving the candy that fell out of the pinata. Who knew the pinata had candy!

Having friends help him open presents. He loved the gifts, but kept wanting to play with each one as soon as he saw what it was. It made for a slow process!

Thanks so much for all who made his day! We even opened a present from his uncle Lenny. The hardest part living in Germany, is not having family here for his birthday! WE MISSED YOU ALL! He is one very much loved 2 year old.


Happy Birthday LO! Love Mama, Dada, and Baby#2!

Leap Year Day!

Update on the rest of this month.

 The first session of Logan's Parent and Me class is over, but we are enrolling him for the Spring session since he loves it so much. They taught how to play Duck Duck goose in the class, now Logan goes up to his daddy and hits him, saying Duck Duck Duck. It is entertaining to see how much he loves his daddy to play with him. Definitely prefers him over me. But that is okay for right now.

 We (Logan) got a really late Christmas present in the mail, from grandma Bowerbank. Logan was in heaven, having his own seat, and Very Important, soccer ball on it. He will push off his friends from his chair, if they sit on it. Teaching him how to share.

 This was the extent of my Valentine Holiday Decor. But I really liked it, and Logan had fun helping me make a homemade gift for Daddy.

 So much fun. The picture above is of Rose Monday, Fashingsdienstag. They have a parade, and people dress up in costumes, some scary, others not, and they toss candy into the crowds. It was cold that day, but we went out there and had some fun. It's a holiday here, and I look forward to going next year.

 We took a short trip to Trier Germany. It had some very old Roman ruins, all over the city. We explored for a while. And stayed close by, to make our trip into Belgium much shorter.

 This picture above is of the roman coliseum. It was very grand, and we enjoyed the walk.

 We then drove to the country of Luxembourg, where we visited an America cemetery. I got a bit emotional seeing all the crosses. After a walk around the memorial, and seeing Gen. Patton's grave, we drove to see a castle.

 It was a steep walk especially with a tot in tow in a stroller. It was nice, but both of us thought the cost was not worth it. We still enjoyed ourselves, and enjoyed the scenery. My favorite part was getting to the castle. Our GPS took us the scenic route. We hit so many small towns. Let me just say, Luxembourg was extremely clean. Very nice country.

 The following day we drove to Tongeren, Belgium. They had a wonderful antiques market. It was huge! Indoors, outdoors, along the streets, it was everywhere. We were unprepared at the vast amount of stuff there was. We will need to make a trip back, especially since I did not have Belgium Waffles. But we did manage to find some Belgium Chocolate. The smell of chocolate was so strong outside, it made my mouth water. Once we walked into the shop, I was so overwhelmed by the scent. They make their chocolates in their shop. Oh yeah, you know I had fun in there.

The drive home was not bad. I drove most of the way back, after we got back in Germany. I will say that I love driving on the Autobahn. I don't miss DC traffic, not one bit.

The weather here is warming up, tomorrow,s forecast to be in the low 60's. It will definitely feel warm. In other things, I am counting down to just about everything it seems.

• Hubby's Birthday- 13 Days
• Girls Weekend in Ireland- 15 Days to go.
• 5 Year anniversary- 24 days
• Logan's 2nd Birthday- 6 weeks and counting
• The McCarthy's visit- 7 weeks + a couple of days
• Trip to England- 2 months and counting
• Mom and Pop Bowerbank visit - 2 months and counting

We have a busy couple of months ahead of us. I love spring, and can't help but feel excited to have family close by!  Something I am not looking forward to this year, my birthday.

Reverently Lost

I love Sundays. I love the time I get to spend with my family. I love going to church, and seeing friendly faces. I love the feeling of peace, and time to ponder about things that are worth pondering. I love the music and church hymns. I love my church ward, and that it is English speaking. I love coming home and cooking dinner (most of the time), and I love hanging out with friends for Sunday dinner. I love to Skype family members on Sunday. I just love that almost every store is closed on Sundays, here in Germany, and people take the day off to be with family and friends.

Today is Sunday, and I lost my mind. Right after Sacrament, as we were getting ready to go into Sunday school LOGAN GOT LOST! We turned our back for a minute and he was gone. Both Mike and I search each and every class in the church, and found nothing. We looked was seemed for long and endless minutes. Countless amount of people started to help, and look outside. I just shut down and started to cry. This has been the first time this have ever happened, and from the comments of other parents, probably not the last. We all looked and looked and nothing. Mike took off in the car to search nearby streets in case he had escaped from the building. Nothing.
 Then.

A wonderful, young woman  walked into the gym, where I was crying, holding him. Logan looks at me, seeing tears in my eyes, his smile disappears. I reach for Logan, and he hugs me patting my back, as if to let me know that everything was okay.

So where was he found?

He was reverently sitting in primary with the 7-8 yr old class. When asked if there was someone new, he raised his hand.  We had looked in there more than several time, several different people, and never saw him. Had I been sitting with the class I teach my 9-10 yr old, and not looking for him, I would of seen him.

It is such a horrid feeling and hope that this does not happen again. So grateful for all the help of people who didn't know me, and search and searched.  Now family time, with my hubby, and son.

Blessings.

My dear husband has been in Virginia for over a week now. He still has one more to go, and Logan is missing his daddy. I have felt so blessed with the friends I have made here, and am continuing to make. They have made the time go by fast. I have had dinners, play dates, and just plain fun this week. The Lord has known my fears and worries, being alone with my little tot at home. He has showered me with blessings, through so many people.

What has Lo been up to? This little guy is keeping me on my toes. Good thing my healthy workout habit is still in full force, giving me so much energy to keep up with him. He is a shaker and mover, and is starting to use the word No, but understands that he shouldn't respond to mom that way. He blushes when he says No. It is important for me to let him know that it is okay to voice your opinion, but to use manners. Example, No Thank you. What I got in the car the other day, NO you. The good think he is trying.

I have a treat bag for my primary class in a big tote bag, and Logan knows that there is candy in the treat bag. While driving on the Autobahn this morning I hear a familiar crinkling sound. I adjust my mirror to get a glimpse at the boy, and he has 5 Hersey's hugs in his hand. He had managed to take off all the wrappers, and was getting ready to eat them. I tell him Logan can you wait until after lunch, he says, "No ,you." and proceeds to shove them all in his mouth. There was nothing I could do.

Favorite of the week: Movie Despicable Me

Lately

With the start of the new year, I started to work out. Usually I only think about it, but these last two weeks I have actually gotten into a nice routine. My goal this week and last was to work out. I feel happy that I have accomplished me goal. I worked out a total of 5 times this week, in four days. And last week I worked out 4 times as well. It has been keeping me and Logan busy. There are a couple of classes I have tried and liked, and some I will not go back to again. One I will not go back to will be the Zumba class, which is so sad. I really love Zumba, but the class was not what I thought it would be. Everything seemed very slow, and though, yes I did feel like I worked out, I did not end up leaving the class tired. The nice thing was that I did not have to pay for the class since it was my first time doing it.

Last week Logan started tumbling class which he loves. They do the same stuff each week, but he really is enjoying himself. Other than that things has slowed down a bit, and we don't mind it one bit. Looking forward to a long weekend, nice that the hubby has Monday off. Lets see what we can get ourselves into.

The weather lately has been nice. We have had some sunny days, and it is warmer than usual. Everyone is saying it is a mild winter.  I am just glad we are still getting ourselves out of the house.

Happy Christmas

 Santa was up late wrapping gifts. Mrs. Clause went to bed early. I just love the Santa bag I got for Logan this year. How cute is that. The idea is that we will have some of the toys not wrapped and just put in the bag, and ready to play with. This year the bag contained the Little People car ramp that is as tall as Logan. We really liked it, but his favorite this year was the wooden train set.

 Logan really got into unwrapping presents!Love how many times he says, "oh, wow!"

Logan and daddy on ANOTHER train ride. This kid just loves them, and well there were many at the German Christmas Markets.

The hubby was really surprised this year with what Santa brought him.  His big gift this year, an ipad 2.
My big gift this year, my ticket/ and accommodation to Dublin, Ireland  for a girls trip in March. And I also got a couple of spa certificates to a spa in Baden Baden, Germany. I am eager to go and have a nice spa day.

Happy New Year 2012

Hope you have a wonderful New Year! We look forward to all the things that 2012 will bring. Its like the 4th of July on CRACK around here, and we are loving it. From all our windows we see fireworks going off. May we all be blessed in all that lies ahead for each and every one of us.

Tis the season

Christmas time is here. Now multiply that buy 2 and you have Christmas time here in Germany. This has definitely surpassed my expectations, and I am loving it. One cannot get enough of the Christmas markets, well maybe one husband might (mine).  It is one of my favorite times of the year. People seem to have more cheer, and are much friendlier. Things we have done so far.

• We have put up our Christmas Tree.
• Gone to see the lighting of a Christmas Tree on base.
• Many train rides for Logan.
• Enjoyed a cup of hot chocolate.
• Snuggled with those I love.
• Enjoyed face time with Santa.(For Logan)
• Made some sugar cookies, and decorated them.
• Wrapped presents.
• Missed family.
• Had a Christmas Tacky Sweater Party.
• A musical chocolate Advent calendar that Logan LOVES.(half way through)
• Christmas Markets.
• Started my 12 days of Christ Christmas countdown.
• Made traditional tamales, bunelos, and Mexican hot chocolate (once so far).
• Watch many cheesy Christmas Lifetime movies. ( The hubby just walks out of the room.)
• Made many wonderful treats. Thanks pinterest.

We are so enjoying having fun and enjoying this wonderful season here in Germany. The only thing better would be to have our families here.

THanksgiving!

The day after we got home from American, the hubby's older brother arrived for a visit. He was flying back home from a business trip and decided to stay with us. It was nice to have our first house guest. As you can expect, after a long journey, my house was not as tidy as I would of liked. We were all jet lagged. So it made for an interesting morning. Jeff had been in India, so he was off as well. 

We had some friends over for Thanksgiving, and one of the hubs co workers. There was so much food. Sorry no pictures, totally forgot. But this was the first year that we have ever had any family. It made me happy to have Jeff here. 

The days that followed we showed Jeff around town. It was a bit cold, and well having just been in Texas for a while, it made it feel even colder. 

 

The boys eating some Bratwursts and shopping at Stuttgart Christmas Market! 

 The hubby and Loggie walking down some stairs! There was so much frost on the ground.

 I stayed away with Loggie for this, but the boys went to the Mercedes museum.

 Boys will be boys, with cars.

 On Saturday we headed to Heidelberg to see the castle. Total epic fail on that one. We got there late, Loggie was hungry so we had to eat something (Cuban food), and got lost among the Christmas market stalls. Before we new it, it was too late to go up to the castle. Maybe next time. 

This was soo neat! It was very festive, and a great way to start off the holiday season. The Christmas markets here are just very amazing!

I Never Met a Chocolate I didn't Like.

The 12-step chocoholics program:
Never be more than 12 steps away from chocolate!
- Terry Moore

I am so happy to be back in Germany! Especially since there is a chocolate festival going on in a town not far. It goes on for a whole week too. This is not the best way to start the holiday calorie count, but I guess I will just look the other way until this is over. What is better than a Christmas Market and a Chocolate festival all in the same place?! Look out bank account, I might just do a bit too much damage if I am not careful. This will be a good family outing with my hubby keeping an eye out on what I am spending. The link here shows some great pictures, as well, as mouth watering treats.  I am so excited!!!

chocolART - The Festival

Germany's largest chocolate festival in Tübingen chocolART goes from 29.11. - 12.04.2011 in the sixth Round!

Africa, South and North America, Europe - 100 top international chocolatiers travel to 2011 to the cocoa bean against the picturesque backdrop of the Tübingen town to pay homage.
The more than 200 000 lovers of the particular will be grateful: it offers an array of such delicious range of melt-in confections, and handmade fine chocolates.

Fading Summer

 The summer is gone. How fast was that! We are heading into September, and already there are hints of fall in the air. Some leaves on trees are starting to change. I love the feel of change that is around me. I just love Fall, but will miss the warmth of the sun.

We were able to see the Sesame Street show on base. It was free for everyone, and Lo really enjoyed it. His attention span is not very long, so after about 10 of dancing he got tired and tried to run off. Apperently it is something they do every year, so hopefully next year he will be a bit more interested.

We got there early so we were sitting right up front, and he got to shake hands with cookie monster, and touched a couple of others. 

We really enjoyed Pool Group this summer, and going to the different pools. Lo loves the water, and would get excited when he would see me getting the pool bag ready. It was nice having our friends the Dahl's join us a couple of times. With a couple of days with the heat up in the 90's, and no AC in the house, the pool was nice.

Fun in the Sun

July is here, and we have had some very sunny and warm days. Nothing like the heat wave DC has had, but when there is no AC in the house (most houses in Germany dont have AC in the homes) we have to find ways to cool down. Our house does a great job of keeping the hot air out, for the most part. I find it amazing that we really dont need AC. I do think, however, that I will invest in a couple of fans, as I still dont feel fully comfortable opening our windows at night (without screens) to let the cool air in (along with bugs).

 Nothing like a little ice pop to cool this little man down.

 Enjoying an apple before cooling down in the pool!

 Lo's little American Havanas. Flip flops a must for the summer heat.

 The pools here that we have been to, have been great! They have some wonderful kiddy pools which Lo really enjoys.

 Splashing in the water. Lo fell a couple of times, but he kept his head above water. He did want to swallow water, from the frog fountain.