We talked with Josh last night and he is now back in Iowa - for a week or so! Debora and Thomas are heading home from Brazil tonight so their family will be back together, after three weeks. That's a long time to be apart, but Debora was with her family (Thomas' first trip to Brazil) and Josh was so busy I don't think he knew what direction he was heading! First he had a couple of weeks in Germany to learn the ropes of his new job, and then an intensive week in Cinncinati, OH to learn as much of the German language as he could. Debora was also studying German while she was in Brazil, as there is a language school very close to where her folks are. I don't know if they were able to procure tickets for Germany yet, but as they are purchasing one-way tickets, the cost is astronomical - I think I hear $3200/each, at one point! That is crazy! I hope Deere is picking up that tab! (think so...) Dan still hopes to try and catch up with them before they head out, but I am not sure how that is going to work.
Our little Sam (or rather, Sally and Scott's little Sam) is growing like a weed and learning new things all the time! Check out their blog for some really cute pictures of him riding a motorized motorcyle - hilarious! I love it when his mom says hi on the video and he lets go with both hands to wave at her (he was riding with another older boy, sitting in front of him, so he didn't fall off or anything!). He is also getting real close to talking. He will rattle off a string of gibberish as if he was having a regular conversation. Quite often, with much emphasis! Almost sounds German, but I suppose it could be Finnish (hee, hee). If Grampa gets out of bed today, I think we are going to go and visit Sam and Fam. [It was really cute - Sally just called, and when I answered, Sam said "hi!". He did it a couple of times, but was all done by the time I got the phone by Grampa.]
We had a nice long chat with the birthday girl this week. Sounds like things are going pretty well in Missouri. Toquinho is settling in and getting the dogs trained, by the looks of their blog, and Mara has another cuddle-bug. I'm so glad that is working out for them, everybody seems to be happy with the situation. I think he adjusted to the dogs quicker than he would have adjusted to all the cats we have here (4 of our own). And obviously, he's happy! Mara and Mike have been checking out daycare options. Stay tuned to their blog for info on that. Four more months and there will be another grandson to spoil! What fun! They were going to do some baby-shopping this weekend - for stuff, not babies!
Well, I suppose if we are driving to Baldwin I had better take my bath and get some breakfast going. I hope you all have a wonderful Sunday - it is a cool 30 degrees right now, but should get up into the upper 50's again. Then early this next week we should have some nice temps in the 60's again. Time for window-washing at home, and power-washing in the parlor at the farm.
Have a good one!
