Where did March go?

Hard to believe that March has come and gone! This month was filled with many milestones as JP turned 3, Murphy became mobile (in his own scooting sort of way) and got his first tooth!

Given that the weather has somewhat warmed up (though we're not out of the clear yet...it's expected to snow again on Thursday -- seriously??), we went out for many family hikes (especially loving the hike up to Burg Ramstein). We also enjoyed having Oma here to gather leaves in the backyard and read many stories to JP (JP was in heaven!). We spent a lovely weekend with our Dutch relatives -- Matt's grandfather's first cousins who still live in Holland filled with hiking and yummy food. We are so thankful that we have been able to spend some time with them before going back to the states.

JP loved his birthday...we celebrated it the entire week! His Thomas the Train cake was definitely the highlight of his party -- he loved it!!! As you can see...the boys have too much fun together! We are loving watching them interact more and more. I especially love Murphy's victorious smile as he successfully reaches JP's toys. JP isn't too thrilled about his new-found mobility...but he sure loves all his news tricks! (High-fives, waving, making noises like an airplane, uh-oh...it seems like a new one crops up everyday!)

And lastly...we have run, run, and run some more!!! Matt is now averaging 55 miles a week and I am averaging 30-35 miles a week in preparation for our marathon/half-marathon next month!!! Though the weather has tested our dedication....both of us have enjoyed the training (we'll enjoy a break too!)

Enjoy the pics...the countdown has officially started for our return home in June. 86 days and counting!

Fasching 2010...didn't disappoint!

Yet another Fasching celebrated in Germany (Germany's version of Mardi Gras) -- and, once again, it did not disappoint! We are always amazed at the simplicity of the event -- dress up (both kids and adults) and have candy thrown to the kiddos and alcohol to the adults while watching a parade of happy drunks go by in front of you. In a matter of 20 minutes -- the kids have bags filled to the top with candy, chips and popcorn and the adults are loaded. It's truly a sight to be seen -- not to mention, EVERYBODY participating is VERY happy! (Matt was a hot "Zorro" in a costume that was probably designed for a 10-year-old :-) and JP was his favorite...a lion!)

Snowed in...

And loving it (okay maybe it's driving Matt a little stir-crazy!) No joke...the German government has nearly run out of salt for the roads, so they have drastically reduced the number of roads they will service. Apparently, Orenhofen is not at the top of their priority list! So...we're stuck at home...but loving it none-the-less!

Here are some pics of the snow here this weekend in Orenhofen. We are relishing in it...knowing that our "Snow Days" in California will be few and far between!!! Chance and Lucie LOVE running in the snow, JP and Matt love building snowmen (even if they are a little PG-13 rated) and going sledding -- we have one happy crew here today!

JP with Jana and Lena...

Jana and Lena are like cousins to JP. They are so sweet with him and JP LOVES the attention! (Can you tell "updating blog" was on my to-do list today???)

From Jana, Lena and JP

JP and the A-10

Here are two pics of JP sitting on Dave's A-10 at his fini flight. Dave and Megan are leaving here next week (so sad!), and so the boys and I went out to the flight line to watch Dave finish his last flight at Spang. JP was so amazed being out there -- thought Dave getting sprayed with water was very funny -- and LOVED sitting on the gun at the front of the A-10.

From Dave's Fini Flight

From Dave's Fini Flight

Murphy's giggle...

Full belly and all!!! Nothing compares to the belly laugh of a baby... Don't worry -- we intervened to make sure that JP didn't chuck Murphy across the room...but obviously Murphy wasn't too phased by it! (Sorry about the quality...it was taken with our camera which is way too old!)

Brotherly love???

Here are some pics of JP and Murphy having some "bonding" time. (Video to follow) Murphy LOVES all interaction with JP, even if it does get a little rough at times!

Matt's trip to Greece....

This is definitely one of the perks that Matt will miss once we get out this summer... Boss says, "We need someone to fly a jet back from Greece...and oh, by the way, you get to hang out there for a couple of days just to take in Athens." Needless to say, he had a great time taking in the sights and resisted his temptation to jump the waist-high fence preventing him from taking a lap around the true Olympic stadium.

Christmas 2009 -- one month later!

Here are some pics of the boys on Christmas morning... Better late than never, right??? Murphy is sitting on a special blanket the Nana made for his first Christmas -- a gift she has made for each of us, and now all the grandkids too!

Christmas Eve 2009

We celebrated Christmas Eve with our German Family -- the Kuhnen/Krebs Familie! We didn't realize until we arrived that in Germany, Christmas Eve is when all the big gifts are opened! Needless to say, their darling girls were just a little excited -- poor things had to wait all day and for dinner to be over before they were visited by their version of "Santa" and they could open their gifts. Unfortunately, we didn't get any pictures on our camera while there -- but here are some of us before we left :-) JP is starting to get the idea of Santa Claus -- however, I think it won't be until next year when he truly grasps the excitement of tomorrow!