June in Berlin

It's been a busy few weeks since we got back from our trip. It finally feels like summer in Berlin--it's been in the 90's this week. Time is flying by and we can't believe we're moving in less than a month now. Highlights of the month include seeing the Berlin Alba basket ball team play in the semi-finals, Christy's surprise baby shower, lots of softball, the St. Christoph's Day parade, the Kreuzberg Jazz Festival, the diplomatic community basketball tournament, and Sara and Cam's visit. Baby Machak continues to grow and David felt him kick for the first time on July 1st.



the East Side Gallery is under renovation, but we took Sara to see some of the parts that have been finished now

the famous Kiss painting--newly redone

Kreuzberg Jazz Festival in Berlin

enjoying our brats

go carts at the jazz festival

St. Christoph's Day Parade ended with a party at the Victory Monument down the street from our house. David had gone earlier in the day to people watch, but we took Sara back when she got back from Wimbledon to give her a true taste of Berlin

end of the parade during the day

one of the floats--lots of people watching opportunities

and more people watching

good by ceremony for one of our colleagues at the softball field

Christy's surprise baby shower-- the cakes!

David came over afterwards to hang out and see all the gifts-- we love baby socks

and Dr. Seuss

opening presents--including a mom-present, a new Vera Bradley bag

Paula introducing me to the Olivia books

Christina's present looked like it was put together professionally!

David got a team together from the embassy for a diplomatic basket ball tournament.

Team USA in action

Now David is at a softball tournament with his traveling softball team. Christy enjoyed the embassy 4th of July celebration Friday night and after a little bit of cleaning this morning plans to head out and watch the Berlin Buckaroos this afternoon-- grilling and softball will be a fitting way to spend the 4th. Sara and Cam get back from Prague tonight so we will spend tomorrow exploring Berlin.

U.S. Trip Part 5: Columbus for Ilona's wedding

We had a great time in Columbus and good weather for the last weekend of our trip. We enjoyed catching up with Kathy and Denny and had a wonderful time at Ilona and Ben's wedding. It was sad to say goodbye.



the first bite of cake

fireworks!

view of Columbus from the reception site

getting our picture with the beautiful bride

first dance

the wedding was outside at the reception site

lunch with Kathy, Denny, Emily, and Madeleine

this one actually belongs in the Part 4 post-- Uncle Gene and Aunt Joyce's brick at Fathead's!

We are safely back in Berlin. The diplocat was sulky and ran under the bed when we got home, but after about 10 minutes he decided he was over it and was all cuddles and purrs during our afternoon nap. Back to work tomorrow morning!

U.S. Trip Part 4: The Machaks' House

It was good to be home and relax a little bit. David got some good bonding time in with Caesar.

We did a lot of shopping and got our stroller, collapsable travel crib/play pen, and the nursery bedding. The stroller above is the one we got, and ended up getting the matching travel crib. The nursery bedding was a combination of our two themes of choice--sports and animals. So, we got safari animals playing soccer, football, basketball and baseball.

Speaking of sports, we did head over to Cleveland Monday night to catch an Indians game.

David enjoying the game with his parents.

Christy is a converted Indians fan (but I still root for the Pittsburgh Steelers).

Wednesday we took a day trip to Pittsburgh and had a really nice lunch with Grandad and enjoyed dinner at Fathead's with Uncle Gene and Aunt Joyce. It was great to catch up with family.

Saturday morning we were off to Columbus for the last leg of our trip.

U.S. Trip Part 3: Denison weekend

We are sitting at the Columbus airport waiting for our flight, but we get free wireless internet so at least we can catch up on the blog!

Last weekend we had a great time visiting the Crums, attending the Denison Reunion, and enjoying a baby shower for Christy hosted by her Denison friends. Granville has changed a little bit--the Villa has been replaced by a fancy Greek restaurant/bar and Brews remodeled, but not too much. Whits' Custard was still there and as yummy has ever.

Bancroft looks pretty much the same--we re-enacted some of the pictures we took outside the house on Graduation Day.

and by the Denison sign, which we're pretty sure moved.

After lunch and the class picture, Becky and I took a hard hat tour of Cleveland Hall, the fine art building that is being renovated.

Saturday evening we attended the reception/dinner/dance which was out on the "Commons" behind Slayter--we barely remember this as it opened the spring of Christy's senior year. It was good to see lots of friends from all over.

Sunday we gathered at the Buxton Inn for a baby shower brunch. We had a great time and got lots of cute baby stuff. It was wonderful to spend time with everyone and are so glad so many friends could attend.

Everyone had to draw Baby Machak and write Nicholas or another suggested name on their heads. The teachers had a leg up at this game as they are used to writing upside down. I was pretty impressed.

Several friends combined to buy us a beautiful baby blue and chocolate brown (our wedding colors!) handmade quilt.

Ilona, who planned the whole shower a week before her own wedding (thank you!), and her sister Jane.

We have more pictures of all the gift opening, which Christy will post on facebook.




It was a beautiful day and we got one last picture outside before we all went our separate ways.

Sunday afternoon was beautiful. We spent the day with the Crums and David flew a kite with the boys in the backyard.

They've grown so much!




April made Chris and David's favorite icecream dessert, so Chris got to blow out candles for his 11th birthday a few days early while Andrew looked on.


We had an easy drive to David's parents' house. To be continued in Part 4....

U.S. Trip Part 2: Washington, DC

We made it to DC Tuesday evening after a bumpy flight from Albuquerque. We enjoyed hanging out with Sara and Cam and seeing many friends at Ragtime for Happy Hour Wednesday night. It was a productive trip--we met our new doctor, toured Sibley hospital maternity ward, saw the condo we will rent when we come back in July (in Courthouse, about a block from our old place), picked out rental furniture, and hit up Pottery Barn for throw pillows and a very cool rug. We also got to enjoy a very nice lunch at Sequoia with the Pattons.

Pictures will have to come later, probably when we're back in Berlin. We spent the weekend in Granville for the Denison reunion, and now are in Niles visiting with David's parents. We will post about that when we are able to add the pictures as well.