I believe in Santa

It looks like little Axel Ivan is pondering his Christmas list

but I can tell you that me and Yahtzee must have been very good this year to have been blessed with this little gift from heaven

Christmas time is magical for sure, even the days after as I wonder around my mothers house in my new slippers or look out at the snow covered lawn, I am still carrying the Christmas spirit.

More christmas songs please!

I hope you all had a wonderful holiday.

 

Announcing...

Husband and Wife

congratulations Brother and sister in law

By brother got married a week ago and it was a beautiful day all around - from the ceremony to the party to the lovely couple themselves

Celebrations like this always make me think about my own marriage and family values, 

and when everyone is in "prep-mode" to make the day perfect i am reminded how blessed i am in both these departments.  

Family traveled in from Missouri and Minnesota for the occasion and it was sure nice to spend time together at the kitchen table and on the dance floor.

And these two!
Can you picture anything cuter???

And as a sister of the Groom,
i have to say i was quite impressed by my brother's own attention to the little things to make the day a special one.
He planned a few surprises over the course of the day including a little note and gift for the bride in the bridal suite ahead of bridal march and a song for the bride on the dance floor.

Made me realize my brother is all grown up and I couldn't be more proud of him.

Congratulations you two -- and welcome to the club.

You are gonna love it!

 

happy summer days

this past weekend i travelled to Pittsburgh to host a shower with the other "hays girls" for my brother and his fiancee. I was only in charge of the invites but the other ladies did an awesome job to pull it off without a hitch, from making all the food to caring for all planned games and every tied ribbon 

homemade punch

homemade jelly

homemade hugs

hot buns

long time friends

neighbors

hostesses with the mostesses

As usual, we didn't spend as much time visiting as i would have liked but we did manage to see a few good friends, hang in the pool and get in a little "pre-birthday" cake

learning to fly

pa takes care

making a splash

staying afloat

spin with honey on raft

good friends

more happy summer days please

next stop: deutschland

 

Happy Father's Day

Happy Father's Day, Dad.

sure appreciate everything you do

wish we could have also spent the day with you

looking forward to a tall glass of ice tea with you on the porch during the next visit in

Take me home, country roads...

well it wasn't our best driving time ever, but we made it to Pittsburgh for a day and a half of visiting with our family and it was quite relaxing. I still love it when we finally make it off the highway and get to roll down the windows and take in the fresher air and quietness. No beeping of horns, competing for greenlights and watching for bikers and boarders and joggers at every turn.  Just the rattle of the car, the wind blowing back my hair and the promise of a hug from mom in the very near future.

causing a few stares - strategy

Of course, we played things a little differently this time. First stop was the golf course where Yahtzee and my brother played a few holes with friends. Yahtz wore his lederhosen for good fun though i am sure that a few of those guys are under the impression all germans are running around like this 24/7.   Then I was off to the beauty salon - thanks to dad for the gift certificate at christmas.  I met my little sister there and together we got our locks done. I love it when they straighten my hair, but how come i have such a hard tie getting it so straight and smooth and shiny myself???  I have all the same tools and potions and lotions at home but no joy. My sister got a new look going on too with some highlights which i think look great.  She is still getting used to them 2 days on but i have a hunch she will go lighter still next time - and be a natural "dark blond" like me.

Once at the compound, the kids were already suited up and in the pool. i am not sure how they do it because the water is quite cold still, but they are certainly braver than me. I did not even manage to dangle my feet in the shallow end.

We somehow got quite a bit accomplished in the short time we were there, mainly because everyone was in one place for a change.  We talked through the invites for my brother's wedding and shower. My older sister is making the invites and i was reminded of how creative she has been since a little girl when my mom pulled out some of her earlier school projects later in the evening.  Her writing and artwork were well advanced from the get-go.  Lets see, i also got some interior decorating advice on what color to paint our cabinets that are currently being built.  I used to take a crack at Mom when she would have 30 carpet samples spread out and having a tough time making a decision, but this is exactly what i have been going through with my paint samples the past three weeks. We landed on After the Rain and was then rewarded with a tasty steak dinner.  I  also got to drive a "nice car" for a change and drove my sister's NEW Mazda over to my brother's NEW house.  didn't get to see the inside yet but I know he and his wife-to-be will quickly call it a home. Oh, and i sooo want a new car!

Mostly, we took special time today to remember those who fought for our freedoms and have sacrificed their lives in the process. There have been countless brave men and women who should be commemorated, and my Uncle Donny is among them.  We paid a silent tribute to our heroes.

Thanks again mom and dad, for making our trip so nice.  Wish we could stay longer and already looking forward to more homemade Jelly, warmer pool water, a bbq at bro's new place, morning talks over coffee and more shopping on the next trip!

And hopefully a record-time drive in with our own NEW car.    

I hope you all had a wonderful long holiday weekend.

                

Meep Meep

When we met i called him Photon because he was always back and forth between US and Europe, always a step ahead of me in just about everything, not to mention running circles around me where grad classes were concerned.

Well, he has slowed down a little since then but this past Sunday, for one hour and 53 minutes and 45 seconds, he was the Photon once again. Yes, Yahtzee beat his previous year's record at the Pittsburgh Half by about 4 minutes, which is everything in running time.  I think the turbo boost is part due to my words of encouragement before the race and with the texts I sent throughout.  No matter, he is quite pleased with himself - running around the house saying Meep Meep as if he is the roadrunner for past week.
He did not run this race alone. My brother has been running the race for several years now without fail (whereas me and Yahtz have been more sporadic) and also training more religiously. Bro is an old pro, and this year, even amidst his wedding planning, new homeownership and new job (yes, all three of the 'biggies' in 6 month time span) - he managed to keep on schedule and run a good race - coming in at 2:01:57

I am very proud of you both - Meep Meep. I may just get back on track next year myself, very inspired by this Hawaii 5-0 duo xxx

After the race…

Gatorade addict

digging the headband

Later that night, my niece drew a sweet picture for Yahtzee and even wrote his name out perfectly backward, it the the sweetest thing.

Running any race for any length of time is very admirable

Congratulations to both Bro and Yahtzee

 

Little Muenster doesn't hold a candle to Little Mama

We treated ourselves to a "super luxury" Grilled Cheese sandwich Monday night….I know, I know, only in New York.


But I was missing family and home and had a little craving for some home cooking.  This led to a late night Stella ride to Little Muensters in LES.


On a scale from 1-10, about a 5.


My Asiago and Muenster with sage brown butter on peasant bread didn't hold a candle to my Mama's Velveeta delight with a touch of Love on white bread and a cup of tomato soup - and it certainly didn't satisfy my homesickness.


Miss you little Mama!

 

Happy Birthday Dad

My Dad turned the big 70 last weekend!

Happy Birthday

you have achieved so much in your 70 years, but I especially appreciate

the moments sitting with you on the porch swing

the letters you wrote when i moved to Germany that kept my spirits up

getting straight A’s on all those science projects

the long father daughter phone calls

reading the paper and having coffee on Sunday mornings

Love you, Dad.

Happy Independence Day

It was a beautiful night here in NYC, so we hopped on Stella for a ride to the West Side to watch the spectacular fireworks display.  These always amaze me, as do the conversations I sometimes overhear.  Tonight I overheard a family of three from Stamford, CT who first, they announced these were the most spectacular 4th of July fireworks in the WORLD, then commented on the new "technology" for the floating effects, and when the child lightly coughed, the mother told him to "do what you need to do sweetie, do what you need to do - cough it out" - whatever that was about.

Earlier this week we drove to Pittsburgh. We drove into the city for some Regatta action and after had drinks in Market Square with my brother and his girlfriend. Market Square was recently renovated and I am amazed at much space they managed to create there, even though with the upgrade came NYC drink prices.

Above all, we spent lots of time at the Compound and poolside with the family. My niece went underwater for the first time with the prodding of her mama.

Me and my sister shared ideas for project "neon sign" which will be unveiled pretty soon, along with gossip and a few vodka slushies.

We sat a lot on the porch - not just to BBQ and eat lots of good food but to share stories and chat and best of all, laugh.

This little guy was a hamming it up for us all the while. He even managed to call me Tante before the weekend was through.

Yahtzee shows off the iPad

We had such a lovely weekend. And mostly, we just feel very blessed to have so much love…