Our May Adventures

Alexandra's spring lunch and craft party

2011-05-14T12:27:00.000-07:00

St Wendel Half Marathon with a couple of friends

2011-05-02T12:21:00.000-07:00

It's always more fun to train with friends - Wendi and Jonelle made the long runs go a lot faster. literally :)

Easter Weekend

2011-04-24T12:20:00.000-07:00

Baseball season kicks off

Church Easter morning

Christian Seder Meal

2011-04-23T10:47:00.000-07:00

With friends we hosted a Christian Seder meal the Saturday before Easter. It was awesome to see Christ in the Passover and to learn it deeper in a hands on way.

Spring Break in Provence - Cassis

2011-04-14T06:09:00.000-07:00

Spring Break in Provence - Baylor at Pont du Gard

2011-04-13T06:01:00.000-07:00

Spring Break in Provence - ice cream at Miramas-le-Vieux

2011-04-13T05:43:00.000-07:00

Spring Break in Provence - Les Baux de Provence and Olive mill

2011-04-12T05:22:00.000-07:00

Spring break in Provence - Arles

2011-04-11T09:31:00.000-07:00

Spring walk and dinner with friends

2011-04-07T08:34:00.000-07:00

Our homeschool group's academic fair night

2011-03-08T12:15:00.000-08:00

Academic Fair Coordinator: "Tell us why you chose your subject to study."

"I like to study Greek mythology."

"I know a lot about World War II."

"I like to read dog books and I really, really want to have a dog."

London with friends

2011-03-04T23:43:00.000-08:00

Here are just a few photos of the weekend I spent in London with my friends Cathy and Karen. We went to see Les Miserables at the Queen's Theatre. The night before the show we ate in China town - yummy! Our B&B was simple and had a good breakfast (food being an important part of a place to stay.) We went to a few museums as well and I loved the quote from John Wesley about his conversion experience outside the London Museum.

We did see the British Museum, walked around Westminster Abbey, past St. Paul's and saw other famous London landmarks.

I'm not sure why I didn't take more pictures.....

Fun in Eindhoven, Netherlands

2011-02-19T22:49:00.000-08:00

We took a trip to Holland to watch our friends swim in the European Swim Championships.

Our B&B was actually an old barn where, in the summer season, they empty out to prepare and sell asparagus the owners grow on their farm.

See the car? Around the corner by the car is the door to our rooms. Notice it shares the same wall as the baby cows.

Alexandra really liked the calves. She started naming them.

This is the owner and her grandson. She wanted us to check in early because her husband is part of a singing group and they had a big show the night we arrived. Farmers, singers, grandparents - very interesting folks!

The B&B is a also a meat market. Baylor is standing by the window to our breakfast room. The other doorway is the entrance to the meat shop.

History in Eindhoven

2011-02-18T23:02:00.000-08:00

Also in Eindhoven, we tried to find some history. Apparently, the bridge in Eindhoven was a very important landmark during World War II. Unfortunately we didn't find the bridge, which according to Bob, should be very easy to find because it's in the middle of the city and you can't miss it.

Here's the thing about Holland: everything is absolutely flat. It's unnerving. There are no landmarks to look out and see so you can get your bearing. All that you see when you are driving is what is right around you. It could be the bridge was one block away. Oh well...

We did find this monument which is a tribute from the city of Eindhoven to the U.S. 101st Airborne. Hey, it's better than nothing!

Okay, obviously not part of the monument but we had to take a picture of one of these signs because it made us think of Bob. We have no idea what it actually means in Dutch. For us it meant, we were 100% missing Bob. :)

Ben's birthday party at Yabadoo

2011-02-04T23:23:00.000-08:00

This year was the "friend party" year. The boys had fun playing and running around like crazy.

More of Ben on his birthday

2011-02-02T06:44:00.000-08:00

Hamburgers, mac & cheese, and apflesaftshorle (carbonated apple juice) for lunch

Infra-red night vision binoculars

Ben turns 9!

2011-02-02T00:47:00.000-08:00

Ben picks the menu (and Baylor is thrilled)
notice the "Family Size" boxes....

Super Ninja Nerf Gunner
Baylor's birthday gift to Ben

p.s. this is at 7:10 in the morning.....

Ski trip to Austria during Bob's mid-tour break - yay!

2011-01-16T03:13:00.000-08:00

Christmas Morning

2010-12-25T02:53:00.000-08:00

Christmas stockings

Ooh, the big present....

What's this?! The names are on the wrong presents - mom is so sneaky (hee, hee)

For those who wanted to see the look on her face - I'm thinking of Aunt Debbie :)

In 9 days we'll get that family hug...

The Christ Candle

2010-12-24T01:31:00.000-08:00

First we light the candle for HOPE because Jesus is our hope. Second, we light the candle for PEACE because Jesus is our hope and peace. Third, we light the candle for JOY because Jesus brings joy. Fourth, we light he candle for LOVE because Jesus is love.*

Finally, we light the CHRIST candle.

Jesus is born. Jesus has come. Jesus is our salvation.

“For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” —Isaiah 9:6-7

*Borrowed from advent readings at mikemilton.org

Christmas Eve Morning

2010-12-24T01:18:00.000-08:00

After rain melted all the snow over the last three days we woke up Christmas eve morning and "It snowed - it snowed - it snowed last night...."

Christmas chess

Winter wonderland - for real!!

2010-12-19T01:00:00.000-08:00

We woke up on this morning and there was SO much snow!

Christmas Craft Party

2010-12-19T00:50:00.000-08:00

Alexandra and her friends have fun making Christmas crafts. Although I'm not so crafty, I love hosting this party for Alexandra since she's a crafty kinda girl. :)

Bob asked to see the Christmas tree

2010-12-09T08:34:00.000-08:00

Wish you were here.....

Can we say the we are having A LOT of fun in the snow?

2010-12-06T08:30:00.000-08:00

Snow fun with friends.

And we have to be creative to find something to do in the dark evenings...

Baylor found out he could do squats using Ben for a weight bar.

Ramstein village Christmas market

2010-12-05T15:40:00.000-08:00

More fun in the snow

2010-12-04T16:40:00.000-08:00

The pond in the woods

Snow fights begin

Snowball baseball

"No, Alexandra. You can't walk all the way across the pond on the ice."

Proof of my existence - and that I'm there making sure my kids don't drown in frozen pond water

As always, the fun ends when someone gets hurt......

Christmas party at the roller rink

2010-12-03T12:19:00.000-08:00

Setting up for skating

Ben wins a prize

Ben and his friend Brennig

First snow play day of winter

2010-11-29T06:01:00.001-08:00

Trier Christmas market over Thanksgiving weekend

2010-11-29T05:49:00.001-08:00

Three hour airport layover reunion

2010-11-29T05:43:00.000-08:00

In Russelheim waiting for the next tennis match - November

2010-11-29T05:31:00.000-08:00

Ben

2010-10-31T14:42:00.000-07:00

I found this while cleaning up today. It was so cute I had to share it.

Hiking between tennis matches in Koblenz

2010-10-31T14:32:00.000-07:00

The Pumpkin Festival at the Kaiserslautern Gardenshow

2010-10-10T22:56:00.000-07:00

Photos from the last few weeks

2010-10-05T22:00:00.000-07:00

This is called miniature balloon volleyball.....

Alexandra waits for action on a chilly game day.

Baylor wins at his club tournament (notice this is before the haircut.)

So he's just a hair taller than me now.

Here he's making sure just in case. :)

Alexandra and I host a Mom and Daughter book club

2010-09-15T11:40:00.000-07:00

Alexandra and Ben go to Holiday Park with the Gorske family (instead of watching Baylor play another match of tennis)

2010-09-15T11:28:00.000-07:00

Ben's first team tennis match

2010-09-15T11:08:00.000-07:00

Trying to follow through

Doubles with German friend Niklas

A bit a random photography from Baylor's camera

2010-09-14T13:56:00.000-07:00

Baylor and Howard ( I couldn't resist )

Baylor wins in Konz, Germany

Shepherds with daggers? (gifts from Dad)

Bob's on a trip

2010-08-23T13:04:00.000-07:00

So, I thought everyone would enjoy seeing some of Bob's travels. He's temporarily out of Iraq for work. Here's some photos from Jordan.

From Bob's email, "Today we went to the city of Gerash and Saladin's fortress in Ajlun. Gerash became a large city during the hellenistic period around 200-100 B.C. and continued to grow through the Byzantine period of the 7th century A.D. Lots of columns and ruins. Great Amphitheather with awesome acoustics.

On his way to Petra, he encountered a bit of a traffic jam....

Petra

A few friends

2010-08-23T12:31:00.000-07:00

I have good friends. My friend Krissie wants to help me continue blogging for Bob and my family. She sent me these two photos from last week's fun which included bowling and a pizza/game night.

I do have to say that though I want to blog for everyone, I am so very tired by 9:00 each night. I will try to sleep and blog more. :) But if I don't make it every night I know all of you out there will understand....

One for Bob :)

2010-08-15T13:18:00.001-07:00

Pools and parks

2010-07-27T12:42:00.000-07:00

Boxboy?

2010-07-26T13:04:00.000-07:00

Harry turns 7

2010-07-25T12:20:00.000-07:00

Harry picks the day's menu.

Cake, presents, and cousins..... :)

Burg Nanstein and ice cream afterwards

2010-07-23T11:58:00.000-07:00

Paddle boat fights at Spring Meadow Lake

2010-07-15T10:01:00.000-07:00

2010-07-14T16:00:00.000-07:00

Authentic A&W root beer floats - you just can't find these anywhere.

Horses

2010-07-14T07:30:00.000-07:00

Learning to brush the horses down.

Baylor's not so sure about all this horse stuff.

Alexandra's our horse girl.

Alexandra learns the one rein stop so she can control the horse if it does something unexpected.

Done for the day...

Horse camp with Grandpa Merlyn

2010-07-12T06:36:00.000-07:00

Ben learning to tie the hitch knot.

Alexandra waits her time to ride.

Alexandra and Ben ride Allie.

2010-07-11T07:23:00.000-07:00

I'm posting these pictures to show you Ben's favorite show at the Butte Music Festival. Ben walked directly through the crowded seating all the way to the very front row and found one chair there to sit in. He was very interested!

Our trip to Glacier - wild, Montana beauty

2010-07-08T23:15:00.000-07:00

Picnic on the drive to the park.

Ice cream Montana style. :)

Driving into the park.

Our cabins and photos from the lodge.

Hiking up to Avalanche Lake.

2010-07-06T18:53:00.000-07:00

Grandpa Merlyn starts horse camp.

Hey, we're not in Europe. This cathedral was built in 1904. The kids thought it was very "new".

That's my Uncle Terry, his dog Oreo, and the kids eating Pop Rocks in three different flavors.

Where can you find Pop Rocks anymore?

Out for ice cream

2010-07-05T23:29:00.001-07:00

My brother in a serious moment

2010-07-05T18:38:00.000-07:00

Family Reunion on the 4th

2010-07-04T18:23:00.000-07:00

Colby and I

Setting up before the rest of the family arrives.

Water balloon fights among cousins.

That's our part of the group.

My Grandma Lois' sisters - I think of her every time I see them...

A cousin Saturday

2010-07-03T16:42:00.000-07:00

Morning run with Colby

Water balloon fights Pine cone fights

Big cousins

The boys The girls

The view from my mom's deck in Helena, Montana

2010-07-01T19:54:00.001-07:00

The girls eat ice cream while the boys canoe

2010-07-01T19:52:00.000-07:00

The boys go canoeing on the Missouri River

2010-07-01T19:47:00.000-07:00

This one is just for Bob. :)

Visit to Colorado Springs with Jay and Laurie

2010-06-28T19:30:00.000-07:00

Group photo in Dallas

2010-06-26T19:15:00.001-07:00

The boys out sailing the 'Amy May'

2010-06-24T20:49:00.000-07:00

Howard decides to jump in before setting sail

Happy Birthday Baylor!

2010-06-23T19:30:00.000-07:00

Baylor's 13th birthday!

Pjs and watermelons

2010-06-21T06:17:00.000-07:00

Around the house in Dallas

2010-06-19T13:02:00.000-07:00

Airport entertainment

2010-06-18T12:41:00.000-07:00

Friends

2010-06-17T12:46:00.000-07:00

Visits with Dad

2010-06-17T12:32:00.001-07:00

2010-06-16T23:08:00.001-07:00

Early morning activities for 8 year olds and their guests....

Here we go...

2010-06-16T00:35:00.000-07:00

A good book and a quiet afternoon....

2010-06-01T22:30:00.000-07:00

Happy Memorial Day

2010-05-31T12:06:00.000-07:00

Bob with him mom, brother, niece, and nephews.

There were two giants who got in a quarrel....

2010-05-31T12:00:00.000-07:00

"Once upon a time there were two giants who lived on two hills; one on the Felsberg, the other on the Hohenstein. One day they had a quarrel and began throwing boulders at each other. The giant from Hohenstein had the advantage of many more stones to throw, and soon the giant from the Felsberg was buried in a sea of rocks."

And then the rocks were found by the friends on a hike....

2010-05-31T00:39:00.000-07:00

My sister in law, Amy, sent me some photos of Bob while he's "at training." Here he is with his brother and nephew. He was able to spend a whole weekend with family.

Violin recitals

2010-05-30T23:23:00.001-07:00

See this empty space --->

This is where I'm going to learn how to post videos so you can all see the kids play their recital pieces.

The spring violin recital was fun - to watch anyway. Actually we're all glad its over. :)

Day 27.

Stuck in the mud

2010-05-29T23:19:00.000-07:00

Hey, who's big American van needed to be towed by a German with a tractor? Thankfully, I have friends who have friends!

Day 26.

What do Harry Potter and team tennis have in common?

2010-05-28T23:30:00.000-07:00

Ben.

another day....

Yeah, he's a cutie.....

2010-05-27T12:00:00.000-07:00

For those of you who don't think Baylor gets enough blog time. Kinda handsome doncha think?

Baylor gets creative while Alexandra reads. :)

day 25

Fun for Wednesdays

2010-05-26T13:27:00.000-07:00

So today I just wanted to post of photo of Alexandra with new braces,

but we had company, goofy company. I knew Bob would appreciate these photos.

Also, we took photos with Baylor's camera and found some fun photos. This is what my boys do in their spare time. :)

Day 24

Look at those smiles!

2010-05-25T13:36:00.000-07:00

Last photo of Alexandra without braces for a long while!

day 23

2010-05-25T04:19:00.000-07:00

I should clarify my comments on the previous post.

Algebra 1 is actually not the source of our dissension (obviously). Sin is the source of our dissension. Algebra 1 simply gave us the opportunity to realize, once again, our need of a Savior. It also gave us the opportunity to understand and talk about Proverbs.

Proverbs 25:28 "A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls."

(a mom without self-control.....)

:)

Angst

2010-05-24T22:43:00.000-07:00

The source of much angst, tension, and consternation today.....

Day 22.

Life when you're 8

2010-05-23T13:47:00.000-07:00

Transformer jammies and a loaded nerf gun..... :)

Day 21 - I'm just counting the days Bob is gone now, even if we did get a one week reprieve. It was a great week!!

Team Tennis: Alexandra

2010-05-14T08:40:00.000-07:00

Alexandra plays her first team tennis matches. It was a little bit difficult playing doubles for the first time when she and her partner don't speak the same language!

Day 20.

smiles

2010-05-13T13:42:00.001-07:00

I told Baylor everyone likes to see him smile - and look - a genuine smile!!

Day 19.

Tests, lessons, matches, and creeks....

2010-05-12T13:32:00.000-07:00

Another busy day around here: standardized testing this morning, violin lessons this afternoon, Baylor's team tennis later in the afternoon (singles: 6:3, 6:2; doubles: 6:0, 6:1 wohoo!), and jumping the creek at a friend's house this evening.

Here's Ben after his shower at 10:00 pm.

Day 18.

From one thing to another

2010-05-11T13:51:00.000-07:00

Alexandra - in the car waiting for Ben at tennis so we can go and wait for Baylor at youth group......

Day 17....

Chilly day in May

2010-05-10T11:55:00.000-07:00

Alexandra is warming up with soup and bread she bought (and ordered in German) from the grocery store on the way home from tennis. It was kind of a chilly day today and she had to wait for an extra hour at tennis while I watched Ben at baseball practice.

So I had a few pretty cool photos of the boys but somehow Baylor managed to delete them before I could post them. Maybe after a year I'll be an expert at posting as well as an expert at keeping photos on the camera until they are posted.

Wishing Bob were here to share a cup of coffee with.....

Day 16....

Mother's Day

2010-05-09T13:56:00.000-07:00

I love being a mom to my kids! Even on bad days. Today was a good day. Except we really miss Bob.
Day 15...

I am being foiled in my efforts to post on our family blog by bad internet. Two days in a row now. I'm a little frustrated but I'll try at a different time tomorrow.

The picture was of the kids and their cards sitting by the flowers they walked down the street to buy for me. They're great kids!!

Saturday: tennis and friends

2010-05-08T12:41:00.000-07:00

We started our Saturday with Saturday morning tennis and ended it with dinner with friends. The sun even came out for a few hours today. :)

And here is where the photos are supposed to be ----->

except when you have internet access like ours, sometimes it takes an hour for a photo to load.

I'll update the photos tomorrow.
Day 14....

Friday night movie night

2010-05-07T12:38:00.000-07:00

Day 13.

Ben's version of recycling

2010-05-06T13:38:00.000-07:00

Here is Ben using his Academic Fair project board of favorite sea creatures to build a lego hide away. Nothing like a few legos and some cardboard! :)

Day 12...

Team Tennis with the Landstuhl Club

2010-05-05T12:30:00.000-07:00

Kind of hard to see but Baylor's is serving during his team tennis singles match. He said he played better than last week but could have played better. Team tennis is great because he plays matches every week - and he has to speak German with his opponents and teammates!

Day 11...

Happy afternoons...

2010-05-04T22:19:00.000-07:00

Here are Ben and Alexandra enjoying some free time Tuesday afternoon. Alexandra crocheted a hat for her doll while Ben colored Clone Wars. Actually, before I took the picture I was napping on Alexandra's bed. :) Baylor was at tennis.

Day 10....

Spelling test

2010-05-03T12:22:00.000-07:00

Here's Baylor in the middle of his spelling test. Okay, I tried to take it and he hid behind a book so I had to sneak this picture in after a hard word. "irresistible" - and to be honest I just had to check my own spelling with his spelling book : )

And now we have smiles.....

Day 9....

Alexandra plays Bach

2010-05-02T12:01:00.000-07:00

Alexandra had her spring piano recital with students from a German music school and private studios.
She did a great job and really enjoyed performing.

Two things about tonight's post. First I really think there's a way I can post a video of Alexandra playing but for the moment I can't seem to figure it out. And second, if there were a way, I would have to post a video of her playing her piece at home.

I wonder how many times I'll mis-record (is that a word?) something important over the next year... Somehow you have to select the "type" of video recording you want to do. I guess I didn't select the right one. I was sure I had and that is why I also didn't bother taking a picture of Alexandra at the recital. What you see here is Alexandra at home in front of our piano holding flowers given to her by Brent and Noel Sadler, friends from our church who came to watch her perform.

We ate at Macaroni Grill afterwards. :)

Day 8...

Good night photos

2010-05-01T14:08:00.000-07:00

Okay, so after a late night dinner with our home school conference speaker, I realized I hadn't taken a photo yet today for day 7. So I wonder how often I'll be trying to convince my kids to smile as I'm tucking them in over the next year of photos?

First, no photo of Alexandra at all. Second, only one of Baylor hiding as he says, "Mom! You can't take pictures like this and post them for everyone to see!" And, as for Ben, well when your 8 you just like to smile for the camera. :)

Ben's tennis

2010-04-30T12:35:00.000-07:00

Ben and his tennis coach Frank. Today Ben had a whole hour of private lesson to himself. Frank said he did great!

day 6.