Very busy – part 3

And yes, indeed, we have another daughter whose birthday is during summer break. Same story though. For Hilde we decided to go for a pony ride. Our babysitter is having some horses and she also offers to organise children’s birthdays – riding a horse (or pony) included. Biggest surprise was that Mona had arranged a trip on a horse wagon which the kids really loved. Afterwards everyone was allowed to get a horse ride. We had lots of fun.
Biggest surprise: parents of the child having its birthday are expected to get on the horse, too. Yes, we made it!

The party guests leaving on a carriage.

They enjoyed it a lot.

They came back a bit wet. It had started raining when they where on their tour.

The birthday girl taking her first turn on the horse.

Hildes second turn was together with Lotte.

As being expected: Remco and I on the horses. To be honest, quite high if you are not used to it.

The party was a big succes! Thanks to everyone who joined us!

Very busy – part 2

Birthday party No. 1. On Saturday we celebrated Lottes birthday. She wanted to invite three special friends and two of them will be gone after summer break. Therefore we had no choice and decided to celebrate them right before the break. We surprised Lotte by taking the four of them to Waldenbuch, the city where Ritter Sport is located near Stuttgart. I booked them a “Schokoladenworkshop” where they were able to make their own chocolate. And yes, they loved it.

Ritter Sport in Waldenbuch.

Entering the building - you already know where you are!

Chocolate everywhere!

More chocolate!

Following the workshop. Packing the selfmade chocolate.

After having finished the workshop I got a Ritter Sport T-Shirt for everyone. The four of them had lots of fun I can tell you!

Very busy – part 1

Last Thursday we had the annual Summer concert at HIS. Both, Lotte and Hilde, loved performing in front of a big audience especially because Remco made it to join.
Malte was in the audience, too. He was crawling around, carried around, everybody rubbed his head, etc, etc. At one point Malte wanted to get down on the ground again. In between Remco and Malte was quite a gap and Remco tried to make Malte walking, which he actually did! He for sure walked about 6 to 8 steps and was totally proud on himself as you could see in his face. For Remco it was the first time that he saw one of his children start walking.
These are the moments memories are made of!

Hildes (left) first performance - being an astronaut!

Lottes class presenting a song about habitats.

Hilde even had a second time on stage!

Rome

When in Rome do as the Romans do - which is what I did....

Since the P&G Alumni meeting was in Rome this year, I thought I'd visit this nce city and meet some old frineds. Since taking the cheap flight, meant flying in on Thursday night and back on Monday afternoon, this meant I had some time for myself as well to visit this beautiful ancient city.

E.g. the Collosseum.

Or the Forum Romanum

Saint Peters Catedral was overwhelming, especially with the light shining through the windows.

And the view from the top was fantastic

For both Benno and me

At the Alumni Meeting (which was overall disappointing) I met Stefan again - now responsible for Sales at Tesa - we hadn't spoken each other for several years and it was great to meet again and talk about old and new days.

Since it was more than 30 degrees in Rome, the lady in my hotel advised me to go to the beach near Ortobello. It took me 1,5 hours with the train, but the Mediterranean, the sunbed and a cold beer made the trip worthwile.

I will definetely go back!

Our helping hands

Lotte and Hilde love to be with Malte and to play with him. They also love to help him learning how to walk and I loved watching them.

The wedding of Markus & Sabrina

Last weekend we headed off for the wedding of my nephew Markus with Sabrina. We had a wonderful time with family and friends and very much enjoyed seeing each other after a long time. Only the weather could have been much better. After a warm and sunny Friday we expected the best for Saturday but there was nothing but rain. However, that couldn’t spoil the happiness and luck of the day (it almost ruined my shoes!). We came back yesterday and the trip wasn’t the easiest. After a long party night – even for the kids – everybody wanted to get some sleep in the car. Who travelled back home? Me. And even today I am still a bit tired.

Hilde with the present - a box to put in their photos (hopefully they will like it)

Lotte at the wedding. She and Hilde were flower girls but I couldn´t manage to get a picture of both of them in the church becaues Malte was somehow stuck on me the whole day.

My parents.


Remco and my dad at the Lake.

Hilde - already changed her jacket right when we arrived at Lake of Constance. Every minute that it was not raining she used to walk down to the Lake with Anna, Jonas and Lotte to throw stones into the lake. You better can wear old stuff before you get stuck in the mud!

My uncle Werner (brother to my mum) with his wife Marianne.

Parents of the groom - Kati and Helmut who is Maltes and my godfather.

I was at the wedding, too. Can you see me there in the back. As I told you, Malte stuck on me the whole day, so from this picture on my sister is responsible for the photos.

Maltes uncle Thomas, husband of my sister, with Malte.

The bridal bouquet.

This little boy loved the balloons.

Me, Lotte and Anna.

Lotte and her niece Anna.

Lotte, Anna and her brother Jonas. I am wondering where Hilde was when the picture was taken. She loves getting on the picture with Jonas.

Christoph. My cousin, brother of the groom. He loved the car he arranged for the newly wed couple. When he showed me the details of the car - especially the big number on bottom of the specifications - I new he would love to keep the car but he would need to give it back. Sorry!

I almost forgot the most important part: pictures of the newly married couple. To be honest, I don´t have a really good one (remember my sister took over taking the pictures and she is not used to my camera!). But at least I found two that I can show to you and I will arrange some more as soon as they are back from their honeymoon.

I don´t know what Hilde is doing there exactly. But this shows the moment right before the traditional first dance.

Sabrina - yes, she was a very beautiful bride.

Family Fattori

Saturday we had a last coming together with the Fattori family. It was a lovely sunny day and we enjoyed the time together very much. The kids for sure had lots of fun, too.
To us, this is another family we will feel sad about seeing them leaving. On the other side, for us this is a chance to go to Athens in October. As Johann Cruiff always says “every disadvantage has its advantage”.
We wish you all the best for your new start in Greece and good luck with your new alphabet!

After we had a bruch at the Gelateria we ended up in our backyard having pizza. Yummie!

And as you can see, there was pizza for everybody!

I am pretty sure that while Francesco is at the Greece office, working very hard,

Paola will check the seaside with the kids!