Friday, June 26, 2009

June

I am going to have at least 2 posts this month!!! SO here we go with #2...

It has been quite a trip around here lately. The driver's side window on our minivan has been stuck in the down position for 4 weeks now. Thank you AAFES for all of the confusion over ordering a part, which part, we don't know if we ordered the part, oh wait you have to pay for the part, etc. Maybe someday the window will go up again. Also, the BMW is in the shop with a possible death rattle. So we are getting used to the feeling of wind in our hair as we drive down the autobahn. ;) Also, Rob test drove a Mini this week. hmmm.

My nieces Leah and Sarah arrived with Leah's aunt Connie (also a librarian) and we had a whirlwind week of sightseeing in southern Germany last week. there were many mis-adventures along the way with poor directions (thankfully we had brought an atlas,) getting caught in the rain repeatedly, and even, literally, missing the boat for our Rhine cruise! But it all worked out in the end (we caught up with boat in Rudesheim) and everyone stayed in relatively good spirits (except maybe me.)

Connie and also Sarah have now returned home to Pennsylvania, but Leah is still with us and being a HUGE help with the kids. Hopefully she's having some fun too.

Also, last night we had Enrichment meeting at church. Not long ago I was asked to be on this committee and so I had a part to play in the planning and execution of our ladies' Summer Social evening--- which involved making about 20 jars of strawberry freezer jam, coaxing Rob and Leah into watching 10-12 kids, and researching & growing a small herb garden. Maybe it doesn't sound like much, but in the context of the past few weeks, it was a LOT to do. :)

Anyway, here are a few snapshots from our recent trip, all in a jumble as usual---

The Rathaus and Marienplatz in Munich.

Our hotel in Baden-Baden was just a short walk down to the city center.

Jetlag, 800 miles in a minivan, & countless castles.

Leah, Connie, & Sarah in Heidelberg.
The view from Neuschwanstein.
Rob would like to spend a week just here, hiking around the lake and exploring the mountains. :)

Sarah and Leah at the gate of Dachau Concentration Camp.

One of the many castles along the Rhine... Rheinfels???
The cruise was nice but MUCH too long (at 7 hours) with our two little ones.

Me and my sweetie. :D

Tuesday, June 09, 2009

overheard

Charlotte: It's a snake!
Rob: It's not a snake.
C: It's a worm!
R: It's not a worm, Charlotte.
C: It's a DEAD worm [nodding.]
R: It's not anything, just stop freaking out.
C: It's not freaking out, it's a worm!
R: No, YOU are freaking out.
C: I'm not freaking out... I'm just a Charlotte.

PS- Check out http://leahscoolsite.webs.com/apps/blog/ to read my niece Leah's blog. She'll be staying with us this Summer and keeping you all up to date on us as well. :)

Saturday, June 06, 2009

Jahjuh

We have been back to our lovely house in Germany for 2 weeks now, and I am just NOW getting around to posting photos from our trip to Georgia. Jetlag will do that to ya... and the 2 little ones sure are demanding of time and attention too. :)

The biggest event of our trip, in my opinion, was "family picture day!" (Thanks to Rachel we have all of these fabulous behind-the-scenes shots.)

Rachel & Becky


Rachel & Mom Anderson

Rachel & Charmay

Rob & Tom

Me, Toby (chewing on my necklace,) & Rob

Toby (like many of us) looks up to his Daddy. ;)

Henley family- Ally, Chris, Joseph, Lizzie, & Savannah

Rob's Dad is a very popular man with the grandkids-- here you can see Savannah, Lizzie, Elanor, Joseph, Johnny, & Charlotte

Grandpa is an expert on rocks... which Charlotte loves. :)

After photos, we went to "5 Guys" for some burgers for dinner. Grandpa taught Charlotte about shelling peanuts.

And SOMEBODY allowed (and encouraged) her to eat this entire little cup of ketchup. hmmm, who took these pictures again???

Daddy & Toby sneaking up on an ice-eating Charlotte.

We had lots of other (less photographed) fun visiting at Grandma & Grandpa's house. This is Charlotte in her "big sister" shirt, with her "pony tail" and polar bear- all ready for bedtime.

Playing nap time with Aunt Rachel.

Aunt Becky & Toby.

We loved having time to spend with ALL of you--- even if we didn't post a picture of it here! Thank you Rachel for all of the great shots, I am notoriously bad at remembering to pull out the camera.