Monday, June 14, 2010

Goodbye Germany

We are headed to the States for a few weeks. It will be so much fun catching up with friends and family and introducing Julian to America (and the wonders of Costco hotdogs). Sorry if my blog is neglected for a few weeks, I'll just have to see if I can post in Utah.

Wish me luck for that LOOOONG airplane ride with 3 kids!

Sunday, June 13, 2010

Goodbye Miss Tammy

My good friend Tammy is heading off on an all expense paid trip to Afghanistan for a year. She has been such a great friend to me these past 18 months, especially stepping up and helping out during Hyrum's six month deployment. Julian would never sleep for me during church but all I had to do was pass him over to Tammy and she would have him sleeping in less than five minutes! The twins love Miss Tammy. She always jumps on the trampoline with them, she listens to their stories, she helps them understand why things are the way they are. She encourages them and helps them.

Until we see you again...Goodbye Goodbaudy



Sunday, June 6, 2010

Memorial Day Weekend

We headed down to Southern Germany and a bit of Austria for our 4 day weekend. We were really hoping for nice weather because the Alps are so beautiful in that part of the country but alas, we got clouds and rain for the majority of our trip. There's always next time, right?


We took a ferry boat through a beautiful mountain valley to the small town of St. Batholomae on the Koenigsee. It was wonderful to get out of the car after 3 1/2 hours and see some of the most calm and serene landscapes I have ever seen. At one point on the ferry ride the driver stops the boat and blows a fluegelhorn and you can hear the echo bounce off all the mountains around you. The boys really loved that.


We walked around park of the Koenigsee. The water is so clear and beautiful.


Here we are on the ferry boat trying to keep 3 tired boys happy with lots of goldfish crackers!


Saturday we took the salt mine tour in Berchtesgaden. Everyone has to put on these nifty outfits before heading into the mine. There was a fun train ride into the mine and then 2 wooden slides (about 80 feet of pure FUN) and a boat ride across a "mirror" lake during the tour.


Almbachklamm gorge near Berchtesgaden. This was an amazing hike through a very narrow gorge with waterfalls and crystal clear pools of water to admire.


We left Berchtesgaden on Sunday and headed to Reutte. Along the way we stopped in Innsbruck, Austria. This is a photo of the famous golden roof in Innsbruck taken from the top of the city tower.


Tirolean history museum in Innsbruck. There were 3 floors of actual rooms taken from old houses and brought to this museum. We had a lot of fun looking at all the old furniture and beautiful woodwork in the ceilings and floors.


A garden near the Hofkirche in Innsbruck.


We have been in Germany for 18 months now and figured it was time to do the very touristy thing and visit Neuschwanstein castle. You can see the castle in the distance. It really is a fairy tale castle with all the glamor and architecture you would expect from a medieval castle (only it's not a medieval castle, it was built in 1876!)


Julian was a real trooper hanging out in the back pack for the tours. Here he is with Hyrum in front of the other "Kings Castle", Hohenschwangau.


Julian enjoys a break from the back pack while we wait for our tour of Hohenschwangau. The gardens were simply beautiful and the view from both Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein were simply amazing.


Goodbye for now Southern Bavaria. We expect nicer weather next time we visit!

Friday, June 4, 2010

Some Exciting Firsts

We have hit some major milestones in the last few weeks. Here are just a few.

First ride on the bike without training wheels:
We finally got around to taking the training wheels off the boys bikes. We have been waiting for them to grow tall enough so that they could reach the ground with their feet if they were going to tip over. It was really amazing. Hyrum helped them out a few times pushing their bikes while he held onto the seats but then they just took off. They had no trouble at all with balance or steering. We were really proud of them.


Townsend getting ready to take off on his bike.

First cast:
OK, so the first bike ride without training wheels wasn't all perfect. Emerson was doing a great job but on his first trip down a small hill his chain came off his bike causing him to lose the ability to use brakes! He ran right into the side of a big metal dumpster. Thank goodness he was wearing his helmet!!! The x-ray showed a small crack in his arm bone, he will have this lovely cast on for about 2 weeks.


Emerson and his cast.

First haircut:
Julian's hair was getting a little too crazy, even for me. He has really straight, thin hair and so when it was long it would just get in his face and his eyes. Don't get me wrong, I loved the beautiful color and softness of his hair but at 15 months old I figured it was time for a cut. He sat really well for the first 5 minutes of the haircut. Then he sort of realized that something bad was happening and he burst into tears. I tried to console him with a lollipop but every time he opened his mouth to cry the lollipop would fall out and get covered in hair. After about 3 lollipops I stopped trying to get him to sit good and we ended up leaving the barber shop with a less than perfect cut...but at least his hair is out of his eyes:)


Poor little man Jules.

Monday, May 17, 2010

Recent Favorite Photos

Not much has been happening around the Durtschi household so I thought I would just post a few of my favorite photos from the past few weeks.



Julian and Daddy. Julian is getting so much better at walking these past few weeks, it's just amazing to watch.


Emerson strikes a pose.


Mommy and Julian. He loves swinging and I love being with my little man.


Townsend enjoying the spring weather.


It doesn't get much cuter than this.

Tuesday, May 11, 2010

Flowers For Mothers Day

There is nothing like fresh beautiful flowers to make you feel all girly on Mothers Day. Trust me, in a house full of boys I will take all the "girly" I can get!


Hyrum and the boys went to the store and picked out new flowers to fill our planter boxes.

Flowers on the breakfast table.

And last but not least, flowers on my Mothers Day cards.

My boys on Mothers Day

Life is good

Monday, May 10, 2010

A Visit From Uncle Jason

Hyrum's brother Jason came for a visit in April. He was only able to stay one week but I think he packed a lot of fun things into that week so hopefully it was worth the trip. We went to Nuremberg, Regensburg and the Felsen Labyrinth. Hyrum and Jason also took a "brother" trip to Prague for a few days. All in all it was a fun visit. The boys really got to know and love Uncle Jason and that makes it all worth while:)

If you ever come to stay at my house let it be known that you will be woken up around 7:00 AM by two jumping boys.


Daddy and Townsend in Nuremberg


Uncle Jason and Emerson in Nuremberg


Being very silly with Uncle Jason. I am convinced that the only reason Jason put up with my crazy boys is because he has a twin brother. Maybe it helped him understand the craziness a little more!

Jason and Julian (sitting) enjoying the beautiful weather in Nuremberg.


We took a day trip to Regensburg to walk around the old city and enjoy gelato and bratwurst.

Uncle Jason and Julian enjoying the view by the Danube river.


Jason bought the boys a basil plant that they got to then plant in the garden. They have been pretty responsible for it, taking turns watering it. They also put a rock circle around the plant to, "keep out the slugs."


The boys had Friday off of school so we took Jason to the Felsen Labyrinth. The labyrinth is not stroller or even back pack friendly so Julian and I hung out at the cafe near the parking lot. I think the boys enjoyed having Jason all to themselves for a while:)


Goodbye Uncle Jason. It was so much fun to have you visit. Come back soon!