What I didn't do..

Have you seen the monthly baby pictures that people do?  When Payson was born I decided that I was going to do that each month in her crib with the month written on a chalk board.  Yea... if you know me then it should not surprise you that that has not happened each month.  But on the 13th, I have tried to take a cute monthly picture.

So Payson here you are at three months old...



Brian took this and I love it.  Payson is the most laid back little baby.  I know it won't be like this forever, but as long as I keep her belly full she is as happy as can be.  She is still a little peanut only in  0-3 month clothing and sporting a size 1 diaper.  She has started cooing and laughing at us.  I love this stage and am still trying to soak up as much baby love as I can.

Berlin

We visited Berlin over Easter weekend.  It was a short trip but we packed in as much as we could in one day of sightseeing.

Berlin is the home of curry wurst.  The day before we had seen all these curry wurst stands so we decided to try it out.  Doesn't look that appetizing does it?  It was alright, but my favorite was the potato salad behind it.



Payson slept through our lunch.  She looked so cute all bundled up.



Afterwards we had our only pseudo whole family photo op.  Yes, it was freezing and we decided to take a picture within a water fountain.  Our little cheetahs talked us into it.



When the water came up, Brian and I  had second thoughts.  We are debating who is going to run through the water to rescue our baby-baby and our camera-baby if someone decided to run off with them.  Luckily neither of us had to.



Berlin Cathedral



Lighting our prayer candles.



I know these two don't realize how amazing some of the churches they have been in are.



After the girls did so great inside the Cathedral, we let them burn some energy running around chasing the pigeons.



Sweet Leopards (Notice I can't decide what animal print they are sporting but they are cute either way)



These Beer Bikes were all over Berlin.  Basically a group of mostly men are all on bikes pedaling around a bar.  They all looked like they were having a really good time.  Very funny to watch.



It was sooo cold that day.  The girls fought over who could be in our stroller and Brian ended up having to buy a sweatshirt.



Needless to say, they were not that enthused with taking a picture with their momma in front of the Brandenburg Gate. This Gate once separated East from West.



And another equally famous landmark...HA!  Here's the hotel that Michael Jackson dangled Blanket off of.  I tried to convince Brian that we should have stayed here.



The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe.  This was just completed in 2005 and is the first formal German government sponsored Holocaust memorial.  All of the pillars are uneven and as you walk through the ground is uneven.

Brian and I were walking through this memorial, trying to take in the moment, and then our girls started fighting over who was more cold and could be in the stroller so



we had to make another restaurant pitstop.  By this time it had started snowing.  Spring time is skipping Germany (which is why we are headed to Spain next weekend.  I cannot wait for some SUN).



While the girls sat in the car, Brian and I took turns walking out to see Check Point Charlie.  It was a very odd site.  To think that something that was once so serious has now turned almost comical.



The one thing we didn't see that we wanted to was the remains of the Berlin Wall.  I am ok with that though...As long as we enjoyed the day with as many of these smiles as possible.

Berlin Zoo

Traveling with three kiddos means that when you drive 6 hours to Berlin your first stop once you get there is naturally



the zoo.



 But really Brian and I love the zoo just as much as the girls so no complaints here.



Berlin's Zoo is also one of the largest in Europe.  I thought that this polar bear might have been Knut the famous polar bear from here, but then I googled it and realized poor Knut died.  Anyway it is a cute polar bear.  First time the girls have seen one and



seeing a Panda was a first as well.  Both were big hits with the girls.



When you are at a German zoo you have to have a Brat.



I don't know what kind of bone this kitty was gnawing on but I was glad he was fully wired in.



These two had a blast!  Carolyn was so excited when we told her we were going on a trip.  Maybe she was worried we wouldn't be able to travel anymore as a family of five.  I know I had my doubts. :)



One more picture of sweet little sleeping Payson.

Easter Egg Hunt

Just a couple of pictures from the Easter Egg Hunt they had on the NATO base for the kids.

My girls were not that interested in taking a picture together that day though.  Carolyn's shoving chocolate in her mouth and I don't know what is wrong with Sid.  O well.  They had a ball hunting for eggs.




 


I love this picture of Sidney and all her friends.



I stole this picture from my friend Katy.  She took the older girls while I had the younger ones during the hunt.  On the left is Miss Katie Cook Carolyn's bff from preschool and on her right is Miss Kennedy Moone Carolyn's bff for as long as she can remember.  Such sweet girls!

Big Sisters

Just a couple of pictures of the girls in their Big Sister shirts their Aunt Seana and Uncle DD sent them.



Before Payson was born I was a little worried how Sidney would handle the Big Sister role.  Although she does have her moments where she wants me to put Payson down, for the most part Sidney has taken to being a Big Sister.  Most of my battles with Sidney are over wardrobe issues not me showing attention to her baby sister.  She is my little fashionista who would like to never wear jeans and princess dresses everyday.



Carolyn loves to play with Payson and by play I mean sit by her and talk and talk to her.  Carolyn is always telling you about something.  Payson is the perfect companion for her because she just lays and smiles back.



Both girls fight over who gets to throw Payson's diapers away (strange I know but very helpful)
They both always ask when Payson is going to start moving.  The are ready for some more action from her.
It is a game to them to get a smile from Payson.  Then screams of Payson SMILED mommy!
If Payson starts crying the whole world is coming to an end.  Both Shrieking mommy mommy Payson's Crying!!

Payson gets a ton of kisses and hugs from her Big Sisters.  But who wouldn't want to hug and kiss this sweet little face.

She was two months when this picture was taken.

Lets Eat

About a month ago the Maine National Guard unit flew in and we got to treat ourselves with a whole lot of these guys...



Carolyn got to go to work with Brian that day and helped them sort out all the lobster that came in on the plane.  She loved it!



Lining them all up for the kids to see.  I think Brian had about as much fun playing with the lobster as he did eating them.



Most of our crew around the table.



The true party animals that night - Payson with her buddy Kamryn.

Karnival

Karnival is such a fun time of year here.  This year it was basically the same parades as last year but...



Brian was here to join in on the festivities. (he was deployed during it all last year)



And this year we got a babysitter for the two older girls but Payson got to come along with us.  I love the look this guy is giving us.  I often feel like the girl from the bar scene in Sweet Home Alabama.  Right now Payson gets to tag along with us everywhere.  Do not judge, Chewbacca, with your shots on a belt around your neck. HA



All the ladies from the parade.



Unfortunately, it started snowing and that is when we made our exit and headed to a warm restaurant.  The two Brian's keeping each other warm.



The next day was the girls turn with the Kids parade.



Brian was supposed to be me from yesterday and I was supposed to be a MAN.  Instead I ended up looking like Charlize Theron from the movie Monster.  I was hot.



I feel like Brian should have the song "I am sexy and I know it" playing with this picture.



The parades always entertain.



Carolyn knew what to expect this year and got lots of goodies.



New this year was the Care Bears.  Not the warm and fuzzy Care Bears but teenage beer drinking Care Bears.  Only in Europe.



Who is this woMAN Sidney is kissing... the joke doesn't get old for me.



The big town of Stein's (where we live) float.



Great time with great friends!