"My Crazy, Wonderful, Loving Family" Personal Page by laforstraveller

What can I say about my husband, Peter, other than he's the sexiest man on earth? (Sorry Giampiero! You're studdly, but still not the sexiest. That title belongs to my husband.) My husband was born and raised in Vaihingen-Stuttgart, Germany. He grew up in the house his paternal grandfather built when his dad was just a boy. And what a crowded house it was! Six people under one roof--both his paternal grandparents, his parents, himself and his sister--smooshed into approximately 1600 sqf. (And I complain about the size of my house!)

Our upbringings were totally different. He was allowed the freedom and independence that is so characteristic of Germany and many parts of Europe. While I, growing up in New Mexico, lived a very sheltered, protected life. Regardless of our upbringings, we share a love of exploration, travel, and each other.

On 2-2-02, we were married after dating for about 3 years. We had a wonderful, "Winter Wonderland" wedding in Stillwater, MN at the historic Lowell Inn. We had such an amazing wedding day--a wonderful start to our life together as husband and wife.

Peter is a very giving, hardworking, and understanding man. He works his butt off so that I can stay home with our two children. (I do work on the side teaching a couple of online classes, but most of my time is spent chasing our two little ones around the house.) He also understands my need for travel. He will be staying home with our two kids while I'm off galavanting my way through Europe for three weeks with my mom--in about a month. BRAVE MAN! Even braver still, he'll be flying with both children to Stuttgart, by himself, and spend some time with his family, before my mom and I meet up with them in Konstanz. I guess you could say--I owe him big!

So, Peter, if you ever get around to visiting this page--I love you and am very thankful for everything that you do.

Peter and kids at Disney

Peter Logan was born on May 30, 2004. He was a busy baby in the womb, a busy baby after he was born, and an even busier preschooler! Logan (Yes, he goes by his middle name. Yes, his teachers and future employers will hate me for that.) started preschool in the Fall of 2007. It's hard to believe that he's already in school--and that the school year is almost over. He goes to the German Immersion preschool here in the Twin Cities. He absolutely loves it! He's made several new friends and is learning some of the same songs and rhymes that his daddy did when he was a little boy in Stuttgart. It's amazing how children can so easily learn two languages while us adults struggle. He understands about 90% of what is being said to him in German, and is now starting to reply back "auf Deutsch." Logan is my blonde-haired, blue-eyed stunner.

Sofie Michelle was born on December 19, 2006. And--to mommy's dismay--she's equally as active as her big brother! (And I thought I was going to have a sweet, docile little girl. HA!) She is the sweetest little thing, giving hugs and kisses to everyone. She is definitely a mama's girl, following me around everywhere. If I leave the room, she howls! When she's old enough, she will also go to the German Immersion school. She's my dark little princess--dark chocolate brown eyes and bronze-brown hair. Other than the eye color, she's a dead ringer for her mommy. It will be interesting to see how her features change over the years.

She and her brother have already started the sibling rivalry. I didn't think it would start until she was AT LEAST 2, but alas, I was wrong again! Sofie and Logan pick on each other all... day... long.... Sofie knows when Logan wants to be left alone, and purposefully gets in his face, tries to hug him, poke him, smack him--whatever she can do to get on his nerves. Logan is always taking things away from her, just to get her riled up. Not a dull moment in this house!

Even with the sibling rivalry, there is already a bond there that cannot be broken. When they aren't poking each other and getting on each others nerves (and mommy's), they love up on each other. Logan is proud of his little sister and quite protective of her. Sofie follows him around, copying every move he makes. I guess you can say that she idolizes her big bro. I can't wait to see how this all plays out over the years.

Logan and one of his many temporary tatts.

Logan is now 4 1/2 years old, and is getting ready to start Kindergarten in the Fall of 2009. We had intended on him attending the German Immersion school in St. Paul, but because of the distance (and the fact that we can't move closer because of the housing market) he will be attending the public school in our area. There are hopes that he'll attend a charter school that is 15 min away from our house, but there are no guarantees that he'll get in.

We've enrolled him in soccer for the Spring/Summer. Can't wait to watch him run (and run, and run, and run that energy off) on the field, chasing that ball. I think he'll really enjoy soccer. It seems to be suited to his energy level--much more so than T-ball where the kids have to sit and wait their turns on the bench.

We're also planning on having him go to a YMCA camp one week this summer. He had so much fun last year at camp, that I think that he'll be extra excited to go again this year.

I've learned recently that Logan will do just about anything that I ask, if I bribe him with a temporary tattoo. A couple of days ago, he cleaned our basement almost single-handedly. YEAH for bribes that work!

Our little drama queen.

Boy, what can I say about this little girl? She's a spitfire. A Diva (notice the capital D). A comic. A copycat (does everything big brother does--good or bad). A big talker! And she loves shoes almost as much as her mommy! (I'm in trouble!)

She amazes us just about every day. If she could go, I think that she would be ready for Preschool. Now. Unfortunately because of her age, they won't let her attend. So, I have to come up with some creative ways to keep her interest. She loves singing her ABCs, and is starting to count. (She counts "1, 2, 3, 7, 8, 9, 10") She loves singing, humming, and dancing, and is very much a social butterfly. (Don't know who she got that from.)

Soon I'll have to find her a dance class to attend. Her granny already sent her my old ballet slippers from when I was about three. It will be fun seeing her in little leotards and tutus. I think she'll really like dancing, but I don't know if she'll be disciplined enough to follow the teacher's instruction once the music starts and she gets her own rhythm going.