Well Friends, we made it back! And boy what a journey that was! We started off Tuesday at 5am (German time, 9pm Pacific), got ready, packed up the car and made our way to the airport. After some technical problems, our plane finally left almost an hour later. Ugh. Of course. We had a direct flight to California, so we only landed 15 or 20 minutes later than we were supposed to...still trying to figure that one out. Oh the wonders of flying.
I was both happy and sad to leave Germany. Sad to leave the new friends I made, but happy to return to old friends and family. You know what's really weird about this whole situation? We're not just visiting for a couple weeks, we're moving here! It's so hard to fathom. You know what else is crazy? Tyler's out of the Army! What?! AH! So weird.
I'm so excited to start this new chapter in our lives. It will take some getting used to, but I bet it will be great! :)
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
Saturday, December 24, 2011
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! I hope you have a great day with family,
friends, and loved ones. :)
 |
| {Via} |
Friday, December 23, 2011
It's Beginning to Look a lot Like Christmas
It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Well, that and Christmas is only 3 days away! Ahhh! Can you believe it?! Where has all the time gone? Wasn't it just the summer? Man, how time flies! It's been a busy year for us...and this week, man oh man, boy has it been busy! I've been sick, we've been packing, cleaning, and buying last minute Christmas presents. So, sorry for my lack of posting. I will try to get back on my schedule after the holidays.
Today, we had to say bye to our first place here in Germany. It may have been old and falling apart, but it had it's own charm. I'm sad to leave it. The guy who came to clear us came at 8 this morning! It's already been a long day. Unfortunatley for us, the Army only pays for us to have 3 days in the hotel. But, God bless great neighbors/friends who let us store our stuff in her apartment and even spend the night. :)
This year, Christmas will be a bit different for us. We're not going to be with any of our family, plus, we're going to be in a hotel room on base, oh yeah, and we're in Germany. Weird, huh? Though, Germans do Christmas very well.
As I've said before, we are blessed to have great neighbors/friends. Several of them are also going to be around for Christmas, so we're all pitching in and having Christmas dinner together. Tyler and I are making green bean casserole and apple pie. Mmm, I'm getting hungry already!
This would be the perfect year to start some of our own traditions, but it's a little hard since we will be in a hotel and not a home of our own. But, if we do come up with anything, I'll be sure to let you all know.
When I am in Texas for Christmas, we go to church Christmas eve for the candlelight service. When we were younger, Santa would come while we were at church Christmas Eve, so we would get to open the presents from him after church.
After Christmas day church, we would have brunch and open the rest of our presents. Then, later in the afternoon, we'd go over to a family friend's house for a big get together. My sister and I usually had a friend or two there, but it could still be awkward. Hey, at least we had each other! I know my parents enjoyed it, and as we got older, we would also chat with the adults, so it became more fun I think. :)
For the past few years, I have been doing Christmas with Tyler's family. Usually the weekend before Christmas, Tyler's dad's side of the family would get together to have dinner, chat, and do a gift card swap game. You all bring $35 gift cards (from anywhere) and you wrap it up. They kind of play it like white elephant, so you all draw a number, you can pick a gift, trade, etc. I think it's a great idea so you don't have to buy a present for everyone, plus, it's fun.
Sometimes on Christmas Eve they would go to church, but so far, we've only gone one year. On Christmas day, it's an immediate family affair (this includes grandma and possibly and aunt and uncle). Tyler and I last year served everyone mimosas in the morning with Christmas brunch. The mimosas are definitely becoming a tradition, hehe. Then, after brunch, we open presents (still in PJs of course), and after that, it's kind of a lazy day.
Last year, since Tyler had just gotten back from Afghanistan, we decided to split our time between the two families. First, we flew to Texas for a few days (and had an early Christmas with my family), then, a few days before Christmas, we flew to California.
People with both parents in the same state or close together are EXTREMELY lucky. I wish we didn't have to choose which family we get to spend the holidays with, but alas, we do. Since we're moving to California, that means that we will see Tyler's family for holidays more, which is fine, but I would really like to see mine as well. I do have a family afterall. Someday we will have enough money to fly all the time to see my family for holidays. Until that day, we will try to split it up the best we can, or maybe just have some on our own. Hmmm...I like that idea!
What are some of your Christmas traditions?
Do you have to split your holidays between families? If so, do you have any suggestions, tips,
or advice?
Today, we had to say bye to our first place here in Germany. It may have been old and falling apart, but it had it's own charm. I'm sad to leave it. The guy who came to clear us came at 8 this morning! It's already been a long day. Unfortunatley for us, the Army only pays for us to have 3 days in the hotel. But, God bless great neighbors/friends who let us store our stuff in her apartment and even spend the night. :)
This year, Christmas will be a bit different for us. We're not going to be with any of our family, plus, we're going to be in a hotel room on base, oh yeah, and we're in Germany. Weird, huh? Though, Germans do Christmas very well.
As I've said before, we are blessed to have great neighbors/friends. Several of them are also going to be around for Christmas, so we're all pitching in and having Christmas dinner together. Tyler and I are making green bean casserole and apple pie. Mmm, I'm getting hungry already!
This would be the perfect year to start some of our own traditions, but it's a little hard since we will be in a hotel and not a home of our own. But, if we do come up with anything, I'll be sure to let you all know.
When I am in Texas for Christmas, we go to church Christmas eve for the candlelight service. When we were younger, Santa would come while we were at church Christmas Eve, so we would get to open the presents from him after church.
After Christmas day church, we would have brunch and open the rest of our presents. Then, later in the afternoon, we'd go over to a family friend's house for a big get together. My sister and I usually had a friend or two there, but it could still be awkward. Hey, at least we had each other! I know my parents enjoyed it, and as we got older, we would also chat with the adults, so it became more fun I think. :)
For the past few years, I have been doing Christmas with Tyler's family. Usually the weekend before Christmas, Tyler's dad's side of the family would get together to have dinner, chat, and do a gift card swap game. You all bring $35 gift cards (from anywhere) and you wrap it up. They kind of play it like white elephant, so you all draw a number, you can pick a gift, trade, etc. I think it's a great idea so you don't have to buy a present for everyone, plus, it's fun.
Sometimes on Christmas Eve they would go to church, but so far, we've only gone one year. On Christmas day, it's an immediate family affair (this includes grandma and possibly and aunt and uncle). Tyler and I last year served everyone mimosas in the morning with Christmas brunch. The mimosas are definitely becoming a tradition, hehe. Then, after brunch, we open presents (still in PJs of course), and after that, it's kind of a lazy day.
Last year, since Tyler had just gotten back from Afghanistan, we decided to split our time between the two families. First, we flew to Texas for a few days (and had an early Christmas with my family), then, a few days before Christmas, we flew to California.
People with both parents in the same state or close together are EXTREMELY lucky. I wish we didn't have to choose which family we get to spend the holidays with, but alas, we do. Since we're moving to California, that means that we will see Tyler's family for holidays more, which is fine, but I would really like to see mine as well. I do have a family afterall. Someday we will have enough money to fly all the time to see my family for holidays. Until that day, we will try to split it up the best we can, or maybe just have some on our own. Hmmm...I like that idea!
What are some of your Christmas traditions?
Do you have to split your holidays between families? If so, do you have any suggestions, tips,
or advice?
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Pressure...ahhh!
1. There's pressure in my nose/head. Stupid cold.
2. There is the pressure of moving and making sure we have everything packed and cleaned up. This is approaching WAY too quickly :(
3. There is pressure, oh so much pressure about finding a car, a job, and an apartment once we get back to the states.
AH! Oh, so much pressure. Now, if you're like me, the song, Under Pressure by Queen is stuck in your head. Please enjoy :p
{Via}
2. There is the pressure of moving and making sure we have everything packed and cleaned up. This is approaching WAY too quickly :(
3. There is pressure, oh so much pressure about finding a car, a job, and an apartment once we get back to the states.
AH! Oh, so much pressure. Now, if you're like me, the song, Under Pressure by Queen is stuck in your head. Please enjoy :p
{Via}
Sunday, December 18, 2011
Weekend Review
Hello Friends! I hope you all all having a good Sunday. Let's discuss my weekend, shall we? Ok...
Friday, after I went and rescued my neighbor (long story short, she locked herself out of her car lol), I went and ran errands before our Going Away Party. Friends and neighbors came to our very empty apartment and brought LOTS of food and drink. It was actually a really good time! We were a little sad that some people couldn't make it or just didn't show up, but life goes on.
The next day, after cleaning up a little more, I noticed that my throat was really hurting. Oh no. Usually what this means is that a cold is coming. Ugh. Great. Just what I need right now. I loaded myself up with cough drops, and went downtown with one of my neighbors to do some Christmas shopping. By the time we were on our way home, my head was pounding, and I felt all cloudy. :(
Once I got home, I decided to take a nap. A few hours later (lol), I woke up and we ate dinner and went and watched a movie with a neighbor. But man, I was definitely not 100%. Best part, we saw Contagion lol.
Today, my throat felt a little better, but I could tell that I was getting stuffed up. Isn't that worst? Well, ok, it's not the worst, but it's up there. Once Tyler and I got ready for the day, we were off to post to meet the people buying our air conditioning unit and to finalize the selling of our car. Both sold! Great success! After that, we went downtown to the Christmas market and ate delicious food and got some good Christmas presents. Once we got home however, I felt well, not great. Ha. Then I took a nap and woke up just in time to get ready to go to our friends J and B for dinner and gluhwein. Mmmm. It was a pretty good day/night. I just wish I could shake this cold.
I know I don't look like that, but I feel like that. Ugh. I think it's time for me to go to bed before I have to get up and let the maintenance people in to fix our patio shutters.
Goodnight all. Happy Sunday! I hope you all had a good weekend :)
Friday, after I went and rescued my neighbor (long story short, she locked herself out of her car lol), I went and ran errands before our Going Away Party. Friends and neighbors came to our very empty apartment and brought LOTS of food and drink. It was actually a really good time! We were a little sad that some people couldn't make it or just didn't show up, but life goes on.
The next day, after cleaning up a little more, I noticed that my throat was really hurting. Oh no. Usually what this means is that a cold is coming. Ugh. Great. Just what I need right now. I loaded myself up with cough drops, and went downtown with one of my neighbors to do some Christmas shopping. By the time we were on our way home, my head was pounding, and I felt all cloudy. :(
Once I got home, I decided to take a nap. A few hours later (lol), I woke up and we ate dinner and went and watched a movie with a neighbor. But man, I was definitely not 100%. Best part, we saw Contagion lol.
Today, my throat felt a little better, but I could tell that I was getting stuffed up. Isn't that worst? Well, ok, it's not the worst, but it's up there. Once Tyler and I got ready for the day, we were off to post to meet the people buying our air conditioning unit and to finalize the selling of our car. Both sold! Great success! After that, we went downtown to the Christmas market and ate delicious food and got some good Christmas presents. Once we got home however, I felt well, not great. Ha. Then I took a nap and woke up just in time to get ready to go to our friends J and B for dinner and gluhwein. Mmmm. It was a pretty good day/night. I just wish I could shake this cold.
I know I don't look like that, but I feel like that. Ugh. I think it's time for me to go to bed before I have to get up and let the maintenance people in to fix our patio shutters.
Goodnight all. Happy Sunday! I hope you all had a good weekend :)
Wednesday, December 14, 2011
Wedding Wednesday: Random Photos I Enjoy
Hmmm. I probably should've split up my trip to Madrid into a couple parts...that was a really long post! Oh well.
So, today is Wednesday. And you know what happens most Wednesdays, right? I talk about weddings! Woohoo! I'm obsessed...I might have a problem. Today, I'm not really going to be talking, no, I'm just going to post some pictures I've seen of weddings recently that I really enjoy. I think we can all use a break from my blabbing :p.
I think that's enough for now. I hope you enjoyed these photos as much as I did :)
So, today is Wednesday. And you know what happens most Wednesdays, right? I talk about weddings! Woohoo! I'm obsessed...I might have a problem. Today, I'm not really going to be talking, no, I'm just going to post some pictures I've seen of weddings recently that I really enjoy. I think we can all use a break from my blabbing :p.
I think that's enough for now. I hope you enjoyed these photos as much as I did :)
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