Visitors Part 1

Near the end of May, my friends Janell with her son Chase, and Julie with her kids William and Abigail came to Germany for a week to visit. We were all stationed together in TX for 4 years and now they are stationed in England. Their hubbies deployed just 1 week prior to Andy deploying so we thought what better time than now to have a reunion!?! They spent a week with me and then Tyler and I flew back to England with them to stay for a week...it was a gret way to 'buy some time' after Andy left. I definately had something fun to look forward to!! Our first day trip was to Trier; the oldest city in Germany and just 25 minutes from our house
Germany's oldest Christian Church...thanks for the tip Julie...I had no idea!!

Letting the kids run around for a bit

In front of the Porta Nigra; Roman Ruins over 2,000 years old

Love this picture :)

No, we didnt have a tri-pod...this one was taken by William; Julies 3 yr old!!

Wiped after a long day! Even Julie was getting in a little nap action :)

This was the first beautiful week of the season so we took a day for sightseeing and then a low-key play day in between for the kids...the next day we just stayed at the house and enjoyed the the backyard :)

Chase having fun with Georgia :)

Sweet Abigail :)

Sandboxes never get old :)

We went to Eifelpark Zoo since it was so close and let the kids run around for a bit....this is such a cute picture of Chase and Ty on the giant 'blob'
Having our lunch picnic

We always went on this giant slide at our state Fair in Minnesota so I was hoping Ty wouldnt flip if I took him down it. He wasnt happy or scared so I guess its a good sign :) Here Julie, William, Chase, and Janell are taking a crack at it first

...and loving it!

They have an Alpine slide and I have been anxiously waiting to go on it! We each took a turn watching the kids so we could go. It takes you up the hill and then you race down it with no motor, just coasting down the hill with only a brake. I don't have pics of it, but I was CRUISING!!! I had to break several times to prevent an accident from hitting the lady in front of me

Julie not looking nervous at all :)

The giant basket swing at the playground

William was in a phase of doing this face every time we took a picture this week...it was pretty funny :)

Almost every evening after we had the kids in bed, we spent our time like this...good conversation, wine, popcorn, chocolate, light reading, the bananagrams game, etc...it was so much fun to catch up on girl time :)

more pics to come next week...I'm packing right now for my weekend trip to Portugal over the 4th of July!! Wahoo!! HAPPY 4TH!

19 Months & a Tractor Show

No, Tyler did not just turn 19 months...that was a mere 2 months ago...but as I said I am still catching up on posts!! Although they don't physically change as much in the second year as they do the first, I still keep up the monthly photos just to see the different things he does month to month...month 19 he became obsessed with our telephones. I keep the step stool underneath the chair for kitchen things only because we dont have a closet to put it on. tyler tends to think this is for him as he pulls out the stool and climbs up to get the phone and say "hello". Of course, he typically will do this when he thinks I am not looking :)

A very BIG "Hello!"

This is such a Tyler face...
...and such a sweet Georgia face :)

There was a Tractor Show in the town of Spangdahlem where my friend Brooklyn lives...we met up with her to watch. Everyone comes out with their 'antique' tractors as they make their way down the parade.

This one was my favorite :)

This is Herr Koheler; Brooklyn's Landlord...he had the oldest tractor there...and very proud of it; can you tell!?!

I don't think I would have a whole lot of faith in a tractor pulling the fire equipment if my house was on fire....it would probably burn to the ground before it got there!

Just a random pick of Tyler having 'lunch with daddy'. He videotaped himself reading books to him and put it on cd...about twice a week I break the videos out so they can have lunch together...He misses his daddy so much!

Saying Goodbye

I finally made it to the post that I never wanted to post about..but here it is. May 7th, the day Andy left for his deployment to the desert. We were able to spend some quality family time that weekend in between all the packing (as you can see below). Of course it is never enough time but we'll just have to catch up on that this fall :)
Fun time with Daddy after bath :)

Andy got to wake Tyler up...

...but he wasnt quite ready for pictures yet :)

Last family photo

Last picture before it was goodbye

The guys had a briefing before they left so all the ladies (and kiddos) went to the coffee shop on base to buy some time before we went to the tower to watch them take-off. This is how Tyler killed the time (well, at least for 2 minutes :)

View of the base

Waiting for the planes to taxi.

Each of us got to talk on the radio with our hubbies from the Tower...it was so special to hear his voice one last time!

Andy (in the middle) heading out to the runway

It's take-off time!

We miss you so much Andy! We couldnt be more proud of you and your sacrifice for our country. You are a part of our every day..Tyler is always kissing your picture goodnight, looking through photo books, and watching videos of you reading him stories. The best part of my day is getting a phone call from you and hearing your voice! This summer is already 'flying' by and we can't wait to catch up on some down time when you return. Always praying for you and love you so very much! -Tara, Tyler (& GA :)