PHOTO SHOOT 2011

I am so happy we had a wonderful friend take these pictures for us. It really feels like we are pulling teeth to get everyone to look at the camera, have a normal face (look for the goofy faces/smiles), to wear clean clothing, etc... it can be quite the ordeal. I just love the way they look and I am so happy we were able to sneak these in right before a delicious (and messy) ice-cream social. I love my little boys, my sweet and wonderful husband, and our very funny family! 

Krystal Palm Beach

 As a special treat we took the boys over to a great indoor swimming pool in Nuremburg. The above picture is the wave pool where they also have dance parties, hoola-hoop, and tug-of-war games for the kids to play when the waves are not crashing down on everyone. Also as one of their activities they threw colored rocks into the deep end and people could get them. Cael was so focused and determined to retrieve them that at first he jumped in there without his goggles. I was a bit worried watching him pop up for air and make it down to the bottom, back up, tread water, and go right back down. Surprisingly he actually found 3 rocks this way. It really was crowded in the pool during this time, so I kept watching him until he found me and got his goggles. Ben went along with him this time and together they found all the clear rocks, very difficult to see at the bottom of a swimming pool.

 Here Cael is holding his loot. 5 clear rocks and 3 hair bands! Way to go son!

And just for fun I started snapping pictures of random speedo-s in the area.... Ben really got a kick out of it when we got home. This one is going for a simple but elegant look- Black is very slimming...

 Even the elderly take part in the speedo trend... (see above)

 AND you can even go a little crazy with your pattern choice! Not a lot of fabric BUT the possibilities are endless!

*and if you are really adventurous... FRIDAY NIGHTS after 8 are bathing suits OPTIONAL!!! Oh you do not know how much I want to go...  JUST KIDDING!!! Just another one of the perks of living in Europe :) I actually was laughing a little too hard at these pictures so I had to make them smaller, you get the idea, but you aren't throwing up in your mouth while you read on....

Baby Connor thought it was really funny to bite my leg. I like this picture because of the crazy-happy look on his face, even though when he actually did bite my leg I was not feeling too happy! That little boy is sure a funny one to have around.

Brecon is ready to race! This boy has been doing so good putting his head under the water. He is trying hard to kick and use his arms, but he might need a good swimming teacher to really refine his skills, or weeks of swimminng laps like Cael got on swim team in Texas! Oh well! The kid is only 4 years old after all... wait that is how old Cael was on swim team, doh! We will keep on swimming, keep on swimming.....

Tour of Regensberg

Sister Bradley from church organized a walking tour of one of her favorite cities and we were excited to join in on the fun. It was interesting to learn about some of the buildings and a few of the legends surrounding this amazing city. One of my favorite stories is about the architects for the Cathedral and the bridge and how they had a bet to see who could finish their projects first. Well the bridge-builder made a deal with the devil to finish first, and in exchange the devil would take the first three souls to cross the bridge. On that day the Mayor, the Bishop, and the Ruler were going to be the first to cross. Well the architect quickly moved a chicken, dog, and pig in the very front and the devil took their souls. He was so upset that he grabbed the bridge in the middle and tried to bring it up. He angrily gave up and left with his three souls leaving the bridge with a nice bump in the middle. (this is a picture from our trip in February)

Ben is so great to have around. The mothers were all saying "no piggy-back rides" and He stacked them ALL up! Cael didn't hold them for very long and it was a good thing Dad was close by to grab the stack of falling boys.

 We also stopped by a building made famous by the architect who always would put a mouse somewhere on his structures. YES! I found it and was so happy.

 Another reason it is nice to travel with Ben. Entertainment. The boys were all pretty amazed with his magic tricks while we waiting for our warm Dompfnudle (not sure about the spelling there ) It is a warm sweet roll with a vanilla custard on top. Very tasty and sweet!

 ... and what walking tour would be complete without Eis? NONE I tell you!

 These three boys are great travel buddies. There is always screaming, running, and laughing... mostly the good kind and not too much trouble...

We love getting out and about and seeing the sights. We especially love that this great city is so close!

Frieberg and Poland

Ben and I knew we wanted to go to the temple together before the deployment began, so we did an overnight kid swap with the neighbors and made a dash for Frieberg. Thankfully they have housing on the Temple grounds that is very affordable and we made it in time of the evening session. It was a great feeling to be there that night and to sit together in the most peaceful place on Earth.

After getting back to our room we decided to go and find somewhere to eat. However it was about 9:30 and we soon realized that most places were already closed and we didn't really need a lot of food anyway. So driving back it was 10 and when we could see the Temple grounds it was apparant very quickly that the gate was locked! We parked our van across the street and walked around the side fence. Luckily there was a door we could open and get back to our room. For a minute there we thought we were going to have to break into the Temple... we are glad it didn't have to come to that.

Saturday morning we woke up and drove into Poland for our second trip for pottery. We went the last time in November and the area was brown and cold and not very inviting. July had much more to offer in the way of scenery for the little town and we got busy going to all the pottery shops we could find. A short stop for lunch, and we continued grabbing different pieces all across town. I kept remembering the last time we went and how I wished I would have found more pieces than what I came home with. This time Ben was very encouraging and I found quite a lot, but after putting all the pieces away, giving a few to friends and for gifts, I still feel like I need to buy some more!

 This was a cute building across from the smallest pottery shop we went to. It literally was a closet, with Mom and Pop painting in the next room. Only 4 different patterns to choose from, but that made it easy to pick my favorite.

 LAST SHOP OF THE DAY! Ben took about 30 pictures in this short time while I did a victory dance, there was even an "Elaine Bennis" kick there at the end.

 Ben got in on the action too! This was the end of his dance routine. I'm sure we looked pretty interesting to our fellow pottery shoppers, but at least we had a good time.

 Here Ben is thinking "oh crap... look at all this stuff we just bought"
This is one of my new favorite pieces. I love the color and design, as well as how useful it is for syrups and gravies. Sometimes I pour myself a glass of milk just to drink it out of this thing- I just love it!

This was such a short and great trip for Ben and I to spend together. Shopping, driving, eating bakery goodies, and having a bunch of laughs! Always makes for an enjoyable trip!

Let's review...

There has been a terrible accident where the rest of our Italy trip pictures are currently in limbo. We are hoping they are recovered, but until then I thought I would show a little bit of what our family had going on in May and the first part of June.

 "All I want for Christmas are my two front teeth"... such a funny looking smile, which has quickly changed already!

 Lookin' good boys! Poor Connor was not feeling to excited about the group huddle I guess.

 Cael had his birthday and we went camping in teepees with the Durtschi's. Yes we had a great time and Yes the boys are running around without their shirts on. That is how we roll.

 The boys were having a great time with the glowstick dance party.

Rise and Shine. Julian tried to help baby Connor wake up the next morning... but he was just too tired I guess.