Winter ?

Two weekends ago, we had an amazing 'winter' day. Blue skies, no rain, and not too cold. We decided to hit the park next to our condo and run around like idots (which Quinn can now say). The goal is to tire Quinn out...
He jumped...(it amazes me still how much a silly rock can entertain a 2 year old longer than most toys).

Of course...we played football. I would huck the ball and make Quinn run after it...he was panting and sweating...but didn't tire out.

We did take a break for some snacks...

After over 2 hours of running, I think I was more tired than Quinn...but he finally did take a super nap...

These are the days where we love where we live...which are quickly forgotten sometimes in the gray, dreary winter days. Blue skies are amazing gifts!

Laternenfest (Lantern Festival)

A few weeks ago, Quinn's day care had their annual Lantern Festival (Laternenfest), a traditional activity. While not directly related to Christmas, it sorts of gets me started into the Christmas spirit. Below, a pic of a jolly old St. Quinn a few days ago... Quinn was able to hold his lantern much better this year.

Quinn kept asking 'where was the festival' as we were walking through the neighborhood with the lanterns. He didn't quite believe us when we said that we were already at the festival (He had to be thiking "then why are we still walking".)

Our building has day care (2 groups), a kindergarten, and some after school care for older kids. They built another building, seen in the pic below. With so many kids and parents, it was pure chaos!

Emily wasn't able to hold a lantern...yet.

Home Alone...just the 4 of us...

Quinn was in heaven as BOTH sets of grandparents took him to the park. I honestly don't think it ever crossed his mind that his grandparents weren't visiting JUST for him.

He was super happy...almost glowing with happiness, and that is the important part.
Oma with Emily (with a burping rag from friends of ours and my parents that is almost too nice to use to burp on...Thanks Charles and Ann!)

Quinn really likes playing horsey with me. My back doesn't - especially when Quinn jumps in and out of the 'saddle'. He doesn't understand the significance of the song that I sing when he rides me: that old gray mare ain't what she used to be, ain't what she used to be.

But I find it really funny...

Quinn helping us fix something in the kitchen.

Quinn outside.

Quinn trying to hold Emily. The result is always a screaming Emily...but we let him try, and one day, he'll get it. He really does try to take care of her...which is really sweet.

It has been over three weeks since my folks went home. I have to admit that I was a bit skeptical how it would all work with us in one small condo for two whole weeks. I haven't spent that much time with my parents since high school.

My folks were great, and we had a great time. They were a great help, and Quinn really loved having them there.

My dad (and mom) played Legos endlessly with Quinn, they took Quinn to daycare, and were patient and understanding when we had to cut our trip to Munich (way) short because daycare called and asked us to pick Quinn up since he was running a fever (a message we got just before we got to the Consulate to get the documents for Emily. In true Quinn fashion, he was 100% better the next day).

Having my parents around was also very good for Quinn and his (English) language development. While I only speak English with him, I do understand all of his German, but with my parents, he HAD to speak 'Papa's words' to get them to understand him. His English made huge steps and progress while my parents were here, and he's using more and more of 'my words' on his own. It is really cool to see a child grow linguistically, but it is even more interesting to see a child develop both languages.

I'm also glad that my folks could get to see Emily when she was still really young.

But, most importantly, it was just great to be with my parents!

Like Father Like Son

While I was in North America two weeks ago, Eva decided to stay at her parents place for the week. In theory, the timing was perfect: there was a family event (Martinskaffeetrinken) on the Saturday before my flight and Eva would be able to pick me up in Frankfurt on her / our way home.

Let's just say that the week and the associated timing wasn't perfect: among other things, Eva left her purse in a McDonalds (causing about a 3 hour delay getting to Eva's parents), Eva got sick, and I had a stressful week on the road (with 14 hours of sleep between Monday morning and Friday afternoon - there were no long nights drinking and socializing ;-)

Nonetheless, a few quick pics:
A great one of Quinn and Eva's mom.

Here is a shot of me putting Quinn to bed for his nap. See the similarities?

More Miscellaneous Pics of my Parent's trip

Both Grandfathers hard at work. This is how Eva and I look, by the way, once we get both kids to sleep.
My mom was an angel while she was here. Anytime Emily peeped, she was there - in full Grandmom mode - to try to take care of her every need...which allowed Eva and I to get some much needed sleep.

While Emily was pretty good during the day, she had her screaming hours - which were usually between 6 and 10pm. My mom really helped us through these hours so that we still have some nerves left for Quinn to get on ;-)

Emily (showing her strong resemblence to Quinn)...

...do you really think that I'm having fun looking at this stupid star...I want my MTV.

My mom in front of a sculpture close to our house...kids love climbing on this one.

My Son Adores Me // Lead by Example

Quinn is now getting to that age where both Eva and I have to be careful about what we say and do. He picks up everything like a magnet, and he memory is a steel trap.

While Quinn may not have many of my physical features (dark hair, skin, eyes) he does have many of my non physical features, including my temper and warm feet. He is also picking up more of my likes and dislikes. I don't know why he does this, but his imitation of my likes / dislikes is influencing his likes / dislikes.

As much as I would like to think that Quinn adores me, I think it has to be something else, but I just can't put my fingers on it. A few examples:

• Quinn takes off his socks at every possible occasion - even in daycare where he is the only child (barefoot) with less than two pair of socks on. I am barefoot as much as possible and my feet are always hot.
• Quinn now eats only 'Papa's cheese' with his sandwiches. While we often have coldcuts / sandwiches for dinner or for breakfast on the weekends, we normally buy young Gouda cheese by the wedge. It takes a while for it to get a bit older and harder - the way I like it. This is usually when there is just a few slices left - and I really look forward to this part of the cheese wedge. Now, Quinn is encroaching on MY favorite part of the cheese.
• Quinn now eats only the white part of hard boiled eggs...just like me.
• Quinn has seen how I eat nuts and granola-by pouring a handful from the box/can into my hand and then putting the contents all at once into my mouth. Quinn now believes this is an acceptible way to eat everything: including his sandwiches and grated red beets (the latter made quite a mess). How do you explain to him that you can use this method for nuts but not for other food?

These are just a few superficial examples...but it is quite frightening how we as parents can positively or negatively effect our children. It doesn't work all the time - like tonight when I tried to convince Quinn that the crust of bread is delicious (it is!) by cutting off his crust and eating it myself with passion.

No dice here.

I remember my dad doing something similar with the bruised parts of the banana. He tried to convince me that the brown or bruised parts of the banana are actually sweeter. I didn't buy it then and I don't buy it now. I still to this day don't know how he ate all of that nasty brown bruised banana and looked like he actually enjoyed it. Yuck!

These simple examples are reminders to me about how important it is to lead by example. My kids learn from me, Eva, and their family / friends around them. They learn from the good examples as well as the bad ones. I strive to make sure he sees the good and I struggle to make sure that he doesn't see my bad examples. Hopefully, in the end, it all works out.

While today is just another day in Germany, today is Thanksgiving in the US: a day of reflecting upon those things for which we are thankful for. While I wish I could have woken up this morning to my mother frying green onions for her stuffing - like I had for many, many years - and how I wish I could be in the mountains of Colorado with my very best friends for the annual Turkey Day gathering, neither is possible or feasible.

I am thankful, however, that I got to experience those wonderful times with wonderful people; I am grateful that I can look to my own family and friends - old and new - and smile, knowing that life is very, very good.

P.S. I will be additionally thankful if the Buffs beat the Huskers tomorrow. Go Buffs!

Miscellaneous Pictures...Christening

Some pics are a bit hard to categorize or write about...so I thought I'd just post a short series of semi random pics of the fam. Most of these are from the Christening...below is Kocka, the proud Godfather, with Emily.
I've been amazed by the care and love that people have given toward Quinn after the birth of Emily...by keeping him in their thoughts and giving him a small gift so he didn't feel left out when Emily got birth or Christening gifts. Below is Quinn with his new gardening gloves (He's getting good at picking weeds).

...with my parents...

...with Eva's parents...

...and with Tante Ali...

When Emily went to her U2 inspection, the doc said that her hips actually got worse since birth and that her hip isn't fully in the socket. While not a huge thing and not abnormal, Emily has to wear this 'thing' that keeps her hips firmly in the socket so that she can grow up and not have a limp.

Of course, the brochure says that this position is fully normal for a baby as it approximates the fetal position, but it just doesn't look comfy.

Emily's Christening

With my folks in town, we were able to plan Emily's Christening so that they could be there. They wished they could have been there for Quinn's, and I think they were happy to be able to experience the service, even if they couldn't understand what was being said.
I guess I'm looking like I've done this before, but I was stressing a bit...making sure I didn't forget something and hoping that Emily (or Quinn) wouldn't scream during the whole service.

Our church as a great christening room. A stained glass star is on the roof of the room, so the kiddoes have something to look at. The priest warmed up the water...and Emily, suprisingly, didn't make a peep.

Our friend Tanja, also Emily's Godmother, made the candle...that Quinn kept trying to blow out.

The required pic with the kids and grandparents.

...and the required pic with the Godparents: Tanja (second from right) and Kocka (third from left).

We had coffee, cake and then later dinner at our place with a small group of family and friends. While Emily's Christening was a bit smaller than Quinn's, it was a bit more intimate, and we had a great time.

Quinn was stoked to have more folks to play Legos with and Emily was happy that water wasn't being poured on her head anymore.

Sesame Street: We all sing the same song

This is one of my newest, favorite Sesame Street videos. It is definitely old school, and the message still rings true today.

The playground looks super old, but well used/loved by the children. The kids aren't actors, but seem really happy. The tune is also super catchy...enjoy!

Legos with Grandmom and Grandpop

Quinn is in a huge Lego / Duplo phase. Playing 'Legos' is his favorite game, and now that we have enough blocks, we can really build some cool stuff.
Both my Dad and I love Legos as well, so it was a natural fit, in a geeky engineering sort of way. Above is my Dad playing a Legos variation that he invented for Quinn: Colors.

I think this was a ship...or maybe it was a huge house...or maybe a church...

Blue Eyes and his Smile.

Quinn really likes building tall towers...and uses his chair to build higher and higher...

Of course, he has to pick up his work of art and show everyone...which makes it tough when the towers are really tall...

After Emily's Baptism, Dad and Kocka got sucked into playing Legos as well...

The result of Quinn playing with our camera...a pretty good self shot.

Football with Grandpop

My Dad did a great job playing with Quinn - whether Legos, reading, or playing football, both of them seemed to have a great time. Below a few pics of the game...
Tackle!

Who do you think got tired first?

Like every football game at our house, CU wins!

Pumpkin Carving

My Dad showed Quinn how to carve pumpkins. At first, Quinn was a bit skeptical about the whole event, and my Dad was a bit worried about having a knife so close to his grandson.
Quinn definitely did not want to help Grandpop pull out the pumpkin guts.

Quinn got more and more interested when the cutting began.

Typical Quinn: trying to analyze everything.

Success!

While Halloween isn't like it is in the States, pumpkins and pumpking carving just goes with the territory. The pumkin looked great when we put a candle in it!

Home Alone

After two wonderful weeks with my parents visiting us in Germany, Eva and I are now home alone with the kiddos again. The insanity at the Gould house continues without grandparental support...
I'll post more pics and stories soon, but I wanted to start with these of Quinn hamming it up for the camera. After I came back from work, he wanted to put my boots on...and I helped him with my hat.

He's definitely a Texan in training

Birth, Life, and Death

Als Gott sah, // As God saw

dass der Weg zu lang, // that the way was too long

der Hügel zu steil und // that the hill was too steep

das Atmen zu schwer wurde, // and breating became too difficult

legte er seinen Arm um mich // he laid his arm around me

und sprach: // and said

"Komm wir gehen heim." // "Come, we're going home."

Shortly after receiving and experiencing the glory and joy of birth, we got a
strong reminder of the absolute nature of our life on this earth as we found
out that Eva's grandmother passed away.

While words can never really cover the emotions tied with the passing of a loved one, these emotions became, for me, much stronger as I saw my newborn child, Emily - as the beginning of life as reflected with the absoluteness of death in the passing of Eva's grandmother.

One then starts reflecting on one's own age. My bones are getting older, my muscles are getting weaker, and I just don't move like I used to. Don't get me wrong, I'm still young and active, but still a bit older.

My folks came to visit for two weeks, and they arrived the day before the funeral. Seeing ones parents age as well, within the backdrop of a death of a loved one and a birth of a new child puts additional perspective on one's age and eventual death. I still 'see' my parents as they were when I was in High School...even though this was almost 20 years ago; their age when I was in Middle School was not far from my actual age now. While this is probably human nature, it still adds a finiteness and a reminder that we are all aging.

At the funeral, there was a very interesting dynamic: while the group of family and friends were morning the death of their wife, mother, grandmother, or friend, they were all celebrating the birth of Emily (who was with us). It was a very strange yet natural dynamic. Perhaps seeing a newborn helped ease the pain.

While I only new Oma Göttgens (Tick Tack Oma) for a few short years, the funeral was difficult, as I have many, many warm memories of her. She always made me feel a part of the family and she always made sure that my favorite chocolate truffles were in her house when we visited. Simple, but very heartwarming.

My favorite picture is below: of her and Quinn, looking at airplanes flying over their backyard.

Thank you for listening / reading.