Brrrr...

It was a cold winter.

We had record lows, bus stop normals were hovering around 0 degrees.

We had record snow days: 8

Thank goodness spring is almost here.

Germany

Howie and I had a European adventure together.  

We traveled across the ocean to see our good, good friends in Northern Germany.  

We love you guys and miss you tons!!

Hamburg, Germany:

Playing tag on the street of Stade, Germany.

An ancient gate in Lubeck, Germany.

Howie and I enjoy the streets of Bremen after taking the ICE train from Hamburg.  Bremen has many fairytale attractions that made the day trip a fun one.

At the Bremen train station:

The spielplatz (playgrounds) were a highlight for Howie. 

At the playground at E and N's school in Hamburg:

Enjoying German Go-Go Squeeze.  Food was a little tricky, but thanks to the extreme research of the BFF, we had a safe and fabulous week...

Happy New Year 2014

We set the clocks ahead 3 hours to trick ourselves into ringing in the New Year without getting too sleepy.  I told everyone that it was "for the kids' sake," but we all know it was for my sake... Yawn!  Is it already 9 pm?

*Happy New Year Everyone*  

Merry Christmas 2013

We enjoy a family service at church for Christmas Eve. 

"For unto us a child is born..."

Followed by Christmas exploding all over the living room the next morning....

Cincinnati Conservatory

The boys and I head downtown to the Conservatory for some Christmas cheer.  After admiring the "beautiful river" (per Howie), we are dazzled by the displays at the indoor botanical gardens.  

Trains and moving displays are very exciting to Johnny while Howie enjoyed the interactive stations where his hand could manipulate the displays.  I liked the enormous poinsettia tree that has become a staple of this place.  I manage to get a photo of the boys in front of it as they do their 

santa-is-coming-and-we-cannot-contain-our-excitement-so-we-wrestle pose.  

As we are leaving, an EMS crew was pulling up to help someone.  

Howie remarks, "Someone probably touched the cactus."  

Traditions

Visiting our local nativity with Steve and Odile has become a tradition for our family.  

It's a great time to pause during the busy season and connect with friends as well as get some sheep time in.  And everybody needs a little sheep time to make it a perfect Christmas.  

Johnny's Preschool Program

We all get the pleasure of watching Johnny's first Christmas program.  He spent a majority of his time fiddling with his shirt (almost had it off at one point), picking the tape off the floor and admiring the fabrics of the little girls' dresses.  We were astounded by his talents nevertheless.  

There is something so cute about watching preschoolers be herded onto a stage to put all their antics on display.  This program was adorable with singing, dancing and playing instruments.  

Joy to the world!! 

Kindergarten Winter Party

My Sweet Boy at the Kindergarten Winter Party

Johnny's Thoughts on Christmas Lights

While driving home in the dark the other night, Johnny makes a fun statement, "Mom!  Look!  At night, the trees disappear and the lights come out."

Thanksgiving 2013

What are we thankful for?  

Family.  

This holiday brings the family to town... and then they stay!  Gamma and Pap Pap settled into their new home, just down the road.  We are bubbling with joy to have them here.  What a special, special gift for the family.  

A hike through the woods determines that you can grow into a man, but still be a little boy at heart.  My dad enjoyed breaking the ice on the pond and throwing snowballs as much as the 3 year old.  Here is a picture of "Fort Stevens", the boys designed and built for the sake of creating something.  

Look closely.... there is a boy in that tree.