Thursday, December 6, 2012

A Season of Travel

A few days after Paul returned from Roma, we were off again as a family on a cross-country drive to Madison, WI. The kiddos were amazing, and traveled like pros. Not a peep out of either of them over two days until the last 25 minutes or so when were stuck in rush hour traffic on the infamous Beltline in Madison. Should have known better but oh well. We spent 8 days meeting up with Paul's mission partners and several friends we made during our 3 year stint there. It was a blast. We stayed with the wonderful Chris and Patti, who made us feel so very at home. It was great!

We returned to Denver on Sunday night only to have Paul hop a flight the very next morning to MN. Needless to say it was an ugly start to the week as we hadn't exactly left the place in the best condition and it is hard to get ahead with two crabby kids recovering from a long trip. We recovered though, just in time to hop another flight a week later to ND for work and Thanksgiving.

We arrived in Fargo on an evening flight, which went well considering how late it was. It is always so nice to be home! We spent a few days before Thanksgiving cooking and making all sorts of goodies to bring North to Grandma's house for butchering. I also sat at Sam's while my Mom and I got new phones - for under a buck!!!! Needless to say I spent the last several weeks learning how to man the thing.

We went to my Grandma and Grandpa Gapp's for Thanksgiving Day. It was so nice to see all the family. Then on Friday we hit the road to see my other Grandma Sauer and to begin butchering. We also got to see my cousin Jessica and her family as they stopped on their way through. The following are pictures of the oldest 3 grandchildren and all 6 of the Gapp great-grandchildren. So glad we got them all together.



Still can't believe this attempt worked, but all six kiddos in order by age!! (and looking :)
From L to R: Ethan, Sophia, Addy, Susanna, Leo, and Josie

Paul spent most of the weekend in the milkparlor/butcher shop. Sophia ran around with the other cousins, Leo was held by one of the many young ladies, and I cooked and washed lots of dishes. 

Leo and my cousin Hope. She is a baby magnet, and so helpful!

Grandma helping Sophia get ready.

Sophia heading out to play.

The Loegerings, Paul and Sophia out in the cold.

Cooking up a storm, what happens when you feed 40 some people

Kitchen

Games with the cousins in the living room. Nertz and the Farming Game

Becky and Josh

Becky holding Leo... she was an angel getting him to sleep for me :)

Dad avoiding the camera.

Leo, Sophia, Addy, and Susanna


Squeezey Love!

Sophia, Great-Grandma, and Susanna

Happy bunch of Ladies... and Leo :)

We had an uneventful flight home, with 2 huge cooler bags full of frozen meat. It was a lot colder here in Denver than when we left, but we are so glad to be home and getting back into our routine as we begin the holy season of Advent.

Monday, October 29, 2012

Paul in Roma, Italia

Paul had the amazing opportunity to go to Rome with FOCUS this past week Oct. 20-28. While I cannot write about his experience, here are just a few highlights from his trip.

Michael, Paul, & Rob

Paul and Dan at Villa Fatima where they stayed

Paul at the Colosseum. 




Inside St. John Lateran

The heads (skulls) of St. Peter and St. Paul

Papal Audience (We got to know Daniel one of the Swiss guards who is standing at the front right of the pope mobile when we were in Rome 3 years ago.)

Pope Benedict XVI

Dan, Joe and Paul in St. Peters

Paul going up to the chapel of St. Ignatius

The chapel of St. Ignatius where he lived the last 12 years of his life.

Dan, Joe and Paul in St. Peters

Paul at St. Paul outside the wall (stunning basilica). 

Tomb of St. Paul

Inside of St. Paul outside the wall. The images of all the popes are around the top just above the pillars.

Alter of St. Leo the Great in St. Peters

The description of the Altar

Dan and Paul were able to meet up with Fr. Tait who we know from Madison, WI.

Lastly, Paul in front of the Trevi Fountain.










Thursday, October 25, 2012

Rock Creek Pumpkin Patch

We went with our Mom's group to visit a neat pumpkin patch on the North end of Denver the second week of October. It was a beautiful day, not too hot but still a little sunny. We had a blast talking while the kiddos played in the bouncy houses and pet the animals. We also got some fabulous pumpkins for decoration. Too bad that the maintenance guys were installing new carpet in the apartment above us so that we had to do without naps after an eventful morning. An early bedtime it was!
Eating a light picnic lunch after all that hard work!

Sophia and Anni very excited about the bouncy house.

Two little munchkins, a scarecrow and a pumpkin!

Excited to go pick out pumpkins from the patch. They were inseparable, and hated that they had to get into their own cars to drive up to the patch. 

This one Mommy, I want this one! Now to carry it all the way back to the car, doh.

Sarah taking Sophia down the slide as I had Leo in the Ergo fast asleep.

So many pumpkins!

Beautiful sleeping baby.

Cheese...
(All photos taken by the lovely Alzbeta Volk, www.alzbeta.net)

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Pictures of the Growing Littles.

As we are settling into being a clan of four, and learning how to get things done again, here are a few pictures taken this fall amid all the craziness.

Leo bears the brunt of Sophia's sticker extravaganza.

Dot painting on our deck.

Leo and Daddy.

Hanging out.

Sophia is a chap stick addict.

Relaxing on a Sunday.

Where one goes, the other must follow. Even into the baby play mat.

Pretty girl.

It is so nice to have such a great helper in the kitchen. Wash away my girl.

Leo with Godfather Bryan and Daddy on the deck.

Maple pecan chicken for dinner. Yum!

I have the best seat in the house.

My first coffee cake ever baked in my new bundt pan courtesy of William & Sonoma.

Hello!

Leo loves watching the Broncos!!! Too bad he can't reach the clicker.


Big smiles!

We are getting set to hit the road in November when Paul gets back from Rome. Many more updates to follow.