Wednesday, December 31, 2008

We spent New Year's Eve at the Bowling Ally. They had a party from 7pm-1am. We had a breakfast dinner, bowling all night and a breakfast buffet after midnight. They also had movies and a craft table for the kids (and Mama). With the help of the kiddie ramp Mama even got to bowl.






Making a Splash

Back on base we relaxed during the day at the pool. Kaitlyn took PopPop down the waterslide.





Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Munich

We stopped to sleep in Munich before our drive back home. While there we walked into town and had lunch. Kaitlyn ate some more schnitzel and we sampled the house beer. (Mama and PopPop had theirs alcohol free)




Monday, December 29, 2008

The Hills are Alive....

On our way back to Germany we drove through Salzbury, Austria and went on The Sound of Music Bus Tour. It was really cool to see all the different filming locations and hear a little history of the town. I would love to go back to Austria when Brian returns.

This is the lake are rear of the house. The front of the house is actually a competely different house miles away.

The gazebo for "I am 16 going on 17". The gazebo was in the yard of the above house but moved to a public park when the house was sold.

Although it looks like Maria gets married in the Abby, the wedding took place in this church.

Kaitlyn eating more schnitzel.

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Milan, Italy

We reached Italy last night. In the morning we woke and went to mass at the Duomo, the third largest cathedral in the world. Dad and I went up to the roof for a look around the city. We had tea,coffee and cousants in Milan's glass roof shopping strip. In the afternoon we went to see DaVinci's Last Supper. The church that houses the mural was bombed during World War II but the painting remained un harmed. The surounding walls have been reconstructed around it. That evening we went for a real Italian dinner. Delia ate most of her food and then some of Nana's. Most importantly Mama enjoyed her first trip to Italy.




Saturday, December 27, 2008

Zurich, Switzerland

We left 7am in the morning to begin our trip. We stopped in Zurich, Switzerland for lunch at Zeughauskeller Restaurant which was in an onld Swiss Armory. Kaitlyn had schnitzel (her new favorite food). It was a quick stop but the drive was beautiful. The mountains were amazing!

Friday, December 26, 2008

Nana, PopPop, & Mama

Nana, PopPop and Mama arrived today. The girls were very happy to see them. Tonight PopPop had the girls watch The Sound of Music to get ready for our trip tomorrow. Tomorrow we are taking Mama to Italy. We will drive down through Switzerland and back up through Austria and Munich.

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas!

The girls had a good Christmas and got lots of presents from Santa. The favorite toy this year was their dollhouse. For dinner we went upstairs with our friends Tania and Marco. We had a fried turkey - it was amazing! It was hard not having Brian with us but were happy we were able to talk to him.



Delia fell asleep at our table while she was having her second plate of french toast casserole.


Wednesday, December 24, 2008

‘Twas the night before Christmas.....

I just finished reading this book to the girls in bed and thought I would share this cute story with everyone.

The Soldiers' Night Before Christmas
By Trish Holland and Christine Ford

‘Twas the night before Christmas, and all through the base
Only sentries were stirring – they guarded the place.
At the foot of each bunk sat a helmet and boot
For the Santa of Soldiers to fill up with loot.
The soldiers were sleeping and snoring away
As they dreamed of “back home” on good Christmas Day.
One snoozed with his rifle – he seemed so content.
I slept with the letters my family had sent.
When outside the tent there arose such a clatter,
I sprang from my rack to see what was the matter.
Away to the window I flew like a flash,
Poked out my head, and yelled, “What was that crash?”
When what to my thrill and relief should appear,
But one of our Blackhawks to give the all clear.
More rattles and rumbles! I heard a deep whine!
Then up drove eight Humvees, a jeep close behind…
Each vehicle painted a bright Christmas green,
With more lights and gold tinsel than I’d ever seen.
The convoy commander leaped down and he paused.
I knew then and there it was Sergeant McClaus!
More rapid than rockets, his drivers they came
When he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
“Now, Cohen! Mendoza! Woslowski! McCord!
Now, Li! Watts! Donetti! And Specialist Ford!”
“Go fill up my sea bags with gifts large and small!
Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!”
In the blink of an eye, to their trucks the troops darted.
The engines did flutter, they sputtered, then started.
The armored moved out – it was “Duty or Bust.”
McClaus disappeared in all of the dust!
As I drew in my head and was turning around,
Through the tent flap the sergeant came in with a bound.
He was dressed all in camo and looked quite a sight
With a Santa hat added for this special night.
Is eyes-sharp as lasers! He stood six feet six.
His nose was quite crooked, his jaw hard as bricks!
A stub of cigar he held clamped in his teeth,
And the smoke, it encircled his head like a wreath.
A young driver walked in with a seabag in tow.
McClaus took the bag, told the driver to go.
Then the sarge went to work. And his mission today?
Bring Christmas from home to the troops far away!
Tasty gifts from old friends in the helmets he laid.
There were candies, and cookies, and cakes, all homemade.
Many parents sent phone cards so soldiers could hear
Treasured voices and laughter of those they held dear.
Loving husbands and wives had mailed photos galore
Of weddings and birthdays and first steps and more.
And for each soldier’s boot, like a warm, happy hug,
There was art from the children at home sweet and snug.
As he finished the job-did I see a twinkle?
Was that a small smile or instead just a wrinkle?
To the top of his brow he raised up his hand
And gave a salute that made me feel grand.
I gasped in surprise when his face all aglow,
He gave a huge grin and a big HO! HO! HO!
HO! HO! HO! From the barracks and then from the base.
HO! HO! HO! As the convoy sped up into space.
As the camp radar lost him, I heard this faint call:
“HAPPY CHRISTMAS,
BRAVE SOLDIERS!
MAY PEACE COME TO ALL!”

Christmas Eve

Kaitlyn and Delia in their Christmas dresses.

Every Christmas Eve Connie and Lori would get one present, new pajamas. Now Nana and PopPop outfit the whole family. Brian's were sent to Iraq for him to wear.