Hooray!!!

James just got word our household goods are in the states!!!!! It's possible we may have it by the end of this week. Next week is worst case scenerio. What perfect timing for us! We were just discussing today how long we were going to hold out until we bought a tree and some stockings so Santa could find us.

So excited!

We have a home

We got into our new place yesterday. We rented site unseen and we are pretty pleased with the house. It was nerve wracking but thankfully we were already familiar with the town so I knew what areas we wanted to live in.

Now we just wait for our things to get here.

We have not adjusted to the time difference yet. Well Maddox has for the most part but he sleeps alot already so it was pretty easy for him. The rest of us are struggling but I think after today we will be set. We were running all over yesterday getting things down so we didn't get a chance to recover any. We are making time today though.

Due to the lack of sleep, I made a 5am Wal Mart run this morning. Probably the best time to go since it was completely overwhelming. Lots and lots of choices! I found some new things that the commissary didnt have in Germany though so it was fun.

American Macen

Is now in America. We landed in the good 'ole US of A yesterday.

For those of you who don't know Macen has claimed his name is American Macen or Macen America for months now. He got this from being in German kindergarten and they were discussing America.

We are tired and have to hit the ground running at least for our first day here but hopefully we'll get in some recovery time soon. Both boys did excellent on both of our flights. Maddox had started doing lots of crying on our return trip from Athens and going to and from Barcelona so I wasn't looking forward to a long flight with him. I imagine having his own seat helped - him and I both got our space. They could not have been any better and we had a pretty pleasant trip back to the states.

Frankfurt Christmas Market

One of the big things we wanted to do since coming to Germany was go to a Christmas market. We had heard so many good things about them to include the food and gluhwein (warm wine). James was gone for last years and I was newly pregnant and worried morning sickness was going to kick in any day so I didn't travel to any. The closest ones would have been an hour away. Since we got the airport this morning and we aren't flying out until tomorrow, we decided to take the train to the Frankfurt Christmas market. It didn't disappoint.

On our way....

We got to the Frankfurt airport this morning via an early, early morning bus. Myles' travels have not started well. First he was dropped from the top of the pile of lluggage. Thankfully he was in the hard carrier. Then his carrier popped open while James was trying to get himself and cart of luggage in a small elevator. Again thankfully James caught it before he escaped.

We fly out first thing tomorrow morning. Hard to believe the time has come.

Barcelona, Spain

We spent the Thanksgiving weekend in Spain. We were smart and selected a warm location with a Hard Rock of course! We had perfect weather and couldn't have asked for more.

                                                                          Hard Rock

Water fountains at the square near Hard Rock

                                                                     Hop On, Hop Off

There wasn't anything we absolutely wanted to see in Barcelona other than Hard Rock and the beach so we decided to do the Hop On, Hop Off bus to see the sights. Barcelona is a very modern, updated European city who appears to like architect. It's really beautiful!

                                                        Christopher Columbus monument

                                                                            Aquarium

Or as Macen kept calling it - the fish museum. Macen was very excited to go here and enjoyed it.

An arena where bull fighting use to take place. It is now converted to businesses and retail shops.

Barcelona is known for their hot chocolate so of course we had to sample it. It was the thickest hot chocolate I have ever had. I wasn't sure if I should drink it or use my spoon so I did a little of both :) They serve it with a couple of soft, sweet biscuit to dip in it. Fantastic!

Cable Car over the harbor

Next we took a cable car ride out over the bay to get a view of the city from above. It was amazing to see the Mediterranean Sea from this view.

Lunch

Barcelona serves tapas which is kinda like appetizers in small portions. So we ordered a selection of them to get a taste of Barcelona! Our table was full of food that James and I enjoyed.

The beach at the Mediterranean Sea

This was a highlight for us since we like the water so much. We had great weather for it and I was able to capture a picture for our Christmas card from here.

Macen enjoying the waves coming in and running from them.

Maddox in a little dip that had been dug out by someone. He had on a onesie with jeans over it. I was still finding sand in his diaper the next day.

Macen willingly went into the water with James. It was a little chilly but he enjoyed it. He doesn't like his clothes to be wet but a couple of waves caught the bottom of his rolled up jeans. He didn't mind at all though.

Christmas Market

Nothing like leaving the beach and going directly to a Christmas market while eating gelato. I guess that is the way they do it in Barcelona. It's certainly a different story in Germany :) We had watched them set up some of the market the night before so we return since we had not been to a Christmas market over here yet.

Macen getting into the spirit!

These last 2 were taken in the Las Ramblas area of Barcelona which has become very touristy. We ate dinner here, did some souvenir shopping and then enjoyed some gelato and covered waffles. In fact, we enjoyed quite a bit of gelato while here!

We had a great time! Barcelon is a beautiful city and we couldn't have asked for more in our last European vacation.

4 months old

Pause button please! Maddox is growing so fast and getting stronger and stronger. He prefers to be sitting up most of the time or even standing on his tiptoes. He is now 14lbs (18th percentile) and 24.6 inches (22nd percentile). He is getting good at rolling over much faster now and sometimes he is able to get back over on his back.

As you can see we are still swaddling. Although he is too long for the miracle blanket now so I just leave his feet out and use it for his arms. Maddox got a nasty cold before we left for Athens. Poor guy! We are not having a good time with his night sleeping. Between the cold, him being more aware of his surroundings and teething, every night has become a struggle. The doctor did say he saw some teeth coming, so it begins.