Tuesday, June 21, 2016

Jane 11 months

Such a delight to raise this little squish!  She is more interested in walking with finger assist from mommy or daddy.  When she is distracted with a toy or paper, she will take a few steps on her own.  She loves to pull books off the shelf, play with the telephone cords, climb anything, and talk/scream "uh-uh" when she wants food or water or being held or sees an animal.  Jane traveled to Spain and Gibraltar this month.  Her highlight of the trip was eating sand, watching the monkeys swing from the trees, and splashing in the Mediterranean sea. 
Finally caught Jane walking on video.  June 21, 2016.

Spain

Getting to Spain was a little painful, but we sure enjoyed our time there.  We took a late night flight and didn't get to our hotel until about 2am.  The next morning, we had a good breakfast, rented a car, and took off to Ronda. 

 Kate on a Spanish horse in front of the bullring in Ronda.
 The bullring. 
 We had the opportunity to watch the horses perform their Spanish riding lessons.
 New Bridge.  Brings old town and new town together.  Stunning. 
Gibraltar was a delight.  We took a private tour up the Rock of Gibraltar to see the caves, view points, castle, and of course the MONKEYS! (also known as Barbary macaques). 
They were everywhere!
 Seriously cool and scary at the same time! 
We met the cutest grandparents on one of the beaches of Gibraltar.  They loved on Jane and built sand castles with Kate and shared the shade of an umbrella with Bryan and I.  So nice to meet good people!
Bryan and I had to do separate trips to Caminito del Rey because they had an age restriction of 8 years or older.  Bryan's group left at 11am and my group left at 5pm.  This was our main reason for traveling to Spain.  Totally worth it. 
 The bottom is the old pathway.  The top is the new pathway that was completed last year.  Quite the adventure!
Some of the old pathway has fallen below and the rebar is sticking out.  Would have been a seriously been scary if the new path wasn't built.   
 Our last day, we spent on the clear beaches of Nerja. 
We can't wait to go back to Spain!

Tuesday, June 14, 2016

June 2016 Happenings

Kate is still quite the climber.  She has figured out how to cross these ropes to go down the "fireman" pole.   
 Jane's first kiss.  We are really going to miss the Eickbush family!
 A trip to the Weltenburg Abbey and Brewery with the girls.  You can take a boat or walk.  I opted for the boat ride.  Beautiful Danube River. 
 Lessons on sharing candy in front of the Victory Hall in Kehlheim. 
 A trip to the Snow White castle in Lohr.  A definite highlight for Kate. 
 Lohr Castle
 Going down the slide with dad at Wohlpiland. 
Our first German 1/2 marathon completed together!  It rained the whole time...