June

Here are some highlights from June.

Brennan is becoming increasingly conscious of footwear and for awhile now has been wanting a pair of "tennis shoes." He fell in love with these blue shoes and we snagged a (almost too small) pair at H&M. Here is the progression of events of that day in photos. First, modeling the shoes while wearing his original clothing. Next, having changed into shorts (the better to see the shoes). Third, after putting on pjs, and lastly the shoes somehow migrated from his dresser to being placed next to his bed, to then jumping up there with him. This kid is too funny!



A little pre-bedtime craziness. I love that they can have so much fun together.





While Patrick was in Italy my Mom came to visit and help for a few days, yay! We went to Kasteel Hoensbroek for their middle ages fest and tourney.





Here are some photos from the Thursday morning market in Sittard, NL.



Fun around the house, local hay bale art/advertising, and a quick ice cream stop at a cafe with friends.



Isla figuring out how to get into our toy storage and Brennan and I whipping up a little something for a potluck meeting.



Isla and Grandma being sweet, a cafe lunch, and a motorcycle ride in Geilenkirchen after Brennan's ENT (ear, nose & throat) appointment. The kids and I got very sick this spring and Brennan's hearing was still recovering in June. My voice is fine for talking but I am still missing sections when I try to sing. Crazy.



Here are some pictures of the girls, the kids in their pjs, Isla at a cafe, and again being entertained in a dressing room by Grandma's camera case.



Some wonderful friends of ours stopped by for a visit while they were touring Germany and we took them into Heinsberg for lunch, ice cream, and a walk around the church and old fortress. Laura and Ryan are siblings and I met them in German class in 8th grade. We've been friends for a long time and it's amazing that so many years later we were all meeting up in Germany. Brennan loved hanging out with Ryan and Brian and getting a little "guy time."



Here are some pictures from a carnival and craft festival in Geilenkirchen. Brennan was overwhelmed and not at his finest. He enjoyed the duck fishing but was heartbroken that we passed up a skateboard (skateboard!) that he needed. We had some playground therapy and Grandma even bought him the Spongebob balloon that he was eying, but he was still pretty surly, as you can see.



We made it to Mill Day again this year and it was a ton of fun. The 5 local mills (4 wind, 1 water) are opened for one day each year and the club members that maintain them answer questions, run the mills, fund raise and recruit. We were early enough to get a personal tour at the first mill and enjoyed bratwurst and potato salad for lunch at the second (Brennan ate almost an entire brat! I had thought we would all share it, but apparently he was hungry.)



Isla doing some more standing, fun with pirate hats, and more hay art.



Fun with a glass door.



Happy birthday Patrick! Patrick got home in time to celebrate his birthday with us. We were very low key with some cupcakes and gifts and were all so happy to be together again. Happy 30th!





Happy Father's Day! Here are Patrick and the kids snuggling, a lego building project, and a picture from our Daddy's Day trip to the bowling alley.



More family and Max's birthday.



Don't blink, I think it's summer! We have used the wading pool for 2 whole days so far this summer. Somehow cool and rainy just doesn't scream "pool weather" to me.



These kids are starting to get around!