Happy New Year!

Happy 2009 everyone!

I had a few things on my mind that I wanted to post before 2009 arrives.

First I wanted to share New Year's German style with you. The Germans are crazy about their quiet hours and holidays. In fact, you can be fined for depositing your glass bottles in the recycle dumpsters during certain hours of the day and after 9 pm at night. At first I thought this is crazy, but it is great never worrying about your neighbor blaring music at midnight or a crazy loud party...it just doesn't happen. So when people told me the German's go crazy over New Year's, I said...yeah right. My neighbors said that everyone in Germany shoots off fireworks on New Year's Eve right at midnight. Seriously? The quiet Germans? Okay. So our houses are kind of like the east coast...packed in tight and built up. There is simply no room for safe fireworks...however the cement house probably wouldn't burn if we tried...cement blocks, metal, and stucco probably don't even ignite. So last year when the clock struck midnight...I was ready! A few pops and bangs and I headed off to bed....then it happened. Everyone set theirs off. I swear if I didn't know better, I would have sworn we were under attack. It was scary. I panicked, the dogs barked, and John and the kids slept through it all. The mayhem continued at least until 3 am…the only night when fireworks are legal in Germany. The next morning John rolled his eyes as I replayed it for him, until he went in the yard and cleaned up the remnants. Our yard was covered with fireworks. My favorite were the ones that looked like bottle rockets (aren't those illegal in the US...and with good reason) on steroids. The sticks on these things were about 3-4 feet long. So this year I'm ready. Again, John and the kids sleep, while the dog and I are ready to fear for our life. Happy New Year's to all my crazy German friends! They truly are nights I will never forget!

I also wanted to say how grateful we are for everything that 2008 brought us. Perspective is such a wonderful thing. Looking back, I realize how blessed our family really is. Our lives are rich and full because of our dear friends and loving families. We wish we could have cloned ourselves to spend the holidays with each of you. However, you were in our thoughts and prayers, and always in our hearts. Thanks always to our Lord and Savior who gets credit for every good and perfect thing in our lives. Our cup is full and runs over.

Happy New Year to you all. May blessings abound and bring the best life has to offer.

Ein gutes und gesegnetes neues Jahr!

The Dog House

My friend Suzanne emailed me this and it had me cracking up!


Beware of the Doghouse- Hilarious! - The most amazing home videos are here

I'm Ready for Christmas...What?

This never happens, and I mean never! I have great intentions of getting up the tree and decorations the day after Thanksgiving. I have visions that my shopping will be done before December hits and that when Christmas arrives, I won't be in a last minute panic to do everything. Every year I try, and every year I fail. But not this year people! My tree and decorations were up the day after Thanksgiving, and my shopping was done before December.

Now living in a foreign country makes you prepare much futher in advance, but I am really proud of myself. We had John's office Christmas party this past weekend, and now we are basically done! I do need to mail a couple of packages this week, do my wrapping, and get my cards in the mail. Yes, you heard me right...I am doing cards this year and they just might arrive before Christmas! Last year I heard all about it when we skipped a year in the card & letter tradition. Sorry, but I just didn't plan far enough ahead since we had only been in Germany a few months. If any of you need our new mailing address, please email me and I will get it to you.

Anyway, I'm totally ready for Christmas! I can't believe it!

John Pins on Lt. Col.

On Sept. 1, John had his pinning on ceremony to be promoted to Lt. Col. We had so many friends and co-workers come out that made it so special. There was standing room only and we thank all of you for coming! John's mom was still in town as well, so it was nice to be able to share this with her. John's boss, Gen. Bender, did the official business. Then John's mom and I put on his new rank and we let the kids change the rank on his shirt. We followed the ceremony with a nice reception.




John works so hard, and this is only one small reflection of the credit and recognition that he deserves. I am so proud of the officer and man that he is, and so lucky to be married to such a cool guy! Congratulations John...we are so proud of you!

Caleigh Turns 3!!!

On August 24th, Caleigh turned 3 years old! I can hardly believe it! She celebrated with some friends at the house at her Luau Beach Party. Grandma was here to help her celebrate and make it even more special!


At the end of the day, she got her big present from us...her doll house. Thank you Mom, Dad & Josh for buying furniture for the house. It was a huge hit, an even though she was exhausted, she stayed up late and played until I made her go to bed. She also scored a new Dora tricycle from Grandma and Grandpa!



Happy Birthday beautiful girl!

Halloween

First we headed to the Pumpkin Festival. The weather was amazing and it was so nice to eat, play and shop! Here is John & Caden next to the biggest pumpkin there!


Time to carve pumpkins! Daddy and Caden worked on one, while Caleigh and I tried to be creative. They turned out really cute and looked amazing once they were lit up!




Halloween was so much fun this year! I was really proud that we saved a ton of money and I made the costumes this year! They were fun to work on, the kids loved them, and we got lots of compliments! Caleigh had to be Cinderella(of course), and Caden was Mario. The kids got to wear their costume 3 times...so we made good use of them.

Brain Dump

I have been a slacker and have so much to report! I have issues downloading my pictures directly onto my computer, so I get lazy and forget…and what good are blog posts without pictures???

Anyway…get ready for a mass brain dump!