Ruka's 2 Years Old!

Time really flies.  I can't believe my little baby boy is already 2 years old.  He has really grown into a little boy, especially since we've moved here to Germany.  Ruka is a silly little guy, always trying to get us to laugh, and then once he succeeds with something he doesn't stop.  He's definitely been my most persistent child (and I thought Emi was), which started from birth…he knows what he wants!  I love Rukster so much!  He's the best cuddle bug snuggler and just loves being with his family.  He's into soccer, ninja turtles, swings, slides, jumping, and climbing anything right now; such an active little guy.  Ruka is quite the little talker as well, he speaks mostly German, but knows just as much English (he knows all his body parts and animals in both languages)  One of my favorite things he says and does after I tell him I love him he'll reply, "I wub you mo" and gives me hugs.  It's really the sweetest thing ever!  

Happy Birthday Ruka!

The girls did a little modeling

Our cute friend made these dresses that the girls are modeling…such talent!  Here's a couple photos we snapped of them.

They were freezing, but had a lot of fun!

We did celebrate Easter….

This post is just really late….ooops!

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Freiberg Temple trip with the ward

I shall never take for granted living close to a temple again.  We spent a whole Saturday (starting at 4:30 am and returned home around 6pm) to travel to and from the Freiberg Temple.  It was crazy because we had to take the kids with us on a Bus, which they all got car sick from (throwing up and all)   Poor kids were troopers.  Mason quickly walked to the nearest pharmacy once we made it to the temple  and bought some motion sickness medicine, I have no idea why we didn't plan ahead.  The trip home was a lot better!  Anyways, it was great to do a session with Mason and others from the ward.

We watched all the kids while the parents did a session for the first 2 hours, then switched so we could do a session.

The gang

It was a cute small temple.  It looked a lot like a stake center.

Eternal family!

Artificial Getaway to Tropical Islands

Berlin continues to have an unusually cold and long winter.  Luckily some crazy dudes converted a WWII hangar into a tropical island with a lagoon, a beach, a living rainforest, and exotic birds.

It had a great kids play area with bumper cars, boats, play structures, large legos and other things to play with.

The beach was complete with a fake blue sky, sand, and water.  It almost felt like we were getting a tan.

The kids were in heaven, especially Ruka.  He didn't want to leave the water.

The lagoon was nice with its waterfalls and jets blowing all around the large pool.

Je t'aime Paris

Some highlights of our little trip to Paris...

Strolling down the Champs Elysee while trying not to hum the song. We ate at a wonderful cafe and visited the Arc de Triomph before making our way down to Place de la Concorde. Ruka ran all over the same historic ground where royalty was once beheaded!

The warm boat ride was nice relaxing way to cruise down la Seine and stop off at all the major sites. Also a nice place for a nap (for Ruka and grandpa Bob)

I thought maybe the Eiffel Tower would be overrated but the more time we spent there the more we realized just how amazing and magical it is. After climbing up to even the first floor I was shaking in my boots. It is so high and so open!

The Louvre is so huge and beautiful it was just daunting. Too much to see but we did our best with three kids in tow. Just as interesting as the Mona Lisa was the crowd gathered around a tiny painting pushing to snap a photo.

Emi loved the beheading of Saint John the Baptist and Miya was underwhelmed by all the breasts and penises.

We had to make detours to get to our favorite macaron manufacturers and after trying (a lot) of both we both totally side with the enfant terrible Pierre Herme–much better filling and downright dangerous flavors.

Notre Dame was so beautiful and intricate. Luckily Ruka stayed silent through the mass and the tour of the inside. It just happens to be 850 years old this year so the girls collected commemorative coins. But, unfortunately no hunchback sightings.

The kids loved jumping, playing, and climbing around Paris–making their parents cringe and stand out as "loud Americans." Ruka's highlight was probably the 10 hour-long carousel ride in the Tuileries Garden.

Thanks to Baba and Bob for coming along and helping make the trip happen. We loved the city and had a wonderful time. 

We learned 

1. Escargot is delicious in France

2. Do NOT take a big stroller to Paris if you are going to use Metro (Berlin is so superior in this)

3. Most French service and strangers where very nice and friendly, with the exception of one waiter in a little cafe off Champs Elysee, which we walked out of.

4. The Tower must be seen and experienced at night as well as day

5. Salty crepes are even better than dessert crepes, just not for dessert. ALL food we ate was delicious.

6. the Louvre itself is just as amazing as all the artifacts inside (this would really require several days)

7. The longer we were there the more Paris grew on us (except the distinct odor of urine all over)

Potsdam Biosphäre

We finally got out of the house today and took the kids to Potsdam Biosphäre, where it felt like we were in a rainforest. 

Walking under the indoor waterfall

The girls helping Ruka with some exploring

Ruka was so happy just running around.

Sibling shot…CHEEEESE!

Our guide

Ruka smelling vanilla

Playing a drum

Ruka liked smelling the different plants

After the biospäre we found this awesome park with this amazing climbing wall.  Too bad it was too cold and muddy to enjoy, we'll definitely be back when it warms up.

Walking to the train station.