OMG! What is my child doing?

When I got back home from a trip to the US, one of the first things that Eva said to me was practically a warning: If you put in a load of laundry, check the wash machine, since Quinn likes to put stuff in it.

Shortly thereafter, Eva put in a load of laundry and noticed about a half hour through the cycle that there was a lot of foam in the machine. Thinking something might be wrong, we stopped the cycle and opened the machine (our washer is a front loader, so this is more difficult than you would expect)...to find my last two bars of Ivory soap in the machine. Thanks Quinn!

I think this will mark the beginning of the 'oh my God, what did my child do'.
Last weekend, there was an open house at the local Fire Department (Feuerwehr Fest). They set up a bunch of cool demos, presentations of sort, and cool stuff for the kids to do. The weather wasn't all that great, but we went with Tanja, Rene, and their son Henrik. They had a bunch of trikes and Big Wheels (of sorts) for the kids to ride on. While Quinn's legs were too short (a common Gould ailment) to peddle, he had fun since I had to push him around (great for the back).

They had a kids version of a firehose that we could use to practice putting out fires. I think this was more fun for the adults, but Quinn tried to get into it.

On a conveyor, they had some mini 'fire trucks' for the kids to ride in. Quinn really liked these, and we rode two or three times...

We also got to slide on the poles. This was particularly difficult for both Rene and I...since we had to keep lifting the boys up so that they could slide down. That was my workout for the day.

Since the weather was significantly better this weekend, we were a bit more active: especially in Germany in the Fall, you need to get out on the weekends if the weather is this nice.

So, we headed into the Fränkische Schweiz for a Sunday morning hike with our neighbors.
We let Quinn run around in one of the fields, which he absolutely loved: running in the tall grass and picking the dandelions. The great thing about such a field is that he can run, fall, stumble, and pick grass with little chance of doing damage to himself.
Not too sure what Quinn is doing here: kinda looks like a cross between his 'I'm taking a dump now' and his 'Kung Fu Master' look. Thanks to Mom and Dad for the super cute jacket (that finally fits!!!). I think he looks like a little lumberjack here.
Quinn and Kaya.
Unfortunately, we got to the Biergarten a bit late. With such a nice day, everyone was out hiking, and the place was packed. We were told that it would take over an hour to get lunch, and there would be a risk that they would be out of food by then. So, we settled for cake and coffee (ok...I had a beer). Unfortunately, it was a shame, since their food is really good, and we were all looking forward to it.

I played with Quinn in the backyard after we got back, went on a nice bike ride in the Fränkische Schweiz, and now I'm pooped.

Quinn is picking up new words each day. He has 'cheese' and 'shoes' down pretty well, possibly perhaps to their closeness to the Germany word for 'bye' that he has known for a while 'Tschuß'. We're also trying to get him to know the 'magic word' (please). He'll say that he wants more of something (mehr), I'll ask for the magic word, and he replies: 'bitte'. Super cute in his 18 month old voice. Eva asks for the magic word like a normal human, but for me, the 'magic word' was something that stuck...so I'm passing it along to Quinn.

While he can say more German words than English, he understands both Eva and I equally well. Regardless of the language, there have been a few occasions where it was obvious he understood what we said, and you could see him contemplating whether he wanted to do what he asked...

True Friends are Friends Forever

As the cliche goes: neither time nor distance can break the bonds of friendship. Being in Germany for over 5 years now, I've definitely put this theory to test. Thankfully, this maxim does hold true for true friendships.

Last weekend, I was in the mountains of Colorado for BW's wedding, and on Sunday after the wedding, I met up with some of the other Pi Kapps from college that still live in Denver. While I don't get to see these very close friends of mine very often, every time we get together, it's like we saw each other just yesterday...we are just a bit fatter and have more grey hair.
As I awoke in Keystone the day before BW's wedding, there was snow on the ground. I can only imagine the look of fear and disappointment on Melissa's face: as they planned a wedding in the mountains of Colorado in September, I'm sure she wasn't dreaming about snow.
We were planning on a group hike on Friday, but had to cut it a bit short due to the snow. Many of the friends and family arrived on Thursday, so it gave us more time to get to know each other before the wedding.

Simply breathtaking. Everytime I'm in the mountains, I realize how much I love the mountains. Another cliche is that people are either mountain people or beach people. I'm a mountain person. Definitely.
...but at almost 12,000 feet, I'm breathing a bit harder.
The day of the wedding, in true BW fashion, we went for a ride. It was about a 90 minute ride, but the scenery was great, and it was nice to get out and get some exercise before the wedding.
The groomsmen preparing BW for married life.
It was an outdoor wedding. In true Colorado fashion, the snow from Friday cleared out for blue Colorado skies. It was probably in the high 70's (~25C); one couldn't ask for better weather for a wedding.

A close up of the altar.
The bride from the window...
...the signatures...now the marriage is official.
...now the picture taking begins...
Sam and I. We haven't seen each other much these last years, but it is still a blast to be around him, and I think and hope that we'll get to visit more these next years.

...the wedding party looking casual...
...and the groomsmen (trying) to look cool...
I think this is a great pic of Sam.

...and this time with me...
What a wonderful backdrop for a wedding.
For Eva, I had to take a pic of the wedding cake(s). The place is known for their cakes...I remember only having a slice or two (maybe three), and they were absolutely wonderful!We brought a bit of our German wedding traditions with us, and we gave BW and Melissa 'hearts': each guest got to paint their own heart in a square for BW and Melissa to hang in their new home to remember their wedding day. Thanks tons to Scup and his girlfriend Steph (pictured below) who did most all of the work gather canvasses and paints.
All in all, it was a super wedding, with great friends and great weather with the backdrop of the mountains. The location was superb, and all of the staff at the Ski Tip Lodge provided not only great service, but great food and comfort. If you get a chance, I'd highly recommend going there.On Sunday, since I had a late flight, I headed to Denver to meet up with some of the other guys: Justin, Hunter, CY, Krier, and Darin....with of course the spouses and children. It was great to take the few hours to catch up with everyone and was unfortunate that I had to go and catch my flight.

@ Hunter: you've got great content: Blog.

Above: a pic of the taps in the MacLean's kitchen. This was the compromise to Justin building a pantry: he got a kegerator and taps into the kitchen. Very cool.

What blog post is complete without a few pics of Quinn. Below...wearing my boots. Like father like son. The other editor of this blog reminded that a few of these pictures are reposts, and that I might have plagiarized some of the content: it was so good, that it deserves to be posted again!

Finally, the huge stuffed bear at Oma and Opa's place. Don't know how Quinn could lift and carry it, but when he wants something, he finds the strength.
Doesn't it look like the bear is leaning down to look at Quinn?
Oma and Opa.
...and playing in the yard.

Papa? Oma? Nina?

Last weekend Quinn and I took a trip back home. It was a fun weekend and we really enjoyed it. Quinn was very happy to see Oma & Opa (Grandma & Grandpa) and his aunt Nina. Every time the phone rings at our house he goes: Oma? - Nina? So, it was very touching to finally see him back together with his Oma, Opa and Nina. Now when he wakes up in the mornings, he goes: Papa? - No Quinn, Papa is still in America... Nina? No Quinn, Nina is at her home... Qma? No Quinn, Oma is at her home, too...
Anyways, here are some pictures of our weekend with familiy and friends up north:


Quinn and Nina - finally back together! Quinns T-Shirt reads: No matter what - it wasn't me...

It rained all through Friday and Saturday and so Nina and Quinn went to an indoor playground. They had a great time!

Quinn with his Oma and Opa!

Quinn loves my Mom's teddy bear. He actually carried him from where he normally sits to the couch so he could sit with him. I find it amazing how strong Quinn is - and how much stronger he can get if he really wants something.

Quinn and his friend Emma. They've known each other since Emma was born and seem to share a very special relationship. Quinn could hardly stop hugging and touching her...

On Sunday the weather finally cleared up and we could play outside for a little bit.




Thank you everybody for a wonderful weekend.

Rob spent the weekend in Colorado attending his best man's wedding and catching up with friends from college. I cannot wait to see his pictures and hear all the stories. We miss you, Daddy!

I'm from Texas!

Any doubts?

In German I would say: Früh übt sich... You'd better start early...

Can't Think of a Good Title

I always wear my work bibs when I'm working in the garden or mowing the lawn - especially after the accident with my fingers. As luck would have it, Quinn was wearing his bibs a few Saturdays ago...and we took a father/son pic.
Quinn helping me out eating one of the really good (but somewhat sour) apples from our apple tree. He loves the raspberries as well. I pick 'em, he eats 'em.
Eva's dad brought us the swing from his cousin...we didn't have a place to hang it, so we improvised. Needness to say, we got tired way before Quinn did. Try explaining that to an 18 month old.
Eva caught a great pic of a rainbow from our porch.
Quinn with one of his friends...
Kinda hard to believe that summer is winding itself down. Seems like it just started. Despite the lack of posts, we've been busy...and will be through Christmas, it seems. We're not ready for Fall and Winter to come, as it is much easier to keep Quinn active and happy outside than inside.

He's got a few more words, including 'bitte' (please). Super cute when he now asks for more food (noch mehr) then says please (bitte). Hard to turn the guy down.

On an unrelated topic, we're not too sure if this has hit the US, but a pretty extraordinary story has hit the media here in Germany: namely the winner of the 2007 Britain's Got Talent (like American Idol), Paul Potts. I'll let the video of his first round speak for itself. The other video is the t-mobile ad that has been hitting the TV stations in Germany.

If you don't get goosebumps, you can't be human.




Finally, while preparing for a meeting, I came across a great word for the Long Word of the Day: Hochspannungsgleichstromübertragung: High Voltage DC Transmission.

See...German made simple.

Like Father, Like Son ??

Sometimes, even when Quinn does something 'wrong', it is cute.

We let him run around naked every once in a while to let his butt air out a bit. Having a diaper on 24/7 can't be good for the skin. But, even with good intentions, this action of goodwill to Quinn's bum has its risks...namely wet spots on our floors.

The last time he was running around diaperless, both of us were doing our things in separate rooms, then I see Quinn running from his room to the living room...carrying a towel. Cuteness of the situation aside, seeing my naked child running around with a towl in hand, I had to see what was up. Carrying around a towel isn't exactly the first thing I'd do if I were sans diaper.

I poke my head in the living room, and there he is: using the towel to clean up a small puddle that he had left behind. Super cute.

Don't know how he knew that peeing on the floor is not an ideal action that necessitated him to get a towel from his room to clean it up, but I'm glad he has this awareness.

But, he didn't get this from me ...

As a sidenote, he finally has 'papa' down pat, and his other English word is 'this'.