Still traveling! From Amsterdam to Emmen, back to Amsterdam and now we're on to Austria.
It's been a little over a week now and we're beginning to run out of clothes! My jeans are ready to walk on their own I've worn them so long and Analise's never make it past noon without becoming practically unrecognizable amid the residue. So we will be ready for a proper washing machine.
Last night we enjoyed eating outside in the courtyard of a castle and par for course Analise made friends with people along the way as she laughs, flirts and waves at anyone who will give her attention.
She's getting better at going with the flow since naps, meals and bedtimes are kind of
different every day. She's been a trooper though.
In other news she has started clapping! Whenever we start to sing one of "her" songs
she bobs her head and claps along. Thanks Aunt Sarah for the toys that play songs. Daniel finds "Hey Diddle, Diddle" especially catchy, but after the fiftieth time of hearing it you start to consider the possibility of throwing yourself out the hotel room window!
The stroller has become totally nasty as it serves as a changing table, high chair, bed (for naps), and cage (when necessary). It is encrusted in banana, dirt and bread crumbs.
Speaking of food . . . we're thinking that Bers no longer stands for Ba
bers but Chub
bers. Our little lady is turning into a bit of a roly poly! She loves eating and we love feeding her since the food keeps her quiet and occupied at some long dinners. Consequently diapers have been a bit of an adventure and when we check out of the hotels I want to keep my head down and make a dash for it so that the cleaning ladies can't trace the Pampers back to us . . . . NASTY.
She's still enjoying scooting all around but really likes to practice walking too.
We're planning on heading back to Switzerland on Monday and will hopefully have a few
pictures to share with you then.
Driving around the countryside we came to an old windmill. 
Canals and bikes in Amsterdam.
Ed Zagzebski with Analise. He LOVES kids and was quick to offer to take Analise for a walk or just a snuggle. It was so nice during long dinners or train rides to have so many hands!
Can you show me the puppy? What does the puppy say?
Aunt Jane, Grandma and Analise read stories on the train ride.
Analise loved the activity of all the people so walking around it was as just as much fun to watch her as it is to watch everything else.
tulips are everywhere!
So she loves the activity . . . but, a little gal can only take so much!
otherwise know as Hedgehog Falls . . . one of those things that just sounds better in French I guess.
During the afternoon of the church retreat we had some time to get away and we decided to go to the waterfalls nearby. After a time of worship and study in the morning, being out in nature is the best way to appreciate God's goodness.
We hiked along a trail that led you past seven falls - although we didn't take the entire path.
We took turns carrying peanut. It's so great that G and G Mueller can bring along the hiking backpack when they come at the end of THIS WEEK!!
Dad and his Bers chillin' on a rock. I was feeling artsy and trying all kinds of pictures . . . more to follow.
So this has been a "busy" week in our house and I realized it's already Friday and I haven't posted anything!
Nothing on the coffee table is safe - not even dad's laptop -
she scooted her way to Grady's kennel. The picture that's missing is the one of Grady staring longingly out the window after he ran away from her.
And finally - out of desperation to finish some cookies I enlisted some help. She had lots of fun making a royal mess and the cookies got finished - so it was a win, win.
I just want to say thanks to those who have expressed their appreciation for the blog. You have been like therapy for me! When I am in the situation - picking up the basket for the umpteenth time, chasing her out of the dog's kennel, pulling her away from the computer, letting her play in the flour (and then cleaning up the flour) - I feel like I can't get anything done and I'm tired! But in looking at these moments as snapshots I am able to gain a little perspective and I realize again how blessed I am! God is so good! So thanks for allowing me to share a little of each day with you and in doing that to hold on a little longer to each moment as it slips by.
Off the topic of Kindermusik - here are a few pics from a walk last week.
This is a small strip of woods near our place that Grady just loves. We walk here almost every day. During the spring it has been full of wild flowers but there were recently mowed down.
Analise always loves our walks. She is very attentive to all that goes on and seems to be listening carefully to the bird calls. But sadly, I'm pretty sure her first words are going to end up being "Grady, heel," "Grady - don't pull" "Grady, come" "GRADY!!!" "I SAID COME . . . NOW!!" "Oh man dog, if I had the shock collar right now you'd be toast . . . " (Ok, maybe she won't be saying the last part). Needless to say, Grady really gets into our walks too.
yum, yum . . . more lunchtime photos. This was Analise's first omlett - made with spinach and some cheese. I especially liked the two little dots of egg on her cheeks.
