The Boys, and Thanksgiving #4

Our last Thanksgiving celebration was with Troy’s friends from growing up in the Sunset hood.  Amazing food, with a different menu than the other 3 celebrations.  It has been years since we all have been together, and it was so much fun to hear the laughter about the old days – now that most of them are over 40 we can call them the old days…

the next generation (all girls by the way) had a pretty good time, especially when they were able to watch disney on the big screen!

Happy 4th of July!

What other way would we celebrate 4th of July in Germany, than at a Beer Garden.  Seriously, what is more American than BBQ, Brats, and Beer?  Throw a playground in, and it would be heaven for most people in the US…

For us, one last chance to see friends before the big move, and a great way to spend a (last) sleepy Sunday afternoon…

we even had a few sparklers left over from New Years I think…

The kiddies – we brought the flags, and I felt like I channeled a bit of the Baker 4th when all the kids lined up for the photo, and ice cream…   Thank you all for joining us & making our send off so amazing!!

Play with the Lanclemps

We had a great time with our friends from Paris on their way back from vacation in Italy.  Sophia & Constance have been friends since Sophia’s 2nd birthday (Constance’s first party at 1 month old), and as the years have passed the girls have had such a great time together…  Alexandra & Phineas are only 6 weeks apart, and so far so good! Constance slept in Sophia’s room, Sophia’s first real sleep over, and everyone slept really late!! (almost 8:30!!) Saturday was a rainy day at the play park next to our favorite beer garden (which still isn’t open because it is so frickin cold!!!!) So the kids played with the dads, while Kate & I ran downtown to do a bit of shopping, and then we all met up for lunch at the Park Cafe in the kids section.  Which meant that we all were happy!!

It was as they were leaving, and Sophia was asking “when?,” that we realized this is probably the last time that we will be dropping in on each other for vacations.  Yes, the east coast isn’t all that far from us in Seattle, and maybe that will become our new focus over the next few years – lets face it, jet lag will be a lot easier.  But we look forward to seeing all of our Paris friends very soon! 

(GIRLS weekend in Boston next year?!)

Romance in Verona

We thought that Verona would be a good stopping point on the drive back to Munich.  Time to stretch out in the windy streets, and enjoy a little of the romance of Romeo & Juliette – especially at night.

It was also a perfect place to be on May 1, labor day in Europe, and normally a day when everything is shut down (seriously even the subway system was closed until 3pm the year we were in Vienna)…  Everything was open in Verona, and open late!  YEA!!

Nana & Papa in the courtyard entrance to Juliette’s balcony, while Sophia & I went into the “Museum to Love” in order to play Juliette. 

and check out the dinner party being set up on the terrace on the next building! The Roman Arena, which is still used for Operas during the summer season, was being set up for a concert – amazing to see how many people fit inside! Troy & Alexandra met up with our friend Dominic and his daughter Ida, and played near the fountain while waiting for us… And then the girls just played & played… street performers are so great for kids!  Alexandra kept walking closer & closer, she was really fascinated with the music & the show.

Easter Monday at Versailles

It’s becoming a bit of a tradition, but we love going back to Versailles (and look forward to the day when the girls can rent bikes with us!) and wandering thru the gardens on Easter Monday. It’s another holiday in Germany & France, so there are usually tons of people there, but as it is such a huge park it doesn’t really matter.

However, given the vastness, we should have used the stroller earlier… Sophia was often 100 yards/meters ahead of us, and Alexandra had her own pace. She still has really short legs… and while Sophia took off up the hill, Troy ended up carrying Alexandra most of the way up, tickling her to get her to stay in his arms.

Then we had a snack break, where most of the snacks fell on the ground due to the spinning legs on the marble benches. And then back down to meet up with the Marc & Kate & their kids…

And then back for some play time on the balcony.

Having a Ball!

We had good intentions of going to the St. Patty’s Day parade today, but couldn’t take the idea of standing outside in the cold and snow, so we went indoors instead. Sophia brought a friend, and you can see the result. Enough running, jumping, sliding, bouncing, and burying to wear out two little six year olds.

New Friends

After being amazingly late to church on Sunday (I don’t think we were EVER this late before), we finally made it, and then were able to meet our new friend Benjamin after the service.  His parents, Annie & Jon, are so proud, and we fee so lucky to have been able to meet him.  Sophia was especially proud to be able to hold him first,

while I just had to standby and Alexandra reminded Philip how cute she is and then the parents took over, and Annie & Jon shared their joy We were just so thrilled to be part of his introduction to people in his life.  Thanks for sharing Benjamin with us!!

xx