Cochem

On Saturday we spent the day in Cochem, Germany, right on the Mosel River. We loved the quaint little town and streets lined with half-timbered houses. Unfortunately, the temps were in the mid to upper 90's that day, so we didn't last all day. Nevertheless, it was a nice little Saturday.
 

View of the Cochem Castle.

Within 10 mins of the visit the kids discovered a playground.

Not going to let the heat hold me back.

Mosel River

Twins

Shopping Street in Cochem.

Street along the river.

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Quick stop at the fountain to cool off.

Ha, had to include this. Not sure what Bill was going for here.

Our Visit with Auntie Lindsay and Uncle Tim

Since we moved to Germany we have been so fortunate to have so many great visitors. The beginning of July was no different as Uncle Tim and Auntie Lindsay traveled from Ohio to see us. Despite cancelled flights and a long 24 hours of traveling, they jumped right in. First on their list was a pit-stop in Amsterdam for a belated birthday celebration for Linds. Second stop-Heinsberg! Normally Jake is slow to warm to visitors, but this time was different. He either thought Lindsay was me (Bria did call her "mama") or he remembered her. Although it was a quick week, we had so much fun showing them around "our hood," as well as Bruges, Belgium (one of our favorites). Sadly, Bill was gone for most of the week, but he made it back just in time for a little 4th of July Celebration. Thanks Linds and Tim for chasing Jake and Bria around and for a week full of love and laughter!

Bonding with Uncle Timmy

Sisters at the Lake

Refueling in Heinsberg

Checking out the horses in Bruges, Belgium.

Uncle Tim teaching Jake to jump.

"I did it!"

In Bruges

Reading goodnight books with Auntie Lindsay.

Trying to be a little patriotic on the 4th.

Bill got home from Norway just in time to check the status of the food.

Happy 4th of July!

Captain Jake and his crew.

A little different from the ambulance that Uncle Tim normally drives.

Having fun at the park.

We love all the fun toys they have at European playgrounds.

Final dinner with Linds and Tim in Sittard.

Thanks for a wonderful visit Lockards, we miss you!

Oh, to be 2.5

Last month marked a 2 year old becoming a 2 1/2 year old in the Keleher house. It's been such a fun (read: exhausting, hilarious, trying, entertaining and special) time that we had to share a little bit of life through the eyes of a toddler...

A few of my (Jake's) favorite things-
*Mommy, Daddy, Baby (still only calls her Baby) and Casey
* Trucks, tractors, trains, basically anything with wheels
*Airplanes and flying
*Books
*George (Curious, that is)
*Climbing
*Germany
*Waffles
*Being silly and laughing
*Playing independently
*cleanliness and organization
*Barnoons (balloons)
*The sandbox (after going through a period of a major sand aversion)
*A,B,C's

Eh, I could do without-
- a mess (on me, near me, or on anyone else)
-Time out
-potty training

The best part has been witnessing his growing vocabulary, particularly since being immersed in more than one language. He still speaks Germlish and we are counting on him to teach mom and dad some German one of these days. Here are some of Jacob's go-to phrases (keep in mind they are said with redundancy, which might get to you if not for the adorable 2 year-old voice):

Jake's favorite word these days is NEIN, so anything you ask him he will repeat back and preface with the word. E.g "Jacob, put your shoes on," "Nein, shoes on." "Jacob, do you have poopies? "Nein poopies!" you get the idea.....
"Baby, Mess!" (said with a horrible look when Bria has made a mess)
"It's broken, kind of."
"I like fan."
"Not working mama!"
"Okay, Daddy?" when he thinks he is in trouble or that you are upset he will ask "okay?"
"Trucks, big truck, mail truck, tractor, red truck, garbage truck, trucks, trucks, trucks."

We could go on and on, there is never a dull moment. It might change tomorrow, but for the moment, he is really good about sharing with Bria and making sure she is happy, he doesn't like it when she is upset.

He keeps us laughing, and reminds us to appreciate the little things in life. We love you to the moon and back Jacob!