Halloween

I couldn't get any pictures to load up in this site so all our costume pictures are on the shutterfly site. Enjoy!

http://andpuppydogtails.shutterfly.com/

10 Months and 10 Miles

On Sunday Dashel turned ten months old and I ran ten miles. This was a huge accomplishment for me, not only because I had a baby ten months ago, but because up until about about 5 weeks ago I had never ran more than 2 miles. Ever. Having a group of ladies, also with babies, training for the half marathon is really the best motivation. The weather was cold and began to rain and we just did it anyway. Only three more weeks till the half marathon. Its going to be really fun and a once in a lifetime experience to run it in Italy.

Back to little Dashy Boo. He's still getting better at his walking. Its comparable to someone learning to ski. He can stand up, get going, but once he starts he goes too fast and doesn't know how to stop. He only feels comfortable walking to me because he knows I'll catch him. Once he gets the hang of stopping he'll be off. Other than that he's just being a crazy little baby. Playing with cars, tapping his foot to music, waving goodbye and giving the best hugs ever. He's just such a great little guy!


Why is the sun so bright?






Paccy smile



Stay tuned for pictures of the boys in their costumes!!

Seahawk Sunday

The Seahawks finally won an away game and I think it was due in part to Kirby and the boys wearing their Seahawk shirts. Maybe not, but they all looked really cute any way.








Thanks Uncle Jeff and Aunt Suzanne for the Seahawk T-shirts!

Dash 9 Months Old

Our little manimal turned 9 months old on Friday and in true Dashel fashion took a couple steps the day before. He's been walking along the walls and furniture and finally ventured a few steps into the room. He's also standing on his own a little. When I try to get him to walk to me he gets really excited and nervous and just run/falls into my arms. He's such a fun little guy and keeps us very entertained. He LOVES music. He literally throws his hand in the air and starts shakin' it every time he hears music. He likes to clap and wave and EAT. Oh how he loves to eat. This morning he ate berries and scrambled eggs and was dancing in his seat just from the excitement of tasty food. Last night we ate pesto and being the Italian born boy that he is, sucked the pesto off of every noodle we gave him. He's sleeping much better at night which makes every ones life easier, but mostly mine. He hates getting dressed and having his diaper changed and screams bloody murder at either happening. And shoes, you can just forget about it. He won't wear them, its like wrestling a baby alligator.

Eating his breakfast and dancing.

All clean!

At our favorite winery

In Verona

In San Gimignano



Oliver looking spiffy

Happenings

Well its officially official that we are moving to Ft Polk in December. We couldn't be happier about this. The best part is that we are getting out of our teeny house and moving back into our big house. The renters have been given notice and they will be out by November 30 at the latest. Its so crazy to think that exactly 4 years ago we moved into that house and now we are going back. We will miss many things about Italy, like actually being in Italy, drinking cappuccinos at outdoor cafes and drinking wine at lunch where no one thinks you are a lush. Its been a good run though and we aren't too sad to say goodbye. We get to be here through all the welcome home ceremonies and celebrations and get to say goodbye to all our friends. Its a good time to go.
I'm taking an Italian class. Kind of ironic since I've been here two years but its the first time I've ever really had Kirby around in any real capacity and I am able to go some where without the kids. Its very nice. I'm also training for a half-marathon in November. A few other ladies are training as well so that makes it a little less terrible. So far I am up to 6 miles, I am definitely progressing. My double jogging stroller is the best and it allows me to go whenever I want and just take the boys. There are a few good paths right outside our house so that makes it even easier.
Other than that we are just gearing up for Oliver's birthday, thanksgiving and our big move. We are really happy just being together as a family because its something we really haven't had thus far.

cheers

8 Months Old

July 24th

Dashel Edward turned 7 months old the day we left Germany. He had begun crawling and pulling up in earnest a few days into our stay and the Fisher House as lovely as it was, was not designed for a baby on the go. Though I put little stock in "baby proofing" I do try to avoid having large potted plants that are just the right size for pulling up (with lots of dirt inside to eat) in the vicinity of the baby. Once Kirby moved into the Fisher House with us, he was overwhelmed at the amount of activity and was very concerned that Dashel would fall and hurt himself. Compounded by the fact that Kirby could do nothing to help corral him, it was a stressful time.
Kirby started feeling a little better each day and luckily the unseasonal heat wave (and no air conditioning) that plagued us early on had passed and the weather was nice and not too hot. We were also able to visit the HUGE BX/PX (military store) on Ramstein Air Force Base, and once again feel that twinge of jealousy at how EVERYTHING is better on an Air Force Base. We drank German beer and ate some tasty schnitzel and tried to wrap our heads around our new normal.


We drove to Garmisch Germany and stayed two nights at The Edelweiss Lodge and Resort . We'd stayed there a couple times last year and it worked out nicely because it is halfway between Landstuhl and Vicenza.






The highlight of our stay was going on the horsey ride. Look at his sweet face reflected in the window.

This sunset was beautiful and looked like a painting I thought.

The horse and carriage.