Merry Christmas!

We hope you all had a wonderful, blessed Christmas.

What happened to the last 9 years?

On December 15 Kaitlin turned 9. WHAT?!?!?!?! I can't believe how grown up she is getting. We celebrated with a dinner out, and cake and ice cream. Her gift from us was a Gotz doll, a German doll.

It was 9 years ago that Kaitlin was brought into our lives. I went to the doctor on the 14th (she was due the 6th) to see when they would induce me-they were talking about waiting until December 20th, and I was really upset because I wanted to be in Iowa for Christmas. Well, that day when they did the ultrasound they realized that I didn't have enough amniotic fluid to sustain her and she would be in distress if they didn't act fast. So, they started inducing. Twenty-four hours later she was finally born! 6lbs, 9 oz-a tiny beautiful little girl. We were released from the hospital the afternoon of the 17th, Jamie and I went home and packed our car and headed out to Iowa on the morning of the 19th. (We were stationed at Ft. Stewart, GA) Craziness!

She's a star!

I know, I know, I'm behind on this...
So, Kaitlin performed in her play, "It's a Wonderful Life" She did a FANTASTIC job. The entire cast did, but I think Kaitlin did the best-I'm a little partial. She actually played several parts-young Violet, Janey Bailey, a newspaper boy, and one of the Martini girls. (the Martini family was one of the ones that George Bailey helped to buy their own home.) We were so excited that Jamie was able to be there on opening night (that was the day he arrived super early, lol) She just got into acting this summer while he was in Iraq, so this was the first time he was able to see her perform. It was a beautiful play, and we are so proud of our little girl!

It is finally OVER!

439 days, 62.71, 14.63 months, 1.2 years. That is how long Jamie spent in Iraq. Wow! That's a long time! And in case you're wondering, I had an excel program that kept track for me, because you know I would miss something somewhere in there if I had to keep track of it manually.

Last Wednesday (Dec. 3) we woke up to snow. It was so pretty! And falling so quickly. A.J. and I took Kaitlin to school (after I checked my email for the hundredth time-I was waiting for our FRG to contact me and tell me that Jamie was on the way) Then, A.J. and I headed for the airfield so that he could go to school. The traffic was so bad it took us a half an hour to go maybe 2 miles. We were right at the exit that I could get off and come back on post the back way so we headed home. By then I had an email from the FRG letting me know that Jamie was in Kuwait! I was on pins and needles all day waiting for the next email. That evening I had an email telling me that Jamie was on his way to Germany and would be here the next morning at 5 A.M. I also had a phone call. We were warned that there were weather warnings, that it was supposed to snow all night and there was a danger of black ice in the morning. I decided that we would leave for the airfield around 3:30 AM. That would give me plenty of time to get there if it was too icy. I finally went to bed around midnight, and was back up around 2:45 (I overslept! I wanted to be up at 2) Then around 3 AM I received another phone call telling me that the reunion ceremony had been moved up to 4:15 AM! We rushed around getting ready and were out the door by 3:45. The roads were clear and DRY. We arrived at the gym, and sat down. It turned out to be a great spot, because as the guys marched in they turned RIGHT IN FRONT of us, so we saw Jamie right away. There were a few speeches, and then FALL OUT! And it was over. This deployment seemed like it would never end, and just like that we were through!

Thanks to everyone that has emailed, called and sent packages to all of us. We appreciate and love you all.

Happy Halloween!

It's Official

Well, it's official...I am the mother to a drama queen. We have suspected it for a long time, but this past weekend it was confirmed. Kaitlin tried out for the community (yes COMMUNITY, not school) Christmas play. They are doing "It's a Wonderful Life" She was up against 10-15 other little girls for one of two parts...and she is IN!!!!! She plays the part of young Violet. She is just over the moon excited about this. In a few years you can all say "I knew her when..."

Twelve Years Ago

October is one of my favorite months...the weather is nice-not too hot and not too cold. The leaves are changing colors, and it is beautiful. Oh, and on a Saturday afternoon twelve years ago I married the love of my life. Who would have guessed how much our lives would change? We were college students when we married, and now twelve years later he is an officer in the Army and we live in Europe. Who knew? I remember our first anniversary. We were at Ft. Lewis, WA. We were so broke we rented a room (yes, a ROOM, lol) from a lady. On our anniversary we took a trip to the beach with one of our housemates, and he treated us to dinner at Denny's. Good times:)

No matter where we are, if we are separated or together you have my heart Jamie. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with you, and watching our children grow up, and spoiling our grandchildren. I love you with every ounce of my being.

My "Baby" is five!

Five years ago Jamie and I headed to the hospital, excited, and as for me, ready to get that baby out of me! After a relatively short labor Alexander James was born. His lungs were collapsed so he was flown to the University of Missouri Hospital-the closest hospital with a NICU. During his stay there the nurses called him their "monster baby" He was born a week overdue, and was 8 lbs-he was a monster compared to the other babies! Now, five years later he's still a little monster...although not in size.

Monday night during bedtime A.J. asked me if we could go to Cinnbon for caramel milkshakes (caramel chillatas) After making him say Cinnbon about five times (it was soooo cute!) I agreed. Wednesday morning A.J. took goody bags to school for all of his friends, and on the way home we got a caramel milkshake. Later that afternoon, he opened his presents. He got a helicopter rescue set with a helicopter, boat, and rescue divers and a set of German emergency vehicles. The emergency vehicles have sirens-and I think that Rachel might want one so she can always remember the LOVELY sound of European sirens, lol. We went to Anthony's Pizza for dinner (buy one get one free night!) and had some cake afterwards.

Day 6

This was our last day of sightseeing. We didn't have any firm plans. We had decided that if it was clear out we were going to go up the Zugsptize (the highest point in Germany) if not, we were going to see Swarovski Crystal World over in Austria. It was a very cloudy day, so off to Austria we went. Words cannot describe the crystal museum. It was absolutely amazing. The pictures don't even do it justice. There isn't much to say about it, just that it was beautiful. Afterwards we went and ate lunch at an Austrian restaurant. It was interesting...and yummy!
The next morning we got up and headed home. We were able to see so many neat and beautiful places, and made some wonderful memories.

The pictures: driving through Austria (the clouds were so low we were almost driving through them) out in front of Crystal World, pictures of the museum, then Jamie and the kids after loading the car.

Day 5

We woke up to another sunny day on our fifth day. (Quite amazing, here in Germany, lol) We were scheduled to go on a tour called Cake By The Lake. It was another half day tour, so we slept in, had a nice breakfast and then headed over to the PX to pick up a few things. (There is an Army base there, too) We met up with our group and started our walk-it was a little more than a walk, but not really a hike. We saw some paragliders when we first started out, and walked right by their landing site. On our way to the lake we stopped by and saw the bobsled run from the 1936 Winter Olympics. We were able to go inside the bobsled shed and see the bobsleds that the Germans used. We also got to meet the Captain of the team that won the gold in 1952. The kids were also able to sit in the bobsled that the Germans used when they won the gold that year. Then we went on to the lake. It was absolutely beautiful. We were surrounded by mountains, right by a lake. There is a restaurant there that we went to and had cake (thus, Cake by the Lake) The cake was really good, too! Afterwards we walked back down, and just as we arrived back at the lodge, it started to rain. That evening we went on a buggy ride through Garmisch. It was a lot of fun!

The pictures: The bobsled run, paragliders, the kids in the winning bobsled, the lake and the restaurant we stopped at, all four of us, Jamie and the kids in the buggy. I don't know what happened that the pics are all out of order...but at least they're on there:)

Day 4

Our fourth day was an easy day. We had signed up for Bavarian Brotzeit Tour. Just so you know, brotzeit means snack in German. The tour didn't leave until almost 10, so we slept in and enjoyed a nice breakfast. Once again it was a BEAUTIFUL day out-it was very warm for this time of year, and we really enjoyed it. Our first stop was a cheese factory where they showed us the process for making cheese. We were able to see them make cheese and we got to try some. Jamie and I have decided that we are too used to Kraft, lol. Right next door to the the cheese factory was KLOSTER Ettal...yes you read that right KLOSTER!!!! A Kloster is a monastery or convent, and we were also told can also mean covanent. The Kloster Ettal is a monastery, and the monks there make their own bier (beer, lol) and liquor. We were able to go inside the Basilica, and it was very elaborate in the paintings and statues. After arriving back at the motel Jamie and the kids went down to the pool, and I did my favorite....LAUNDRY! Then we went to a Mexican restaraunt downtown, it was really good!

The pictures: The kids getting to pretend to milk a cow, check out the backs of the folding chairs, a couple of street signs, the basilica, the kids and I, the kids at Sausalito's.

Day 3

For our third day we were on the waiting list for a bus tour to Munich. I really enjoy going on the bus tours because the tour guide knows little things about wherever you happen to be going-the stuff that's not in the tour books. They told us our best bet was to show and, and see if there were any no-shows, so we did. One of us could have gone, and we didn't think they were too excited about taking A.J. so we went back to our room. We looked over one of the books I had with me, and decided we were going to just go to Munich on our own. We walked to the bahnhof (train station) and got a ticket. We were able to get a family pass for 29 euro round trip. We jumped on the train and looked at my book some more. We decided we really wanted to see the glockenspiel and the Bavarian crown jewels. We thought both kids would like the glockenspiel, and that Kaitlin would really enjoy the jewels. When we arrived in Munich we pulled out the maps so we could figure out how the get to the Marienplatz where the glockenspiel was. The glockenspiel is a clock that when it strikes 11 and 12 (and during the summer months 5) shows a joust with a duke and his wife watching. There are also some people that dance. Interesting fact, the glockenspiel is located in the new Town Hall (rathaus), a building that survived the bombing and was the US headquarters in 1945. (All this info is from Rick Steve's book Germany and Austria 2007-very cool book and very interesting!) We were able to find it just as the clock struck 12. It was so very cool! Afterwards we ate lunch at the Ratskeller-in the cellar of the town hall. It was so good! A.J. and I ordered brats, and Jamie and Kaitlin were jealous. Then we headed over to the Residenz, and went through the part of the museum that held the crown jewels. The workmanship on the jewels was amazing! Afterwards we walked around Munich for a little bit and then headed back to the train. The kids were hot (yes, it was another beautiful day!)tired and thirsty. We jumped back on the train and made it back to Garmisch...and made the kids walk back to the motel, lol. They slept really well that night!

The pictures: The kids walking to the train station, the glockenspiel, just a bunch of bikes at a subway station-they were like this everywhere, and unlocked most of the time!, the Residenz, just some cool buildings downtown, the kids drinking their slushy drinks, Jamie and I on the train.

Day 2

On the second day the lodge wasn't sponsoring any trips that we were interested in (ok, we would like to go on the Three Country Tour, but it's mostly just driving through three countries and we didn't think the kids would really enjoy that, lol) So, we decided to sleep in and then explore Garmisch. When we woke up it was chilly, gray and rainy so we bundled up and and headed out. By lunch time, though, the sun came out and it really warmed up. It was so nice! Garmisch is a Bavarian vacation type town. It's really beautiful. You are surrounded by the mountains, and the houses are in the traditional Bavarian style. (We found out it is actually a law that your houses have to follow the old style, even down to the floor plan) We had fun just walking around downtown, and going into the little shops. A.J. got some polizei cars-Jamie thought he needed them, lol. We went to and Italian Eis (ice cream) specialty shop to eat. Check out the "spaghetti" ice cream in the pictures! OK, here's what's in the pictures: A.J. in front of the George C. Marshall Center, some Bavarian houses, A.J. and Kaitlin with their Mickey Mouse ice cream, the spaghetti ice cream, downtown Garmisch, the last two are the view from our room.

Day 1

We woke up the first morning to a gray, rainy day. We had arrived the evening before, after driving up through the Alps in the rain (it was tiring to me, and I was just riding, lol) and scheduled a tour to go see Linderhof Palace. Linderhof is one of the palaces of "Mad" King Ludwig II. The more we learn about Ludwig, the more Jamie and I think that he really was mad, lol. Anyway, we headed out to the palace. It is amazing how ornate everything is in the palace, especially considering the technology that was (or was not) available. We weren't allowed to take pictures of the interior, and it was pouring rain, so we didn't get very many of the outside. For more info on this palace you can go here: http://www.schloesser-bayern.de/englisch/palace/objects/li_schl.htm. Anway, we went through the tour. It was absolutely beautiful, just about everything (window frames, crown moldings, the walls) were gilded in gold. We also walked through the gardens, and saw a tea house that was originally in France that Ludwig convinced his grandfather to get him. There was also a man made cave. Ludwig liked to go into this cave and have shows put on for him. It was really cool being in the cave-it was pretty realistic. On the way home we stopped and Oberammergau-a little town known for it's wood carvings and Passion Play. It had a pretty interesting history, too. You can read more about it here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oberammergau

Our Vacation

OK, we've been home for a few days now, and I think we're mostly recovered. If nothing else the laundry is done, lol. Anyway, I will post details by the day. We went sightseeing six different days, so instead of cramming it all in one, I will do six different posts. Enjoy:)

The First Day of School...

It's here, the first day of school. The day when the backpacks are still clean, the shoes are not scuffed, and the pencils don't have bite marks in them. Everything begins again, and it is all shiny and new. Both of the kids started school today. Kaitlin is in third grade now-she thinks it feels weird, and wishes that she was still in second. I've told her it's because it's something new, and once she's used to it, it will be fine. She was excited to find out that two of her friends are in her class. A.J. is in preschool. He was a little disappointed that his friend Zach was not in his class anymore. Zach PCS'ed (that's Permanent Change of Station for you "civilian" folks, lol) this summer. He is excited to have his teacher Ms. Tabby again. In fact, there was a little meltdown last week, because we didn't think that he had gotten into Ms. Tabby's class. He was telling me today he has "lots of NEW friends now."

The Drama Queen and the Master Of Cool

This summer Kaitlin has been involved in Children's Theater. Each session was two weeks, meeting Monday through Friday for four hours. At the end, they put on a play at the Amelia Earhart Playhouse. She had a really good time, and I think she has found her calling. I was impressed with how well their teacher put the plays together, because they didn't have quite the turnout that they were expecting. Kaitlin is the second from the right in this picture (your right, not hers:)

And then there is A.J....he found these shorts in his closet. He wears them two or three times a week, because, in his words, he is the "master of cool" when he has them on. hmmm....he has started picking out his own clothes and if I try and get him to change them he informs me that he has to be "cool". Already, my coolness factor has gone down in his opinion, I thought I had a few more years before that happened, but here it is.

You want me to put my feet WHERE?

I know it may come as a shock to you, but Germany does not celebrate Independence Day. So, this last 4th of July we decided to take advantage of one of our host country's outdoor activities and visited a barefoot walking path. I had never heard of anything like this, but I imagined walking through fields of grass, carrying my shoes and bag. My neighbor warned we might get dirty, but honestly I didn't really think we would. I did dress the kids in dark colors, just in case. We arrived in Bad Sobernheim, after a nice little drive through the country. Someone recommended I leave my bag in the car and take a euro for a locker for my shoes. I went ahead and followed their advice, and thank goodness I did. The first thing we walked through was like a little channel-of MUD. All the way up to my knees. We walked through, with some complaining from the kids about how it felt on their toes. Then we walked on some cobblestones. All in all, we walked over several different textures like gravel and bricks, and some things like balance beams, through a river, and finally across a rope bridge. I must say that it wasn't anything like I expected. We never did walk through fields of grass. On a dirt path, but not the grass I expected. I guess that is the adventure of living in another country. So, who wants to join us for our next barefoot walking tour?

The Beginning

To begin with-I've been inspired by my sister in law Charlene's blog. I've thought of doing something like this-in fact I started one when we lived in Maryland, but it was mostly pictures and not stories of what is going on in our lives. Since we are now living in Europe, I thought what better time to begin? This way I can share our experiences with all of my family and friends. Enjoy:)