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...
The Great State of Texas (Secede!)
Gail with her mom (Gaga) and sister, Dottie (AKA Aunt Dott)
Gaga and Jack examining fingers...
Laughing with Granna and Poppa at the lake...
...with Gaga in November...
...with Grandpa John in June...
8. No matter where we live or where we go, the best things in life are the simple ones...
...having an ice cream at Frankfurt International School's Worldfest...
...Mother's Day...
...new bikes! (Look, Mom - no hands!!)
...visiting Neueschwanstein Castle in the Austrian Alps... (the castle upon which Disneyland is modeled)
...Birthday celebration 2009 at the lake...
...the Carpenter Boyz...
...at Trunk or Treat at FIS with Jack's friend Erik "Vader"...
...with Aunt Catherine (who also designed the pirate costume!)
...is that Luke with ANOTHER ice cream cone? He IS my child!!
Lukey
Jack with no Luke (scared!) and Santa...
...at the St. Martin of Tours Parade 2009...
...the multi-talented Mr. Luke...
...our little German boy...
...Prince Charming...
...with our "family flowers"...
