Obsessed is an understatement!

For those who know Jack well, you know that he is obsessed with Toy Story. He has all the characters, sleeps with them, quotes lines from the movies, and generally talks about it all day long! My favorite quote that he says is "Hey there Little Lady." He even walked up to our German Landlady and said it. It was HILLARIOUS! He says it to his baby sister all the time. So, needless to say he LOVES his new summer PJs! So much that this morning he threw a fit when it was time to get dressed. (I didn't take a picture of the fit. I don't need a reminder of this part of the two year old stage).

Another Performance

Isabella had another ballet performance today. This time it was at a beautiful theater in Ramstein Village. It was nice that it was off base so that the German community could come and watch as well. Steve had to fly, so it was just me and the kids. I was a bit worried about how Jack would do, but thanks to my IPhone he did just fine.


Isabella and some of her friends and fellow blue birds (I don't know why she looks so serious, she was goofing off with her friends until it was time to take a picture)


One of her favorite things...curtain call


Outside the theater

A Sleeping Baby...

is a happy baby...



see the grin?

Our Super Saturday!

We had a WONDERFUL Saturday. The weather has been perfect, the kids are starting to feel better after having colds, and Steve didn't have to work! We headed downtown this morning, in what has become a favorite thing to do on Saturdays. We love the market! The fresh flowers and produce are all from local farmers and at a great price. It is so interesting watching people as well. Steve and I always try to find all the Americans, because, well, sometimes they stick out pretty obviously! Having three young kids makes it obvious to all that we're Americans, as Germans RARELY have more than two children. We always end our time downtown with a Galati from our favorite Galati stand. Isabella and Steve's favorite is lemon and strawberry, and I share my tiramisu and mocha with Jack.











This afternoon after a crazy commissary trip (why do I always pick the busiest days to go get groceries?), Steve grilled steaks on the grill and we ate out on the back deck. I love eating outside because it makes clean up a lot easier! Jack can make all the mess he wants and I don't have to worry about vacuuming it all up!





After dinner Steve was brave enough to let Isabella and Jack help him wash the Honda. It was so cute watching them. We were a bit concerned that Jack would quickly lose interest, but he had a blast! I think he cleaned the same spot the whole time! :) Isabella, as usual, was a big help and enjoyed playing in the water on a warm evening.

Charlotte is 3 months old!

I know every parent says this about their child, but Charlotte is growing up way too fast! She is trying to roll over, and has started to laugh (especially when Isabella and Jack are giggling). She also knows how to get your attention. If she wants someone to look at her she'll screech until you do. Yes, we're in big trouble! She doesn't sleep as much as her sister and brother did at this age, but we are grateful that she is sleeping through the night. During the day she usually prefers to take 20-30 minute naps in her swing. When she's awake she loves to put her fist in her mouth. It's hard to think that she's teething already, as Isabella and Jack didn't get their first teeth until they were over a year old.

We are so blessed to have Charlotte in our lives. It's so hard to believe that a year ago we had no idea that our family was going to have such a wonderful addition!

I love the evening!

One of my favorite parts of the day is just after dinner, when all the dishes are cleaned up, we head out as a family and take a nice walk down one of the many paths in the village. I love that even though we live in a good size village, and on a main road, we have beautiful scenery and paths. The kids love running, and we like that it makes them good and tired for bed!


Getting rid of all their energy!




Charlotte loves to ride in The Bob.






Walking past the farm with the cows that often make their way to our backyard!


The "marshmallows" as Isabella calls them (it’s actually hay).






Jack must have been warm because he was running holding his shirt up.

Sleeping Beauty

Isabella had her first ballet recital tonight and she did a fantastic job. She looked so cute playing the part of a blue bird in the ballet production of Sleeping Beauty.

Happy, Happy, Happy

Well, all of us our pretty happy (most of the time), except for Steve. He had the thrill of having a wisdom tooth pulled on Friday. They always say that the swelling is at its worst on the third day (today), so he went to work expecting all the typical chipmunk jokes. I try to keep the jokes to myself when he's home. :)

So, who's happy....



Charlotte started baby "laughing" yesterday, a perfect Mother's Day gift. She mostly laughs when Isabella or Jack laugh. You can already tell that she wants to be in the middle of whatever her sister and brother are doing.

Our Mother's Day was sweet. We didn't go to church, as Steve was pretty miserable, and so was Jack (ailing from the terrible twos).