Highlights of Summer

Summer is winding down in Nashville.  I started my new job at the beginning of August, Haley has started daycare, Labor Day is just around the corner, the first Vandy Football game of the season is tomorrow, and Lucas is getting all set to start his first season of soccer next week. We'll be sad to see it go as it was a great past few months but we're looking forward to a great fall.

Some of our highlights of the summer included us getting to spend a few days in Birmingham with my parents. We did miss Jenni who was off traveling the world. 

Sharing a popsicle with Mallet

Visiting Dora at the McWane Center

Cuddles with Oma

 We also got to enjoy a few carefree days at home. Taking a month off work was a great decision and I loved spending the time with the kids. 

Haleybug:

My Lucaslove:

And our duo:

And we enjoyed some serious playtime... especially when Daddy comes home to play.

Adoring her big brother

Our little girl started daycare at the beginning of August. She is in the Infant III classroom with Miss Angie, who took such wonderful care of Lucas when he was a baby. We are so excited to have her with Lucas' old teacher and additionally with Lucas' friends' little sibs (Emma's brother Peter and Ellie's brother Christopher).

Lucas picking Hales up in her classroom

We also enjoyed a visit from Nana and Pa-pa who took the kids to the zoo while Matt and I were working. Love these pictures. You just know they had a great time.

Lucas learned how to ride his bike. He loves some quality time riding with dad. Training wheel-less will be our task for next summer.

And what would summer be without some porch time at Local Taco.

Birdy Quotes

Randomly while building trains with his daddy:
L: Sometimes I say "hip hip banana"

A few minutes later, I sneezed and
L like a good Southener: "Bless you, honey"

Boy is never lacking for comic relief.
Love him.

Haley - 4 Months

Here's our baby girl at 4 months! We were across the ocean for her big 3 month milestone so I did not get a chance to do a separate little photo shoot. But I hope you enjoy this one.

Our girl is now all smiles. She has started cooing and talking.

She has found her feet and loves to play with them.

She finally will occasionally agree to taking a pacifier.

She has learned to sit with some propping and has rolled from tummy to back a few times (even though not consistently).

She loves to watch her big brother play and loves it when he goofs with her. And he loves that blowing spit bubbles is her new hobby.

At her 4 month check-up a few days ago she was 25.5 inches (65 cm) [70%ile] and 12 pounds 2 oz (5.5 kgs) [10%ile]. Still long and lean.

We're amazed by watching you grow, Haley. We adore your emerging personality, your happiness, and your sweet face. We love you, Bug!

Llama Llama

We have really been enjoying the Llama Llama series by Anna Dewdney lately.

Loved this quote from our most recent library find Llama Llama Red Pajama:

"Please stop all this
llama drama
and be patient
for your mama"

And also this one:

"Little Llama,
don't you know,
Mama Llama
loves you so?"

I think there's frequently a lot of llama drama at our house but also a lot of love for our own little llama.

Could totally be at our house around 9:30 pm :)

And if you're looking for a good kids book. I think our favorite from this series is still Llama Llama Home with Mama

Dettingen, Kreuzberg & Wasserkuppe - Germany Week #2

The morning after the wedding, we took off for the airport and picked up Matt. It was so good to see him and the kids were so excited (even Haley gave him the biggest smiles). We spent another few days in Dettingen to hang out with the family. Another big house with lots of people which equaled in more excitement for my big boy.

Keeping all the big boys busy

Our future musical talent

Lessons from Uncle Norbert

Family Card Game Time 

After returning to Maiersbach, we took a few trips to our favorite mountains. First up the Kreuzberg. At the top of the mountain is a monastery which brews its own beer and serves it in big stone mugs (like good Germans). Along with a Bratwurst, it's such a treat. The beer tastes even better after a hike up the mountain but we took the easy route this year with the kiddos and drove up. We did still hike up all the stairs in the first picture below to get up to the crosses and take in another beautiful view.

About halfway up the stairs

Taking a quick break

Enjoying the view

Cuddles

Taking it all in 

Some Daddy-Daughter time

My sweet boy

A few days later we headed up to the Wasserkuppe. An always fun and always cold and windy destination. This stop was a definite must for us. There is a big bob-slide and a little airport where you can watch gliders take off and land so of course we had to take Lucas.

Getting ready to go down the hill with dad

Jenni read to go

And mommy gets a turn

I didn't get a picture of the hang gliders this year. So here's an old picture. Jenni is the cute little blond on the left so you can imagine how many years old this picture is.

We go to pull out our hats and long sleeves. We weren't complaining. It was a nice break from the 100 degree weather in Nashville.

We also took Lucas on his first train ride. It was a short one from Maiersbach to Fulda (ca. 45 minutes each way). But he loved it and it was probably just about right given his attention span and energy level.

Tackling the Fulda Schlosspark maze in the rain

I was sad to say good-bye to Germany and of course all my family once again but I hope we will be back soon. It was, however, wonderful to say hello to Nashville and our house. Lucas welcomed his toys and his own bed with much enthusiasm despite arriving in a very tired state.

Thank you to everyone who made this an amazing trip for us! We will see you soon!