France Day 2

Micah and I spent our second day in France a little more relaxed. We started off our day by taking the metro back to the Louvre to do a little souvenir shopping. We got a few postcards, sweatshirts and a t-shirt for the quilt we want to make of all our travels. When we were finished shopping we caught a taxi to the Hard Rock Cafe Paris. Exciting right? We have also decided, since every major city has a Hard Rock to grab a t-shirt from there as well and make a quilt and title it, "Rockin' Around the World." Catchy right?

Once we were finished we grabbed the metro and headed back to our hotel to get our car and head to Versailles to see the Palace. The concierge at our hotel gave us a map and highlighted the route and off we went. We only got lost like 3 times! As we're heading down this road, that looks like we're going nowhere, I asked Micah if we should ask for directions or if he thought we were going the right way. He answered, "I don't know, but there's something big right ahead." WOW! we made it and it was impressive!

We parked and strolled up to the Chateau de Versailles, as it's referred to in France, only to learn that it was closed! UGH! It wasn't too bad though, we did get to tour the grounds, we just couldn't go inside. I would have loved to have gotten to see the inside, but we'll save that for another day. The grounds were amazing, the gardens, the ponds (if that's what you want to call them), the perfectly manicured lines of trees, and of course the massive size of the castle itself. There were quite a few men and women dressed in Victorian clothing. I attempted to find out what was going on, there English wasn't great, and neither is my French, but they were either shooting a movie inside or watching a movie. Either way it was pretty cool.

After getting lost for about an hour trying to find our way back to the Peripherique (Autobahn) we finally got there. This time with no map or directions we simply followed the signs to Disney. I couldn't help myself but want to go. Do I feel guilty going with no kids? Absolutely. Guilty enough not to take a peek? Absolutely NOT. I just kept telling myself we needed to see if it was worth taking our kids to this summer for a few days. We have heard mixed feelings towards Euro Disney and wanted to "check" it out. It wasn't as massive as the one in Florida, but it was still Disney. They closed at 8:00 and we got there at 6:00 so we didn't bother paying FULLPRICE for tickets for only 2 hours, so we walked around the boardwalk, at dinner, bought a key chain (Mickey leaning against the Eiffel Tower), grabbed an ice cream cone, and headed back on our way. We finally made it home around 11:00 and I was so glad to finally sleep in my own bed!

Here is a photo inside the Hard Rock Cafe. I probably should have grabbed a photo of the outside, but oops I forgot.

This is a picture of the Chateau de Versailles from the parking area. Pretty impressive right?
You probably don't know this, but the very first picture I have of me and Micah is one he took of the two of us, a little like this one. Now, everywhere we go, Micah or myself takes a picture of us. We have a lot of very close up pictures. We are standing in front of the Palace. You can see over Micah's left shoulder the gold colored gates that are the entrance to the front of the castle. They were closed of course and we had to walk around the side.
Me in front of the gate. Notice the rope that is supposed to keep visitors back in front of me.
Here are two of the actors I mentioned earlier headed around to the back of the palace. I wish I had gotten some better photos of them.
This view is from the back of the castle of the water fountain and then walk way to the water. It was truly amazing. I can't imagine a view like this out my window every morning when I woke up.
And another self portrait. :)
The back of the castle. It really was ginormous, and I really would have loved to have gone inside.
View from the fountain. Yes, we walked all the way to the water. I would love to be here in the summer. The fountains are always on and in the evenings they do fireworks.
These statues decorate the outer path all the way to the water. I especially loved this one of a mother holding her baby. Most of them have plaques in front of them telling who made them and what year. Most of them are made between the 1600 to the 1700's, while there are a few that are ancient Greek or Roman dating around 2,000 years old!
We're about have way to the water at this point and we used our zoom lense for this photo. You can see the statues on both side, fountain and just an amazing view of the back of the castle.
This is as far as we made it. We didn't walk to the end of the water, we sat right here. Along both sides was concrete, for sitting I guess, and on the top of the water wood planks, I suppose to rest your feet and not get your shoes wet. There were little cafe's on the side, closed of course, but it would have been an ideal place for a picnic. This Swan came over as if she wanted to be photographed, so we made her happy and took her picture.
This is how far we walked, we chose not to walk to the very end, mainly because it was a long walk back...slightly uphill. Our feet were pretty tired by this point.

Euro Disney!! It looks like Disney right? We thought so too.

Go Lakers!

So it's Luke's first basketball season! We were really excited for him to play after having such a great soccer season. Luke loves being out on the court and running with his friends. Here he is walking away from the ball. I don't think he even knows where the ball is. He must have known I was taking a picture.


Action shot.
Where's the ball?
Another action shot.
Here's the team getting a little pep talk from coach Shannon. Luke is number 3, you can see how small he is. When the kids get the ball no one wants to pass, they all want to shoot of course! You hear all the parents and coaches yell pass to Luke he's open, or which ever kid is standing there not hiking his pants up to his chest. (We also have a kid who pulls his jersey over his head and plays looking through the mesh of the jersey, it's pretty funny.) Of course they don't pass they get as close to the basket as they can and shoot. When Luke gets the ball, which isn't often, the minute someone yells pass the ball...he does. I have to admit he makes some pretty good passes, but I'd still like to see him score too. After 4 games he has taken a total of 3 shots. And, hasn't made any of them, not totally his fault though the other kids tower over him. After his last game I asked him why he doesn't take any shots. His reply was, "Mommy, I don't want to be the guy who shoots the ball. I want to be the guy that passes the ball." I'm very proud of his selflessness, but I can't help but think he gets a little embarrassed when he misses. Whatever his motivation at least he's having fun!

Karate Tech Tournament

This was the 11th annual Karate Tournament here at Ramstein, Germany. If you place first, second or third you get to go on to the big tournament in Texas! Sadly Luke didn't do well. He participated in the 5/6 year old yellow belt group. There were 29 kids in his division and over 200 in the competition! The Karate Tech group from Italy even showed up! Luke was a young competitor and a new yellow belt. It didn't matter how proud I was of Luke the tears still came falling down.
Luke was deep in concentration.
Like many of the other competitors Luke practiced his form before the competition started, and believe it or not that kid was watching Luke for what to do!
This is the Karate Tech Ramstein group. Master Jorge teaches at 3 different bases here.
Here's Luke with a group of kids from his division as they all wait to do their forms for the judges panel.
Luke began his form and froze! I mean it, he forgot everything! He looked like a deer in headlights, and he knows this and can do it in his sleep! After the competition Master Jorge asked me what trophy Luke got in forms. When I told him he didn't place he gave me a very curious look. I told him how Luke froze. He couldn't believe it either.
Here's Luke after getting all his gear on. He thought the mouthpiece was pretty cool.
This is the bow after the match. Luke did win his first match, but sadly lost his second. To make everything better after the loss we headed over to Popeyes for some chicken.

Christmas

I asked my mom years ago why there are no picture of me and my brothers for about a 3 year span, not that I'm complaining I was going through the "awkward" years and don't really want to relive them, but I was still curious. She smiled and told me that when she got her video camera she didn't take pictures. I figured out how hard it is to take picture and video tape this year. I have NO picture of the boys opening their gifts Christmas day and very few of Christmas Eve. This is what I managed to get.
The boys waiting patiently for us to tell them they can open their presents.

And here they go. It's a shame you can't tell how much fun they're having in this picture.
Luke loves Guess Who. He was very excited.
Tucker actually loved his train he's holding and was a little aggravated to have to stop and say cheese.
This was Tucker's favorite gift. Nothing says Christmas like a Batman costume.
Our Christmas Eve tradition is making sugar cookies.
This is how I spent the day after Christmas. I probably assembled over 1000 Lego's that day.
This is Tucker's town. They had the best time with their Lego's.
Tucker couldn't make it any longer.

Karate Tech

This summer we put Luke in Karate at the youth center on base. He LOVES it! If you have the opportunity to put your kids in a form of martial arts I recommend it, it's a lot of fun. Of course I had no idea how karate works and am just going along with it and learning as Luke does. After 4 months of studying, spending 1 of those 4 months in Kentucky, Luke's instructors held a tournament. The tournament was for 3 to 5 year olds and they wore lots of padding. None of the kids really knew what they were doing, but we had a lot of fun anyways. Micah didn't get to attend so I had to video tape which is why I have no pics of the tournament, sorry.This is Luke with Master Jorge, one of his instructors. Luke placed second at the tournament in his group and received the trophy he is holding. All of the kids who participated also received a medal. Luke has it around his neck although it is difficult to see in this picture. You will also notice the white belt around his waist and all the colorful stripes on it. When you begin karate you are a white belt. As you improve Master Jorge or Master J give you a on the right side of your belt. As you get closet to testing for your next belt you get black stripes on the left side of your belt. It's very exciting when master Jorge gives out stripes.
December 18th was testing day. Luke waited patiently with the rest of the kids for their turn. 12 white belts tested, they were so cute.
Part of testing is performing the Kata 1 in front of the instructors and parents. Did I mention Master Jorge is 3rd in the world? He is also friends with Chuck Norris! I thought that was kinda cool. He is currently world champion at sparring, he is going to Texas in the spring to compete in forms. He's awesome!
The second part of the testing is sparring. Luke had to fight that nice TALL girl you see there. Luke was so timid and would NOT hit her back. He kept looking over at us like he would get into trouble for fighting. I really felt sorry for him getting his butt kicked by a girl.
After every child completes their Kata and spars Master Jorge walks around to every child and takes off their white belt and puts on their yellow. One of the other instructors presents the parent with the child's white belt.
After the testing the instructors pose for pics with the students. On the left is Master Jorge and on the right is his son Master J. Did I mention Master J is the currently world champion in forms? Forms is the Kata you saw them performing although the one he does is much more complicated. Master J is also going to Texas to compete in the championships, he is also competing in the European championship coming up. Luke is so lucky to have such amazing and patient instructors.

What a year it has been!

So I am a total slacker when it comes to blogging! (Actually I can't remember my passwords :)) I have a new computer and the only pics I have are the ones that just happened to be on my camera when I got my computer.

Our year has been crazy! We moved to Germany one year ago in October and it has been the most amazing year ever! I won't explain everything that has happened since October, I'll just go over what I have pics of.

We went to the states in May and got the chance to go to Disney World. It was an amazing vacation that we got to spend with my mom and dad. We took this picture when I was in grade school with my cousins Tiffany and Shannon and it was fun to remake our photo with my kids.

We stayed at the Caribbean Beach Resort (Which I would highly recommend) and this picture was taken at the bus stop.

No trip to Disney is complete with out a visit to see the ultimate Disney superstars! Hello Mickey and Minnie.
Tucker is a huge fan of Buzz Light Year, but who isn't right? He had no trouble picking out his ears.
I'm pretty sure this was the highlight of our trip. We rode the Buzz Light Year ride as well and I have to say it is a really cool ride.
You'll notice my kiddos aren't smiling. They were so tired of taking pictures by this point we had to bribe them with ice cream to get them to stop complaining!
On our way back to Germany we stopped in Dover. This is at Rehoboth Beach at Fun Land. Luke and Sophie are the best of friends.
We spent the morning at the swimming pool on base, our kiddos love the water.
This is in front of Sophie's house before we said goodbye.
After returning to Germany we took a day trip to Heidelberg, Germany. They have some of the coolest castle ruins I have ever seen.
We made a trip to Legoland. I was very impressed at the things you can make out of Lego's!
We went back to the states in September and got to celebrate early birthday's with our families.
I threw this one in because it is cute!
We carved our first pumpkins with the kids. It is one messy job.
When we returned home Tucker got his birthday present from Papaw Wilson. He loves his truck!
Luke played his first season of soccer, he even scored 1 goal! Luke had a wonderful time playing soccer and I am glad to say I wasn't one of those crazy parents who yelled the whole game!
We celebrated birthdays in Germany with our friends.
It was obviously a costume party. Do you recognize this costume? Tucker also wore it in KY.
We actually spent Luke's 5th birthday in Roma, Italia. If you ever get the chance Rome is amazing!! I can't wait to go back.
We trick-or-treated on base. Aren't those two of the coolest turtles you've ever seen?
And that brings us to the end. I told you it's been a crazy few months!

Conversations

This weekend was the big community yard sale in my parents neighborhood and we spent most of the weekend on the golf cart trying to find treasures. After a nice long golf cart ride we took the long way to Dairy Delight to enjoy an ice cream cone. We came down a side street and went along Preston Hwy. and cut thru Arch L. Heady and sons. The conversation that followed was priceless.

Mom: When my dad died this is where he was.

Dad: When my Grandma Flossie and Uncle Mark died this is where they were.

Luke: (He makes a confused face and points to the funeral home) Sooooo that's Heaven?

Dad: What a smart question, but no it's not Heaven.

Luke: (Another confused face and points t the sky) Good, cause I thought Heaven was up there.