The German Difference

Living in TLF is a really great way to adjust to living in a different country. It has both American and German electrical outlets, German appliances except the washer/dryer, and American open living concept. It allows you to get use to a few different things without a complete immersion experience. 

Bought eggs and was blown away when each of them had a stamp on them

Simple things like flushing the toilet are just a little different

Love the windows that open two ways:  tilt in and open on a hing. 

Some of the other things to get use to:

  Km instead of miles

  Baking in Celsius 

  All German road signs

  Drivers going really fast

There are other things that are really easy to get use to:

  The weather (hasn't been above 75)

  The friendliness of the people

  Ward members that I haven't even meet yet that are willing to help

I am sure that eventually all these things will seem common place. 

Traveling to Germany

Monday, 10 June we left Phoenix with 10 check-in bags and 9 carry-on items. A huge thanks goes out to Papa and Aunt Taty who got up at 3 am to take us to the airport.  Our flight to Baltimore with Southwest Airlines was as good as could be expected.

Once in Baltimore we got a Skycab to help with the mountain of bags and show us where we needed to go to catch our rotator to Germany. (Best money spent).  We spent most of time in the USO watching new students for the Navel Academy get picked up. Once on board our flight we settled in for a 9 hour flight. 

Uneventful is how I like my flights and that is exactly what we had. We had three movies to watch, a nice dinner service, and a breakfast snack. Some of us were lucky enough to sleep, but for the most part once we landed at 7 am local time we were a bunch of sleep deprived zombies. 

Through customs and with our bags we headed out to meet out temporary sponsor, Maj. Patrick McDonaugh.  We caught the shuttle to Spangdahlem and checked into our TLF room. Maj.  McDonaugh was kind enough to take Doug and I to the commissary so we could put some food into our room.  Let me tell you, grocery shopping with two men when you are brain dead is an interesting experience. One I hope not to repeat in the future. 

Our final chore was to try to stay awake just as long as possible. The boys went to sleep nearly immediately, Doug stayed up for about two more hours, but I was the winner staying awake until 3:30 pm. I slept the clock around and was up at 6 am the next morning. 

We are slowly getting our internal clocks adjusted and acquainting ourselves with the base. We have found a place to live with a move in date of 25 June and should have our car here on the 27th. Maybe next week we will even venture off base. 

Danny's 5th Grade Promotion Ceremony

Danny finished fifth grade this year with a big promotion ceremony. He has really worked hard this year and is looking forward to middle school. 

We had to have one last picture with Mrs. Castanoñe.

Saying Goodbye

One of the hardest parts of moving (besides going through every item you own, trying to find somewhere to live, and take care of a list of details that would make your head spin) is saying goodbye.

First was a dinner with Doug's flight. There are three dentists PCSing from his flight this summer, so it was a big party.  We enjoyed good food and fun people. At the end of the night Doug was presented with a plaque from his flight. 

Our last Sunday at the 6th Ward I had to take pictures with all my Nusery babies. I so miss their smiling faces.  Truly one of the best calling in the church is being a nursery worker. I'm going to campaign big time for that calling in our new ward. 

We also went to dinner with the Gyser's.  Wonderful Mexican food and wonderful people. I know we will miss Saskia and Russ.

Our last few days in the States we spent with family in Az. The stars aligned that we were able to see Jymie, Vash, and Ryhla on the last day of their vacation.   We even got to sing happy birthday to Vash. 

We also got to be there to celebrate Papa's birthday. German Chocolate Cake for all.

Dinner with the Holmes' was a festive event as we celebrated Bryant's birthday. (Sorry about the lack of present but we figured our presence was enough).  Picture with all the Az Holmes Cousins was done. 

We felt like we were able to leave seeing everyone one last time. 

Night at the Museum

This year Nate was in Pre-AP Social Studies class.  For a final project the Social Studies department did a Night at the Museum where each of the kids had to choose a Texas Historical figure to research, dress up as, and talk to visitors as if they were the person.  I requested that Nate pick someone who wore a suit since everything else would be packed by that time.  He was able to do Lyndon B. Johnson (yea for presidents that wear suits).  He did a great job and got a 100% on his project.  

Ranking Up

Our last week in San Antonio we attended a Scout Court of Honor.  

Matt was recognized for attaining his Life rank.

 Nate received his Star rank.

Danny got his Tenderfoot and is well on his way to Second Class.

On Our Way to Germany

The month of May we were busy getting ready to move to Germany.  Tons and tons of things need to be accomplished before we left.

Passports were applied for and obtained.

We dropped off Vicki (the Sequoia) at the "port" in Dallas so she could be shipped to Germany.  I really miss my car.

Then it was time to separate, clean out, and inventory all of our household goods.  

Then it was move day.  Love that we don't have to carry anything out of my house (or for that matter, into my house in Germany). 

See Matt Run

Matt ran the hurdles this season for track.  He took 6th overall in our school district.

Spring Break in AZ Part 2

All the Holmes' Family was in Arizona at the same time and that means a day out shooting guns.  Even with amo being difficult to get a hold of there was good selection on guns to shoot and bullets to go through.  They had everything from a 9mm to a AR15, but the boys favorite was the 20 gauge shotgun.  

We spent time with Papa at the Air Force Commentative Museum at Falcon Field.  We got to see Mesa's contribution to the different war efforts.  

Matt even got into the spirit of things

Then Papa spoiled us by taking us out to dinner to Rustler's Roost.  Matt decided that prime rib is the best thing ever and we all enjoyed a wonderful meal.

On our last night in town we enjoyed a dinner with the Holmes'.  Cousin Beth was nice enough to come over  and take a family picture for us.

Spring Break In AZ Part 1

 This year for Spring Break we decided to spend our time with family knowing that we would be leaving for Germany soon.  We had plenty of activities planned for our visit. 

 First was Nana's day.  She took us to the indoor Go-Kart track in Phoenix.  We signed everyone up for the adult race and then figured out that Nate and Danny would have done better with the kids race but we wanted to have everyone race together.  All the boys, even the big one, had a great time.  

Cool Aunt Jen added some "friendly" competition.

Matt and Doug really went at it with Matt being the winner.  

Next day was all CA Jen and she took us to the Phoenix Botanical Gardens

At first the boys thought that these glass sculptures at the entrance were real plants.  

CA Jen felt that she and the boys needed to go incognito so they had their finger mustaches. 

Some of the beautiful scenery. 

We also visited the Butterfly Enclosure where we saw some beautiful butterflies just finishing up their season in AZ.