During Spring Break Simon and Max got to spend a few days on the Florida Keys and everyone had a great time.
The whole family in the pool.
Max slowly got more confident and Simon was pretty much off swimming by himself.
We also got to meet dolphins and that was very cute, but we all had to get suited up first.
Max was all in.
Simon liked the dolphin but was not fully thrilled.
So he got out early but warmed up again
Amy got a kiss 🙂
Max and Amy went on a kayaking tour too.
We took the boys skiing in West Virginia and we all had a great time.
Below Amy spent quite some time with Simon who picked it up very fast.
But Simon first had a private lesson
Max worked with the amazing crew of the Challenged Athletes of WV to get his bearings on skis
The temps were quite cold
Here is Simon in action
And Max
On the last day it was bitter cold but Amy went out to ski
This is downtown Snowshoe
And the sun finally came out
This year we stayed at home and put up a 12 foot tree – that is 3.65 meters. The boys were super excited and so were the parents.
The Christmas card image from this year
On Christmas Eve the boys performed in church
And later that night the presents for family and friends went under the tree
In the morning the boys raided their stockings
And checked out in awe the gifts
The boys then went with Amy to feed the homeless at The Porch Cantina. Then breakfast with GiCi and Grandmama and then action.
Oh joy
No one was left out
And the adults were busy too
Very busy
Afterwards there was cleaning action
Good times by all.
Simon and Max very GQ at Easter
Simon is on the Sherwood Sharks swim team
With his fellow shark Finn under water at Sherwood
But you do not have to be an official shark to enjoy underwater time as Max clearly demonstrates.
The boys together in the pool.
Max enjoying a Landjäger at home.
Simon riding around Salem Lake with his dad running along.
Max prefers his motorized Powerwheels
A shark tattoo at the City Meet
Fresh haircuts before the big trip to Germany
Currywurst und Pommes at the Eichbühlfest in Ostrach
Taking in the beauty of the Bodensee while hanging out in Überlingen
Walking to the Bannwaldturm in Ostrach
At the end of the summer on the special way home from Brunson School
Simon and Max take a bath every night after a fun day of playing and sometimes the playing continues in the tub.
Last night the fun games were about 2 dogs named George and Bea, Superman and Donald Duck.
But the fun ended for one boy when the other boy decided to pitch all 4 toys out – one by one
The boys are growing like weeds and we all had lots of fun this summer, and here are a few impressions.
Entertaining themselves more and more these days.
Fresh haircut for the younger boy
Good times at the pool
Comfortable like a fish
Swim lessons at Sherwood Pool
Meanwhile the new house is coming along nicely.
The boys assisting papa shopping at Lowe’s
There is always time for the pool, and the little one is still good for fun.
Small construction toys from Grandmama Georgia look mighty in front of the new house.
Horsing around with David.
A kiss for brother in the tub
Simon also was due for a haircut.
Ready for summer weather and fun.
More progress at the new house.
Skateboarding with David.
A confident walk during the vacation at the beach.
With GiCi and lots of sand to explore
Opa was also there and hung out with Simon and Max.
The big truck in action at the beach.
Riding time at the beach.
A morning walk with Mama
Focused on the task at hand.
Captain Simon putting a big ship.
Max also spent time at the helm.
Big family dinner after the boat trip.
A house with a view was our home for a week.
Shopping at Litchfield Beach.
Firefighter Max is learning about the important job.
Morning walks with Mama are fun indeed.
Simon also checked out being a firefighter.
A big construction project called a Stairway To Heaven.
Max fell hard during quiet time and the bandaid is the lame work of the father.
More Lego work – The Clover Gate
The souvenir Max received when he fell against the edge of the bed.
Max Cool
Lawn mowing assistants at the new lot.
On the roof deck at the new house.
Simon is modeling near the Porch restaurant.
Giving the brother a ride. No Uber needed.
Hard work for Max with Emmie.
Fun times on a slide
So many sweet delights and Papa says no.
More work at the new house.
Going on a train ride.
Max loves the new harmonica
Simon also joined in the concert
The cherries were clearly very yummy
Mama and papa escaped to Europe for a few days
Good times with papa at the Lighthouse
Meanwhile the new house is taking shape
Ready for horseback riding lessons
Giddy up
Max was not fully into it on that day
Shanigans at home
A summer haircut for Max
Hard at work with chalk
Raspberries and yogurt
Testing papa’s aero helmet
Good times at Sherwood – yeah for summer
Max is loving the water too
Simon has turned into a fish
Official swim class
Yes, the house.
Mama was away on business but we were busy.
Hair stylists in the tub
The next morning an accident forced a special bath
We love fresh bread
But Max was under the weather
Intigued by Zion’s Daughter
Simon got to be a big boy and walk to class on his own
Big tears because papa walked outside with the trash
Helping papa with the tag for mama’s new car
That pumpkin bread from Camino Bakery is very popular
A walk with papa downtown
After a run with papa
Helping out to clean up the new lot
Max working intently with Sarah
Yeah, mama is home
We have been tardy with updates recently but can promise that the boys are well and growing like weeds. We simply have been too busy otherwise, but here is what happened the last few months.
Hanging out at the farmer’s market downtown in early December
Shopping for a tree a few days before Christmas
Breakfast out with papa before going to the dentist
Good times and good teeth at the dentist
Oh no, that papa is so mean
Sampling candy canes for the first time
And yes, those German gingerbread cookies
Team sledding
Finally in Columbia, SC and helping GiCi out.
Freshly bathed and styled enjoying a milk before bed
Gift exchange at GiCi’s house
From Germany with love
Monkeys at the front door of GiCi
Good times at the Columbia Zoo
Riding lions
And the carousel is always popular
Opa showing the boys how to play pinball
Bathing at Opa’s house
The gift exchange assistants hard at work
Entertainment at the Columbia Mall
A snack on the road to Macon
Fun times with Dodad and Bear
Entertainment for all
And a hug for Nana
A monster slide in Macon
A surprisingly adept climber
Back at home enjoying the new bath colors that came from David
Time to punt the Christmas tree – well, recycle it
Back to school in reasonably mild temperatures
Potty training in earnest
But Max first embraced underpants
It is always great when mama comes home from work
Helping papa to convert the cribs to toddler beds
Hard at work building steps with Legos
A very worn out young man
The bike is loaded for a big trip
Shenanigans with the bike not loaded
Bottle feeding a lamb on Jan and Maria’s farm
The little lambs were super cute
Driving the tractor was an extra bonus
Ready for Valentine’s Day
Good friends send great gifts
Oh yes, this is good
So happy sliding in the park
Electric hair
Tandem sliding
But brrr it turned cold
And then there was snow
Good for sledding
This was fun for sure
This year we drove to Philadelphia for Thanksgiving and good times were had by all. We spent time with Vinnie and Beverly where Simon and Max’s dad was an AuPair from 1987 to 1991.
The weather has certainly gotten colder, thankfully not every day.
Playing ball with Opa in the mountains on Sunday before Thanksgiving
Grilled cheese and ham at the mountain house
On the drive to Philly on Wednesday we had favorable traffic
Oh boy, snow in West Virginia
Walking with the boys in suburban Philly. Narberth to be precise
Finishing that cereal milk
When in Philly, eating a cheesesteak is a must
Drinking milk before going to bed and the wood floor is just fine
The day after Thanksgiving we played a fun game with Beverly’s mum
Bread with strawberry jam hits the spot here
Max also approves of the food
Simon and Max got to meet a little lamb in the Please Touch Museum
The piano was the perfect size for Max, but the interest was there for just a few seconds
Captain Simon piloting s mighty ship
Max was fascinated with this music box
Dr Simon checking out a patient in the hospital of the Please Touch Museum
The diggers were great fun
A very tired 18-year old
There was time for another cheesesteak
All good things must end
