week 21 and 22

This is Jeremy writing. Movie reference: What About Bob - "I SAIL!"

And now... I BLOG! I'm hijacking Amy's blog to write a quick update because we're getting a lot of noise from readers wondering what's going on and why there wasn't a normal Sunday blog post with lots of pics. We've been pretty busy as of late. Not that we aren't always busy, but Amy's been pretty sick with the flu, and it's taking a lot out of her. She's also been pretty busy with trying to get ready to start work. There are a million forms and applications to fill out and complete. We've also been getting ready for my Mom to come for her visit! She actually arrived this morning. I went to pick her up in Frankfurt, and she is now currently recovering from jetlag.

For those of you worried that you're not seeing new posts because Amy made her blog private, not to worry. We haven't gone private yet... it's just that she hasn't completed any new posts. I think she may do one more post, and then go private.

That's it for now. I may write in the future, or Amy might ban me for life from her blog! She doesn't know I'm writing this. I'm anxious to see her reaction when she sees that I posted!

Week 20

This week was consumed by Potty Training!!! I started on Monday sitting Whitney on the potty and entertaining her for HOURS with not one single drop until Saturday! Uggg!!
I'm not quite sure that she's getting it, but she sure was proud of herself.

Hand me down underwear from her brothers. Sad, huh?

Other highlights from this week was that I was offered a JOB! This was quite surprising actually since I wasn't really looking for a job. I thought I might do something in the fall when the boys went back to school and we had an Au Pair here with Whitney. I heard about an interesting position and inquired about it. Was asked to come to a couple of interviews. Thinking it would be a good networking opportunity I went and ended up getting the job. I still don't know what I think about going back to work. hmmm.....
The job is Health Promotions Officer for the Army in Heidelberg and Stuttgart. It sounds really interesting and will prove to be very challenging I think. The worst part is I have to go to Arkansas for 2 weeks for training in August!
The good part is that Jeremy's Mom is coming here for the whole month of August to help with the kids until they start school and until we get an Au Pair... hopefully by the end of the month. I wasn't expecting to start working so soon but felt like I should take the opportunity while I had the chance. I am just sooooo grateful for Jeremy's Mom to be willing and able to come here so soon and for so long. THANK YOU SHERI!!!

As a side note I've decided to make this blog private. I know it can be a pain for some that want to view the blog that don't have access, but after seeing the way in which some readers gain entry to the blog, I've decided that private is the way to go. If you would like to continue to read this blog post a comment and include your email address. Thanks for your understanding!

Week 19

Sunny and hot every day this week. Perfect for going to the lake!!

We were all so proud of Aiden this week. Monday we took his new bike out (sans training wheels) for the first time. He was really mad at Jeremy for insisting that the training wheels come off and he cried the whole way to the bike path because he was so scared to ride the bike. However, He got on and just took off! He had a few falls in the beginning but ended up riding all the way to the lake and back (5 miles) on his first day!!




He did have to walk his bike up the hills though. Connor was nice to walk his bike with him.


We had to celebrate by stopping at the bakery to get everyone their fave's. Connor likes the croissants, Whitney always gets a pretzel, and Aiden loves the damfnudels!

Loving Aiden's bike helmet hair!!!

Had to throw this one in there too!!

One day this week we took the Elders on base to do some (American) grocery shopping.
The boys just LOVE these guys! They are really awesome!!

Jeremy had Friday off so he got to go to the lake with us finally!!
There is also an outdoor swimming pool right next to the lake. It's small but the water is warm and it's a nice change sometimes.


When in Germany... do as the Germans...

I always take Whitney to the lake with swim diapers and swim suit, however, I noticed none of the German kids have anything on! So... I decided to follow suit and strip her down to get cleaned up in the shower.

The boys were having a lot of fun in the shower. Connor might as well be naked too since his swim suit will never stay up!


4th OF JULY

Here are some wasting-time pictures that Jeremy took while everyone was waiting on me to get ready.

Yes... Whitney has blue fingernail polish on for the holiday
(they match Mommy's toes!!)

(Thanks for the socks for Connor Mom!)

We went to one of the Military bases in Mannheim for the 4th. First on our agenda was playing on the soccer field. One of our favorite spots!!


Next we met up with the Missionaries (6 of them) and we all went to Burger King for whoopers (as Connor calls them).


Then we were off to the rides....



This poor guy should NOT have gone on this ride right after Burger King!! He had to pray to the porcelain God afterwards. :(

Poor little Aiden... Jeremy was laughing sooo loud. I could hear him over all the screaming and music. He doesn't laugh like that often enough! I love it. :)

I thought Connor had peed his pants until I realized everyone had wet pants. I am pretty sure it was from the rain earlier.

Whitney was so funny on this ride. She never stopped turning the steering wheel back and forth. I think she really thought she was driving the train. She was taking her "job" very seriously.


This is more Aiden's speed...
Games and Cotton Candy!!!
After the carnival the Missionaries all came back to our place for a BBQ.

They taught the boys self-defense while Jeremy grilled all the meat! lol!
The boys were loving it!


We had a great week and a Wunderbar 4th of July!!! We did miss fireworks though.... They didn't start until 10:45 at night. We intended on going but around 9:30-ish we could tell that the boys would never have made it. We had a pretty full day and everyone (including ME!!) was exhausted. It was a great day though and we were really grateful to have the US Military so close. It was a fitting place to be on our Independence Day!