minnesota time.

And finally, David had to get back to Germany to work (what?!) but the girls and I decided to stay and play in Minnesota for a bit longer.  We loved having more time with family and a chance for Evelyn to meet more people from my extended family too!  Here's a few pics of the good times.

Norah's favorite I think - Uncle Aaron!

Park time!

Ummm.... fabric shopping of course! It's not overwhelming at this outlet at all... oh wait, YES YES it is and so much fun too!!!! *This was one of the two carts, but to be totally honest the other cart wasn't quite as full.

There's something like 25 rows of fabric (all kinds) from floor to ceiling in this warehouse. Amazing.

Grandma Karen was in Minneapolis watching Micah for a day so we met for lunch with her and Kristin at Panera!  This was the best shot I had -- I promise you Norah's not farting :)

Thankful to spend some time getting to know Great Grandma Goldie (Papa's Mom)

A weekend in WI with my Spokane girlies was just what I needed (they flew into MN to see me!). It didn't turn out to be everything we hoped for but in the end - I think the Lord can make good what I may see as bad. I ended up being so overwhelmed by being Stateside and seeing these ladies I love so much (and not have my girls to care for) that I had somewhat of a breakdown!  It wasn't fun but it was real and I know my girls can handle real and they were right there with me experiencing my emotions and pain and I was able to start to process some of the past 9 months. I love you Amy, Carly & Amy, thank you for loving me too... even in the ugliest of times.

I got to relax while other people helped me - what a blessing! But, my girls still loved me and would visit me on the couch... not that I was always laying on the couch but hey... American television is so fun to watch when you don't really have it where you live (we have a few options which I'll explain later)!

BLESSED by my time with my longtime friend, Dawnette. She was the co-leader of both Nepal trips I took in 2000 & 2001.

A visit & some coffee with my sweet cousin Bekah :)

An afternoon lunch with (L to R) Me, Dawn, Norah, Ev, Jessica, Nana (my mom), Kim

Aaron, Darren, David (back from Germany!), and Nathan

Swimming in Papa & Nana's association's pool!  Norah was stealing all the attention.

I love this shot of Nana & Evelyn.

Thanks for everyone who made an effort to see us and continue to be in our lives even though it's hard to do that when we're not around - and when we are around it's for only a few days. We just love you all so much and feel so supported by our loved ones back in the States. XO

wisconsin love. moselle style.

Similar to the Blomgren style long weekend at Kolnes Kove, we were livin' it up with the Moselle/Toldt clan!  Here's some pictures to prove our joy with our beloved family...

Uncle Aaron!

 Boat time with everyone on board. Evelyn was finally getting more brave on the boat (after about 5 rides) and even would sit looking out! 

 Even though Evelyn stood up on the boat she still needed the security Daddy could offer. She actually does this often in our normal life--puts one of her feet on ours. It's so cute (especially since she has these chubby toddler ankles still.

 Uncle Nathan :)

 Nana & Papa/Love Birds

 Taking the crazy kids out of the cabin for us, thanks Nana & Papa.

 We got some great family pictures this year, yay!  Here's a few of my favorites and a taste of my family in case you don't know them personally :)

 

We tried to get a good little family shot but once you lose one kid, they just don't recover. Evelyn was a little on the sad side here. 

 What I look like on the weekdays when no one's around to help... child on each hip or one in the ergo and now one that's good enough to walk (fast enough)!  Hip hip hurrah!

 And, again what real life looks like with two toddlers -- improvising when they crawl all over you. We kinda love it.

The girls has a blast with their new dress up costumes from Grandma Karen and wanted to wear them all day, everyday. We haven't had any before and I'm so glad we do now!

 Bonding with Auntie Kim.

Norah just wanted to be a part of everything any adult was doing so... here she is helping Kim with dishes :)

 Yard games.

 Throwing rocks in the lake.

Game night, every night with my family! I love this one where all the men are finishing up a competitive game of Settlers.

One last look... beautiful!

wisconsin love. blomgren style.

Recently we were blessed to take advantage of a visit to the States to see family and some friends!  Our siblings all finally got to meet Evelyn and we finally got to meet our niece and nephew that were born since leaving for Germany.  We kicked off the trip spending quality time with the Blomgren's at Kolnes Kove (like last year) and had an unforgettable time once again.

We ate great food, talked, took a few boat rides on the new and beautiful pontoon, celebrated Chuck's 60th, and mainly just enjoyed being together.  Here are some of the highlights in pictures :)

 The morning Norah & Evelyn met cousin Micah (Keith & Kristin's son, 6 months) and that Micah met them!

It can't go without saying that I shed a few tears that morning meeting Micah and Liv (Steve & Colleen's daughter). It was such a sweet time to really become an aunt in the flesh and so fun to finally start to get to know them both.

A chilly but fun pontoon ride.

 Colleen & Liv (9 months)

 The first cousin picture!  I love it. 

Micah, Liv, Norah & Evelyn

 What a good lookin' family :)

 Norah cuddling her Grandpa!

 Captain Steve showing Norah how to drive the new boat, and honk the horn a little, too.

 Evelyn was very weary of the boat but when the motor wasn't running she did a lot better.  She even looks like she was having fun here.  Cutest 22 month old I know!

 Colleen, Steve & Liv

 Kristin, Keith & Micah

 The Grandparents are in heaven... not sure where Norah's mind is (2 year old's will be 2 year olds...)

 Sisters!

twinkle.twinkle.

The girls are currently obsessed with the song twinkle twinkle little star. We really can't remember ever singing this song to them (but my mom mentioned that she had before) so we don't know how they learned it!  Now, we don't have to sing it they can do it themselves... every single day... over and over and over again.  If there's a pause in conversation Evelyn will just fill it in with "twinkle twinkle." It's rather cute :)

my thing.

I am so excited to tell you about my awesome sewing class!  I had a blast learning so many new techniques and getting to ask about 100+ questions to my instructor and making some really fun new projects.  This was the first class I've taken and it was a very casual setting, in someone's home with about 5 students but it was a perfect and comfortable setting for me - and, did I say I had fun?

I'll give you a quick rundown of things I learned and made during the 10 week class.  Most weeks we sewed a little in class and then had homework to try out a new skill we were taught - it was a great way to learn hands on and with really cute projects, too.

Week one ruffle, types of needles to use on your machine & info about tools and thread too. *Ruffle scarf, not pictured

Week two make and sew bias tape and sew darts. *Apron

Week three fabric flowers, lining a project/bag, edge finishing & hand sewing techniques *Tote with flowers

Week four shirring (SO fun!), cleaning & caring for your machine & intro to sergers. *The Maddy dress Evelyn is wearing!

We five introduced us to a handful of awesome feet you can buy for your machine (ruffler, rolled hem, walking foot etc.)

A close up of the shirring and the second dress I made (for Norah) since I loved it so much!

Week six zippers! *Faux leather pouch

Week seven making & using piping, pleating. *Throw pillow

Week eight pattern making & working with knits! *Circle skirt & leggings

Week nine sewing with elastic & appliques. *Poodle on the skirt, waste band on skirt & leggings.

Week ten catch up week!

Norah's wearing the circle skirt & leggings (they are capri style and not actually uneven, just the way she's standing) and Evelyn's wearing the Maddy dress - adorable!

During class I heard my instructor say that sewing was her "thing" and I loved that phrase. I've used it before when talking about others but I'm going to say it... I think sewing is my thing. At least for now and I hope for a long long time because I really love doing it. I hope I can continue to improve and try new things!  Have you discovered your "thing" or things - something you can escape everyday things to do and something you love?  I have other things I like a lot but this is somehow different - I feel good about it when I complete something and during it I love it too as I'm creating something from a flat peice of fabric.  It brings me so much joy!

trier.

This past weekend we drove (45 min) to partake in the pilgrimage of the Holy Robe.  The Trier Cathedral hasn't put Christ's tunic since 1996 (and previously had only been shown to the public in 1933 and 1959).  The Cathedral has had the Robe that is believed to have been worn by Jesus since the 4th Century.  Unfortunately, we were unable to take a picture as we were whisked by the Robe.

Unfortunately, the weather was unexpectedly very cool and crisp, but we wandered around a bit and saw a small portion of the beautiful city.  We hope to visit again when the weather is warmer.

 Enjoying our Italian lunch. Again, two toddlers & eating out = a bit crazy but sometimes there's not much way around it when you're out and about.

 The Trier Cathedral

 We parked near this beautiful area with the pond, tons of flowers and a cute little park.

Doing big girl things.