Going back to Germany

While we were living in the hotel, waiting to find a house we took the opportunity to venture back to Germany on a long weekend. When we left Germany in 2006 I was having major health issues and our family was in trauma. At the time we never thought we'd make it back to Europe until the kids were much older. Needless to say, as we drove the familiar roads and back through our old village of Oberkail it was very emotional and nostalgic. We saw our house and caught up with our neighbors who welcomed us with open arms. It was a healng time for Quin and I that we didn't know we needed. Oberkail will always be home in our hearts.

New Beginnings

We finally made it to Europe, however eventful the trip. We drove to Utah on the way out of Colorado Springs and stayed with family for a week before going onto Chicago. We planned to spend an extra day there to break up the flight, but ended up with two nights after a crazy 5 hour flight delay, then a flight cancellation. Loading and unloading the bags was miserable to be honest, but we tried to take advantage of the extra day we were given. We got vouchers for food from the airlines and the kids had fun ordering up whatever they wanted, including a few trips to the Ghiradelli Chocolate store.



The kids did great on the flight, but did not want to sleep. We were routed through London and had to make our connection there after lots of racing through long airport hallways. We all experienced the culture shock there as we were instantly surrounded by conversations in several different languages all around us. The kids suddenly realized how far away from home we were. Eventually we made it into Brussels and we all were at breaking point. The kids fell asleep wherever they sat. Ty nearly fell off a table as he was snoring and we waited there for a few hours to get a ride to Chievres AFB. Once we got to the hotel, we all showered and made a quick commissary trip, then crashed in bed.



We spent about 5 days getting to know the area, then got the kids started in school. It was the only way for us to kick the jet lag. The kids loved the school from the beginning which helped our situation immensely. We lived in the hotel for about 6 weeks while we hunted down the perfect house. It was long and tedious, but we got the house we wanted in the end.

Yabadoo!

We love going to Germany, it's definitely our favorite place and for this visit we were able to catch up with old friends from Guam. TJ and Sharon Ritchie were our neighbors on Andersen AFB, we shared many dinners at Lonestar, Tuan's, Tony Roma's, and just grilling in the backyard. We spent the weekend with them and their 2 daughters; Addison and Mia. We had a great time reminiscing, eating and taking the kids to Yabadoo. Yabadoo is one of those crazy German playplaces that can be extremely dangerous but tons of fun. The kids had a fabulous time of course and we were able to wear them out a bit!

Best Friends

Our kids are really going to miss the Smiths. Ty and Dallin hit it off quickly, bonding over their love of video games, Ashton and Devin are giggly and mishchievous whether they are teasing the girls or the older boys, and Hallie and Emma are two of a kind who love making bracelets and cards. As for our blue Honda Accord, Quin will really miss you too!

Winter Break

The day after Christmas we left for Utah to enjoy our winter break. We did all of the usual fun things: Pepperidge Farm, USU ice cream, and cards all night with the family. Quin and the kids went sledding with Mer, I took the kids ice skating for the first time, and we had some fun times with the Ence family. It was a great break and I was dreading our arrival back home. Time to get ready to move!

Merry Christmas!

This year we simplified things by cutting the gifts back to just 3 for each, this made my holiday season so much more enjoyable and way less stressful. We had a wonderful family Christmas eating quiche for breakfast, playing Lego Rockband, and building Lego houses for Devin and Hallie!

Where did the last year go?

I just logged on to my blog and it's still in 2009. I don't know how the time has flown so fast or how I will catch up, but this is my attempt at it! Where did the year go? Well, back in January we started the move that encompassed nearly half the year. We separated and packed our stuff and sent it to the other side of the world in Belgium. We lived in our empty house for over a month, then pulled the kids out of school and drove to Utah to say goodbye to family and started the long journey towards our new life in Belgium. In April, we got into our new house and it's took us a few months to get settled, but we are finally feeling like life is back to normal. We've had many adventures since then and I hope to get them posted soon, even if the order is mixed up. Here are some of the exciting things we've done: we saw the tulips in the Netherlands, the kids started another grade in international school, Hallie has lost 2 teeth, I got to visit Amanda in NJ, Quin spent some time in Afganistan, we've been back to Spangdahlem and our old house several times, Ty is running cross country, Jacie turned 3, I lost 10 pounds with Weight Watchers, we saw Lance Armstrong riding in the Tour de France, we spent a week in Oberammergau, and we've reconnected with old friends. It's been a crazy 9 months, but we wouldn't change it!

Our gingerbread creation. You'd think building a gingerbread house would be a great family bonding activity. NOT so, this year. My kids wouldn't stop arguing over the angle that the house was turned, who had used the most candy and who's turn it was for the icing.

Jacie's new haircut, I think she looks like Dora!

More Christmas Fun

Crazy nights at the Tran house.

TySanta!

Devin Potter!

Jacie and her moon boots.

Christmas time!

It's Christmas time again, my absolute favorite time of the year. We came home from our Thanksgiving trip to Utah on and spent the next few days putting up all of our decorations. The kids favorite are the little trees that go in their bedrooms and decorating a gingerbread house.