Settling down.

I suppose one could say we're settled now, though it still feels a bit like we're vacationing. Life has been fast-paced-great, but more emphasis on the "great" than "fast-paced", or this summer will end too soon.

around here, there's always a project with wheels happening.
This year, it's Honda cafe racers.

checking out Uncle Noah's newly completed project.

Our flight over was far better than I can even say, and smoother than we even hoped. Our babies are so adaptable, and that's another reason we're thankful they've been so many places in 8 months of life-- very little takes them by surprise.


We were given baby cots that invaded our whole row, making leaving our seats nearly impossible. We became [close. Literally.] friends with the patient businessman to our left, who, by the last couple hours of our flight, welcomed Sebastian's high-fives and Katharina's vocal choruses.


Sebastian and Katharina's 9-month birthday is this week. We have no idea when they got so old and who allowed them to do it; it wasn't either of their parents.

Both have two shiny bottom teeth. We've discovered a new favorite food: beets. Cube them, puree them, slice them. Boil, steam, roast. They love them. They also like mulch, grass, and cat hair.

Sebastian is a tiny man-child. Eats like a man, looks like a baby, is a tiny body of pure muscle, and I am certain he has a hollow leg. He likes to bounce on his knees, unload the wine glasses and steak knives from the dishwasher, chase cats, climb stairs, and pull the guitar down on himself.

Katharina is long and lean-ing out. She's beautiful and quiet, loves snuggles and books, and becomes slap-happy when she gets tired. She's also learned to be bashful when attention is focused on her. She seems to be a week or so away from walking on her own, and is still trying to master crawling. She loves water, her Johnny jumper, walks outside, and kisses from Papa.

soaking up endless attention from aunts and uncles. 

They were last weighed about a month ago and had the most weight ever recorded separating them: 15 ounces. Sebastian was 14-2, Katharina was 15-1. I haven't had the chance to weigh them since coming over, but I'm guessing they're somewhere around 15 and 16 now.


Here's just a taste of what we've been up to lately (I'm off take some chicklets to feed some ducklings):

meeting cousin Ralphie for the first time!

the best time of day.

organising Grandpa's tools.

"We'd like to stay in here all day, thank you."

little Ralphie and his mama.

handsome man.

beautiful daughter.

adorable nephew.

"America is so much fun!"

Sebastian and Katharina met Great Grandma and Grandpaw Hopkins last
weekend.

4 generations of Hopkins men.

downtown Pittsburgh to see one of our groomsmen tie the
knot.

a visit with Grammy Hopkins.

morning snuggles.