D-Day Invasion Revisit

FINALLY . . . we have gone through almost all of Ronnie's pictures from the recent trip to France. They visited Omaha and Utah Beaches, and the pictures are fabulous. Wow! Just hearing the stories from him makes it all seem real. I hope you enjoy seeing these as much as I did. I begged and begged him to give us a little commentary on these but, well, he's a man and that ain't gonna happen apparently.

We will share the rest after we finish going through them tonight.

So here they are so far . . .

Our Soccer Gal

Neeley started her soccer season this week. She has never played soccer before so this is quite funny to watch right now but looks like they might have a good little team. We had to go this past weekend to get the cleats, shin guards, soccer socks, and gym shorts so now we'll be all set once we have the uniform. Her coach is very nice and the other parents seem to be people we have already met before which is very helpful. She knows several of the kiddos.

We are so proud of her for branching out and trying yet another new thing here in Germany. I really hope she continues to like soccer. They practice twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays so it will keep us busy but it isn't forever and it is something she wanted to do so we're all for it.

Aren't they cute out there?

"Gummi" Goodness

Oh boy! We found the "gummi" goodness the other day. We have been hearing all about the "gummy bear store" from one of the ladies who lives below us. Her hubby is deployed right now so she kept telling me about how she goes to this store to stock on his favorites. We decided to treat Neeley to a little detour of sugary yumminess one last time before school starts. So we found the directions on good ol' Mr. TomTom GPS and headed straight to Gummi-Baer-Land. And what a sight it was . . they are serious about their gummies here, folks. This was two floors full of every kind of gummy treat imaginable.

Won't you join us next time!?! :)

I took a few pics of the "menu" so you can see how many different varieties they have.

Oh the anticipation . . .

Good grief! Look at all those gummies! Which one should I get?

We got the "pretty cool parent" award for the day by filling this HUGE bag . . .

Thank Goodness For These Wacky Days

Oh, happy day!

We are all back under one roof again, safe and sound. More to come from the Mr. on his trip to France. **Still fuming in jealousy but I have been promised a trip very soon.** :)

Neeley's New Student Orientation was an AWESOME time and wouldn't you know I took my camera and didn't snap not one stinkin' picture. No, I was way too busy yacking it up with other moms and signing up for this and that. And I do believe I have way overextended myself, yet again. No, I didn't mean to, I just like to be in the know all the time. Is that such a bad thing? I may have to cross my name off of some of these lists or just say no to a few things during the year but it looks like it's going to be a GREAT yet. Neeley has Mrs. Hurston this year and we have heard she's the one to have as far as third grade teachers. We have heard that she is very strict but spoken highly of. We did finally get to meet her at the orientation and so far I couldn't be more thrilled. She walked right over to Neeley and immediately started interacting with her and Neeley took to her right away. It just so happens that Neeley's first Stuttgart friend, J, is in that same class as well as a couple of other girls she already knows. So Hallelujah! That part of the stress is now gone. I do feel like this is going to be a great year. My only concern right now is that the Dodea schools are very laid back - the principal introduced himself to a room full of people wearing dark denim jeans, a short sleeved shirt and suspenders and things just aren't as structured and rigid as we have experienced in the past. Good or bad? I'm not too sure yet. I think our biggest adjustment period will be getting in to a regular school in the states. She may have to stay in the Dodea schools forever. Yikes!

Below, for your viewing pleasure, are the pictures of our housing...please, please, please don't snicker at the funky bedding on my bed since I've not fully decorated yet and don't wish to get dog hair all over my new bedding until I absolutely have to. And yes we are missing some of our living room furniture and yes I do have things laying around that belong on the walls . . . and, oh my word, I didn't even put up my hair rollers or that cup of juice that's no telling how old and dinner prep is out in the kitchen . . . but it's home. And that makes my heart happy! Enjoy!

Our living room...minus our loveseat and the top two pieces to our entertainment center. Those should be in any day now . . . and we've searched high and low for an area rug so now I will be ordering online soon.

Looking down our bowling alley type hallway. Anna Banana wanted to smile for you all too . . . and please excuse the iron and ironing board that sits in the hallway. I have no room in my laundry room to iron, and there is only one european plug in there so it sits permanently in the hall. An eyesore but it's functional . . .

This is our not so put together dining room for now. Oh, I have no many things planned for this room. But for now I have a baby gift sitting on the table, poster board from our lemonade stand sitting in that corner chair, pictures on the floor, the laptop sitting on my bakers rack that already has paint chipping off of it, not much on the walls, no curtains, and well . . . here it is.

Our master bathroom . . .

Our master closet . . . LOVE it!

Our master bedroom. Don't laugh just yet . . . it will be better soon.

Neeley's room . . .

Laundry room . . .

Neeley's bathroom . . .

Third bedroom . . .

Our kitchen. . .

Here is the outside of our building . . . we are in that middle stairwell you see in the middle of the picture . . .

This is the view across the street and to the side of the building in front of us . . .

And this would be one of our storage units. Yes, we are "privileged" enough to have two of these crazy small units and you know how I love a good mess . . . I never go down there unless some little girl begs me to get that pool out for her. :)

Thank you for taking this tour of the Bowden Brigade quarters!