Auntie Quinn Visit

We got to enjoy Auntie Quinn time for five days at the end of June. She stayed with us on her way home from India. Quinn has a unique ability to be both firm and fun with my children that I really admire - you don't usually see that in a 21-year-old with no kids. Here is shot of her and Viv making cookies. This post would be far more interesting if she would respond to my request for more pictures taken with her camera.... Quinn? Hello?

Two-Wheeler!

So, my daughter has officially learned to ride a two wheel bicycle 2 years earlier than I did. I would like to credit her father's genetics and harsh Prussian teaching methods for 80% of the success. The other 20 is just her tenacity. I am also grateful that this will free up a much needed seat in our double stroller for the new guy! Thanks big sister.

Strawberry Picking to the Rescue

Fortunately, our bike ride was salvaged when we came upon a pick-your-own-strawberry patch on the way home!


Words cannot possibly do justice to the joy experienced by a 17-month-old human when he discovers that there is something growing on the ground, at his level, that he can pick and squish and eat. Amazing. Not many of mine made it into the basket, but, rather straight into my baby birdie's mouth. See proof:

National Lampoons Family Bike Ride

Daddy had some ambitious morning plans for the family to take a bikeride through the nearby German farmers' fields to arrive at the Airfield where he works. This is only an 8km ride or so from where we live, however, our maps were insufficient to get us there. Here are some shots of us at the 2 hour mark trying to remain positive. Note - my "Co-Pilot" had become less than enthused at this point.

AKKK - Where is my Baby?

Granted, his hair was getting a little bit long, but the Size 4 blade on our clippers seems to have turned my bebecito into a big boy instantaneously. The jury is still out on this cut, but comments have been made about our "Basic Training Baby" and such which are not helping this emotional mother cope.

Pretzel-Making

You know he is a good dad if he let me get this shot of him with the paper cap! Vivian and Daddy enjoyed making us all homemade soft pretzels from a kit Grandma mailed us. It made six pretzels and I think Seth ate three of them. Great fun.

Father's Day

You know, as I typed the title to this post I paused - as I always do with this holiday - to consider the grammatically correct spot for the apostrophe. You know, is it "Fathers' Day" - a day for all dads or "Father's Day" - like Mr AWOL's special day. Well, grammar can wait, because the sentiment around here was definitely one of celebrating our special Dad. He manages to always ensure that we know we are number one in his book, despite the hectic nature of his Active Duty Army life.

Nonetheless, I was still impressed by the rigor of this guy's breakfast-in-bed request! Viv and I had to bust out a Croissant-Egg-American-Cheese-Bacon Sandwich and there had to be a latte and o.j. to boot! We met the challenge. Here they are in bed together all before 0700 - thanks to exuberant Viv's excitement.

Thank You

Sarah and Ben, for allowing this young American Army family to penetrate such an unlikely sphere in the middle of the Swiss Alps. We never could have done so otherwise and the experience was singular and amazing. This one takes the cake as our best 4-day yet.

I can't believe this is real

We awoke to snow-capped mountains, blue skies, and the sounds of dairy cowbells ringing through the valley. We dined on local cheeses and yogurts, we enjoyed gondola rides, blue mountain streams, duck ponds, a fairy ride in a pristine mountain lake and, of course, great meals and conversation. At the close of the four days I found myself thinking - "Did that really just happen?"

Lenk, Switzerland

US Army soldiers are blessed with one four-day weekend per month while assigned overseas; it is so awesome. We were invited (these are some good friends) by our dear friends, Sarah and Ben, to come spend our June 4-day with them in the small Swiss Alpine village of Lenk.

Jazz Ballet Final Class

Vivian has been participating in a jazz-ballet class for about three months, today was the last class. I am lukewarm about how this class went, so this post is, correspondingly, lukewarm.

Pre-Natal Yoga

My pregnancy workout schedule consists of 6am walks around the neighborhood followed by a pregnancy yoga tape in the living room. The tape is 60 minutes long, so I have never made it to the end without being joined by another sleepy-eyed participant around 0650 or so.