Doich-land

Yeah, I know that's not how you spell it...
I know its been awhile since I've been back, but I've been working, and doing homework and sick. So if you haven't already seen some of my pics or heard the story of my trip to Germany, here it is...


I was sent TDY to Ramstein Air Base for 9 days with a couple guys that I work with. We had to drive up to Atlanta to catch a direct flight to Frankfurt (about 9 hours). Long flight? yes, but no biggie...Megan and I went to Barnes & Noble the day before and I got a good novel to enjoy, I had my headphones with the double-pronged airplane attachment so as to avoid the hefty "entertainment fee," and I had a bag of Swedish Fish, what could go wrong?









How about sitting next to a lady with a cat on her lap for 9 hours when you are allergic to cats. That'll ruin your day and quite possibly the next 3 days. The flight attendant even kept coming back to her and asking her to put it back into its carrying case and under the seat. The lady just wouldn't comply for very long. She also thought it was hilarious when the cat would reach out and scratch my shoulder. I'll admit, if I had been watching this scenario on a movie screen with the audio of my inner-dialogue, it would have been hilarious. Unfortunately, this was really happening...for 9 hours.

When we got to Germany, we got our rental cars and headed out on our 1.5 hourish drive to Ramstein. Germany is beautiful. The stretch of the Autobahn between Frankfurt and Ramstein (just outside of Kaiserslautern) was sprinkled with quaint little towns which were connected to each other by a neverending stretch of vineyards on either side. While there we got to visit Schloss Heidelberg and Trier, the oldest city in Germany. I was a little disappointed because I had really wanted to attend a European soccer match. FC Kaiserslautern's stadium was a mere 5 miles from base, but my work schedule did not permit me to attend any games while there. However, while wallowing in despair I decided to go up to the stadium gift shop and buy myself something to feel better. It was cold, so I bought a scarf. On my way out, I took a back road and stumbled upon the practice field where the team was practicing. It was no game, but a good consolation prize. The markets were amazing, the food was even better. I even got my piece-o-junk Ford Fusion (the tiny European model, not like the US version) to go 102mph on the Autobahn. All in all, it was a good trip. I was happy to get home to my family where I was welcomed home with open arms, kisses, the flu, a sore throat, and pink-eye. Here are some pics...

what we've been up to...

Jonas: Jonas is now 6 months old! He had his well baby yesterday and weighs 17lbs 9oz and I cant find the paper with his height so we will just say that he is TALL. He is now crawling and is quick. The girls are learning fast to keep small toys off the floor and if you think you are going to do a puzzle on the floor Jonas WILL destroy it! He continues to be such a mellow baby and is starting to sleep through the night (from 8pm to 5:30am...I will feed him again and then we will sleep till about 8:30am) So that is very nice. Jonas also is eating solids. His favorites are sweet potatoes and peas. He hates bananas! Which isn't a surprise the girls were the exact same way. His favorite thing to do now though is to spit it all over the high chair and then lick it off...fun times!

Emma: Emma is Hilarious! She is constantly making us laugh all day. She however is also becoming a little bit of a back talker. Any time I tell her to do something I get in response "stop talking" or "leave me alone" among other lovely things. She is now pretty much potty trained. I wish I could take credit, but she did it all on her own. I have been super lazy with it and kept putting it off, but I guess she got tired of having a diaper and decided to just be potty trained. Now we just need to get over pink eye and things will be great! Yep, we thought we were over it, but its back with Emma so luckily while we were at Jonas' appointment the doctor saw us all and hopefully we can be eye goober free very soon:)

Abby: Abby is now back at school after missing 3 days because of my favorite thing: pink eye. Which all happened while Aaron was out of town...always the best timing:) She is so smart and can spell all our names. She loves to write and draw pictures. She is such a little mommy. She loves to take care of Jonas and doesn't understand why she cant pick him up and carry him around the house. She will usually be a big help and get things when I need them, like diapers or his binky and I will even get a "yes m'am". We are working on the tantrums which seem to be getting more and more dramatic.

Me: I am still busy as ever being a mom and a wife. I am trying desperately to get over this cold that I have had for what seems like eternity. I am loving having Aaron home after being gone for just over a week. Even if he seems to be even busier at work. The kids are my joy and they seem to make all the madness worth it. I love getting cuddles and laughs from Jonas after a nap. I love it when Emma sings the Tomorrow song from Annie so loud and so beautifully (mostly because Annie was my favorite when I was little). I love it when Abby gives "butterfly kisses" and tells me I am so wonderful.

Aaron: Aaron just got back from Germany. (he will have to do a post all about it) He was there for work and loved it! He has already told me to plan a Europe vacation this summer...I still want a cruise:) He is an amazing daddy and a super awesome husband. He just got a new schedule at work which we aren't very happy about, but what can you do...Aaron is always good at reminding me it could be worse. Aaron also just got an award at work for Volunteer of the year for all the work he puts into the scouts. Which I think was well deserved. He really puts in a lot of work and sacrifices a lot for his calling...like for example last night he had worked the night before and had to go back into work that afternoon (which means he got maybe 2 hours of sleep in between) then after I even told him one night not going would be okay so he could sleep...he went to scouts and then back to work that same night. I think he is amazing and will always put everything and everyone before himself. I still think I am the luckiest girl to have such an amazing man as my husband. Plus it doesn't hurt that he is super hot too!!