Deutschland

Well, we are ending another 2-week school break -- classes resume tomorrow AM.  This break was much needed.  We both completed another round of testing (which we passed!!) a couple days prior to the break.


In celebration of S's 3-month-birthday, we loaded our Ford Fiesta and set off on our first multi-country car trip as a family of four!

The first day was a long one and after 6 hours in the car, Mr. S had had enough but toughed it out the remaining 4 hours...  G is a great role model as she travelled contently without incident, so we trust S will acclimate, eventually!

Our first stop was north of Frankfurt, Germany where Dianna's friend (a German high school exchange partner from circa 1998) lives with her family.  They were great hosts and we enjoyed catching up with them.

Next stop was Ramstein Air Force Base for a fun-filled week with Nona, Boppy & Uncle Darol!

Lots of story time with Boppy

Craft time with Nona

Snuggles with Sims

It was "fasching carnival" season (think Mardi Gras) so we attended a parade-style celebration

G & her pony

Air Force marching band in the parade
They were impressive!!

We also took a few day trips to see some nearby sights...

Exploring the Schloss in Heidelberg

And we couldn't forget Boppy's birthday...

Traditional German meal for Boppy's special day

G gave Nona her belated b-day gift

Train ride to Trier...

Getting ready to board

Riding the train

Silly girls...we ride horses NOT pigs!

Roman city gate in Trier, Germany

Hitching a ride, Uncle D style

One of several beautiful cathedrals

More Roman ruins

Schloss in Landstuhl, Germany

S finding his hands..."Wow, those are mine"

Couldn't pass up an opportunity for some family portraits...

Loving Uncle D

Special Memories

Thanks so much for coming to see us!!

We also caught up with 2 med school friends and met their newborn twin boys -- so sweet!  But in the midst of 3 baby boys (all less than 14 weeks old), no photos were taken.  Oops!

On the way back to Albertville, we made our third stop near Strasburg, France where our future Chad teammates (a German family with 2 little girls and a little boy on-the-way) are learning French.  What a blessing to meet with the B family and to know that we will, Lord willing, all be together in Chad later this year!!

B family

We returned to Albertville just in time to greet Dianna's college roommate at the train station.  More on our 3 days with Mary will be coming soon...


   DDG&S