Laughs and Mishaps

Pierce.....the things you do to make us laugh........



At what age does this become uncomfortable?



Movie junkie just like Grandpa Joe.

Well....this didnt make us laugh so much....



My Little Man

   Big spiders seem to follow me where ever I go. In Texas they where the size of Tarantulas....in Germany they are just really really large arachnids. Pierce has so kindly caught a few and brought them to me inside clenched fists.  However, the other day I spotted a long legged friend right inside the door jam. I squealed for Alex to come kill it. Alex and Pierce came running.

Alex says, “Wow...thats a huge one." And before another blink of the eye.... 

“Ka-pow!” Just like that Pierce slapped the spider into the tile. No fear that boy.



Monkey Bubbles

     Pierce and I were swimming at the pool a few days ago. The pool complex on Ramstein is amazing. The kiddy area sports a water slide, a mushroom and a few smaller slides. One of the small slides is a bright yellow elephant ….standing about 5 feet above the water. This particular slide is rather steep. I watched Pierce scramble up the ladder and whiz down countless times. Out of the blue, Pierce paused at the top of the elephant……then with chest thrust out, arms cocked back he leapt towards the pool. For a half a millisecond it looked glorious. And then with a shattering thud his feet, butt, head connected with the slide. What the…..??!!?! I thought for sure he split his head open as I swooped him up and the life guards came running. What in the world was he thinking? Fortunately, there was no blood; just one gigantic bump. Hands down, the biggest monkey bubble I have ever seen. Alex said it was worthy of a Looney Tune ‘lump’.



Oh Christmas Tree.....

     The sole objective of last Monday was to buy a Christmas tree. We toyed with the idea of fake or real. Although fake ones look less than desirable it certainly would be convenient. Thankfully, convenience was pushed to the way side....we are too young to settle for practically. So…off to the Boy Scouts we headed. Needless to say, none of the trees in the lot looked much better and sales didn’t start till the evening.

     Driving home, I was pretty bummed that the morning had been totally unsuccessful. Suddenly, Alex whips off the road onto a deer trail leading into the forest. He jumps out and says, “Be right back.” Moments later he was strapping a tree to the top of the car.

     So the morning turned out rather good indeed! I just hope there were no game cameras around…….

Prague

     Prague was every bit of city that we anticipated: Gothic churches, towering facades, town squares, bizarre statues blackened with age. Not to mention a wild night life....of which we were not able to take part. Next time!
     We rented a flat right on Karlova Street, which is one of the streets connecting Charles Bridge to Wenceslas Square to New Town. Hence, it was loud and bustling. However, it accommodated travelers on foot perfectly. Pierce and Gretel did fabulous being carted around all day. The people of Prague acted as though they had never seen a stroller before. As we made our way through the busy streets people ooooed and ahhhhhed over the Chariot. Alex and I are still a bit miffed as to why.
    

Charles Bridge and St. Vitas on the hill.

 Craving adventure? Just go out to dinner with the rug rats!

Gretel could have used a dose of my hot wine this night....

      


Usually the bridge is packed....however this is early morning and Prague is NOT a morning town.

 

Flying buttresses of St. Vitas

This is not my beer...I was waiting for somthing far superior: coffee and a pastry!

The oddities of the Czech.

Transformers and Mini Fridges

Making bread for our neighbors.

Considering a turkey wont even fit in our oven we are spending Thanksgiving in Prague.

Alex is driving me to drinking....

Election Day

     This post is inspired by my sister Allison. I thought maybe I was the only one feeling considerably crappy at the outcome of the election. But after reading her blog I realized I wasn't alone.
     Alex and I have an extremely dear friend who says, "If you are under 21 and a conservative you have no heart; however, if you are over 21 and a liberal you have no brain." True that. So....for all those Obama loving dumb asses.......the only part of the political future I look forward to is saying, "I told ya so."

The First Ventures

Besides Pierce nearly pulling a priceless painting off the wall our first castle run was beautiful!

Burg Eltz

Saint Etienne Cathedral in Metz. Basically, we cruised over to France for Mass and a crepe. It was a rainy, drizzly day....hence a google search picture has to suffice.



Eight Stairs Deep

     Alex and I anticipated that our house in Germany may not accommodate our bigger furniture so we opted to leave it in Texas. We did not anticipate however, that a double bed might be out of the question!

     Our belongings made it over the threshhold, just to be halted before the looming staircase. After sizing up the situation, we thought by taking one...possibly two steps out we would be able to angle our boxsprings and bedframes up the steep stairway. Two days and eight stairs later the problem still remained. Not to mention, the screws on every single stair had been stripped to the point that even extractors couln't reverse them out. So with a little metal cutting, hole boring, wood burning and sheer brute force Alex tore the stairs out. But alas, it was all in vain.

The New Digs

     Second to car shopping, finding a house was next on the priority list. I had been occasionally looking on the AHRN website and noticed that houses came and went within literally hours.  Upon our arrival in Germany I started checking the website a couple times a day for any new listings. Four days passed with no luck. On the fifth day a house popped up that seemed like a possibility. I dialed up the lengthy 12 digit European number anticipating the voice of a Gerda Blouth. Gerda explained she actually listed the house two weeks prior but had received no calls. Therefore, she called up the AHRN not more than an hour ago and discovered that the listing was inactive, which of course she remedied immediately. I happened to be her first call. I told her Alex and I would head over to Weilerbach that afternoon to take a peak.

     40 Rummelstrasse is a quaint old farm house that has gradually been updated….or at least partially updated. It sits on the bustling main street of town but has a large fenced back yard, a huge garage, five bedrooms, 2 baths and the fit seemed just right for us.

     We’ll take it! Gerda sheepishly admitted that she had shown it already that morning to a couple who also wanted to rent it but considering they had a dog and that I called first….we got first dibs. Moreover, two other parties were waiting to come see it after us. Then………..as we walked out of the house a black Lexus pulled in…another interested family. Gerda pronounced, “The house is rented.” As we wrapped up paper work in Gerda’s house next door a few other folks showed up in hopes of viewing the house. Whew…..whether that was luck, blessing or sheer coincidence……we are grateful and thrilled!



Ahh....and unpacking begins!



Parks and Pastries

During our short stay on Base the parks have been a big hit!

Snuggles with Dad.

But the pastries have been an even bigger hit!

Deals for Wheels

     After our arrival, the first task needing attention was to pass the German driving test.....then of course, buy cars! Alex and I don’t have the best track record with vehicles so we were hoping our luck would take a turn.

     I started scouring bookoo.com for hoopties and stumbled upon a 1999 Toyota Corolla with only 15,000 miles. I did the initial call and then passed the reins onto Alex. The man selling the Corolla happened to be named Alex as well. Supposedly, it was his Aunt’s car. It was in pristine condition…..etc….etc. We took it on a drive and it seemed every bit as kept up as he claimed. Consequently, a hand shake sealed the deal. Then he mentioned, “Ya….I have a friend ya….selling a BMW ya…..only 68,000 and in super condition ya…would you like to see it ya?” So we looked at it, it drove great too and we said we would take that one as well.

     The whole situation seemed a little bizarre….an Aunt? A friend? Alex mentioned this to the gal working in the title office. She asked, “Often car dealers hire people to sell privately because cars sold from dealer lots have to be guaranteed for 6 months. Are you sure this guy isn’t working for a dealer?” Hmmmmm. Alex strolled out of the office and affronted Alex, “I really liked your Aunt’s name. What was is again?”

Seller, “Ya…Gertrud.”          

Alex, “What’s her whole name?”          

Seller, “Ya..say…name…ya…..not understand…ya...”

Alex, “Are you working for a dealer?”

Seller, “Ya.”

     Supposedly, he lied because Americans tend to be wary of private sellers contracted with dealers. However, we bought both cars anyway because they seemed to check out. Maybe we got a screaming deal or maybe seller Alex walked away chuckling.....stupid Americans!



And We're Off!

     Although my eyelids are propped open with toothpicks, I can hardly express my excitement at finally arriving in Germany! I was a bit worried….I tend to jump into things with both feet only to realize the full repercussions of my decision once I land. However, so far so good!

     The flight went like clockwork. Our temporary flat is cozy and comfortable. The weather is cool and rainy. If Pierce and Gretel sleep tonight.....…that will be the candle on top of an already iced cake!

Settled in for a long ride.

 

Waiting in Baltimore.....our tired lil' man.



The happiest camper!

Silly tired....as we wait for our flat.







Not here but a day and Pierce is sporting a bum eye.

Literally: scaling the walls!

Heartache

     Cemeteries seem like places elderly people stop to pay their respects. I certainly never imagined I would regularly visit a graveyard. Yet, here I am….towering above a small granite plaque; my eyes searching the sky for a glimpse of heaven. As the lump grows in my throat, tears seem to spring from an endless supply. My heart is heavy with sadness. Theresa….I love you….I miss you. 

    

The Terrible Trio

     With the Twins and Pierce reunited, this month has been a whirlwind of intense moments. So….Mom and I decided to make a game plan in order to survive the month. Each morning we take turns watching the four kids while the other goes on a jog to the end of the road. This morning this is what insued:

     Once Mom took off, I marched the kids down stairs to tear apart the toy closet. Within ten minutes Lincoln Logs were strewn over the floor, a make shift slide had been created off the sofa and the basement echoed with escalating squeals. As I watched the commotion, I stood swaying back and forth with Gretel….trying to induce sleep considering her nap time was approaching. Momentarily, my phone rang and it was Alex who just HAD to talk to me about selling the Land Rover.

     As I listened to Alex carry on, I watched Pierce head out the door for the trampoline. Anya trailed after him, only a few steps behind. However, since it was rather windy out, Anya’s jumping enthusiasm quickly faded and soon she meandered back to the basement door. She flung the door wide open, lingering on the threshold….not sure whether she should brave the wind to jump or play within the security of the living room. Meanwhile, Colette started crying because gusts of wind where whipping through the basement.

     “Anya close the door. Colette stop crying…..Gretel, my sweet heart, go to sleep…..sorry Alex…..what were you saying?” Finally, the door shut and the whining died down for a few brief moments until Pierce decided it was time to come in. Once again the door burst open and Pierce blew over the landing, booking it towards the sofa. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw his feet fly up in the air as his butt hit the floor with a loud thud. I whipped around to see Colette guiltily standing in the corner with no pants on, Pierce curiously eyeing the poop on the bottom of his feet and Anya looking on with bewilderment. Ah..............the delightful moments of child rearing!

   

Buddha Man

I don't know exactly how this got started........but......post-bath time Pierce likes to be sausage wrapped in a towel. He then proceeds to totter around the house showing off. The best is when he challenges the stairs. On occasion he makes it to the top, but most often I find him helplessly keeled over in his straight jacket crying to be rescued.

Missing Dad

     During college Alex and I spent our summers apart pursing our own interests. As a nanny I entertained my charges with water fights, frog catching, hiking, swimming, canoeing and general kickin around. My time off was filled with backpacking, boating, the beach, etc. Of course, all the thrills were pursued with my sister Theresa. After a day’s work (if you could call it that) Theresa and I would meet back at our condo to catch up on any exciting happenings. Then we would make a plan for the evening. I remember screaming down the Ridge Trail, grasshoppers flying to the way side, as the summer sun beat down on my back. I can still hear crickets chirping and stars slowly peeping out in the night sky while we sat around campfires roasting cheese. As dusk settled over the lake, I can see pink and orange hues framing the last skier rooster tailing glassy water. Those summer memories I will cherish forever.

   Likewise, Alex treasures his summertime nostalgias. He spent the summers farming for Uncle Ron. Alex often reminisces about his days on the farm.....anything from back pack spraying to catching the truck on fire while field burning. Kim was his partner in crime. Alex says even if they were shoveling shit it was fun because it’s all about who one works with; not the job. Plus, some days they even caught a cat nap after lunch….their arms pillowing their head on the carpet with muddy boots stretching onto the linoleum. And of course, harvest had a mystique all its’ own. All the farm hands taking turns between combine, bank out wagon and truck while early mornings ran into late evenings. Alex’s stories bring a fire to his eyes and I can see how he treasured working the land.

Uncle Ron...the man.

Alex's Kimmy

     After our relationship matured from dating to engagement our days of separation were far from over. Our engagement was spent two thousand miles apart. Alex was stationed in San Antonio while I finished up my last year of college in Helena. Once we were married Alex scored the taxing job of Aide de Camp which kept him on the road. And I snuck home every couple months for an extended stay. Then came an Afghanistan deployment! When Pierce and I welcomed ‘Dad’ home after six months I promised myself that the time had come for us to live side by side, forever together. But alas! Here I am in Montana again without Alex!

     Each separation has gotten a little more challenging. Partially because we are not 19 anymore, partially because of the additions to the family, but mostly because each day that passes I realize how deeply Alex loves me and I just want to be close to that love.

The life of an Army brat.

    

Gearhart

The flight to Oregon went better than expected. Only minor melt downs! The beach once again lived up to its reputation of: beauty, awe and wonder. To say the very least, I had a fantastic time. I was even able to sneak in a couple runs and a swim in the waves!

Granny and the Gretel

How do I get to Texas Grandpa?