Berlin Staycation

These pictures were already loaded and tucked away as a draft when I opened my computer today. Looking back, I'm so thankful for God's timing with everything that happened. Justin's league had a FIBA break scheduled where players from around the world could compete for their country in a separate basketball tournament. For us, this meant our little family got one whole week together at home. We got to work and planned a whole Berlin staycation in our calendar. 

Before the actual staycation began, we had a pretty good week with some pictures I want to include: 

Supper Club at Mizu Ramen

We came home on the U6 and Logan was in heaven riding the train. He would gladly do that every day. 

I had one of my last visits with Dana before Emery came. I've always thought this house by the hospital is so pretty. I loved those visits with her. Dana is one of my favorite people. I'm so thankful she has been my midwife for two deliveries. 

Our friends sent us an article on Justin. I thought this was a cute picture that was included. Before we even go to Justin's games, Logan talks all about how he wants to give Dada a high five at the end. He waits patiently all game so that he can see his dad once it's over. <3

& finally, Maps directed us a different way home from church on Sunday so I got to see my favorite view of Berlin with blue skies!

Justin had his LAST away game in Chemnitz on this day. It was just an overnight trip and I was so grateful the baby didn't come. Once he was home, she could come anytime.

Alrighty, here we go. One of the best weeks we've had as a family!

It started out with the first snowfall of the year! & my last trip to see my doctor, Alexandra. 

We had talked about seeing Wicked at the movie theater but wondered how Logan would do. Ultimately, we decided to go for it & didn't have any expectations. We told Logan we were going to watch a family movie and he was sooo excited. He kept repeating "family movie" all day. It was so cute. 

Potsdamer Platz had their cute Christmas decorations all set up. This day was the first official day the Christmas markets were set up! It always looks so magical. I love this time of year in Berlin.

Logan did AMAZING! He loved sitting in his big recliner all by himself. After each preview he would yell, "Amen!". We would look at him and remind him to be quiet. By the end of the previews, he was looking at me and whispering, "Amen." Haha, I love him!

It was a pretty long movie. I thought Logan would be ready to leave the theater at the end but he looked at us and said, "again?". 

We were so surprised at how well he did. It was such a fun memory. 

Our first Christmas market of the year was the Medieval market with Alex, Alex, and Walli! Logan was in heaven with his quark balls and churros. I love this time of year and all of the yummy food at the markets. We also had an amazing beef kebab. YUM.

The week before, friends introduced us to a new restaurant, Samurai. It's Japanese with all you can eat sushi and bbq. Basically Justin's heaven. Before we left the first time, he was already talking about coming back so of course it was a part of our staycation plans. 

The prettiest sunset on the way!

They were putting lights on the Christmas tree when we drove by. I love that tradition!

Yummy, yummy dinner with my boys. <3

Thursday was Thanksgiving!! We were lucky enough to spend it at the Farnsworth's. I love them soooo much. Being with them truly feels like being home with family. 

Stuart, Gabriel, Claire, Jenny, Miroslav, Darren, Justin, Logan, Claire

All of the food was soooo good. I think it was one of the best Thanksgiving meals I've ever had.

Jenny's peanut butter pie may have been the best thing I've ever eaten in my life. I want it as my birthday cake every year now. Can't wait to make it!!

*I remember Miroslav asking when our baby would be born and we responded about two weeks. Had no idea that we would meet her 5 days after this!

We finished off the week at a new Christmas market, Gendarmenmarkt. More yummy food, candied almonds, nativities, and lights everywhere!

This week truly felt like a gift. To have nonstop time with my two boys as we got ready to welcome baby sister to our family. The week was also filled with cleaning, packing hospital bags, cooking freezer meals, doing a Harry Potter puzzle, and watching Christmas movies together with lots of treats. 

Best week ever. <3

Birthday Boys!!

Birthdays have always been a big deal in our family. Growing up, Mom and Dad made our birthdays feel so special. Balloons tied to our chair, banners hung, our favorite meals picked out, candy bar poster, presents on the table, and lots of happy birthday wishes. 

I want to create the same feeling for Justin & our kids on their special day. As November 13 & 17 got closer, plans started to fall into place and pieces came together to make it one of the best weeks ever! We truly celebrated all week and it was so much fun.

Justin's parents sent Logan some birthday money to get a new outfit. We headed to H&M and it's like they knew it was this boy's birthday. Ha! He looooves all things Cars and Lightning McQueen. In fact, last Sunday, this was the only shirt he was willing to wear to church.

I had a vision of what I wanted Logan to wake up to on his birthday and it included balloons. Justin was out of town the day before, so we drove to the balloon store and Logan chose his colors. 

Logan was even gifted an additional balloon from the store owner. Across the street, I was trying to hold Logan's hand while stuffing 9 helium balloons in the back of our tiny car - not a great combo as they kept floating upward! I knew it was time to change plans when Logan exclaimed, "So high! So high!" and I looked up to see his little balloon floating away. Hopefully the store owner didn't see her short-lived gift up in the sky..! 

We stashed those balloons in the guest room for the rest of the day & I think he forgot about them! He was sooo happy when he woke up and ran into the living room. He kept saying, "Logan's birthday!" and gave all of his animals kisses and high fives.

We made his favorite breakfast, banana muffins and oatmeal.

I can't believe he's TWO!! We kept asking him how old he is and he would say, "Two old years." 

We had a fun morning with some visits from neighbors. Marlies and Ludwig came over. Logan was a big fan of the sugar-free lollipop they brought him.  

Then Norris, Lyn, and Nova came over and Logan opened his presents from them. His very own Lightning McQueen! He was soooo happy and excited. 

We had the best day celebrating our special boy. Being his mom is truly the best part of my life. He's helped me to slow down and find joy in little things & teaching moments. Logan is such a good helper, loves to listen to music and play the piano, say family prayers, eat his fig and fruit bars, tell everyone "hello" and "thank you", watch the trams and trains go around Berlin, see his friends at church, and be home together with his family. 

Justin had the day off from work and I could tell Logan was so happy about that. He kept repeating "Dada home. Mama home. Logan home" throughout the day.  

The celebrations continued through the week and I was able to take Justin on a birthday date! I don't know the last time we had a date night in Berlin and it was so fun to be in the city together just the two of us. I found a good American restaurant by Uber Arena where his basketball games are. The plaza was covered in Christmas lights and a Christmas tree farm. It felt really cozy.

I had totally forgotten that I mentioned Justin's birthday on the reservation. We were equally surprised and excited when they brought this out! I love, love, love him. 

It was the perfect little date night celebrating my #1. Justin is the BEST husband and father. He never, ever gets upset. He's the best listener and is constantly asking me how I'm doing and making me feel loved. He's hilarious and is the perfect match to my personality. Logan adores his dad and we can't get enough of him. <3

Ft. the November mustache all of Alba decided to sport this month.

The celebrations continued with a party and some of our closest friends. We had pizza, snacks, cake, a Logan/Justin Trivia Kahoot, Fibbage, and enjoyed being with the people who feel like our family. I'm sooooo grateful for each of them. 

A closer look at this birthday banner of my boys.

The Aversas wanted to recreate their picture from Logan's birthday last year. They've been here for all of his birthdays! Even bringing us dinner when he was a few days old. <3 They're the best of the best. You can tell they have the light of Christ by just looking at them.

2025

2024

THEN it was finally Justin's official big day. He had a home basketball game that night so Logan and I went to work after he left on making a poster for the game. Logan was so excited and we probably traced his hand 8 times on the poster. 

I had pre-recorded a video of Logan wishing Justin a happy birthday and they played it on the jumbo tron during warm ups before the game began. Logan was so excited to give Dada a high five after they played the video.

We got to have some friends there to watch and celebrate with us.

Justin had a double-double and Alba is on a 9-game win streak!! The next home game will be when Mom and Dad are here & the day before baby Bean is born. WOW!

It was truly the best week celebrating the two who mean the most to me. I'm the luckiest to be sealed to them forever. 

xoxo

Routine

In a few days, everything about our life and routine is about to change in the best way. <3 So I thought I better document the good stuff we've been up to as of late. 

We LOVE having Justin home more often. Instead of traveling every week for multiple days, we go 10-13 day stretches of having him in Berlin with us.

These two have gotten some extra play time together. We love having best friends live below us!

Lots of fun games spent in the Uber Arena. Alba is on a nine-game win streak!!! It's been so fun to see this new team come together and do so well. Every day, Logan asks if we're going to Dada's game or if we're watching it on the TV. He's a big fan of either option. 

When we're at the games, Logan loves to give all of the players high fives and "cheer loud".

When we're watching from home, his shirt is off and he's constantly running from watching the game, to shooting baskets in his own little hoop. 

Without any encouragement of our own, Logan's favorite thing to do is play basketball.

Dr. Hundt, Logan's pediatrician, whose son also plays for Alba. One of the nicest people we know!

Lots of baking! It's either muffins, hootnanny, or pancakes for breakfast and Logan is always on his stool ready to dump in the ingredients and smell the "yummy" vanilla.

Walking through the pretty fall leaves to his 2-year-old check up. 

Instead of saying "hi" to Grandpa Rowley when we call, the "backhoe" and "tractor" are usually requested.

Lunch with Timna! She brought the yummiest Portuguese pastries. I have to go and find them now before Dad gets here so he can try them.

This is how we get our groceries inside. :')

Unloading from our car into two strollers, walking through a parking garage to an elevator. Going outside and into a different apartment and up another elevator before carrying them into our kitchen. Quite the process and I can't wait to have a garage one day! But I know we'll miss these memories too. 

Our ward is a missionary hub right now! So much missionary work and baptisms going on. In the last 10 months, we've had over 40 baptisms. This means we get to meet lots of amazing missionaries. The Stephens are from Logan, UT. Our little Logan loves them. Maybe we'll be neighbors one day!

The first thing Logan asks to do when he wakes up in the morning is read a book. Usually his tractor books.

More basketball!! I'm so glad Logan loves the games. The last two years looked very different and were filled with me mostly watching and trying to help Logan instead of Justin. 

& soaking up more time with our ward family. So thankful for these people who truly do feel like family. I hope we can replicate the relationships we have here in Berlin with future friends and ward members. 

Logan loved hanging out with the older boys & they were all so sweet to play with him.