10 Days

Jon and I are just finishing up 10 days apart.  

It all started with what was supposed to be a family trip, but turned into a Girls only trip back to Leipzig to visit some friends and see the Christmas Markets.  

Alessandra and Sophia Enjoying the "Classic Car Carousel" in the Leipzig Hauptbahnhof

Jon had to cancel due to some last minute business trip changes.  But the good news from Jon not being with us was that he was able to add a quick trip to Colorado where he was able to see his family and drop Ripley off with Stan and Mary Kay.  

If you have been keeping up with my blog at all, or have talked to me in the last two years you probably heard me mention that Ripley hasn't been doing well.  She wasn't able to settle into city life.  She was always stressed, at first her stress was coming across as barking, panting, and pacing but in the past six months that stress was starting to turn a bit more aggressive.  We needed to get her out of the city, so that all of us could be a little less stressed.  Well, it happened.  Jon stopped by Colorado for a quick visit with his family and to get Ripley to her new/old home back on the Ranch with Grandpa, Oma, and the horses.  I am happy to report that Ripley seems to be settling in quite nicely and Dotty has only had one setback in the form of an "accident" on Alessandra's pillows.  Dotty has been quite clingy but I have to say the stress level in the house has gone down considerably.  

Okay, back to our Leipzig trip.  

It started out and ended a bit bumpy but all in all it was so relaxing.  We had some plans fall through with one of our friends but it ended up working out perfectly because it gave us an entire day to sleep in, enjoy an awesome breakfast, get into town, wander around the city center which is essentially one big Christmas Market.  Then we went to check out the new mall, and then one more quick trip through the train station and then back home.  Saturday we spent the entire day with The GKS's.  And Sunday we traveled back home.  

The beginning of the week was slow enough, I purposely cancelled our usual routine so we could be home with Dot.  So that translated to all of us going over to My-tilda's house on Monday afternoon, and My-tilda and her mum Alice coming over to our house on Tuesday afternoon.  But then it all turned - and quite suddenly too.  Alessandra got really sick, and really quickly.  In the matter of a few hours she went from this...

 to this... 

it was horrible.  And it has only been in the last half of today that I would say she's back to normal.  And when I say that please read, asking for ice cream for every meal.  :o)  

Well, luckily for us, or maybe just me, Jon will be back home tomorrow.  And I will have another person to take care of.  No just kidding.  I will have another person to help take care of everything.

Charmian 

Zero Degrees

Jon and I finally caved.  It hit zero today so we turned on some of the heaters.  It has been feeling more like winter and less like summer these days.

This weekend Jon and I made another trip to Ikea to get the stuff we need to have overnight guests.

Lisa and Ben are just a couple hours away by train and it's taking everything in me not to just pack a bag and go see them.  

Jon got all of our Ikea stuff up and even found time to 

hang a little project I've had sitting on the sidelines windowsill for a while now.  

We will be meeting up with them later this week.  Jon is taking most of the week off and we'll be heading out.  Now we just need to figure out the logistics - YAY!!!

Biking Up the Rhein

Last night Jon got me a bike.  A brand new bike - out of a box.  

I was willing to settle on the Comfort bike but Jon was set on getting me the TREKKING 400.  

Sounds pretty impressive huh!  

In a nutshell it's a cross over.  

Not quite a mountain bike and not quite a cruiser.

Which I guess is perfect for me since 

I'm not quite a country bumpkin and not quite a city girl. 

  

Jon, the stud, actually assembled it with his few little bike tools in the parking lot.

And to celebrate our new found mobility 

we went on a 20km bike ride from our house up the Rhein and back again.

Here we are at the half way point getting ready to turn around and head home.  

Next time I'll have to stop and take some more pictures.  

Jon still needs to adjust a couple things 

and I really want to get a cushy seat 

but otherwise it's AWESOME!!!!

  Love it and I can't wait to ride it again tomorrow!

Yes, you read me right, I said tomorrow - I love my bike!

Charmian

Last Minute Dinner

A quick stay over in Leipzig before our little biking adventure left us with the tiniest bit of time to be able to see our GKS's.  We had a great dinner, some good wine, great homemade beer, stories, and lots of laughs.  

I was amazed how well the girls got along.  It's been over six months since they've seen each other and they played just like they did when they were seeing each other every week.  Is it possible that they remembered each other?  

They colored.

How stinkin' adorable is Sophia?!?

Look at those curls - too cute!

We finished off the night with Ring Around the Roses.   

Too much fun.  I can't wait until next time.  

Charmian

Happy Birthday Baby Boy

Three Years

In the blink of an eye you came and changed our lives, changed us as a couple, 

changed how we would parent your little spit fire of a sister.

I still think of you whenever I see little boys hugging and kissing on their mama.

I have loved you from the moment I saw your little heart beat flickering on the ultra sound screen.  And I will love you until my heart beats for the last time.

Happy Birthday Pearce!

Mommy loves you!

Child Labor and Potty Training

I am all about having Alessandra helping me clean up.  

Especially when she helped in making the mess.

For the most part, she enjoys it.

I said, for the most part.  :o)

But if it keeps her busy and gives me a minute to get something else done and in the process she's helping me even the tiniest bit.  Then I encourage her to help.  If I'm breaking any Child Labor laws then I guess you'll just have to call the authorities, and turn me in.

Because clearly I'm guilty.

Now onto another topic,one that I've been hesitant to talk about.

And that's potty training.

Mostly because I'm afraid to jinx it, but here goes.

Alessandra is pretty much potty trained.  I'm not exactly sure when one is considered potty trained but she's been out of diapers and in panties or pull ups for quite some time.  Yes, she still has accidents but for the most part she goes pee and poop in the potty.  She is a bit obsessed with the potty right now so everything, and I mean everything has to go potty.  So far, knock on wood, nothing has actually fallen in the potty but I do believe Alessandra will have all of her dollies and stuffed animals 

potty trained by the end of the month.

Charmian

Dallas

July 7th - 9th

We took a quick detour to Texas to see Grampa, Gramma, GG Dee Dee, 

Uncle Ryan, Aunt Bucket (Camile), and Jackson.  

It was so relaxing.  

We enjoyed some shopping,

(I want to put this in just so I don't forget that it happened.  While shopping in Dallas Alessandra was offered her first modeling job at a show that was going to be taking place next week.  We had to gracefully decline because we had to head back to CO.  But it was pretty flattering.) 

"Ommy - look at my new pretty dress!"

slip 'n slidin,  

good food, 

and even better company.

Charmian

New Camera

I got a new camera for my birthday from my Mom.  I love it!  It's smaller than my cell phone and takes really great pictures.  Now I just have to get back into the habit of taking pictures so you can see and not just read about our (not so) crazy little adventures.  Here are a few of our "test" shots.  Above Rose and Cinnamon.

Dale - a little Dazed and Confused recovering from knee surgery.

My Mom.  I'm not sure what's brighter her shirt or her smile.  :o)

And last but not least my brother.  Look at those eyes - WOW!

Love my new camera!!!

Charmian