Little Big Boys

Lately the boys have been growing up in leaps and bounds. We've been out hiking and walking a lot lately, and both boys are troopers for long distances! Josiah has graduated from his crib to a toddler bed. Josiah talks all the time and tells "jokes". His favorite jokes are about granola bars - and all the weirdest places one could find a granola bar. Nathaniel laughs hysterically about Josiah's jokes. I gave both of them haircuts today. They have been squabbling and acting like brothers, not at all like babies.

Yesterday we harvested our first peas from the garden. Both boys helped pick a bowl full. Nathaniel loaded them into his dump truck and wheeled them into the house and dumped them on the counter. He called it "hardhat harvesting!" We've also been out strawberry picking/devouring on 4 occasions on a local farm. The boys little red-berry stained faces are a joyful sight to see!

Nathaniel had an opportunity to help promote Daddy to the position of Major in the US Army. Nat ripped off the Captain's patch and put on the new patch for Major. He got it on nice and straight and was very pleased with his official part of the ceremony. We all shook hands and Nathaniel acted very civil for quite awhile! Go TOM! Go Nat! I love you guys!

Our House

We now live in a duplex in a residential neighborhood on our post. It is quite nice. The kitchen is very big and I am loving all the nooks to store stuff - it is like a dream of mine to someday have a "place for everything and everything in its place" and this is a step in the right direction! There are 4 bedrooms upstairs, a main floor dining and living area, and also a basement for laundry and storage.

There is a small yard. The kids love the outdoor space, and we can just go right out the back door and not have to go down 3 flights of stairs. Yesterday they were just covered in mud, since it has been raining here, and they were as happy as could be! We have our own washer and dryer, too, so mud is not too big of a problem. I didn't need more indoor space, as I don't know how to decorate and am rather predictable, but the yard and a future flower/vegetable garden thrills my heart.

Nathaniel made me a "mocha coffee" today (mud, in a small green bucket) and has been picking little flowering weeds for me. He has been very affectionate lately (and argumentative, we take the good with the bad). Finally, spring has arrived - breezy and fresh and it beckons us outside every day. Tom has been extended in our location until summer of 2011, so we'll enjoy all the seasons in this home. I've attached 2 pictures - enjoy - and come see us for yourself!

Long Time, No Updates...

Sorry it has been awhile. We've moved! We are still at the same APO address, but a different German house address. Tom was selected to be promoted to Major (way to go!) and we had the opportunity to move to a bigger house that has a yard! We jumped on that chance and have been busy packing, moving, rearranging and so on. Now we are settled, but it took about a month for the phone company to hook our phone and internet. So we've been "webless" and (gasp!) we've survived to tell about it.

The boys have been busy digging and riding their little bikes and trikes all over the lawn. I am looking forward to the coming of spring and planting some flowers and vegetables in our space, too. Spring is slowing appearing in little places where bulbs are sprouting and it is encouraging.

Grandpa Denny and Grandma Sue made the big flight over the ocean and visited us here for the last 10 days. It was a wonderful time of talking and enjoying beauty here in Germany. The kids loved their visit and Josiah has asked me several times "Where Grandpa Denny? Where Daddy?" It is quiet today here; it feels kind of lonely to put away the extra bedding and eat the leftovers from our time together with such wonderful guests.

We really do enjoy visitors - so please come on over. We now have an extra bedroom and an extra bed!! Hooray!

Photos of our house and our European adventures with the Grandparents will soon follow. But I do have to get to work around here, too, and the kids are especially needy today. I suppose they are kind of let-down after all the attention and fun of the last weeks.