A short trip to Puget Sound

We tried to see "Kung Fu Panda: 2" today, but it was completely sold out. Fortunately there was a Target nearby, so we all walked around a bit before lunch. After lunch we made our way to Puget Sound a little north of Olympia - probably about 5-10 minutes from our new home - for some fresh air and exercise.

The kids had a great time at the water's edge splashing in the water, throwing stones, collecting sea shells, and finding crabs.

The sun made an appearance, so we stayed a bit longer than we originally planned, not that we had hard and fast plans. In fact, this wasn't the beach we were looking for, turns out that one was a private beach. On a random side-note, if you look at the photo above below, just above my head to photo left, you'll catch a glimpse of the Olympic mountains still shrouded in snow.

Both kids had a great time exploring the beach, while I think Catherine and I just treasured having space for the kids to roam away from the hotel room. We have two more (loooooooooonnnnng) weeks in the hotel before we can occupy the house we are renting, so we'll be looking for these opportunities as often as we can.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Memorial Day today!

Marc

Happy Memorial Day!

We have been busy here in Washington - getting adjusted to the new time zone, finding a house to rent, a new (to us) set of wheels, and finally today - exploring!

We headed south into Olympia and checked out the Farmer's Market, the Children's Hands-On Museum, and REI (outdoor store). We spent some pretty decent time at all of these, and all in all had a pretty nice day.

Across from the Children's Museum was a very nice Memorial Park - with the World War II Memorial immediately adjacent. There was this ginormous tree there, and I thought I'd grab a quick photo of the kids (on their camera).

And of course I couldn't resist checking out some of the nice tokens of remembrance that some people had left out amongst the memorial. I hope everyone has a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!

Marc

Hello, Washington!!!

So we've made it to Ft. Lewis safe and sound. Everyone is adjusting fairly well to the new time zone. I feel like this one is easier to break into than the Eastern or Central time zones - just thankfully the kids are starting to sleep later into the mornings.

The weather has been nice, surprisingly chillier than Germany, but overall very pleasant. The sun has been playing peak-a-boo with us for these first four days, but lately more out than hidden. However, this afternoon was the first glimpse we've had of Mt. Rainier. We were driving back from our future landlord's place up I-5 when I noticed Mt. Rainier in the distance. Wow!

It had been hidden by clouds up till now. There is a 93-mile "Wonderland Trail" that circles the mountain. It just made the must-do list!

Have a wonderful day everybody.

Marc

Saying goodbye to Germany

We are officially in Washington now, the Seattle area.

We all have very fond memories of the people we've met along the way, and the places we've been. It is a bittersweet goodbye to Germany and all our friends there, but we are definitely looking forward to our new adventures here in the Pacific Northwest.

Things to do today - attempt to get cell phones, get acquainted with the area, look for potential housing, and most importantly - get in the time zone!

Have a wonderful day out there everybody. Cheers,

Marc

Last Days in Germany

Yesterday was our last day in Germany. Ian and Leah have said their goodbyes to their friends (many of the mothers out their cried), and so have Catherine and I. So, I figured I'd send out some last photos of Ian and Leah (and Catherine, too!) from our last day at Baumholder.

Here Leah is playing at the playground right out front of the Lagerhof Inn - where we've been staying since moving out of our amazing house in Thallichtenberg. Sadly, there are no castle views in Baumholder.

This one is of Ian at his little going-away party after his next-to-last day of school. He loves to show off those missing teeth!

I have no idea why Ian and Leah started to dance on the playground, I'm just glad I had my camera out and ready.

I had to get them to do this a second time, but I'm glad it worked out.

Finally, Catherine was sitting on a bench at the playground, minding her own business, when along comes me and my camera. I rather like this photo.

Well, it's 2:50 in the morning here. I'm the only one who couldn't get back to sleep. I know there is one last Germany post I'll make, look for that later today. Cheers!

Marc

Missing Teeth, Dancing Princesses, and other miscellania

What a crazy week!!

We've had all of our worldly possessions that won't be carried in luggage disassembled and packed away for a transatlantic trip, followed by a transcontinental trip to the Seattle area, we are working on selling a car, I'm finishing up all of my administrative tasks, AND Ian keeps loosing teeth!

Once that boy detects the tiniest hint of wiggle in a tooth - he attacks it relentlessly with a barrage of waggling and constant requests of "can I have an apple, Dad"? questions.

I posted the photos in the wrong order, but above you can see him with two missing front (top) teeth, and the one here below with just the one missing. This happened within about a week of each other.

Leah decided to dance for me at the hotel where we are staying. That girl loves to dance.

Finally, just a little kiss to say buh-bye to Germany.

Have a wonderful day everybody!

Tshuss,

Marc

Easter Market in Sankt Wendel

So Sunday we all packed up and went to church at Kapaun. It was a packed service - we've never seen so many people at St. Alban's before. After the service there was an Easter Egg Hunt for all of the little ones - which Ian and Leah were dying to do!

I have no idea where Leah gets this, but when I ask her to look towards the camera, she comes up with these "vogue" style poses! She is just too cute in her Sunday best!

I found a nice shady place under a tree for Ian, here. His photo is post-egg hunt excitement. Leah's was pre-hunt.

Leah was so pretty that I decided I wanted a close-up of her, which has become one of my most favorite photos.

Ian couldn't escape the close-up shenanigans, and his turned out very well too. Such a handsome boy!

And finally, a group-family photo after we got home.

We are going to seriously miss the peace and quiet of this part of the world. Nothing but fields behind us and a gorgeous castle in front. Anything after this will be hard to beat. Can't wait to see what is out there waiting for us though...

More Bundesgartenschau

Like I said in the last post, more photos from the Bundesgartenshau.

Here Ian and Christina are posing with the flowers.

Ian almost knocked Nancy over in his eagerness to have his photo taken with her.

Then here's Leah and Nancy

These are some of my most favorite photos of the kids. Leah at the palace in Koblenz.

Ian at the palace in Koblenz.

Have a wonderful day!

Tschuss,

Marc

We're Moving

Well, things have been very quiet around here as our phone and internet have been cut off in preparation for our move from Germany to the States. We are going to (extremely) miss our time and friends here in Germany, but then again we're looking forward to new friends and adventures in the Pacific Northwest.

I might go through some of my newer photos and post them once we move into the hotel on Baumholder, but for now I'll post photos from Easter weekend.

That Saturday, while Nancy and Christina were here for a final Germany visit, we drove up the Mosel River to Koblenz so we could enjoy the Bundesgartenshau - think uber flower show.

No summer-time hijinks would be complete without ice cream!

Ian had his too, he just finished before Leah did.

The Bundesgartenshau was spread over 3 different areas in Koblenz. This one was at the confluence of the Rhein and Mosel Rivers (Deutsches Eck) at a pretty church.

Same place, different view.

I'll probably try to time delay the other photos over the next couple of days, so keep an eye out here for more photos.

Enjoy!

Marc