Snowboarding 2013

        As January approached the realization that we only have 10 more months in Germany hit us HARD.  There are still so many things that we want to do and so many places we still want to see.  Some of the things we wanted to do can only be done during certain times of the year.  We have taken a trip to Edelweiss every year since arriving in Germany to go skiing.  The first year was with my brother Kenton.  We put Luke in ski school, which he hated, and Micah and I took turns skiing with Kent while the other of us went sledding with Tucker.  Last year we rented both boys skiis and made it to the top of the mountain to realize that Tucker was not going to go down and it didn't matter what we said.  So, that trip ended with me in the ER with strep throat and swimming in the pool every evening for the boys.  We were determined this year was going to be awesome.
      Micah and I went with our friend Josh Matticks to an indoor skii facility in France because Micah wanted to learn to snowboard.  There are pictures of this at the bottom of the page.  After arriving I realized I forgot my jacket.  Awesome.  I had to rent one and it was a bit small.  We both did well and Micah really enjoyed it.  Micah bought a Flow snowboard of Ramstein Yardsales as we prepared for an upcoming snowboarding trip to Feldberg with our friends Rick and Sara Taylor.  We rented me and Tucker skiis and Luke wanted to give snowboarding a try too.  There are pictures of this at the bottom of the page as well.  Unfortunately my pictures are out of order.  Luke really picked it up quickly and impressed us all.  Tucker went back and forth between his skiis and a sled.  He word me out going up and down.  I only got to go down the mountain once. 
      So, it was time to plan our last trip to Edelweiss in February.  Micah bought me a Flow snowboard for Valentines day and he got a new one as well.  We were all ready to go.  We took the kids out of school for one week and off we went.  Tucker did a day of ski school while Me, Micah and Lucas snowboarded.  According to the instructor Tuck did NOT do well in ski school.  He wouldn't participate nor listen, so on day two he went with us.  He actually did quite well.

 Here is the mountain behind the Edelweiss hotel.  It's an amazing view.

 Another photo from the hotel.

 On day three we went to the top of the Zugspitz, which is the highest peak in Germany.

 A gondola ride to the top.

 On the way to the top.

 I have a small issue with heights, this was terrifying.

 Me and the boys a the top.  The golden thingy behind us is the highest peak.

 View from the top.

 It's so incredible.

 It was too windy to climb to the top of the peak.  I was okay with that.

 It was so cold!

 It's a long way down.

 Pathway to the restaurant.

 Enjoying lunch.

 Silly boys.

 It was a nice break from the cold.

 I mustache you a question.

 Hot chocolate on a cold day.

 View from the restaurant.

On the way down.  We didn't know this, but you can ski the Zugspitz!  Had we known we would have done it!  We were pretty bummed when we realized we could ski.

Beautiful powder.  After arriving home we received snow and Luke sayd, "Wow, dad.  Look at all that powder."

 Another out of order picture.

 Can you tell how cold we were?

 It was very difficult to walk over to the edge for these photos.

 Sking on the glacier.

 At this point we were on the train ride down.  The kids were excited about riding in a train.

 So excited, in fact, that Tuck fell asleep and drooled all over his hand.

 Tucker waking up to put his gloves on.

 One of our days we decided to take a drive to Austria and went to the Swarovski outlet.

 Me and the boys out front.

 Micah's new board.

I didn't take a photo of mine.  Luke is a little aggrevated that he doesn't have his own.  We've tried to explain to him how fast he is growing and how next year his boots won't fit, but he doesn't seem to care.

 Our trip to the indoor facility in France.

 Micah coming down.

 This place is open all year round.

 We both did pretty good.

 Micah and Josh.

The wheather in Garmisch was horrible and foggy so I wasn't able to get any photo's of our trip there, and I forgot the camera.  These photos are from our trip to Feldberg and Luke's first time skiing.  This was taken after a fall.  He gave me the thumbs up to let me know he was okay.

 Tuck and his sled.

 Taking a break.

 Tucker learning to ski.

 He would get to the bottom without falling and wave his hands in the air cheering.

 Luke was convinced he got better once he got a pair of goggles.

 Those two little black dots way down the mountain are Micah and Lucas.

 Tucker being silly.

And lastly, Tucker being the Statue of Liberty.  One more thing to mark off our Bucket List was our whole family skiing/snowboarding the Bavarian Alps.

Basketball Season 2013

This spring was the first time Tucker was old enough to participate in Youth Sports.  He got to play basketball, and he was not a huge fan.  Luke, on the other hand, loves to play basketball.  This year Lucas played for the Rockets and Tucker was a Laker.

 Luke's team playing defense.

Luke always got to throw the ball in and he was a point guard for his team.  He had a great season and had amazing coaches.

Tucker has his hands up and is ready to play.  He didn't get to touch the ball much and that got pretty frustrating for him.  At one point he ran over to me and gave me a kiss, in the middle of the game.  When he finally did get the ball he put it on his hip and turned to the girl in front of him and said, "Can I go to the basket?  I just want to go to the basket."  As a very competitive person myself it was very frustrating to watch.  After a while it just got down right funny.

He was very disappointed after his first game that he didn't get a trophy. 

 Tucker playing more defense.

 Luke playing defense.

 I was able to get photos of Tucker and his team between games.

Unfortunately I wasn't able to do the same for Luke.  I really wish I had been able to get a photo of him and his team.  Overall the seasons weren't bad.  I am looking forward to getting back to the states and the kids playing competitive sports.

December 2012

Wow!  It is currently July 1 and I am just now getting around to doing this.  I've been meaning to blog for months, but I let life get in the way.  So, here goes.  It's our last Christmas in Germany.  It's very bitter sweet.  It's the time we miss family the most, but the best time to live overseas.  There is so much to do.  My husbands squadron hosts a Christmas party every year and it is always a blast.  Great food, great wine, great friends and awesome locations.  Me and Suzan Stewart after dinner.  Her husband Jeff works with Micah. 

Micah is the has won the "Chubby Bunny" game 3 years in a row.  So proud of him!  You put a marshmallow in your mouth and have to say "Snowball."  After everyone has done it they add a marshmallow to your mouth and you say it again.  After a few marshmallows people start gagging and spitting them out.  I'm proud to say my husband is awesome at this game.  This year he won a turkey fryer.

The spouses group of Micah's squadron, which I have been involved with, puts on a children's Christmas party.  Santa and Mrs. Clause came and had cookies and milk with the kids.  Then they gave out books to the kids.

 Lucas and Tucker sitting on Santa and Mrs. Clause's lap.

 Tucker's class made Gingerbread houses.  Micah and I volunteered to help.  What a fun time.

 The finished product.

 Tucker was very proud of his house.  He couldn't wait to eat it!

 Isaiah's parents couldn't come so Micah helped him make his.

 Me and my sweet boy.

 Tucker and one of his best buds Dominic Diaz.

 Tucker, Donnell and Ella.  (Ella is Tucker's girlfriend)

Tucker's classroom.  The lady in green is Mrs. Vowell.  Tucker has been so lucky to have her as a teacher this year, she is amazing!

 Tucker made this ornament in class.  It's his fingerprints decorated as snowmen.  It is just precious.

 He was very proud of his ornament.

 He found the perfect spot on the tree for his ornament.

 Luke's class also made Gingerbread houses.

 His class had pajama day where they watched Polar Express.

On pajama day the kids got to leave school early.  Clarissa's parents are both in the Air Force and she wasn't going to get to leave early because both parents had to work, so she came home with us to make sugar cookies.

 Clarissa was also in Luke's kindergarten class last year.  They had a great time.

 Finished products.

Christmas Eve opening gifts from family.  Luke wanted this Ninjago ship so bad and was thrilled when he opened it.  It came from Mimi.

 Tucker loved his dinosaurs Mimi sent too.

 Uncle Beana sent the coolest bat bags for the boys.

 Side view.

 And from the back.

 This is the only picture I got from Christmas day.  Epic picture failure day on my party.

This photo is a bit out of order, but his class took two walking field trips, both to the BX.  One was to watch Rise of the Guardians.  The second was to sing Christmas Carols to unsuspecting lunch goers.  Hope, his this photo was also in Luke's kindergarten class.

 Three classes in all combined to sing. 

 Random pic of Micah and Tucker.

 The battle scene the boys put together after receiving tons of soldiers and army toys for Christmas.

 Two proud little boys of all their hard work.

One of our favorite Christmas activities is attending markets.  We always eat dinner at the markets.  We had so many activities planned this year that we only got to attend two.  This is the Heidelberg market.

And, we have to ride every ride when we attend markets.  It's always freezing when we go, but this year it rained a bit too.  The rain was disappointing because the boys really wanted to ice skate.

 This cute little pyramid was a beer tent!

I cannot believe it was our last Christmas in Germany.