What a cutie!

A lot has been going on around here in regards to our lil dude.
He has been talking like crazy...mostly sounds that I can't quite make out, but he sure does like to have conversations with me. He has also been singing:)....




Thought you guys would like that...did you catch a glimpse of the lil guy's chipped tooth?

Shoes have now become a favorite thing around here...Every time we go into my bedroom, I can almost bet he will go right to my closet and sit inside and try to put my shoes on...here's a few pictures....it really cracks me up!Man, it seems like so many things have really taken off for him.
It seems like his lil chubby legs aren't chubby anymore...he's getting so tall. And, his face is really changing too!
We only have about 2 weeks left here in Germany...and Im liking that..because it's just now getting hot...and we don't have AC! UGH! So, although the temperatures will be much higher in San Antonio...they believe in AC:)
So...let the countdown begin!!!!
And more exciting news...we will be together with Jon in a month and a half!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our last day traveling..

On our last day, we drove through the town of Heidelberg...and it took us some ridiculous navigating to find parking for this monstrous castle, but in the end it was worth it.
But...before I get into the last day...I wanted to post some pictures of what we did after we came back from Luxembourg on Day 2 of our journeys.

Noah has inherited our love for ducks...he enjoyed chasing them around anyway...And now for the castle pictures..
These pictures don't capture the size at all...this place was huge!A lot of the castle was in ruins, not like most of the castles I've seen here. I thought the ruins gave it a really neat feel...and Im not kidding, this place was massive!

Complete with 2 humongous..I mean huge casks of Im assuming...wine? Beer? Here's the smaller one!
And the bigger one..this one was about 2 times the size of the one above!!! It had a staircase you climbed up to go up and around it and back down again!...yeah this thing was enormous!
And the castle grounds were quite lovely.
We sure did enjoy our lil 3 day excursion. We listened to "The Dawn Treader" (one of the books from the Chronicles of Narnia) while we drove. It was great. Me and Mark loved it. Especially when the book would refer to the "poop"...which meant the poopdeck on the ship...but they just kept calling it the poop, and it made us giggle.
We really had a wonderful time with Mark, especially all the yummy food I got to make.:) We enjoyed our amazing buttermilk biscuits (recipe of my sweet friend Melody) so much, that I made them a second time before he left:) And of course my landlord, Peter sent him home with fun yummy goodies to eat too!

Day Two: Luxembourg (with Mark: ))

Yes, I did forget...I was in the middle of 3 day posting promise..and I forgot to post the last of the days...
I have been quite busy...and Noah has been such a joy, but unfortunately goofing around too much caused him to chip his poor lil tooth!!!! Don't worry, the tooth wasn't fractured so he won't have to get it taken out, and we see another dentist Monday to check what our options are as far as putting a filler on the end or filing it down. The poor dude. You would never know he did it, he is still his happy, cheery, and extremely babblin' self! This plus he bit his lip pretty bad yesterday too!
Daddy of course wants to see pictures of the lil dude's chipped tooth...but Im still working on it.

So, in the meantime, I will continue on with the post for Luxembourg:
We drove there with caution, because I didn't have my international drivers license, I know I know...but it ended up being just fine.
We started our journey at the tourist office where Mark obtained quite a few maps and suggestions on walks around the city. We picked one, and off we went, with Mark as the guide.
(as smart as Mark is...I was shocked at how many times we had to turn around because we went the wrong way...I kept thinking, Mark this really doesnt seem right....Maaaaarrrrrrrrrrk? :) heheheh!
We thought this was silly...looks like that person left their bike there for a loooong time:) hehe

I thought this sign was too funny!

This city was so amazing, built into and on cliffs...it was just neat. Im not quite sure how else to describe it except that you really just had to be there.
One of the best parts of the whole city was this amazing park, sunk down low into the "cliffs"..you didn't feel at all as if you were in the middle of the city...We ended our trip here:This is where General Patton is buried, and it was awesome, he is buried facing all of the soldiers.
Altogether, we enjoyed Luxembourg...even if we took a lot of wrong turns!

Oh Father's Day....

What a special day.

It's a bittersweet day for me.

My Dad has been gone for going on 6 years...and sometimes it feels like he just left us.
These are the days that I reflect back upon how amazing my Daddy was. These days, especially, I wish I could let him share in the joy that surrounds my life. With Jon, with Noah...with all my wonderful family. I sure do wish Noah could have met his Pappy...

I know this sounds silly, but it also makes me remember my Mom:) and...how wonderful my Mom and Dad were together. I miss him...and today I remember all the fun times we had preparing special treats for Dad!

I have a long list of Daddies to honor...so many amazing men in my life.
It really reminds me of what an Amazing AMAZING GOD we serve, that our Heavenly Father could bless us with such wonderful men.

Jon...you are the best. And I miss you dearly...as does Noah! I couldn't even imagine a better father for our son, Noah. Even though you are so far away...you are so close to us.

My Mom's Dad...Grandpa Hall...you always make me laugh and giggle, and have been a constant source of Spiritual steadfastness....it's such a blessing to see a man never waiver in his strides towards loving and knowing God more:)Sadly...I don't have pictures of Noah and me with my Dad's Dad or Stepdad...
Grandpa Burkholder...we hope to see you soon so you can meet Noah! I have the fondest memories of playing with my Grandpa B....and I do mean playing..rolling around and having such fun.
My Dad's Dad...there's nothing quite like his voice...it will always bring joy to my heart.

Jon's Grandparents...!
Over the last years, I have gotten to know each of you better, and have developed such admiration and esteem for you both....I know Jon loves you dearly and I can see it in the way he speaks so highly of you both, Grandpa Dan
and Grandpa T (Tio!)
We love you!

And of course...Greg/Paw/Pawpy....Im sure words will never fully express the gratitude I have for you...for you and Laura's love in raising up the man I love so dearly...for teaching him how to be a man...and most importantly, a man that loves God and his Family!
It brings pure joy to my soul to watch you, Pawpy,
play with Noah. Since you are the only Grandpa Noah will ever know...it just makes you so special!

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY...TO THE BEST DADDIES EVER!

Day One: Around Trier

Our first day in Trier was a bit rainy...a lot rainy...all day actually.
We had a wonderful time though, despite the rain. In fact, I told Mark this morning that I actually had a lot of fun traipsing around in the rain.

Trier is the oldest city in Germany...founded in the early bc years....
There is a famous gate type thing we saw
Porta Nigra
...but it was really rainy then, so we kept moving...

We made our way to the old Roman amphitheater...which was awesome...Mark had fun exploring the underground..I thought it was creepy, maybe because I had to go in alone bc I couldnt take the stroller...but really...
Our favorite part was the underground...I really kept thinking I would see some spooky figure behind me once I finished taking my self portraits...so I hurried along quite quickly in there...
We obviously were getting quite wet..Noah stayed nice and dry..and really couldnt understand what all the fuss was about...

Half way back to the car, I realized that Jon's so called "rain jacket" was indeed NOT waterproof...so it was beginning to get a lil uncomfortable..but, I kept truckin...and decided eating icecream IN the rain..would be fun....Notice how wet I am...

And it was, we kept laughing...and I think the girls working in the parlor that we were crazy!

This was our ...yay to be out of the rain look...nice huh?
Altogether we had a grand time walking around, and we were quite happy to return to our hotel to get dry:)
I was really glad I wore my spify crocs the whole time...they were awesome!
So, stay tuned..up next is our day trip to Luxembourg!

cookin for 2 boys...

So,
Jon's lil brother Mark came in for a few days...
I thought I would just share a few things before we head out on our short adventure before he leaves.

I have been making all sorts of yummmmmy homemade food...buttermilk biscuits, pot roast, chicken and rice...and APPLE PIE..a favorite of Mark's..Not to brag...But this pie turned out amazing..the first time I ever made a homemade crust...
It sounds silly to be posting about a pie...but it was just that good...someday I will share the recipe...:) It had a really yummy oatmeal brown sugary filling in it with the apples...:)

I took Mark to the standard city of choice for our guests...Wurzburg...here's just few pics....
Noah's hair was pretty cool..I had just slather'd him up real good with sunscreen...so his hair was pretty crazy!
And more will come when we return from our adventure in a few days!

We chunky Dunk

Yes..and the boy IS eating green bell pepper..how lucky am I that my lil guy loves green veggies!


I think Noah puts a new spin on the cute phrase "we dont skinny dip...we chunky dunk"

I got the brainy idea to give him some dip to use on his own..and this is what happens...

I think it's all gone buddy...or its all on your forehead...

Hope you enjoy these...eating time is so entertaining in the Houston Home!

Silly boy!

So, I thought you all would enjoy what happens on laundry day at our house...




And yes...it seems as though I change the blog header every other week...
What can I say...it's a stress reliever/hobby of mine:)

I hope you enjoyed the Noah nonsense!
Dad..this one's for you..of course!

Our lil Picaso!

It's true...
The boy loves to color...Here's what his latest masterpieces look like...

Lefty?
or Righty?

In addition...he like working with other mediums..such as skin...I think he prefers coloring on skin best! LOL!
Just thought you'd enjoy these...:)