Hamburg Weekend

This last weekend we spent in Hamburg. It was the first weekend of Advent, and the beginning of Weihnachtmarkts all throughout Germany. They are so festive with sparkly lights, warm scents of mulled wine and roasting nuts, and vendors offering all kinds of gifts and gadgets. We went to a few in the city of Hamburg and in Luebeck as well.

We stayed with a wonderful family who once hosted Tom as a foreign exchange student while he was in high-school! It has been more than 12 years since he had seen them or even had contact! When he recalled their address, he wrote them about our living in Germany. They were excited to meet his whole family and asked us to come stay with them for a few days. We gladly accepted the invitation! It is always a wonderful experience in culture, language, and friendship to stay with a family, in their home. We enjoyed their hospitality, cultural insight, and touring around Hamburg (and the harbor) with resident experts! They loved on Nat and JT and enjoyed lots of affection in return.

Do You Know the Muffin Man?

Nat is my number one kitchen assistant. In fact, he's been known to pitch a fit if he realizes I've been baking without him during his nap! We've been baking lots of cakes, muffins, pies, and also making waffles for breakfast. It is a fun hobby for me, and I certainly enjoy it with Nathaniel, too. I hope he will continue to be my kitchen assistant, even when he's older!

Philosophizing

We've been enjoying the cool weather, fleecy coats and sweaters, and Nathaniel adores crunching in the leaves wherever we roam! We went on a hike in Heidelberg last week. It was a steep climb to the top of the river valley and then wonderful walk along the top of the ridge called the "Philosopher's Way." (Philosophen Weg) We tried to think deep thoughts, but mostly just laughed and talked and crunched leaves. Here's a few photos of our hike and a video of Nat's leaf crunching fun!

Halloween

I always have mixed feelings about Halloween. I think it is so fun to dress up in costume and pretend to be something or someone else....and of course, I love candy! However, I hate it when people dress up in gory outfits meant to scare children. In fact, those costumes and decorations give me the creeps, too. So, I hope we will always be able to find a Christian event to attend and enjoy the candy and costumes in a safe place. This year, we enjoyed a fun evening at our church's Fall Fest. Nathaniel dressed up and squeaked like a mouse all evening. He enjoyed the bounce house, the fishing game, trunk-or-treating, doing crafts, and a bean bag toss. Josiah enjoyed watching the festivities and sleeping, too. We all had a great time. Isn't Nathaniel a cute little mousey?! Here's a few photos from our fun night.

Nat's Imagination

Nathaniel has such a funny imagination. He pretends to be characters from books (see the picture of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie"). Recently he and Tom had an opportunity to ride in a firetruck, which they both thought was really cool! Also, he absolutely loves anything to do with automobiles. He builds them with Duplo blocks, he drives them all over the house, he narrates all our adventures with his vehicle observations, and sometimes pretends that he is a car or truck or airplane. In fact, he has a special hug he gives to Daddy that involves a race car engine sound! He calls it his "McQueen Hug" (like the race car in the Disney Cars movie). There is a video below of Nat's "McQueen Hug"...enjoy!

2 Month Old Statistics

Josiah turned 2 months old a short while ago. He is growing healthy and strong and full of funny facial expressions. He loves to ooh and ahh and chuckle and wiggle.

Poor guy had to have his first round of immunization shots, a weigh-in, and had to sit in the doctor's office without clothes for couple hours of waiting. He endured it all quite well. He is now 13 pounds and 24 inches long -- which puts him in the 90th percentile for both measurements!

Here's a few photos from October 12th, his "birthday."

He's Clever!

I thought I'd share a few quotes from Nat over the last week. He cracks me up! =)

Tom asks, "What's this ring on Daddy's hand for?" (expecting to have a discussion on marriage)...
Nat replies (smiling confidently, he knows the right answer), "For your ring finger!"

Upon hearing JT's coos and grunts, Nat says, "He's making noises!!"
Then Sara asks, "What kind of noises?"
Nat replies (smiling once again, with great triumph, he knows he is right), "Animal noises!!"

Nat was trying on his new Cars underwear and talking with Tom about going in the potty.
Nat says, "Hmmm, yeah. Pretty cool." Then he shrugs his shoulders and walks away.
Conversation ended. I don't think we're getting very far with this.

What's New (besides the baby)...

Despite rainy days, we get out and about whenever we can. Over the last month, we've enjoyed outings to Heidelberg for a Volksmarch, to Duerkheim for the Wine-fest, and Boleslawiec (Poland) for a weekend missions trip at the Elim Mission.

Protestant Women of the Chapel (PWOC) bible study has started up again and I am enjoying the fellowship and the challenge to stay in God's word. Tom has started again leading Praise and Worship at our church, though I am staying at the sidelines for now. Nat "graduated" from the nursery (both in PWOC and at church) to the 2-4 year old preschool groups. This means he is getting bible lessons (check out our great curriculum!) and memory verses each week. He has an amazing memory and it is good for his parents to keep up on memory verses, too! JT has been sleeping for 4 hours shifts at night, and during the day enjoys staring at colorful toys with his arms and legs flying about.

So, that's what's new (besides the baby)...enjoy a few photos of those events!

The Boys

We have been busy with our 2 little boys. Too busy to blog for quite some time!! Here's a few pictures of our boys. They are "getting along" well thus far. Nat likes to help bathe and massage lotion onto JT. He shares with little brother (sometimes toys land on him while sleeping in the bassinet). He enjoys hugging, kissing, and otherwise loving ALL OVER his little brother. It is sweet, but sometimes a little bit too loving =).

Here is a few pictures of things we've found to do lately such as noodle necklaces, play-dough, puzzles, and a cardboard race car. Nat loves monster truck and race car movies. Oh, my precious, silly boy. I am struggling to invent enough things for him to do around the house while I try to feed and care for JT. The weather has turned to Autumn here and it is quite chilly and rainy lately. So, we are experiencing cabin fever (and various other 2-year-old crazy behaviors). I am feeling frustrated with Nat, though I am sure his behavior is quite normal. He's more defiant and oppositional than ever before. Please pray for us as we learn to deal with each other and that I (Mommy) would be kind and graceful, stern and wise, and creative, too.

Josiah's First 10 Days (outside the womb...)

Josiah is such a good baby thus far. He eats and returns right to sleep at night (and most the day, too). He even smiles when he is dreaming -- it is so cute! We are all in love with him and overjoyed with this precious gift of God. Please read on for a little information about Josiah's namesake, King Josiah of Judah (Old Testament in the Bible).

My Dad sent this email: WHAT'S IN A NAME?

I have been reading about Josiah in II Chronicles 34

Josiah was 8 years old when he became king and he reigned for 31 years over Jerusalem. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the ways of his forefather David, not turning aside to the right or the left. In the eighth year of his reign he sought the God of David. In his twelfth year, he began the major cleanup of Judah and Jerusalem. He broke to pieces the idols and cast images and he scattered them over the graves of those who had made sacrifices.
And that's only the beginning (Read II CH 34-35 and II Kings 21, 22, 23). I hope this little new life in Josiah can live up to his royal heritage in some small way......I love the name.
Dad