Sweet Summer... Oh how I love you!

There's too much to write about and too many pictures to share so I'll just post as much as I can. We're having some wonderful, sunny, fun, work-and-activity-filled days here. It's a great time of year and we're trying to soak it all up. I hope you all are having some joyous moments at home, too!


Here's what we've been up to lately:



Eating new foods... like whipped cream from a can. :)






Working on our image...






Working on our puzzles... he calls the train a "toot! toot!"






Stubbing our toes... (I consoled him after getting a good pic of that dramatic face. :)






Finishing up our Moms' and Kids' class and moving on to playing in the park each week together. Sarah and I will take a break for the more formal type teaching setting until our summer camps are over. We made this rainbow during our final class to complete our theme of colors for the semester.






Moon gazing... this is a view from where we live. Our apartment building is on the left side of that street. It's a great view of the most beautiful cathedral in Olomouc. At night it really looks like something from a fairytale.






Retreating with our team for a few days before the craziness of our summer work fully began...

Here is the castle we could see from our penzion. It was at the top of a small mountain (or maybe just really large hill) and we hiked up to it one morning. I carried Jakub on my back in a carrier and didn't realize how tired 29lbs of extra weight would make me. :) It was a gorgeous day, though, and a beautiful castle to see. Our path up was so overgrown with bushes, though, that in some parts Christie had to help me hold back the brush and trees so I could get Jakub through without getting him caught in the nettles and branches. Christie took a lot of them for us... Those are NOT fun!


Just his size...



We've also been playing pretend a lot lately... here are his tickle monster gloves!






And his magic cape and secret castle (a.k.a. tiny fort to the right) ...






Practicing various eating techniques... this is his favorite, the shovel...







We've been playing outside every day. There is a playground just outside our front door, which has been really great for us.

Here's the first place we always start...

Then we move on to this one...

Then we hit the sand box for a while... yes, we still eat sand...

Then we end with our favorite attraction of all, the slide! Or as he says "sisze." He can crawl up the the second rung by himself now... that last one's just still a bit much...










And we like to visit the outdoor market near the square. These fresh green peas are my favorite! Jakub eats it all, too. In fact, we've added a new food to the list... raw white onion. Jakub likes to eat it raw and has the WORST breath afterward. Still, I'm proud of him. :)






And we've been playing with a lot of our friends. Here's one of my best friends, Stana, with her son Mikulas.



And here's sweet Thompson!


We recently got to babysit for Corey and Sarah while they went out for their anniversary. We had such a good time with Jakub and their boys. Having 3 boys running around the house was definitely interesting and so enjoyable.


What great and blessed times! We thank God for our little family and our home here in Olomouc. It's a good time of year and we just pray that God use us as much as possible in all of these opportunities to serve others and share His love and teachings with them. Please pray for us and for the work and camps. We'll need lots of energy and patience. Thank you! I hope you enjoyed all of the pictures.

It's June already!?

It's actually 4 days into June already, but I still can't believe it. I think May went by so quickly I didn't even stop to actually say "It's May," and now that's gone and here's June. Wow. Well, I don't even have time right now to download and post any pics or videos, but I just wanted to say hi. :)

We've had a wonderful whirlwind of weeks recently. We had visitors for a bit, then we visited another family and church for a weekend, and then we went away for a team retreat and had a fantastic time reconnecting on a "fun" level. :) We've noticed that we interact too often on a "work" level and forget that we actually have a lot of fun together, too. It was good for us to get away from the city for a while and explore a new place together. More on that, with pics, another time.

Our 2 summer interns have also arrived and just in time to help us work hard through the next 2 1/2 months. They've both been here before for our camps, so it's nice to work with them again and to know that they are already familiar with Olomouc and our goals here. Our teens are happy to see them again and that's also encouraging for us. I'm really looking forward to having them here for the summer. We had them over for dinner last night and Jakub also loved the new attention. They couldn't believe how much he has changed in a year and he couldn't believe he had such an attentive and encouraging audience. ;) He put on quite the show of ball-kicking, running and screaming, and, laughing. He's becoming quite the little entertainer.

A few more fun things to mention about Jakub:
- He started bicycling his legs when we lift him up now, it's hilarious to see. He's so quick and strong!
- He loves to pick up a book and start "reading" to me. He very seriously utters complete nonsense. I love it!
- He has an amazing throw and kick with the ball. I'm getting some on video now to share soon. I'm really not trying to brag, I'm just amazed. He's very coordinated, patient, and controlled. He actually drops the ball in front of him on the floor, lines it up, steps back a bit, then runs and kicks perfectly. We just can't believe it and are surely egging it on with lots of clapping and oooing. :)
- He's started actually noticing the food that enters his mouth and doesn't just scarf it all down now. He picks it a part, eats certain things before others, and sometimes refuses something for a minute, but in the end he still eats it all well and eats many different things. He's loving the fresh green peas, strawberries, peppers, and grapes we just got from the local outdoor market.
- He's currently sleeping really well and I'm thrilled. For a few months it was from 730 or 8 to 6 or 630, which I know is still pretty good. Now it's from 730 to 730 or 830 with an almost 2 hour nap after lunch. It may be a growth spurt... what ever the reason I'm happy and he seems well rested. I really don't think he does well getting up before 7. I know I don't. :)
- We've been in the car on some road trips lately and he does really well in the car. We aren't used to riding too often, or to going more than 10-15 min. at a time, but recently we've been gone a couple of hours at a time and he's doing well. I'm glad! Though, he prefers companions in the back. And he likes music and sings along some. I like that he tries to sing and it's such a sweet sound right now!
- He's started having some shyness with strangers and will try to hide behind us or turn away. If he can't turn away he'll at least turn his eyes, but he always gets a big smile on his face and will soon turn back. I'm glad, he seems to by shy but still very friendly and doesn't take too long to get comfortable again.
- And even just today he seems to suddenly say more words and say them more clearly. He said "please" perfectly today with the "l" and "s" clearly there. It was great. :) And he puts 2 words together like "hi, mama" "right there" and "all done." He looks right at us and is so clearly communicating with us. I think he's going to talk a lot and want to know how everything works and why. Right now I'm really looking forward to that. :) I love talking to him and teaching him new things. He's pretty patient and likes to learn and read and "talk."

Ok... off to bed. Sorry for the lack of pics. I hope you enjoyed the post anyway. More soon. Good night!

Gifts Galore!

I do not have pictures of all of the gifts we were given, but I want to say a HUGE THANK YOU to all of you who sent some gifts our way. Josh's Mom and Grandfather were kind enough to haul extra suit cases over with plenty of sweet treats inside. Literally! I was told I had about 30 lbs of candy and sweets given to us. :) And lots of brownies and muffins... and the list goes on. Thank you! Going through those items together was so enjoyable and like having Christmas time all over again, though it was a little one-sided. :)

Thank you, Jackie, for all that you did for us and for all of the gifts that were from you as well. Jakub now has a full summer and fall wardrobe (thanks to MeMa as well!), shoes to wear just in time for the old pair to be too small, rain boots, toys, puzzles, videos, music, games, and more. :) We were also given by many of you and friends from our home church various foods and candies that we miss, some new books to read, some clothes, and some encouragement. Thank you! We feel very blessed and grateful.



I had a lot of fun trying on clothes and shoes on Jakub. :) Here you can see we are ready for summer! Thanks for the baseballs, Papa Wendell. They were a big hit as Jakub loves to throw and kick balls all around the house! :)


I don't have a picture of it yet on my computer, but I also have to say thank you to Aunt Nellie for the "JAKUB" letters she designed for his room. They are now hanging over his bed and are beautiful. The blues and browns match perfectly!! I'll post a picture of his room soon. :) I love them. Thank you so much!



Here are some more pictures from our time together with our family.

Bedtime with Grandma!





Laying around in his new pajamas. He looks so good in this blue! :) Biased... I know. Look how big he is in that top picture. I can't remember if I blogged about it already, but we had his 18mo appointment already a few weeks back and he weighed 13 kilo, or about 29 lbs, and was 83cm tall, or 2.7 feet. His feet are now a size 7. We're also moving into 24 mo or 2T clothes, depending on the brand. They are a little long in the legs, but they fit the waist pretty well. :) He's a big boy and I love it! He's still a very good eater, too, and I'm thankful for that. His Great PaPa couldn't believe some of the stuff he would eat like celery, tomatoes, spinach, dried berries, raw bell pepper, cottage cheese, etc. I felt proud of Jakub that he had managed to continue eating well and trying anything we give him. I keep wondering if a more "picky" day will come. I hope he'll always eat well like this because it's fun to give him new things and to also know he'll eat very healthy things. I know not to take this for granted.








Playing games with Great PaPa. They had a lot of fun together! In that top one you can see PaPa doing a rhyme with Jakub. Let me see if I remember how it goes: "Eye winker (touch one eye), Tom tinker (touch other), Nose dropper, mouth eater, chin chopper, ear flopper!" Jakub loved it and by the end of their stay with us was so used to it he wouldn't let PaPa finish before he was already wiggling and laughing. It was so sweet to watch and special to know that he did this with both Jackie and Josh when they were little, too. Good memories!

The Zoo!

On the first full day of Josh's Mother's and Grandfather's visit to Olomouc we took them to the nearby, hillside village of Svatý Kopeček, where we have a Zoo. Josh and I had never been to the Zoo there before and so we also wanted to take Jakub for his first visit. We were way more excited than him as we couldn't wait to see his reactions (he's always loved animals so much). We were also really glad he could do this with his Grandma and Great PaPa on his very first time!


This is a restaurant at the zoo.




Starting the day off with some climbing and crawling over some huge logs and stumps. Jake and his Grandma both in their "grandma" shirts. So sweet! Jake's says "I love Grandma."





A children's paradise within the woods there. It wasn't open when we went by and we were on our way out, but I think Jakub will like it when he's a little older. I would have loved this as a kid!





















Jakub had no fear and liked watching all of the different animals and attractions and exploring his surroundings. He also fully enjoyed people-watching and found the other little children most intriguing of all! And I just love that red hair. :)



One of the many different types of monkeys getting in some face-time with Jake. :)




Cute little critter.










What Jakub is now calling a "toot-toot."




Jake, Daddy, and Grandma. I love how his arm is wrapped around his Daddy's neck.

\



King PaPa on his throne!




Way more courage than Mama had... Jakub didn't mind at all. Josh was only helping him hold the food on his hand without it falling off. Though some did intentionally fall off into Jakub's mouth instead... What can you do? (use hand sanitizer later).




The cutest little baby monkey.




Roaring at the lions!











We had so much fun taking him to the zoo with Grandma and PaPa. He did so well and walked a lot of the paths and hillside with us. We then went to lunch at a nearby restaurant where PaPa learned he did not like the "sour"kraut. :) And then PaPa and Grandma did a good job of singing and dancing to keep Jakub awake until we could get home and go to bed for a nice, long nap. Thanks you two for all of the hard work of entertaining Jake. :) And thanks, PaPa, for teaching us about the crops along the way. It was so much fun!!!! More stories, pics, and videos to come later. Josh's Mom and Grandfather flew back to the U.S. today. We had a really hard time letting them go, but we hope they are safely getting home and enjoyed their time here. We love you!

Out to Eat!

We've been enjoying some of the local restaurants with Josh's family while they are here visiting us. It's such a treat to go out and have Jakub with us. He's really been enjoying tasting the food as well, as if he wouldn't... it's food, right? :) In one of these videos you can see the food we ordered- traditional Czech dishes. Josh's Mom and Grandfather shared a "Farmer's Dish." That was delicious and huge! They shared it one night, and all 4 of us finished it for dinner the next night. We couldn't believe how much food was served! Josh and I ordered some grilled meat and vegetables with fries. Jakub liked the fries best and in one video you can see him happily munching away. When he's hungry or he really likes the food he's eating he says "mnumm, mnumm, mnumm."









One funny story from our time together... Josh shared some of his dinner with Jakub while we were at the restaurant. He would put some of his meat or fries on the side of his platter and let it cool or cut it up for him, and then give it to him. One time Great PaPa decided he wanted to try a little of Josh's meat and he reached over and took the piece Josh had set to the side of his platter. Jakub saw what he was doing and started protesting and saying "ne, ne, ne!" which means "no" in Czech. He got so upset that Great PaPa took his food. :) It was just so funny to all of us because we hadn't seen Jakub get defensive like that about food before... we laughed so hard! :) Good times!

Fun with Grandma and Great PaPa!

Josh's Mom and Grandfather are here with us this week and part of next week. We're really glad to have them here with us! Jakub has been having a lot of fun with his Grandma and Great PaPa. He's even starting to try to say their names and he looks for them around the house when they aren't here. It's so sweet. :) I have so many pictures and videos to share, but not enough time right now to post them all. I just wanted to share a couple of videos from our time together so far.


This first one is of Jakub's snack time today with me and PaPa. He doesn't like it when PaPa takes his food from him. :)




This second one is of some play time with Grandma and Daddy. Jakub is so much fun these days- he's always laughing, talking, trying new words, running, screaming, playing. So sweet! :)



More funny stories, pics, and video to come later! Right now we're too busy having fun and touring together. :) We're so glad they could come be with us for a bit and during such a beautiful time of year here. Thanks for coming to see us Grandma and Great PaPa!

And thanks to all of you who sent gifts and food our way. We appreciate you and your thoughtfulness very much. More to come on that later! And thanks Aunt Nellie for the pj's you can see part of in this last video. They are ADORABLE! :) Love you all!

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all of you wonderful, loving, caring Mothers out there. I hope you have a very special day! Mom, it was good to talk with you and see you yesterday on Skype! :) I hope you enjoy these pictures that I promised I would put up soon. :)

This holiday still doesn't really feel like one that I celebrate myself. I think more of my Mom, Josh's Mom, and many other wonderful and special mothers and grandmothers I have known throughout my life. I even got to talk with my Grandmother, "Gran," today on Skype. That was great!

But, when Josh said it to me today, and was waiting with Jakub to surprise me with a gift it was surreal. It just doesn't fully sink in, yet. I will say that I'm very grateful to be a Mother and to have Jakub in my life now. It's truly a gift from God and I know not one that everyone gets to experience, so I hope not to take it for granted. The weather could not have been more beautiful today, I got to take a nap with Jakub, and we had a nice worship time with our friends, so those things made for a lovely day. Josh surprised me with tickets to see a Czech singer/pianist this Tuesday and I can't wait to go to that concert. My parents also surprised me by sending me flowers, and they are gorgeous! Just look:


You might not be able to tell, but the arrangement is very large- it's full and beautiful! It was such a surprise! Thank you Mom and Dad! I love you very much! :)




The gifts God gave me that make it possible to celebrate this holiday. Thank you, God! (This is from a recent retreat we just had with our team- we were on our way to swim.)




More pictures from our recent adventures:

Practicing our rock-star moves in the tub. Jakub loves to sing and is always making some kind of noise!



Swimming with Mommy and Daddy. He had a great time! He hadn't been in the water in several months so I was afraid he would fear it, but as long as we were there he had a great time. I hope to do this a lot more in the coming months. He loved to splash in our faces. :) We were away at a team-building workshop for a few days and he had plenty of opportunity to explore new things and play with the Keen kids. We had a great time and enjoyed the company of Dale and Vickie Hawley, the couple who came to work with our team. We talked through things like our strengths and weaknesses, decision-making processes, upcoming transitions, how to continue to progress in our work, building our faith, etc. It was a very good time of both reflection and discussion. Thank you Dale and Vickie!




I good glimpse of the shy side Jakub's been showing us lately. He was dancing and singing in the kitchen, and when he saw the camera suddenly come out, he looked down and started quietly singing instead. I wish I could really show you his reaction. With live video it's even harder to capture because he stops doing everything completely. I love this little shy look, though, and the sweet expression on his face. Sometimes he then looks up slowly and starts laughing really hard. He's so much fun!

Ok, hopefully more to come soon, including video, but for now I have to get to bed! Josh's Mom and Grandfather "PaPa" are coming tomorrow! Whoohoo! Josh will go to Prague for the day to pick them up and bring them back by car. They'll be here for 10 days and we are very excited for their visit. I can't wait to see how Jakub is with them around. I'm sure we'll be taking a lot more pictures in the coming days!