Fun weekend with Caitlin...

Seems like forever since I have been on here and love catching up with how everyone's Christmas went. Ryan and I had a great Christmas and even had a visitor for a couple days. Caitlin, Ryan's sister, made it here on the 27th safe and sound. We picked her up at the airport and headed straight back to the house. After getting "freshened up" we all jumped on the little strauss and headed into town. This really didn't take us too long since it was super cold and we had stayed up quite late then up early to get her so we were all dragging around 4 pm. We headed back to the house and we were all asleep by 5 pm. =)

Downtown Mannheim Water Tower

Inside one of the many BEAUTIFUL Churches

Just made me think of HOME

Sunday morning we were up early and out of the house by 8 headed to the Neuschwanstein Castle. It is the castle that Walt Disney mimicked for the Disneyland Castle. Let's just say it is ever little girl's dream to see the REAL Disney castle. So after the 3 hours there and then 3 back we were even more tired. King Ludwig II had two castles so we of course had to take the tour of both.

~Hope you enjoy all these BEAUTIFUL pictures~

From the Hohenschwangau Castle~The Neuschwanstein Castle~

Monday morning being back to work which was rather rough on Ryan and I. Not to worry we are on half days for the holidays, but since we left for Berlin after work we were a little worn out. Our 5 hour drive to Berlin to find our hotel and it turning out to be a Hostel, lets just say we weren't really too worried. We all headed down to the bar for a little while and had a good time. Caitlin turned 21 in July so Ryan HAD to get his sister a drink.

Tuesday, we took a little trip around Berlin but there was too much to see all in 1 day. We dropped Caitlin off at her hotel, making sure she was all settled in then headed on home.

The 5 hr trip turned into 6 1/2 after sitting in traffic. Gotta love these German Stau's!

Trying to make the trip as entertaining as we could but we were pooped!

Our Tree!

A few posts back I had started the Christmas Posts and said I would share our 1st tree pictures. Here are just a few of many. Ryan was just too cute and really got into it. So the day after Thanksgiving I of course had to go hit the sales on "black friday." I was out by 5 am and back home before he was even out of bed. Little did he know I had made plans to "let" him go pick the tree up since it would fit in my car. Yes, he loves me! Then we get it home to find out the wire had been sliced and the cord was in two pieces. If you dont know my husband, we are working on his patience. Let's just say this didn't help and really put him to the test. So off we went back to the store to get another one. By this time is was way later in the day and we put off putting the tree up til the next day. Then, the red ornament set I chose just happened to not have the little hooks in there. So he sat and tied every little short string and did such a wonderful job. I was so proud of him~did I mention he has NO patience? So this was HUGE for him to do. As he tied, I put them on each ornament...and there was 120...=) All in all it was great bonding time, so I like to call it and now we have a BEAUTIFUL tree to last us for the next 3 years. I HOPE! Then back to TEXAS we shall go!

My handsome husband being such a great helper!

Just rearranging a few!
There she is! So BEAUTIFUL!

Looking back...

I am just looking back at pictures from the same time last year and thought I would share our 2007 Christmas pictures. I love these pictures and the fact that we were back home in TEXAS makes them even that much better. I wish we were in Momma's front yard this year, but being in Germany is great for now.

It was very cold in this picture!

Lots of snow!

Well, I am in Vilseck for the week and there is lots of snow! I had a great drive here with no trouble at all. Ryan has been here several times since we have been here so he swears my car knows the way all by herself. So yep, he is right. I arrived to the inprocessing center to get checked into my Safety Officer Course that I am attending just fine. I then traveled to the cutest little hotel in the next town over to make myself comfy in my home away from home. I have taken pics of the room but of course i dont have my camera cord to attach any pictures. I was not too sure if there was even going to be internet and soooo thankful when I was informed that it is included in with my room. Once I got here, I have not left so I will be sure to take pics of all the snow tomorrow. I am sure it will still be there. It is COLD COLD COLD here but guess this is just preparing me for the Austrian Alps in which Ryan and I are headed to in January. I am headed to bed now so I will post more again soon. ~Night for now~

Happy Birthday to Bradley!

Our next door neighbors had a little birthday party so Ryan and I joined in on the fun. Bradley and Kayla got to Germany in March I believe, then Ryan and I got here in May. Since then, Kayla and I have become pretty good friends and do lots together. Ryan might say we have a little too much fun but hey we are girls and we need to something to keep ourselves sain being so far from home.

So anyways~At the birthday party a few pictures were taken and I thought I would share...

Just us having a great time!

Blog List?

I am having an issue with this whole blogging bit. I can not figure out if there is a setting in order to see the blog list down the side of your page, or what i need to do. When I went to some of your blogs I saved the address and put it under my blogs to follow and still that is not what I really wanted to do...GGGRRR. I enjoy reading all about several of my friends but want to just be able to see them on my page. If you know what I need to do please share your knowledge. I am about to drive myself nuts trying to figure it out. And, how do you change your background stuff. I love the Chrismas ones on several pages then I have even seen some way cute pink ones that I would like, but once again I am clueless. Thank you for assistance one may care to share.

The Weather!

The weather is cooling off and we are praying for some snow. I will be headed out next week to go to a safety officer class and there is snow where I am headed. So I am crazy excited! Lets just pray it all goes good and I get home safe.

December 27th, my sister-in-law is coming to visit and I cant wait. It is going to be so nice to have a family member come visit even if it is just for a few days. Caitlin has been accepted to attend a 13 day class in Berlin through UVA so she will get to visit and be a very busy girl. We pick her up in Frankfurt on the 27th and have to have her to Berlin on the 30th. In just those few days I have lots planned and cant wait to see her. I will be sure to add pics as soon as I can.

Christmas Time!

Merry Christmas!

We haven't taken any real professional pictures since the wedding so I finally talked him into it. He was such a good sport after it was all said and done and then we turned it into date night which was GREAT!

Christmas Pictures!

So, I am officially the worst blogger ever. I have been meaning to keep up with this and cant seem to get with it. Ryan and I had our Christmas pictures taken and they have turned out great!!! I am so excited! I am babysitting for a friend of mine now so I am unable to post the pictures, but as soon I get home I will put this on my things to do list. Other than that, we have been super busy with work and Christmas shopping. I have got to get this stuff in the mail to make sure it makes it home in time. As you all know we are not going to make it home for Christmas and still dont know just when we will be back. But, I do know as soon as we know something we will be sure to let everyone know. Hope all is doing good! Take care and I will be posting Thanksgiving pics and Christmas pics soon.

Lucy is a Lil Momma now...

Just wanted to share a few more pictures before I head off to bed. I am trying to get better at this but man I go and see several other pages and I haven't got the slightest clue. I have been talking with my sisters and mother this afternoon just to hear that Momma's Lucy girl had 6 puppies last night. They are sooo tiny! It is times like this that I really miss home. Not to worry I am planning a trip to get back and bring home a little one to Ryan. Just have to figure it all out. It wont be a long visit but I will be sure to let everyone know when I have set plans. Hope you like the pictures of these sweet babies.

Lucy and Smokey (the new parents)

She is such a good lil Momma.

November already...

Wow, October has felt like it has flew right by. Guess time really does fly when you are having fun and staying busy. Ryan and I went to the haunted castle for Halloween and I must say I am was so bummed...it was nothing like a haunted house back home. I have come to realize the Germans don't celebrate like Americans and that is for sure. There was different shows happening here and there but nothing too crazy scarey like I was all excited about. I have attached a couple of pics but didn't seem to even take that many.

On the bus ride up to the castle!

This guy would not stop following me!

Around the House

Today is Sunday and Ryan has just left for school for another 2 weeks. The house sure gets quite without him here. I have been trying to do better at taking pictures but still not so good at getting them posted. Last weekend my neighbor and I headed to France to do some early Christmas shopping and really had a great time. Ryan got to spend the day alone and I came home to a wonderful surprise. The house had been cleaned, laundry was washed, folded, and put away, and dinner was ready to eat. Just when I think he doesn't notice what all I do when he is gone, I come home after being gone to see just how it feels. Here are a few pictures from around the house. We are still working on getting things on the walls but since I cant decide where I want everything, we are just waiting. I had a heck of a time painting so I am not wanting too many holes until I know just where I want things.

Our "German" Welcome Sign

Just out back.

Our home is finally coming together!

Ok, so I have decided that I am not just the best at this blogging thing. I am going to start working on this a little better. Ryan and I have been just so busy these past few months that I really need to get back to it. Overall, life is going great and Germany is becoming more beautiful than I remember. It is that time of year where the leaves are all turning and the weather is dropping. It is in the 30's in the morning when Ryan heads to PT. My unit does PT in the afternoons for now but come November I will be feeling the morning chill along with him. I have taken some pictures of the trees outside that I will be posting soon.

Happy 4th of July!

Our first white water rafting trip in beautiful Austria!
Happy 4th of July!

Just out of the cold cold water!

Welcome to Europe!

Our first weekend in Europe!

The Heidelberg Castle

Walk along the Neckar River!
View from the castle!

Our Wedding Day!

Momma and Me on "My Day"

Our family!
My two main men!
Tisa and I, great friends!