We're Still Alive!

It's been almost three months since our last posting and I'm sure some of you out there have wondered if we've dropped off the face of the earth. Well, here we are-still on the earth, just on the other side. Since our last posting we were able to fit in one last vacation (to the beautiful Italian island of Sardegna), move from Germany to Dayton, and visit family in NY. In addition to this, we have been readying our new home (at lightning speed I might add), and getting ready for our new sweet little girl (who is due in two days). To say the least, we have been busy. Unfortunately, because of being so busy I have neglected to take many pictures in the last few months, but here's what we have taken. When we do get more we'll pass them along your way.

Sardegna

For our last vacation I wanted to just relax and be bums on the beach. So...we found a little resort on the island of Sardegna and did something different-pretty much nothing. On this trip we didn't do a lot of sight seeing or marching miles across a big city, no this time we tried our hand at playing at the beach and just enjoying the balmy weather.

This was the view out of our room.


After a busy day at the beach Tristan enjoyed running around in the buff.

We did go into town a couple of days, and as usual Tristan slept great in his pack.

For those of you who have traveled to mainland Italy, Sardegna feels and looks very different. The architecture and landscape reflect the heat that is so common here. The buildings are bleached white from the sun (and I'm sure built with rocks from the nearby cliffs) and hillsides are filled with hardy vegetation and olive trees for as far as you can see.

A day didn't go by that we didn't have gelato. Here in the intense heat it was a necessity instead of a luxury.

I had to put this picture in here for all of you to enjoy. Here you can see the Italians working out in the Mediterranean. I wasn't motivated enough to join in (besides my bathing suit was already stretched to the max in my oh so huge pregnant state-I didn't want to push it).

One day we took a cruise around a portion of the western coast and visited some amazing caves called the The Grotto Nettuno (the pictures didn't turn out). I thought the boat ride was just as nice as getting out and exploring.

Here you can see Tristan trying to figure out the beach umbrella. Tristan had more fun playing with the umbrellas, going up and down stairs, and checking out huge insects than actually playing in the sand.

Back in Germany

We couldn't have made it those last couple of weeks without out the help of good friends. As our home was empty we were able to borrow bedding, air mattresses, pack and plays, and toys for Tristan. Here you can see the little guy reading while wearing our neighbor's helmet (with the arrival of the 18 month mark Tristan has become attached to an array of interesting things-here you can see his somewhat odd attachment to this bike helmet).

While Tristan was low on toys those last couple of weeks it didn't take much to entertain him-just as long as there was a car close by.

I'm sorry that it has taken me so long to blog and I want our friends in Germany to know that it's no reflection of my feelings for them. I have such affection for the friends we were able to make there and feel blessed that we were able to live in that beautiful country and make such wonderful friends. They truly enriched our time and became our second family.

The States

After much anxiety over traveling to the States (traveling from Frankfurt to NY involved over 20 hours of travel), my prayers were answered as Tristan was an absolutely fabulous traveler. That day couldn't have been possible without our new portable DVD player (thank you to everyone who told us to buy one) and the largest assortment of treats known to man (fruit snacks in the shape of tractors have proven to be worth gold).

As we stayed with my family in NY for the first month, I was spoiled by all of their support and help with Tristan. I will be forever grateful for my mom helping with Tristan as I was extremely pregnant and extremely exhausted-while he was adjusting to the time change while getting four teeth in and having a cold. Thanks again Mom!

Tristan with Grandma on the Eastview carousel.

Tristan with his Aunt Laura at the Domm Cottage.

I know this picture is dark, but I had to put it in there. Tristan really wanted to wear his Halloween costume (somehow the pants came off), and obviously felt parched. I couldn't resist taking a picture. Seeing Tristan in his tiger suit brings an instant smile to my face (just as him in his monkey suit last year brightened my day).



Here's the little guy playing with his bus on the kitchen counter. Tristan was a real champ as our new home was pretty close to empty for two weeks.

Those last few pictures were taken by Paul on a nearby hike last week.

Lastly, before I end this mammoth posting I want to let you know that once again we've been blessed with a great home, great ward and our household goods have come in time for us to set up house before our new arrival (Before Tristan and now our little girl -our things have come 10 days before my due date). Paul has definatey been the mvp of our family-and the worlds most amazing husband as he has painted rooms, and hung up numerous pictures and paintings with no complaints. What would a crazy hormonal pregnant woman do without their extremely sane husband?! Well, now that our home is ready and we've become established here in Dayton all there is to do is wait-and that's what we'll be doing until the arrival of our new little girl. Hopefully we'll be posting again in a few days-wish us luck!

The Black Forest and Bacharach

Over the past month my sister Laura was able to visit us and during her stay we were able to visit numerous beautiful spots. One of my favorites was the Black Forest. As we drove through this scenic region we saw rolling hills, dense forests, and beautiful large German homes with architecture unique to that region.



At the beginning of the day we had some rain but that didn't stop Tristan from enjoying himself.




As we drove down I got this sweet shot of Tristan cuddling next to Laura.

Here we are at the Trieberg Falls in the Black Forest.


It was pretty much impossible to get a good family picture here because Tristan was so preoccupied with the gorgeous falls.

Here you can see Tristan in awe of the falls. If I had included video of this moment you would hear him saying "wow!".



The little guy stretching his legs before our long drive home.

Another favorite spot I was able to share with Laura was the charming little town of Bacharach. This picturesque little spot is nestled in between fragrant vineyards and the calm shores of the Rhine River.

Usually we share our gelato with Tristan (and he screams for more as we are trying to get a lick in), so this day I thought "what the hey-just get him his own!" so this was Tristan's very first gelato (of his own). After giving him his own I don't think I can go back to sharing one with him.






The Germans do an absolutely fabulous job of adorning their homes and places of business with beautiful flowers. Where ever you turn you see flower boxes with robust arrangements and flowers billowing out of windows and door ways.



Before leaving this quaint little town we stopped to play at the park.


Laura was the best aunt, as she played with Tristan until he was too exhausted to laugh and squeal anymore.


These next few pictures are from our day trip to Trier. These pictures (above and below) are of us at the Roman baths.





I had to include these two pictures as they bare record of something fabulous that has recently happened...Tristan has overcome his fear of the vacuum cleaner! Yes, that's right as Tristan has turned 18 months he is finally old enough to go into nursery (happy day), his vocabulary has really begun to take off, and I can now vacuum without him clinging to me, as if I was facing a wild animal. Now that he's 18 months, instead of being scared of the vacuum he's intrigued by its motor and all of its moving parts.



This picture I had to take as the little guy looks like some sort of monster. I had given him a plum and he went to town with it. When finished with the plum it was in his hair, his ears, on his neck, up his nose and everywhere inbetween.

Lastly, here's a couple of pictures of Tristan getting his hair cut. Paul and I were both surprised at how well behaved he was in the barbers chair and so after our first experience (this is Tristans second time-the first I didn't remember to bring the camera) I vowed to never have Paul touch his hair again (if you recall having Paul cut/butcher his hair in the spring was slightly traumatic-Tristan does not look good with a buzz cut!)