Buddies from home and the long walk

On Thursday (July 21, yes, I too am trying to keep track with this world wind of travel) the kids and I were packed up in hopes of being totally prepared to enjoy every second of our visitors Nicole and Chris. They spent the previous week touring Italy and the amalfi coast. It was thrilling to pick them up at the airport and welcome them into our German home for 2 nights. We sat out on our porch and had wine chatting about their adventures and catching up.


They didn't have big plans for their single day in Germany so we tried to pack it with some of our favorite highlights. Nick's final day at Kindergarden, (he brought brownies in the day before that showed where he would be traveling too etc... yummy treat)


a little hot chocolate in downtown stuttgart (yes diane, I was thinking of you!)





and than onto the big adventure - a hike up to Hohen neuffen Castle. Chris and I have visited it several times and I love how simply old it is. It looks like it was actually built for battle and not by some snotty rich guy who wanted to show off his money.


The only problem with our adventure is my husband was at work. Any one who knows me (and Nicole knew this) knows my sense of direction is horrible. So when our adventure started by the GPS landing us at a parking lot unfamiliar to me it really went downhill from there (first uphill of course).

Yes, that way, we think












The trek up took well over an hour (10 minute hike, ya right) by the end we were all carrying a child!
























The castle was great - upon our decent, the skies opened and started raining - awesome - Well, there is only one way down right?? We weren't interested in taking the narrow trail, so we took a different route (always a great idea).








At one point we all separated convinced that a particular intersection in the trail was the path to the car. Nicole is convinced she was correct - however we did quite a bit of wandering, and Chris and I are convinced, if given enough time, our paths would have been correct too. Between that and the man Nicole was hallucinating behind us... another story... we met up with a german lady along the way who we think gave us the correct directions even though her english was absent and she first wanted to confirm which town we parked in -which of course we had no idea.... we walked along the path and turned a corner into a clearing. hopping it was the parking lot, but stumbled on.... yes, sheep.





The story ends happily, we found the car. When Chris said it, I thought he was using his sarcasm - something about carps flying again. But it was the mini! So happy to see it!! We drove home over two hours late in muddy jeans


Here we are 'refreshed' and having dinner at the tiki bar.





Tomorrow is the big day! 6AM departure..... tired legs

What a performer...

Bet you thought I was talking about one of my kids... Nope, Bon jovi!! Hahahaha right? Well, as Chris was driving home from work Wednesday night he heard a Bon Jovi ticket give away trivia. Being the thoughtful hubby he called me to make sure I knew he was touring, I quickly looked it up and sure enough, Jon Bon Jovi would be playing Saturday night at an outdoor venue in Mannheim (a little over an hour away). So how do we get there? Chris offered to stay home with the dudes and I sent an email out to my buddies to see who was interested a night with Jon as I volunteered to be the DD. (I remember seeing an old high school friend of mine whitney posting about being at a bon Jovi concert 35 weeks pregnant!! So what's stopping me!!). Kelly and her sister where totally game! They scored the tickets and off we went.

We walked in and checked out the yummy food and drink venues and than realized it was time to find a seat. Folks were sitting really anywhere. It was almost disappointing as we were so far back and totally crowded. After standing for a bit wondering 'is this it' we had to find the bathroom. Great idea which yielded much better seats!! We could see everything and not at all crowded.













The night was just beautiful. The weather held out with only a few rain drops.

I love how Bon jovi performs. Anything from 'bad medicine' (which yes, I wish they all walked out looking like the big hair band that they were 15 years ago, but I am dating myself.) to 'It's my life' here's the video, and yes, this time I opted to leave out my singing... I didn't have enough beers to think I was that good.

Heres a taste of their old stuff... Now those are the days right?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMKgvFy6JtA&feature=youtube_gdata_player

My favorite song of the night was their cover of hallelujah. I loved his passion, but I truly enjoyed being enveloped by a crowd that was simply singing every word. I'm sure this video doesn't do it justice ( my card actually filled up cutting it short) but listen to end end as you can hear the crowd. It will serve as a warm reminder to me.

Here is a more professional recording of the song from Madison square garden

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fN6CtukfEY&feature=youtube_gdata_player


He went from this into 'living on a prayer' and ended with 'love is the only rule'. We joined the crowded streets and headed for home. Kelly chatted with me the whole way home! Thank you, thank you! I walked into a sleeping family and climbed into bed at 1:45, great night. This morning I heard about their adventures to the fish fest in Stuttgart (not where this pregnant lady wants to be). Thanks to Chris for sending me out and thanks to Kelly, Cory and of course Jon for a memorable night!

28 weeks --- who's counting?

So here is that bellie shot for the record books. Life as a pregnant lady isn't too bad. That 26/27 week back pain has seemed to take a 'back' seat which is fabulous. I surely still get tired more often, but that's normal (just frustrating). The difference in this pregnancy is in May I was diagnosed as being beta strep G positive. That with contractions, I have be taking meds (in a variety of methods) to help with the infection and stop the contractions as it seems one of their concerns is premature labor. Having never been in any type of risk category this was a bit unnerving for me. Especially since there really isn't much I can do about it. The dr.s are wonderful and I think they often error on the conservative side. However their ability to fully explain the meds, concerns, and 'going forward' notes leaves me with more questions.

Thankfully we have a significantly successful OBGYN dr. On Chris's side of the family. I took the time to write to Anne last week with my ultra sound photos and prescription notes. She wrote back instantly putting me at ease with what I knew to be true, I just wanted to hear the American take... That email was forwarded to my mom as she is having anxiety and as we all look forward to 4 weeks together at camp Carlson we want to make sure all is well.

It looks like my prescription for compression stockings (coming back in style!) will be all I will need. That and the helpful hands of my best friend from college, Nicole! I remember originally planning our stateside flight being early in my pregnancy thinking, sure it will be nice to have Nicole and her husband Chris on my flight-now it's become rather essential and I couldn't be more thankful to have their helpful hands during the 8 hour leg from Frankfurt to Detroit. My mom will meet me in Detroit where we will spend 2 quick days with my aunt and uncle and exploring on the streets of the beloved city, Ann arbor! I will save the rest of the story for a blog at a later date;)

So cheers - Like the glass?  Its from Cougar Town, a show Chelcy got me into, and Farrah sent the glass.  It can fit an ENTIRE bottle of wine.  They recommend a 1/4 glass at this stage of pregnancy.  Looks like I am using the correct glass.  hahaha!  Thanks ladies for knowing me too well

Now here is the best way to enjoy these weeks of my pregnancy, as a life guard! We do have an awesome pool in neuhausen, however I feel there will be days when just life guarding in my back yard will be the best. So nick and I went to Real together (Walmart in Germany) and purchased this pool and slide. Sweet!!

Time to welcome the summer!



I am very fortunate to have such a helpful husband. I know after working all day it's hard to come home and jump into family life, so it never seizes to amaze me at how quickly he strips off his sweaty bike clothes (his bike ride, when he doesn't pop a tire or wade through mud-both of which he did this week-is his true therapy) and hops in with dinner, baths, or bed routine. When I watch him do this, my thoughts of going back to work anytime soon diminish. On a daily basis I catch myself NOT rushing Shane as he ambles down the 20 stairs at the post office, or when nick can't seem to put his clothes on (again!) etc... I think they enjoy having me in a more relaxed place and for now, it's best for all of us. Life is always changing, and I am currently enjoying the now.

Photos by Micah Cummings

We were blessed to have a local celebrity living in Stuttgart - at least we all consider her to be such.  Micah is an amazing photographer with a personality to fill a room.  She has three children with her 4th on the way and makes live seem so enjoyable with all she tackles.  Her family will be moving to Virginia in August (only a month after her little one is due). 

We were thrilled to be able to schedule some time with her for our family.  We all met at the Bebenhausen Monastery in Tubingen on a Tuesday night.  In typical germany fashion, it was pouring down rain.  But as I have always said while living here - 'if you let the rain stop your plans, than you may never be able to make plans!!' 

Since we didn't have any frilly dresses, of perfect hair to worry about (I was hoping she could photo shop some make up and great hair on me.....) we drove on. 

Its never possible to decide on a 'best' photo so or course we purchased the CD which I am thrilled we did.  Most of where we post and enjoy photos is through digital media anyway - so here they are for you to enjoy too!

The boys first!

Shane was having a hard time smiling - so even Nick joined in the 'peek-a-boo' game. 

I think she had quite a few photos that looked like this, where was my smiley dude? 

Oh wait, there he is... 

I loved all the different expresions she caught of Nick 

This is Nick's version on the Shane Face 

I to schedule this appoitnment as late as possible in hopes of catching a 'bigger bellie'  but since its our 3rd little one - no need to wait, the bellie is already huge.  (do we really have to wait 40 weeks?)  Love their little hands. 

Three of the best looking boys - lets add one more! 

Dad, can you make him smile? 

My serious man 

This was my favorite family photo - i think Nick doing the Shane face kind of adds to it (at least that is what I tell myself...) 

Chris thinks this one is a close 2nd... 

Think they are playing in dirt?  Yup! 

The artistic shot 

Here is my desire for the 'fall' picture as that is my favorite time of year.  I had hats picked out and put aside for everyone to wear.  of course nick found them before we left and seemed to 'relocate' his.  Farrah finds it amusing that I blame my 4 year-old for the mis-hap in this photo.  We will have to recreate at another time. 

Thanks for a great evening Micah - We will treasure the photos for years to come!