Awin and T.T.

Aaron saw that this sleeping sack for the baby was particularly large.  No kidding right?!  Even though I explained that it is for babies, who don't know how to keep their blanket on them at night, he insisted on sleeping in it, because "it fit", for several nights.  He somehow could still manage to hop and walk to the bathroom in it at night and crawl carefully up the bunk bed stairs.

 Aaron and Timmy got a kids camera from Macha and Papa Tim for Christmas!  They have been loving it.  Here are some sample photos that they took:

Timmy 

playing Settlers of Catan (the dice version)

Grandpa Kent
The boys have picked up "I dot a dood idea!" from Grandpa.  :)

Chair Train

  Portrait of Aaron

 Portrait of Cora and Mommy

Isn't technology fun?

Goofin around on a Sunday afternoon with the boys!

January

Here a picture of Cora yesterday on her 2 Month birthday.

This cute little newborn outfit is pretty tight on her.  She's growing and getting big.  

She likes to hold Scott's zipper, and my V-necks.

We live just a few minutes from the Lindt Factory here in Aachen.  These Santas are a favorite at Christmas to give to the kids.  They are a LOT of chocolate.  I realized trying to bite into this 70% dark chocolate one that it was virtually impossible to eat it that way.  Had to get a knife and cut it into pieces!

Cora at bath time

Some first smiles

I love when she blows her tongue at you. :)

Baby Feet

Cora Jane -November 2013

Baby Feet 

by Edgar A. Guest

Tell, what is half so sweet

As a baby’s tiny feet,

Pink and dainty as can be,

Like a coral from the sea?

Talk of jewels strung in rows,

Gaze upon those little toes,

Fairer than a diadem,

With the mother kissing them!

It is morning and she lies

Uttering her happy cries,

While her little hands reach out

For the feet that fly about.

Then I go to her and blow

Laughter out of every toe;

Hold her high and let her place

Tiny footprints on my face.

Little feet that do not know

Where the winding roadways go.

Little feet that never tire,

Feel the stone or trudge the mire,

Still too pink and still too small

To do anything but crawl,

Thinking all their wanderings fair,

Filled with wonders everywhere.

Little feet, so rich with charm,

May you never come to harm.

As I bend and proudly blow

Laughter out of every toe,

This I pray, that God above

Shall protect you with His love,

And shall guide those little feet

Safely down life’s broader street.

Happy Sunday!

Happy Sunday everyone!  Last week I was home with Timmy from church, since he had thrown up.  It seemed to have been a fluke, because he was so happy and fine right after.  I must have picked up what he had though, because this week, I'm sick.
I put Cora in her cute new Sunday dress anyway. :)  

Hope next week, we are all well again.

Cora is starting to smile, and has rolled tummy to back 2 times.  She has started to coo, and likes to look at the hanging stuffed animals now on the bouncer.

It was a huge treat for us to have my Mom and Dad here in November and December, for Coras birth, and for Christmas & New Years.

We were sad to say goodbye last week.  On their last day, we had Tai food in town, and toured the Aachen museums: The Rathaus, the Couven Museum, and the Zeitungs Museum.

 The White Hall 

Rathaus, Aachen.

This is where most couples in Aachen would like to be married civily, before a church ceremony. 

The portrait behind dad is of the 3rd Earl of Sandwich (yes, the restaurant chain is named after he and his family. :) 

The Rathaus Foyer

is visible from this picture window above.

They had a fantastic Christmas tree up.

The Aachen Dom 

is best viewed from these Rathaus east windows.

 The day mom and dad rode to Paris, we headed out with the car to Frankfurt.  We first visited the
US Consulate
to make Cora an officially recognized American.   We just received her official "report of birth abroad" certificate and US passport in the mail.  That means we can travel with her now!

Afterwards, we headed to the Frankfurt Temple for a visit, before driving home.  Our friend Alex received his endowment.  Although, we were not able to attend the session he was in, we were glad to see his family at the temple and proud of him for all he has done to prepare himself for these special blessings.

 Christmas is officially over when you take down the Christmas tree.
Our tree pickup was yesterday, so we packed away the ornaments and took the tree out.  The living room feels quite roomy now!  Room to play with all those Christmas toys now!

 We hope you all had a wonderful Christmas!  Even though we didn't send out cards, this year, we hope that all of you, our friends and family know how much we love you and think of you.  We enjoyed getting updates from several friends, and hope to stay in touch!  Perhaps I will get a Valentines card/email out. :)

Watch out for the animals!

Aaron and I were playing with his animal puzzle book this morning.

Aaron: Da big birds, day take peepo away.  Mommys and daddys.  When you at the tierpark, you need to wun FAST away, so dat he doesn't see you.  And when you see diss by you, den you have to run FAST away from him, how he can not eat you.  When he eats me, he will say "yucky" and he will go wike dis "bwahhh" and frow up!  Dats what he gonna do.

Aaron:  Otopuses steeow (steal) kids and peepo and gwandmas and gwandpas.
Me: Really?  Who told you that?
Aaron: Nobody, duss me.  Otopuses walk wif der hands. Dey don't have no feet.

As I wrote that down he yelled.....
Mommy come do diss again!  It's getting wonger!  (longer)

Happy New Year

Dad (Grandpa Kent) and I got these fireworks at Aldi.  Aldi, people.  Check this out.

Tummy Time

Cora's Blessing

We blessed Cora in church last Sunday.  

It was a beautiful day, and we were all happy that everything went so well.

 Thank you to Robby for letting us borrow her gorgeous blessing dress.  

It was so beautiful, with a lovely long skirt.  

Cora's Macha gifted her a matching bonnet from Brugge, Belgium. 

(It was even ironed, Janice! :) )

 Here is a close-up of her beautiful blessing blanket, handmade by her Macha.

 The three Generation shot.

I highly recommend having a mother there when you throw a little blessing party.  My goodness was my mom helpful!  She was like a little fairy...magically changing Cora's diaper and calming her down when I'm not looking!

Mom stayed up with me cooking the night before.  We cooked for 3 hours!  We made mini cherry cheesecakes, chocolate macarons, artichoke tarts with homemade wonton pastry, a vegetable tray, and had lots of drinks ready.  

We decided to go "fingerfood" with paper goods to try to make it easy for set up and clean up.  

(No tables needed, no dishes, etc.)   It was really nice.

Thanks to Mario, Jen, Laura, and the missionaries for also contributing some yummy snacks for the refreshments!

  The whole family

Thanks to all our friends who celebrated with us!

Christmas 2013

Christmas Eve

On Christmas Eve, we had a nice devotional at the church with music and talks.  We followed it up with a nice German meal, a family devotional, and all opened one gift.  Aaron was so excited for Christmas that he couldn't eat.  He only at a slice of orange for dinner, and at breakfast, he only took a few bites of his baked french toast.

We sang Christmas songs before we opened gifts.  The boys were SO excited, both to give their presents and to get lots of fun things.  They have been practicing their letters with their new Leap Frog books from Macha and Papa Tim, and taking photos with their new Crayola Camera.  They got some fun Legos and games from grandma and grandpa, and insisted on putting them together right away, which we loved.  

The monkeys from Aunt Nancy and Uncle Jon were a big hit!  Aaron immediately started bartering with Timmy to get his before he found out that he got his own! :)

Cora got a fantastic video monitor and some diapers and wipes.  Scott is enjoying his new tablet still, and his fixed mountain bike!  Katie is enjoying her new shirt, and fixed lock on the car!  We love our photo album from Aunt Allie, and loved all the Christmas cards via post and email from friends and family.    Thanks everyone!

We celebrated Christmas with a big holiday meal with our friends, the Waters Family.

We had turkey, stuffing, green beans, rolls, and au gratin potatoes.

 We played a "white elephant" type game with dice, each rolling for a gift, and then stealing until times up. Then, a rousing game (complete with excited yelling!) of Farkle.

We ended it all with yummy homemade apple pie, pumpkin pie and ice cream.

 Great Christmas spent with family and friends!

 Even Cora had a great time!  

She was good for us and slept all morning while we opened gifts and prepared food.

Christmas Evening after all the partying, Aaron wanted to wear their Santa hats and coats to bed.