World Champion GERMANY!!! Celebrated in Idaho Bar.

Happy Place

While Rene is working hard, we are playing hard.  Benjamin & I are visiting my parents in Idaho.  We are enjoying a nice balance of play, activity, & relaxation. 

 

On Thursday, we enjoyed the tunes of the Young Dubliners at Music on Main.  Benjamin danced the whole night - with people of all ages.  When it got to crowded to dance near the stage, he asked this young lady to dance with him.  After she left, he was fascinated by the group of children sitting next to us dressed in Rodeo Attire.  He decided after he wanted to have a belt buckle like them.  Luckily, the trusty Thrift Store had just that on Friday...a costume, plastic version for 50 cents!  I explained to Benjamin that it was not metal like the other kids, that it was just plastic.  He was so thrilled & thankful that I  got him one...he even started bragging that it was "real plastic."

 



The "real plastic" rodeo belt was worn to his first Rodeo on Friday night.  It was our first trip to the Teton Valley Rodeo. What an adventure...a lot of fun!  They had everything the rodeos on TV have - bronco style horses, barrel racing, calf roping, & bull riding.  They even had kids riding steer.  Benjamin was thrilled when he saw the same rodeo kids from the night before.  He enjoyed talking with them and showing off his "real plastic" rodeo belt.  About half-way through the rodeo, Benjamin decided he wants to be a cowboy when he grows up.  I sat there the whole time with an allergy protection mask & sunglasses on to protect me from my severe horse allergies.

Photo Book

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2014 Winter Olympics

Yes, the Olympics are just around the corner...and the current snowboard star's knees are starting to shake. They just got word of this guy...new to the snowboard scene...and taking it by a storm.

 

Dear Santa

December Holidays - Part 1

I'm on a roll, better not stop me know.  Happy Nikolaus Day!  Another German Tradition.

Since there are so many Germans in Michigan, Nikolaus makes a special stop here.  Last night, Benjamin put his boot outside the front door.  This morning, there were golden coins on the floor in the foyer.  "Gold!" said Benjamin, he learned at school that Nikolaus would leave gold.  The gold coins lead out the door to a boot full of treats.  "Cool" said Benjamin.  When he realized that the gold was in reality, chocolate coins, he asked where the real gold was.

Later, I took him to school & Nikolaus had been there and filled his House Shoes inside his locker. His eyes lit up and he said "Nikolaus is Nuts!"

I stayed to watch their Nikolaus event.  They sang songs in German, recited a poem, then Nikolaus gave each of them a present.

 

November Holidays - part 3

Yes, I know you are waiting on the holiday that we think about when we think of November in America.  THANKSGIVING!

We traveled south for 11 days of friends & family...and Benjamin's first real Thanksgiving.

Here are a few snapshots. Benjamin really enjoyed hanging out with his cousins.  Unfortunately, since visits in the past have been short with long gaps between them, Benjamin struggles with names.  Throughout our time with them, he would ask me "What's her name again?" and refer to Elijah as "that Boy."  Hope we can change that with having visits more often.