A little mushy...

Today is Devin & my 7th Anniversary, so I just wanted to tell him how much I love him.

Here are seven things I love about him:

-I just love being around Devin. It really doesn't matter what we do, I just love being with him. As newlyweds, we used to laugh at couples who think the grocery store is a fun date, but now we think it's awesome to go alone together.
-He is always doing such sweet things for me. I was gone last week and he woke up at 3am to register me for a photography class! When I was pregnant, he brought me orange juice with a "pre-flexed straw" every morning while I was sick to help me feel better. He also goes on walks and sits outside with me just because he knows I like it.
-He's a wonderful Dad and helps me out so much. He always tries to make sure I'm happy and satisfied with my role as a mom, and I appreciate that so much.
-He has a great sense of humor. He can always make me or the kids laugh!
-He is great with computers and math (he's my calculator). If I ever have a problem with anything I'm doing (which happens frequently), he fixes it. He made this awesome Excel spreadsheet thing for our budget that automatically subtracts, which I think is great! :)
-He talks to me before we go to sleep because he knows I like it, even though I know he could fall asleep 2.3 seconds after his head hits the pillow. He also lets me talk to him about all the things that give me anxiety, to help me feel better (including planning every detail about when we move back home, which could be 7 months away... sorry about that one, honey!).
-He is the most honest person I know. It's so important to him and I really value that.

I am so happy with him and feel so lucky to be married to him!

Happy Anniversary, Devin! I love you!

Slippery Slidey Glue

This funny conversation surprisingly wasn't from Kevin. Dallin has the constant habit of getting out of his chair during a meal. After telling him three times to sit and eat his lunch (we had to go somewhere so I was in a hurry), I got a little frustrated and told him to "pretend like there was glue on his bum and stick it to the chair." He responded with, "OK, but sometimes when you first put glue on something, it slides off."

Well, you really can't argue with that, can you??

Nana's here!!

Yeah! Nana's here! The boys haven't stopped talking to her since she got her on Monday. I think we've only had 4 complete sentences between the two of us. :) It's always so nice to have family come visit... we just love it!

Allison's Accomplishments

Allison has been asking me to post something on here for a while but I haven't found anything worth posting that she hasn't covered. Until now.

As you all know Allis0n has been doing a lot of digital scrapbooking lately and has been learning a lot and getting better and better. For those of you not familiar with the "digiscrap" world (like me) people setup websites to sell their scrap book material and they often have forums where people can post "layouts" (digital scrapbook pages) and others can comment. Well, one of Allison's layouts was picked as the layout-of-the-month at www.peppermintcreative.com. Good job, Allie!

If that wasn't enough, Allison also had another great accomplishment. These websites have Creative Teams who use the material at the website to make layouts and post them so that all the users can see how to do cool things with the material. Well, Allie applied to some websites and was selected to be on the Creative Team at www.elementalscraps.com! The benefit to her is that she gets all the material there for free to do layouts with.

I'm really glad that Allison has this hobby. It's a great way to document and record what our family does and it's fun and relaxing for her. It's also on the computer and everything is better when it involves a computer.

Oh, I should add a disclaimer that I probably got all the terminology and definitions wrong and I hereby give permission to Allison to correct any and all mistakes.

Yeah for the little stinker

I may jinx myself for posting this, but I wanted to post a little update on Kevie. I took a little from all the advice we got (thanks so much, really!) and we went to the pharmacy today and got a gentle fiber/laxative drink. We also took away the Wii today when he had a pee accident, which was the first time we've taken something away for longer than 15 minutes (we took it away for the whole day because he definitely knows how to pee in the potty).

Well, tonight I was on the phone with one of my YW and Kevin yells from upstairs, "I just went poop!" Devin looked at me and he very cautiously went upstairs to see where this activity took place. We found him actually sitting on the potty, which has NEVER happened. We were so happy! Yeah! I know we still have more work to do, but we are definitely heading in the right direction.

Disney Good Guys

After such a depressing last post, here's something happier, and of course cuter. (Is that a word?)

We tried to be smart parents and be pro-active when we went to disneyland. We didn't want to spend a fortune on toys they would lose in 1 day after returning home, so we told them that the first day, we would look at all the toys, then decide which one was their favorite. Then on the second day, they could get one toy. Ethan and Dallin got the buzz lighyear gun, and Kevin of course got some disney good guys. :) He was so happy.

At the end of the day, we saw some Disney star wars (who can pass up a Goofy Darth Vader??) that I thought were the cutest ever, so I ended up buying the Goofy and Mickey because they were just too cute. :) Kevin played with them all during dinner and totally loved them all!

(Inter)National Hug a Foreigner Day

I thought we were over the breakdown stage of living here, but we've had a few episodes lately that are threatening to push me over the edge. After Dallin was born until the time we moved to Germany, I can count on one (maybe two) hands the number of times I've cried. I think Devin stabilized me or something because I used to cry all the time (I know it's surprising to think I was a dramatic teenager). But, after Dallin, I felt very stable and even. Well, I think I've doubled the times I've cried since moving to Germany, and that's even while trying really hard not to. I feel like such a nut case/basketcase/lunatic sometimes. Here are a few recent tidbits:

*Dallin had an appointment to check him for going to school (his second one... not sure why, but anyway). This was with a city doctor's assistant type thing. The lady was extremely cranky, refused to speak any English with me or Dallin, and made no effort to speak slowly or help us understand what she wanted or was talking about. Needless to say, it was a bad experience. She marked all these things in a little booklet thing that the kindergarten teacher told me later meant that Dallin refused to do these language exercises (of course he didn't understand what she wanted) and that I didn't bring my vaccination record (I did but it was in English so she didn't want it), or my "Yellow book" thing (A book that German mothers get when their children are born, but my children weren't born here). She also wrote that she didn't like how he jumped on one foot (not high enough I guess) and she didn't like his fine motor skills because his drawings didn't have apples in the trees or windows on the house (although there were flames coming out of the roof... I would have been more concerned about that, but whatever). She also didn't like his speech because she said his tongue came forward too much when he talked. But he has no front teeth! Hello!! Silke said it was possible that if he was going to a German school they wouldn't let him in with bad marks like that, but since he's going to a private school, all will probably be ok. All for my sweet Dallin! Of course he's ready to go to school! Arggg!

For my benefit, I didn't cry over that one, but when Silke wanted to have an appointment with me to talk about Dallin's development for a scrapbook she's making him it all came out. I'm not sure why. She just asked me the first question, and I started weeping and couldn't stop for about 30 minutes. Weeping is still feminine, right?? I think it totally freaked her out because she wasn't expecting it. Oops.

*Europcar (don't ever rent from them!!!) sent us a bill for 400 Euros ($600) a few months ago for damage to the bumper of a car we returned. We never damaged the car, so to make a *long* story a bit shorter (I can't ever make stories short, sorry) it all culminated with a phone call to Europcar in Hamburg today. I have never had such a rude and awful experience with anyone on the phone! I will spare you most details (trying to suppress them myself), but let's just say the phone call included her being completely rude to me from the first sentence, her accusing me of lying, refusing to let me talk to her supervisor or anyone else, and refusing to accept that we didn't damage the car.

Unfortunately, I didn't weep after this one. It was a full-on cry with all the puffy red eyes and nasty red face look. I was obviously ticked about having to pay a ridiculous amount of money, but more importantly I was just so upset with how she treated me and that I felt like I had no recourse. This saga isn't over yet, so we'll end it with ...to be continued.

After this experience, I definitely feel for other expats and immigrants. Let's all go out and give our foreign friends a hug, K? :)

Carousel Love

Kevin and Ethan's favorite ride at Disneyland was the carousel. That was a "Happy Ride" for Kevie. :)

The Ultimate Romance

This past weekend was just great for me. It started out with a little scrap time Friday night. I was playing with photoshop a little bit and tried to figure out how to curl a paper. Devin got interested in it and we spent almost an hour together trying to figure out how to make it look realistic. Geesh, what can get better than scrapbooking with my honey? He said he wanted to write a program in Matlab to make an image for me to do my curls in scrapbooking. He sure knows how to sweet talk his girl! :) Here's the finished page, which I added the disclaimer that I DID comfort him before taking these pictures. :)



I've been looking for a baby seat to go on the back of my bike so I can take Ethan with me. I bought a seat, but unfortunately, all the seats I've seen here won't fit on an American woman's bike (hard to explain). So, we bought a bike trailer on Saturday morning. Devin and Dallin rode their bikes to ToysRUs and I drove with Kevin & Ethan. It was so cute it almost made me cry watching Dallin and Devin ride together. Dallin wants to be just like his dad and it's adorable to watch. :) I wish I could have taken pictures, but I don't think that goes well with driving, unfortunately. We also picked up a BBQ at "Praktiker", which I am so excited about. I LOVE grilling. It's not about the food, I just love love love the atmosphere about a BBQ. It's so relaxed and fun. I'm getting relaxed just thinking about it. :)

Later Saturday, we took a quick ride up the "Blau," which is the water way in front of our house. Supposedly there's a trail up and down almost the whole thing. It was really pretty and the boys liked it. Kevin & Ethan were in the bike trailer and Dallin rode his bike. He did really good and only wanted to stop for a break once. We went to our ice cream store afterward and got cones. Dallin's bright blue ice cream reminds me of Carly, my college roommmate who refused to eat or drink anything blue. :)

Saturday night, Devin and I went on a quick date. Anna (Silke's daughter) came over and watched the boys while Devin & I went to dinner. We went to a restaurant that was right on the Danube river. It was really nice and the food was good. Devin found it from a work party, so we were glad! The Euro Cup soccer thing started, so they had a huge screen/TV outside so people could watch the game while eating. :)

Dallin woke up with a really high fever Sunday morning, so I had to ditch my young women (actually only one came, so she just went to relief society) and stay home with Dallin. He was such a sad case! I had him on Motrin, and I could tell when it was wearing off because every 5 1/2 hours he would ask to go snuggle upstairs in the guestroom. I'm not sure why there, but that's always where he wanted to snuggle, and I was very happy to oblige. :) He was a lot better Monday morning, so that was good, but I'll miss my snuggles.

These past 9 months were worth it for this....

We just got the school pictures today from Kindergarten and I totally love them! I think the group pictures are so funny. It will be great to remember all the funny little kids. :)

*Sorry the quality isn't great... I had to scan them in

I might be Bipolar...

...after posting the last post, then saying you've gotta read this.

Help! Advice needed before I go nuts!

OK, so I'm just going to have to throw out all manners and just use proper terms for what I'm having a problem with. First, can I just say that Potty training is probably my least favorite thing in life? Allright, now that we've gotten that out of the way, I desperately need some advice.

Kevin is going to be FOUR next month and pretty much refuses to be potty trained. Our first attempt was the first week of January, and he actually did pretty good. He had a few poop accidents, but was well on his way of being diaper-free. Well, a few weeks into January, he had a few too many "Frosted Mini Wheats" and got a little diarrhea. This pretty much freaked him out and he hasn't gone poop on the potty since. And we're in JUNE. But, I'm not frustrated.

Kevin has a strong personality (very cute and we love him, but still strong) so we cannot think of anything to help him go potty. In January, we tried punishments, rewards, candy, etc. etc. but he didn't seem to care. In fact, he would just hold it for an insane time (4 days).

I finally just took the plunge (on the advice of a friend) and just put him in underwear about a week ago. I gave the kindergarten and extra set of clothes, and hoped for the best. He does great with the peeing, but still won't go poop on the potty. He's had 2 poop accidents and none in the potty, even though we put him on the potty and "practice" with him.

I'm totally at my wit's end, and I really need advice! (or maybe just reassurance that he won't be going to college with a diaper...maybe...)

Here are the things we've tried:
-candy for rewards for going in the potty (didn't care)
-I've bought a billion "good guys" and left them in their packaging, awaiting his poop on the potty. (never happened. He just complained for days about when he would get to open it until I put it away)
-we've tried a Dora sticker chart with special stickers for poops (didn't care)
-I've told him that all the other kids in kindergarten are pooping in the potty (didn't care)
-tried just putting him in underwear to see if that bothered him when he messed in it (didn't like poop in the undies, but doesn't seem to care enough to do anything about it)
-tried lots and lots of praise when he sat and "practiced" on the potty (I don't think he cared)
-putting him on the potty when he acts like he needs to poop (will hold it until he gets off and then go in his pants)
-bought a little potty so it would be more comfortable (didn't care)
-bought a seat that goes on the potty, so he would feel secure, but still get to sit on the big potty (didn't care)

AHHHH!!!!!

I must be doing something wrong!

How many stamps to mail a milk cow??

I think we may soon have a small problem. We've been hearing about the farmers here threatening to strike because they don't get paid enough for the milk. Well, Silke told me today that I should go to the store and get milk because the farmers are striking (at least some?) and some stores were running out or limiting the quantity.

Ethan and I went to the store after dropping off kindergartners and got 4 milks and 2 boxed milk (the nasty kind, but you don't have to refrigerate it.)

SO, who wants to send me a milk cow and teach me how to use it? Hopefully this won't last very long and hopefully we won't have any shortages. Crazy!

Even more conversations

Kevin, cleaning up a little pee pee on the floor from an accident:, “This is just water because pee pee turns into water.

Dallin: “But you can’t drink pee pee”

Kevin: “That’s correct. Dallin, you’re just getting so smark”

A Gift from Above

When Devin was checking into our hotel in Paris, (well, I say Paris, but it was really about 40 minutes outside Paris, right next to Disney) the boys and I walked around outside. Dallin was walking a little ahead, and I took out my camera to take a pictures of him. Right as I did that, a bird pooped on his head. Fortunately, or unfortunately, I got pictures. :) He was pretty upset about it, but he was tough and "took it like a man" like Nana says. :) We went into the hotel room and washed his hair before dinner. :)

Disneyland Paris-- minus the Paris

We took the kids to Disneyland Paris a week ago, but I haven't blogged about it yet. I think I'm going to follow Aubrey and Denise's example and just post a few smaller posts. It seems less overwhelming then, huh? :)

Devin says that we've been taking a lot of "trips" lately, but none of them have been "vacations" because we're busy all day, trying to see everything we want to see. So, we decided to make this trip as much of a vacation as we could, considering we're traveling with kiddos. :) It really was a vacation and we had a wonderful time. We even considered extending it a day because we were having such a relaxing, fun time together, but we felt guilty skipping out on our Sunday responsibilities, lessons, and meetings. :)

We left on Wednesday and came back Saturday night. We ended up driving because the train was just as expensive and we would be limited on the time. It was our first big driving trip in Europe, and it wasn't too bad. It could have been because we were driving a Mercedes (a mix up with our rental company), but who knows?) :) It was interesting because in France, we had to stop every so often and pay a toll. From the Germany border to Disneyland Paris (about 4 hours drive time), it cost us about 30 euros in tolls!

We absolutely loved loved the place we stayed. It was a timeshare place, but we could just rent a place. It was a 2 bedroom townhouse, which made a huge difference in how Ethan (and the mommy and daddy) slept. He has to have his own room, with all the lights out and the door shut, to go to sleep. So he slept better, which made us all sleep better. :) The place also had a fun playground that the kids liked. There was also a small patio that we ate breakfast on one morning, which I loved! :)

We did disneyland for 2 days and then planned on going into Paris Saturday morning and then leaving in the afternoon. We woke up Saturday and Devin suggested that we just relax and have a fun day together as a family instead of going into Paris. Usually I'm the neurotic one who wants to see everything when we travel, but the thought of taking the kids to a big city that they wouldn't love just didn't appeal to me that day, especially after having 2 days that they really enjoyed. So, we just had a great day, relaxing and playing as a family. I couldn't believe that we were 40 minutes outside Paris, and wouldn't see the city, but my mom and I are planning a trip for just the two of us in July. So, I'll get my chance to see the city without having to drag the kids there. :)

Here are a few pictures:

Kevin loved going down the bars like this. It was funny to watch him zip down! :)

Current Obsessions: Ethan

Ethan has two current obsessions. One is his little buzz lightyear gun that he got from Disneyland. He literally sleeps with it and carries it with him everywhere! You should be glad you didn't have to see his reaction when he mean mommy wouldn't let him take it into church. Yikes.

Anyway, his other obsession right now is shoes. He LOVES his shoes. He likes to bring them to me, plop down on the ground, and stick out his cute little piggies for me to put his shoes on. Yesterday after changing from church, I let him run around with only his diaper on. BUT, of course he had to have his shoes on. :) A few weeks ago when it started to get warmer, I got him some sandals and he was so distraught the first time I tried to put them on. He kept bringing me his old favorite shoes. Poor kid! :)