Sunday, January 31, 2016

Exploring Denver

A few weeks ago I traveled over to our soon-to-be home, Denver, Colorado. I was there to explore the city; learn about the school systems; discover the mountains; and get to know the style of life. The trip was definitely worth it; I left excited, overwhelmed, and happy that we are diving into a new adventure.

I landed to this. That is a blue sky, a rare sight in Germany.

 

I spent the week with my brother and my sister-in-law. Both were incredibly generous with their home, their groceries, and their contacts. My sister-in-law was also remarkably generous with her project management & crazy-lady management skills. She kept me on time and focused on what was really important and that wasn't always an easy task.

Together we drove around the city; drank a staggering range of craft beers; and laughed. There was a lot of laughter.


Even my sister flew in for less than two days. Together we drove up into the mountains and explored. The Mr. is a certified snowboard instructor and may want to work up in the mountains...or just play in them...so we had to confirm the commute.

 
Its a pretty fabulous commute with incredible views. Around Breckenridge we got out and walked around. The kids are going to love it. 


 

My sister-in-law cooked a number of great meals, including fabulous crab legs. We all ate too many of them. It was worth it.
 


 
I also got to see the rest of the family that live in Colorado. Together we ate excellent Mexican and drank fabulous wine & beer.


In a wonderful twist of fate, a friend that has also lived in our small German town now lives just north of Denver. We met up and she introduce me to an awesome tea place in Boulder.
 

 

Throughout the week, we slowly shopped and then ordered a bedroom set for the kids. Did I mention how generous my brother and sister-in-law are? They've set aside a complete room for our kids. Our kids are really looking forward to their new bunk beds, fancy covers, & resting chairs.


Meanwhile, back in Germany, the kids were doing surprisingly well. The one exception was a phone call when little Jelly Bean held the phone to her ear, walked from room to room in our home, and then sadly stated, "mommy nicht find you."

Otherwise, PJ enjoyed his first sleep over with his long-time buddy Super Soph. He also stepped up his drawing and coloring game.


Sadly, oh so sadly, the Mr. was corrupting our poor, poor children in my absence. Poor, poor kiddos. (Video below)


Thankfully I had these views to comfort me.




XO
 

Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Picnic in Bed

Oh my goodness! Oh my!

The Mr, Bean, and I had a picnic in bed. By the Mr's doing. 


Oh me, oh my! Look at how far he has come.


XO

Sunday, December 27, 2015

Christmas Cookies with Friends

Today we made Christmas cookies with our friend from Eritrea. It was her first time making sugar cookies. PJ and Bean ensured the experience was messy, loud, and wildly chaotic. 

So, fun. 




The final result was fabulous! Colorful iced cookies that were far too yummy for our own good. 

I'd share pictures but well, most of them are already gone. 

XO

Monday, December 21, 2015

Jelly Bean is Two!

Our little lady is TWO years old! It was a wonderful day full of family, friends, surprises, Minnie Mouse, and "backe backe kuchen" (cake). 

This was the first time she got to help bake cupcakes. She did a good job and ate only twice as much as made it into the cupcake holders. 


After a morning of preparing the house and ourselves, Bean got to open the first of her gifts. 

PJ helped. A lot. 

After naptime we all got dressed into our party clothes. She got to wear a brand new "princess" dress. 


The dress didn't stay for long - not a big surprise - and she got to be quite the expert at present opening by the end of the day. A number of friends came as well as family. It was a relaxed atmosphere with good people and good food. 


As the evening came to a slow close, Bean finally got a quiet moment with Granny and Grandpa together. 

We have so many more pictures, even with us parents!, of our wonderful day together. 

Birthdays are special, an opportunity to celebrate the birthday kid as well as reflect on how lucky the rest of us are for that specific birthday kid. 

Bean, I love you and I'm so grateful you joined us. 



XO

Special Family Time

Yesterday, without planning, the Mr and I ended up having special family time with each kid. 

First PJ went to a friend's house for a play date and Miss, the Mr, and I went to our local Christmas market together. 



When we got home, Miss crashed. 


So PJ, the Mr, and I got to watch a special Christmas movie together, all cuddled on the couch. 


I was reminded of how special these moments of attention and focus are for little and big ones. Life has be hectic and busy and fast. It doesn't have to be. 



XO

Sunday, December 13, 2015

Girls Shopping Trip

The girls popped out to do some Christmas shopping. 

The moving stairs were absolutely the first highlight for Bean. We rode them for a while and then she discovered a have-to-have headband. Girl has style. 

After all our shopping was done, she pointed out the "coffeelady!" And of course the CoffeeLady's massive cookies. 


I had a toffee nut latte and Ms. Proudly drank her water from a CoffeeLady cup. 



Xo
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