Masami's 2nd Birthday!

 

I cannot believe that my baby boy is already 2 years old!  His second birthday was much less eventful than his first considering that he was in the hospital with pneumonia on his first birthday.  This year he was able to celebrate happy and healthy.

 Alethia really struggled with not being the center of things.  She was Masami's faithful present-opening assistant. 

The night before his birthday, we all went downtown to our city's fall festival.  We walked around, got crepes with nutella, and the kids got to do some rides.  This festival is an annual event, so I was surprised when I realized that the last time we actually went was with my mom when I was pregnant with Alethia.  Anyhow, it was a fun evening.

The day of Masami's birthday, I took him swimming with his little friend Morgan.  He is really loving the pool these days.  Then, we spent the evening at home as a family.  The kids played with Masami's new toys including a shopping cart and tool set while I made a dinner of gourmet mac'n'cheese and fresh green beans.  Then, we sang to him and had cake and ice cream. 

Masami is such a sweet, tender-hearted boy with a great sense for adventure.  I love being his mom and getting to watch him grow.  Happy Birthday my beautiful boy!

CSM Women's Retreat

Last weekend I got to get out of town for a few days and have some great ladies time.  All of the women on the Germany field with Cadence Student Ministries took four days off and headed to the Black Forest for retreat.

On our way down, we stopped in Strassbourg, France for lunch and a quick wander around.  We enjoyed some yummy Flammkuchen (like a very thin crusted white pizza).

It was a pretty fall day to walk around the picturesque alleys and amazing cathedral.  And of course, the stroll wasn't complete without a chocolate eclair.

Then we headed on to the Black Forest and to a new and very lovely Cadence House.  Our dear fellow Cadence missionary, Candy, was our guest "speaker."  The theme was rest.  We explored what Sabbath rest truly looks like and how to make it a priority.  It was thought-provoking and helpful.

The rest of the weekend was spent resting, of course, and shopping.  We found some thrift stores in France and got some great bargains.  We played games and spent lots of time chatting.  Conversation was rich and filling.  I feel so blessed to be among these women and to know them.  And our surroundings were gorgeous as all of the windows were filled with the bold colors of fall. 

While I was away, Anthony got four fantastic days with the kids.  They did well.  However, it was nice to be greeted with big cheers and hugs upon my return.  I missed my little gang.

Hoffest

Last weekend we went to a local Kurbis (Pumpkin) Fest.  We have been going to this farm the last few years...it has sort of become our fall tradition.  However, this is the first year that we thought ahead far enough to make sure to make it to their annual festival.

We were a little hesitant because the sky was overcast and it was sprinkling on-and-off.  We half wondered if they would cancel.  But we decided to venture out anyways and figured that at the very least we would get a nice drive out of it.  As we were on our way, we remembered that Germans do not mind the weather as much as most Americans.  Germans just throw on a few more layers, grab an umbrella, and refuse to let the weather ruin their time.  So, as we approached the farm, we were not surprised to see several fields filled with parked cars.  The place was packed.

There was an extensive farmers and crafts market that was fun to peruse.  We got a jar of "weihnachts backerei," preserves made of pumpkin, vanilla, anis and cinnamon that is Autumn in a scrumptious jam.  We also got a bottle of pumpkin wine and an artichoke blossom, as well as, a bouquet of Lampion blossoms and ivy. 

We had great eats!  Of course, we had to have a bratwurst.  But we also enjoyed this super yummy pumpkin soup, sweet corn cakes with weihnachts jam, and pork steak.  All was fresh and delicious!

After lunch, the kids climbed around the hay playground and, of course, we picked-out a couple pumpkins.  They have dozens of pumpkins in all colors and sizes.

We did not take time for the huge corn maze...we will have to make another trip this fall for that.  We had a sweet time together as a family enjoying the some of the best the season has to offer.