Runway Ready

It doesn't take much effort to notice that Europeans are a little more fashion forward than the rest of us. Whenever I am out in public here in Germany I am in awe at how the women seem to be able to look so polished, glamorous and runway ready. Don't even get me started on how they can walk the old cobblestone streets in their pumps. But they do!

I don't think I have seen a German woman under 50 wear a sensible shoe. I mean a shoe that feels good on your feet and that doesn't kill your never endings. Even the mommies are sporting the tailored clothes, perfect hair and make-up and the fancy shoes. Needless to say I always feel old and frumpy when I head downtown.

A few weeks back Brice and I were going out..downtown...and I decided that I was going to blend in, or at least try too. So I slid on my skinny jeans and brought out the pumps. Feeling pretty good about my efforts, we headed out. I was doing just fine on the 10 minute walk to the metro stop. I sat through dinner with ease. It wasn't until we were walking through the new mall that I was feeling a little "uncomfortable" in my fancy shoes. I pushed through, telling myself we would be sitting down at the movies soon. Of course once in the theater I sliped the 2 little torture devices off my feet, not even caring about the disgusting floor beneath them.

You can imagine the pain of having to slip those little buggers back on and walk home. I made it most of the way when Brice couldn't take the limping anymore and threw me onto his back (my hero). The poor guy carried me the rest of the way home, up the 3 flights of stairs with out one complaint. However he did almost drop me a few steps way from our front door when I said "I am totally blogging about this."

Trend Setters

Last week we had to pick Brice up from work. I had kinda lost track of time and looked at the clock just in time to see we had to leave...now. I hurried the kids to get their shoes on when I noticed what they were wearing. It's actually not too bad, but made me chuckle when I remember thinking "I will never be that mother that lets her children out of the house looking like.....

.....kids." They look like kids. Kids whose mom lets them put on their PJ's at 3 in the afternoon just because they want to. Kids whose mom lets them wear several shades of blue because it's their favorite color. Kids whose mom lets them wear their swimming suit all day because they had such a good time at the pool earlier that week. Too bad we had to wait in the car and couldn't show off the latest trend setters.

Wrestle Mania

Just a few pictures of Avery and Kayla goofing around. I'm not sure how it started or why Kayla was wrapped up in her blanket, but the girls had a good time.

I think Avery's part was grabbing Kayla's nose...ah how easily they are entertained.

Cologne

Last weekend we took an overnight trip to Cologne, Germany. It is a 1 1/2 hour drive that we have wanted to make since we got here. The kids aren't too big on sight seeing so we made the trip exciting for them by booking a hotel with a swimming pool.

Lunch at Hard Rock Cafe



We visited the Lindt Chocolate Factory. It was really cool and the kids were very interested in seeing how chocolate is made. Of course the amazing chocolate fountain and free samples weren't too bad either.

Kids posing on the Lindt bunny bench with the Rhine river in the background.

Caden and Kayla enthralled with the demonstrations

Avery being interested in nothing but trying to get us kicked out by pulling on tubing and wires

Cool chocolate shapes

After our tour we stopped by the chocolate cafe for some yummy cake

This is the famous Gothic cathedral. It was one of the most impressive sights that I have seen here in Europe. It is HUGE!

Caden and Kayla posing with a guy in costume and silver paint.

View from up in the tower. We climber 509 stairs to get this view.

Inside the cathedral

After the climb up. Props to Brice for carrying Avery up the VERY narrow and winding stairs and then carrying Kayla 1/2 way down. Way to go kids!

The last thing we did was to tour the Ludwig museum. We thought we could get some extra parenting points by letting our kids see a few Picasso paintings and other famous pieces of art. I won't go into all of the details, but taking 3 kids to a museum that is not targeted for them is a bad idea. We had several museum curators give us the stink eye for being loud and giggly. Maybe I'm small minded, but I just don't get modern art. A white canvas with a dot of paint, or drawings resembling something Kayla did when she was 2 or my favorite, the cardboard box stapled to a wall is not art. Especially compared to the masterpieces I saw at the Louvre in Paris a few days ago.

Over all it was a good trip. However, any guilt Brice and I may have felt for not taking our kids to more European places was washed away. I will say in now and say it loud, I do not like traveling with my kids. They aren't "bad" per say, it is just sooooo much work. They are just as or even more content to go to the local swimming pool or amusement park. That is why we will be doing most of our trips sans the little angles from here on out.

What did you eat for lunch?

Avery had a Smurf.

Tea For Two

A few weeks ago Kayla was really into playing tea party. It seemed like we had 3 or 4 a day. She would spend a good amount of time getting it all set up and then I would come up stairs (only when she called me and only if I "rang" the door bell pretending to be her friend).I'm not sure how you play tea party with your daughters, but we use Cherry Coke and chocolate chips.

Pretty hostess Kayla

I love this little girl. She is so creative, imaginative and sweet. She loves to cuddle and just be with mommy.

Tea party is only one of the MANY things she wants to play each day. We play our fair share of "school", "sleepover", "going to the movies" (we never actually watch a movie but pretend to call and ask our moms, find something to wear, drive to the the theater and buy our tickets and popcorn). Of course we play "house", "going shopping", and "sleeping beauty" (I get to sleep and she brushed my hair). Thanks to my sweet girl for the memories.

Procrastination

I am "taking a break" from writing my talk for Stake Conference. I am sitting at the computer listening to Caden sing to himself upstairs while he cleans his room. Don't be too impressed with him though, he is doing it so he can earn money, not because he is such an wonderful obedient child.
Ok, he just came down and said that he cleaned his room, Kayla's room and the entire upstairs....I guess we can be a little impressed with him.

Kayla is at school for a few more hours. Avery is still asleep and Caden is on Spring Break for 2 weeks.

I have a lot to blog about, but so little time. We took a fun trip to Cologne, Germany this weekend. Fun pictures and stories to share soon.

Brice and I are heading to Paris in a few days....ALL BY OURSELVES!

All right, enough of these random thoughts, I must get back to writing my talk....it needs to be done before we leave on Friday....ugh this is no fun.