White Wings

Because atttending any NBA games this season is impossible - and more impossible with us living in Germany - we went to go watch our friend play on the European Hanau Basketball team called White Wings. It was SO much fun and I'm pretty sure John would agree. He loves anything basketball!

Some other youth from our church and their parents came to the game also. Aubrey ran off and rooted for the team with her friend and some noise makers. Jocelyn and Andrew had a good ol time climbing up this wooden structure attached to the wall. Easy entertainment...but a little scary for their mama to watch. I stood close by just in case. Otherwise, we were watching the game and rooting for the team from the bleachers. Andrew was sad we couldn't get the mascots attention - he really wanted to say hi to the Beaver. Maybe next time we go to a home game we'll make that happen. And Landon surprisingly did very well. Just sat with John and I and watched everyone around him. He's such a good baby!!

I do have to say though that it was hard not to chant, "Let's go Blazers, let's go!!" :) For years, we got used to that phrase when watching Portland play.

Instead, we chanted, "Let's go White Wings, let's go!!"

And they played really well - it was a fun game to watch. I don't remember the final score but let's just say they pretty much creamed the other team!

A special thanks to our friends for getting us tickets to come watch the game! You guys are awesome! :)

{Our friend #6}

{Group shot - minus Jocelyn...I think she was climbing the wall again. LOL}

A Tiny Peek of Christmas in Germany

One of two things. I really needed a break from the kids. It doesn't happen nearly as often as I'd like or should get so I was ALL about going with a friend today on the train to downtown Frankfurt. I need to do this more often!!! I love my kids immensely but I deserve some alone time every once in a good while! You now, once a week? :) The other thing is I needed (or wanted) to find some German Christmas cards. My friend knows her way around the town better than I do at the moment so she was able to walk me through a few really neat card shops and craft stores and kid toy shops. SO many cute things! I can't wait to go back down there.

So not only did I find some cute German Christmas cards, but I also spotted the beginnings of the Frankfurt Chrismas Market coming to life. Wow was that awesome! They were hammering away on almost every corner or street down there. So many people bustling around getting things ready for the holiday season. I can not WAIT to experience my first Christmas here in Germany! Especially with my brother, sister-in-law and their adorable daughter coming out to pay us a visit! This is going to be so much fun!

I was able to take a few snapshots while down there today. I really can't wait to go back! And I must say, after the first few months of living here...I'm really starting to love it! The first few months were a little rocky. Not that it's horrible here by any means, but I missed home. The list was long at first: family & friends, familiar places and stores (TARGET). I think I was going through a bit of a culture shock. I'm thankfully now over that. It's for sure going to be a sad day when we move away! And it's a good thing we still have a few more years left to be here and take it all in before we do have to leave. What a beautiful country...I'm so thankful for this once in a lifetime experience! :)

We Have Ourselves A Young Woman!

Big news! Our first daughter has graduated from Primary and is now in the Young Women's program at church. We are SO proud of her and she is SO excited! :)

I remember what it was like (some years ago) being in Primary...so ready to move on and be with the big girls and not the little kids anymore. It's a sad yet happy transition. She's going to miss going to Primary with Jocelyn but has already met and become friends with some really great young ladies and they are so happy to have her!

"You are growing up way too fast my dear...we love you sooooo much!!"

Offenbach Fireside

Our area here in Frankfurt was invited to attend a Fireside at the church building to hear President Uchtdorf speak tonight! I could hardly believe it - I've always wanted to meet him! It was originially going to be held tomorrow (Sunday) evening but last minute, due to so many planning to attend, they divided them up and our Stake was asked to attend the meeting on Saturday night and the other Stake the following night. Saturday arrived and both John and Andrew were still very sick! John and I going together wasn't going to happen and I was really bummed. We were on base getting groceries earlier in the day and it was just taking way too long that I thought for sure I wouldn't make it in time to the Firesdie and was starting to get a little disappointed. Before I gave up all hope, I called up my friend Ashley to see how the parking was (she went early to save seats) and found out that it was actually going to start at 7pm and not 6pm and I had an extra hour than I thought I had. The girls and I quickly got ourselves ready and jumped into the car and got there an hour early! Which was perfect timing might I add! We got the very last parking spot at the very end going out the driveway! It was truly a miracle! You'd know this if you knew how hard it was to find parking in Europe. It's no wonder people walk or find other means to get around! The missionaries also ended up saving our seats for us (Ashley got there when there was only a handful of people) so we were very close to the pulpit. Another miracle! We were for sure blessed being there! When we got inside the building, it was PACKED! Everyone shared the same excitement as we waited for him to arrive. Ashley is such a good friend and I'm so thankful she was able to help me and I'm also thankful to my husband for keeping the boys for the evening even though he was sick so I could attend this once in a lifetime experience!

Another new experience for us here in Germany is that we got to have an English speaking translator. Someone up front translated into a microphone. We stuck on our ears the awkward ear piece and turned on the device and enjoyed hearing him and his wife speak to us for about 1 1/2 hours. She started first, to introduce him to us. She even had us laughing a few times! :) About us not being perfect, including her husband, President Uchtdorf. And how they were here visiting their homeland and area for President Uchtdorf's birthday and that their driver drove them all around Frankfurt to see the shops and for some lunch. They were so excited to get some green sauce (a treat to have as she stated) and some other delicious German food and because they couldn't find one single parking spot, they had to go back to their hotel and eat a salad! All this way for a salad! :)

President Uchtdorf talked to us of many great things. That we should use the short time here for the good as it goes by way too fast. That Jesus Christ is at the head of this church. We need to focus on scripture study and temple attendance. The simplicity of the gospel. To go on with our faith and do as we believe no matter what people think about us. We, through our example, have an influence on others. Help and strengthen each other. If we have faith, it can be done through Him. It is His work. It's not up to us or our desires. It's the Lord's will. Let us do His work with an open heart. Jesus Christ lives. He is reality. Through our faithfulness, miracles will happen. These are just a few things he mentioned that I felt inspired to jot down.

When the Fireside ended, he quickly mentioned that he wanted to chat with people before leaving and for us not to run off. :) As he was making his way down the isle of the chapel where we were (and many many others), he finally turned around where we were standing and smiled at Ashley's daughter and my daughters. He came over and started talking to us in German and Ashley quickly mentioned that we were Americans and spoke English. He was super excited to hear that and asked how we were doing and where we were from. He then shook our hands and gave the girls hi fives. He was super sweet and kind to take the time to have mini conversations with so many people tonight. What an inspiration he is to me and to so many other individuals. I'm very thankful I was given this opportunity to see him and have him meet my daughters and to go and be spiritually fed. :)

Fall in Germany

Fall here, in our neck of the woods, was starting to fade fast! Fall happens to be my most favorite season and I was watching it slip away from the window in Landon's room while we were playing - with all the beautiful colors and leaves starting to fall. While the boys slept, Aubrey stayed and watched them while doing homework and Jocelyn and I headed out and took some pictures of Fall before it slipped away! I'm so glad we did too because just a few days later, it painted an entirely different picture! One with most of the leaves already scattered to the ground. So here's a little slide show of Jocelyn and I's mommy-daughter date outside enjoying the view and some fresh air! Oh, and we can't forget to include her baby doll and stuffed animal she included in our afternoon fun! ;) Such a funny little girl.

My Children

Blogging about our adventures, happy moments, new memories and everyday life is becoming too far and few between. It's either I sleep or blog. Sleeping usually wins! :/ My kids keep me BUSY!

So I thought it would be good to do a quick update on how my children are doing. I only have a little window of time. I suppose I don't really need makeup on today :) ....

AUBREY...
is my tender child. Such a sweet and caring girl she is! And just turned 12 last month! And mood swings galore! Wow are we in for a ride! I really can't believe how grown up she's becoming! Oh my oh my does she love having her own room again! For a few months before we moved from Virginia, both her and Jocelyn had to share rooms when Landon was born and it wasn't an overly joyous experience for either one of them. But...they survived! :) She's doing really well in school. Pulling straight A's as always! Even placed into 7th grade math. It was a hard start going into middle school though - often times sitting alone at lunch. Which made my heart just break to hear! Meeting new friends seemed like a crazy challenge and had a big adjustment to waking up super early to catch a 7am school bus. She is taking band this year instead of choir like she did in elementary school. And so far, she's loving it! She was placed with a flute and after a few weeks of it sounding like scratchy nails on a chalk board, it's sounding really good. :) Her first practice performance was last Thursday and the band as a whole has come along way and still has quite a ways to go but I'm so excited for her and can't wait to attend more concerts. :) Because we moved here too late, we were unable to get her into Fall soccer so we're awaiting for some Spring soccer to happen. In the mean time, she's busy with homework, having fun helping to cook and bake, piano and flute practice (she's currently practicing the piano on her own as her wonderful teacher is way back in Virginia!), getting to know other girls at school and church, reading, drawing, playing games on her iPod, going into the Young Women's program at church and attending their activities and having fun with her brothers and sister. She is SUCH a good big sister too. They just LOVE her! She's even had one trial run babysitting for about 15 minutes as John and I ran down the street to grab some dinner. We're starting out small - and one day it will be great for her to watch them when I have to do quick errands. She just lost her first molar. And last Friday was her first time going to a school dance. As it was a dance to celebrate Halloween, we dropped her off dressed as Heromine and she had a fun two hours dancing with her friends and eating pizza and cotton candy. As always, she's growing up so fast! I remember going to my first middle school dance, which seems like was just yesterday! She's still missing quite a few of her friends back in Virginia & Oregon but they've become fast pen pals! :)

JOCELYN...
is my difficult child and my dear sweet 5 year old! There's usually one from the bunch that requires a LOT more work and she is it! Oh how I love her so but madly wish she was in preschool this year! How odd to go from last year with preschool 3 days a week to NOTHING this year! According to the school system, she's not in the bracket to need it and John's rank is too high for her to qualify. We were all set to go in Virginia for this year to be Kindergarten. Preregistered and all! But because her birthday falls a few weeks past the September 1st deadline, she's waiting until next Fall to start. She's keeping her Mama plenty busy here at home! Let me tell you! Haha! Always demanding my attention and getting into mischief. She's a good girl though and I'm amazed at how much she has grown in the past year - both physically and emotionally. She's a tiny little thing so she looks to be much smaller than most of her peers but she's plenty smart to make up the difference. ALWAYS keeping me and John on our toes. Her personality is a mix of sweet and high strung, fun and demanding, goofy and sassy, loving and a pain in the butt! Seriously! She's such a sweetheart though despite the challenges. Just wish she wasn't so mean to Andrew. She obviously loves him but she's bossy to him all day long and we're working on not bitting and hitting. *sigh* She LOVES her big sis and younger brothers and is such a huge help while Aubrey is at school. She loves to draw and color. Reading and writing and gearing herself up for the coming year of Kindergarten has been her most favorite thing to do. And making us all hand drawn pictures. I just love how she'll make us all notes and sign it, "Jocelyn 5." :) Just a few months ago, she signed it, "Jocelyn 4." She really cracks me up on a daily basis! She loves getting her nails painted, wearing her tutu around the house, watching movies, playing games on ds and board games, playing hide and seek, jumping in puddles, twirling around in circles, picking flowers, singing, playing legos, dolls, puzzles and dress up. While I'm looking forward to her being in school next year NOW, I'm really going to be sad seeing her go THEN! So I'm trying to enjoy each day with her. While her brothers nap, she and I usually have our time together which has been really nice. She too is looking forward to Spring soccer - which will be her first season playing yet.

ANDREW...
is my sensitive child. He will be turning 3 in December. He continually cracks me up! He always makes me smile about something! And even when he's in trouble for doing something he shouldn't, it's hard not to just snuggle and smile with him anyways (and usually it melts me over and he's out of trouble quicker than he was in it)! Just like Jocelyn, he says some pretty funny things like he'll call, "Oh Tooooootles!" when he needs help with something (it's off Mickey Mouse) and he hums and makes up songs like, "I want to go back to our other home (repeat over and over again)! He takes one good nap a day - for a few hours after lunch time. And we are in the beginning stages of potty training. So proud of him! I can't believe how big he's getting. I want my kids to stay little forever! LOL He is a true little mama's boy and loves to be my little helper. Whether it's wanting to dust, help sort the laundry or make meals in the kitchen. Speaking of which, he LOVES to help me cook! He drags the stool over to the counter and jumps up to see what he can do to help. So cute he is! He stays busy playing with bouncy balls, helping Daddy build things and being able to use his tools (tape measure and hammer is his favorite!), coloring, playing with flash lights, hiding in the house, running around, climbing on everything, reading stories, saying his prayers, brushing his teeth, playing legos and trains and cars, going outside and playing at the playground, watching shows like Mickey Mouse Club or Thomas the Train, and putting on his shoes (and clothes) by himself. Lately, he's been giving his Mommy and Daddy mini heart attacks by disappearing at least a dozen times since we've moved here. Runs out of the grocery store with us running after him, reappears into Aubrey's school gymnasium after her band performance in someone ELSE'S arms and crying and one time, he ran away from both John and I and the local security guard ran around with me to help me find him...he was found a few seconds later back inside our van getting into some licorice. Agh! I swore up and down that I'd never get one of those kid leashes but they're seriously looking like a good idea right about now! Wow...how scary it is to lose your child for a moment! Bedtime is pretty frustrating right now. Constantly coming back downstairs instead of being in bed and wanting his door open and the hall light on AT ALL TIMES. Back and forth we go every single night. And often times, we find him asleep in our bed. Getting a good night's rest hasn't happened, well, since we moved here! We finally got a night light which we thought would be a HUGE success. Needless to say, it hasn't been. Guess it isn't going to be an instant fix. :/ But that's okay - we're working on it. I think a lot of it has to do with him greatly missing our home back in Virginia! (And Jocelyn teasing him that there's a monster in his closet! Lovely, huh!) We're trying to find him some new friends here still. Not such an easy thing....much like it has been for Jocelyn. But we're finding fun things to do in the meantime. :)

LANDON...
is my calm child. He's now 7 months old - in a week he'll be turning 8 months. Weighs a little over 20 lbs - which puts him in around the 50th percentile for his age. I don't know how else to say it but we lucked out! He just has the cutest little personality! He's SO good and laid back and I just love how snuggly he is. He's been sleeping through the night since he was 3 months old and takes 2-3 naps a day. He can literally sleep just about anywhere. The carseat, stroller, highchair, baby bjorn, bed. And boy does this kid LOVE to eat! Wow!! Never leaves a scrap of food left. For sure not a picky eater! It could be warm or cold and he wouldn't care! The kids all love him so much! They're either holding him, playing near him, tugging on him or begging for us to let them hold him...it's very cute to see how much they adore their little brother! He of course gets cranky when overhandled but he's patient with them. He still shows no sign of teeth. Has been sitting on his own really well for about 2 months now, rolling all over the place for about just as long and for the past month or so, he has been slowly working towards crawling. It's more of a "push off the feet and plunge forward" kind of move. It's pretty funny to watch. He's getting around very fast these days which means more baby gates are needing to be put up! Whether he knows what he's saying or not, he has been babbling the sound "mama-mama-mama" lately and it is just so darn cute! I love it! :) He's got the cutest smile (and usually drooling everywhere!), hair is starting to fill in on his head more, he sucks on anything he can get his hands on, loves to listen to music, have stories read to, play with his toys, loves being rocked, going on the swings at the park, Daddy throwing him in the air, playing peek a boo, and going on walks. He really loves water so bath time is always a hit. Can't wait to watch him as he grows! I just love all of my children SO much! 

John + Leslie

Today we celebrated our 6th year wedding anniversary and I have to say that each year has truly been amazing! And the years are just flying right on by! I love my husband so much and I'm glad I can call him my best friend. :) I really am blessed!

We finally found a babysitter here in Frankfurt and jumped at the opportunity to ride the train downtown and have dinner together ALONE! It's been a way overdue date for sure! We ate at a restaurant called Louisiana and had Starbucks hot chocolates on the way back home after we got some walking in.

As a gift to each other, we booked a family trip to Edelweiss in Garmisch for the weekend! So much fun and will blog about that soon.

"Happy Anniversary babe! I love you and look forward to many more memories together!"