First Day of School 2013-2014

The first day of school has come.  And the angels sang.  To say it has been a long summer is an understatement, but then again I think I feel that way every year.  This year Matt started Bitburg High School, Nate had his last first day as a middle schooler at Spangdahlem Middle School, and Danny started the same middle school as a 6th grader.

There are a few things to get use to.  Both schools use a block schedule which means their classes are longer but they only see all their teachers every other day.  Also Matt's high school has less students than his 8th grade class, which he has decided he really enjoys.  Both schools have really dedicated teachers with a more of a family feel.  We are excited for this new year.

Historical Burgenfest Manderscheid

Just down the road from our house is the Manderscheid Castle Ruins.  Once a year they hold a festival there that reconstructs life in the middle ages or a Renaissance Festival.  Is there a better place to have one than on the very ground that held events like this thousands of years ago. 

In the main area there were booths with food and entertainment.

In the castle ruins is where they set up merchant booths.

Some of the entertainment included jugglers and singers.

And of course the joust.

"The Holmes Have Gotten Their Junk" Party

After living three months without our stuff, I said that as soon as we were unpacked that we would have a party and so we did.  As both Doug and I were busy being good hosts there are no pictures.  We wanted to say thank you to everyone who helped us, opened their houses up, and welcomed us while we transitioned.  We invited people from the ward, from our village, our landlord, and the missionaries to help with translation.  

I spent the day cooking and getting ready. We had hotdogs, burgers, and brats.  Stuffed mushrooms, jalapeno poppers, chips with dips, baked beans, funeral potatoes, creamed corn, and desserts.  I tried to make sure that we had at least a few items that our German neighbors would be familiar with but found it interesting that their favorites were the burgers and hotdogs.  I only made a few cultural fopas 1. when I served cold mineral water, 2. not providing cups until asked, and 3. serving creamed corn (according to my dad corn is a food that is served to pigs in Germany).  Not too bad for my first time.

 The missionaries brought a family that had a sons the boys age.  We able to say thank you to everyone with the missionaries translating for our neighbors.  The boys played basketball and showed the German boys how to throw an American football.  We sat and ate, laughed and enjoyed each others company.  Elder Holmes (no relation) even gave the blessing on the food in german so our guests would be able to understand.  It was a great night that we hope to repeat soon.  

It Can't Be That Bad

Life can't be that bad when you wake up to these sunrises and have sheep outside your front door.

EFY 2013

This year Matt was able to attend EFY (Especially for Youth) this year for the first time. In Europe this is call SMYC (Special Mulitstake Youth Conference) and Matt's session was the only international session.  He attended with youth from 10 different European countries, most english speaking but not all.  He was able to enjoy the time in Brisbane, Germany.

Matt was able to make friends with a lot of youth and came home wondering why we were not stationed at Ramstein.  He enjoyed the classes and the activities he was able to participate in.  It was a great way to get him ready for Seminary.

 Matt is on the outer right side three people form the top.

Dinner at a Castle

At the end of July we were invited to Dr. Pat McDoungh home for a cookout.  The big draw was that Dr. McDoungh and his family live in a restored barn that is part of a Manor House/Castle.  Yes a real castle.   Can I say how cool it is to sit outside looking at a tower that was build in the 1100s?

This is the original tower that was built in the 1100's.

View from the Tower

Manor House that is now a Bed and Breakfast. 

Formula 1 Race

Doug and Dan had the opportunity to go to the Formula 1 Races at the Nederburg Ring in the middle of July.  As I didn't attend I don't have a lot to add except do you see how happy my Danny is?  A boy after his dad's own heart.

  

4th of July

Ok, I wasn't going to write anything about the 4th of July because we really didn't do much this year and the pictures are really limited, but then I saw some pictures of Danny and couldn't help but put them up.

For the 4th the base did an Appreciation Day which included a BBQ, paintball, prizes, live music, games, and a go kart track.  Matt and Nate earned money for scout camp by being on litter duty for a couple of hours while Danny stood in line FOREVER to drive the go kart.  To his mind it was worth every minute of the wait.

Pretty sad picture of fireworks, but we were able to go home and sit outside our front door to have a great seat for the show.

52 Dental Squadron Picnic

All the way back to the beginning of July the 52nd Dental Squadron hosted a picnic for all the service members and their families. 

In the Air Force there is a tradition of "Hail and Farewell".  This is an opportunity for command to welcome in the newcomers to the unit and also to say goodbye to those moving on.  It has been our experience (on large bases) that this is more of an announcement or FYI situation.  Not on Spangdahlem though.  Nope here you are introduced by your sponsor and then you get to say a few words.  Usually this takes the form of where your last duty station was, where you will be working, and your family.  Well, between both our sponsor, Jake Atwood (who we have known for 10 years), and Doug our family was not introduced like the others.  So in my typical mild way, I speak up introducing myself and the boys with the closing remark that we are the family that Doug is "so proud of".  Needless to say I made an impression.  Not only on co-workers but also commanders.  I am still being referred to as the wife that introduced herself. 

   

There were lots of activities to participate in but my favorite was seeing the boys suit up in Sumo wrestling gear meant for adults and try to take each other down.  I may have to invest in a set.

Dan trying to get the gloves on

Nate can't see without his glasses with his wig/head gear falling down