Carpenter German Adventure: 2010

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Sunday at the North Sea

Today was one of the few sunny days we’ve had since we moved to the Netherlands, and we took advantage of the opportunity to head to the beach! It’s been a while since we lived close enough to the ocean to enjoy it at a moment’s notice. And this is a special weekend because our German neighbors, Guido and Iris, are visiting, so we loaded up the cars and drove about 40 minutes west to Zandvoort, on the coast of the Nord Zee.

Thanks to Iris, we packed the boys’ Wellingtons, which allowed Jack to enjoy the surf – ran kicking through the water like, well, a little boy.

Luke wasn’t so sure about the water – clearly he’s forgotten his origins in Pacific Palisades, and the lake in Texas.

The beach was much like California, though really windy. Oh, and there were food stands selling all types of sea food along the water (like the California “roach coaches”) that are pulled down onto the beach by huge tractors (which you can see in the picture below).

We had a lovely day, and now head home, with sand in our hair and smiles on our faces!

Sunday, July 18, 2010

The Tooth Fairy Visits!

While we were in Italy at the end of June, we noticed Jack's first "permanent" tooth peeking through his bottom gums...BEHIND his baby teeth. As soon as we returned from holiday, we visited the dentist, full of apprehension. (OK, Jack was fine, but I was full of apprehension.) Indeed, the baby tooth had to go to make room for the adult tooth. So, after a bit of creme was applied to the gum to kill the pain, the baby tooth was wrenched from its home. :-( Jack was not so happy, but I was relieved it was done. Jack was very brave, and we celebrated with some gelato, which always seems to make everything much better.

We left with our tooth in a handy little sealed pouch, and happily put it under the pillow for our first Tooth Fairy visit.

We wondered if the Tooth Fairy would find us in this faraway land, but she had no problem. And apparently, in Germany, first teeth are worth 2 Euros and a sword. :-)

Sunday, January 31, 2010

Happy Belated Valentine's Day 2010!!

Happy (belated!) Valentine's Day! Hard to believe we've lived in Germany almost two years now - the time has flown by - and we've learned a few things. Here are the highlights:

1. The Deutsch are ALWAYS on time. Us? California time. Fashionably late. Witness our Valentine's Day greeting. :-) Guess that German punctuality hasn't "taken" yet...

2. Ski holidays are a big deal in Europe, best booked a year in advance. (Yeah, after #1 above, you can imagine how challenging it is for us to actually plan a year in advance...but we're getting the hang of it where vacations are involved!)

Jack learned if you sled down a hill with reckless abandon, cut across the (verboten) ski area and head for the parking lot, you will, indeed, sled into oncoming traffic!

Note the parking lot at the bottom of the hill

We've found a fabulous "kinder hotel" in Austria with an amazing waterslide, and a ski class for Jack complete with slalom style race at the end. Jack seems to have the snow ski gene – he came in 3rd after only 3 days of lessons!

3. We learned the Germans LOVE a good festival, no matter the weather, and they are best experienced with friends.

In Wiesbaden.

In Frankfurt with the Coles (from our LA neighborhood) and our neighbors, Guido and Iris
Marquardt (Iris behind the camera!)

4. We learned Luke had not been vaccinated for chicken pox - not something we wish to repeat.

5. We’re not qualified yet to run a B&B, but we sure like trying! We had visits from many friends this year...a good time was had by all, especially those with low expectations of room service!

...our annual visit with the Hellers in October.

Jack & Luke drive the tractor with Parker & Jeffrey Ehlers in August.

Enjoying Federweisser at a local winery with college friend Chris Farney and Jeff...

...with the (2nd generation) Patridges ...

The Ehlers & Kuhlenschmidts...a St. Matthews reunion!

...Granna and Poppa came to visit in August...

Building a fort with Uncle Carl Morrison...before the sword sharpening training ;-)...

Some things never change - with best friend from college, Karen Heller Morrison and food (lecker flammkuchen!)

...with Godmothers, Susan and Helen Love-Cooksey...

7. We learned the magical age of iPod watching is about 2 years old...which made our flights to Texas during the year to visit the family much more tolerable...

...with Aunt Lynn and Uncle Joe Nicklo...