Tuesday, December 30, 2008

Finishing September and Germany

This month has flown by for me. Ihave been very busy doing a lot of sewing for new babies in the family. I did sit down to add a post to finish my trip to Germany, but I can't find the pictures. Somehow my computer had deleted them completely. So as a brief note I will finish about my trip with only a narrative and no pictures. After Mike was finished for the week in Wesseling, we traveled down to Frankfurt to stay a couple of extra days.

On Friday we checked into our hotel and settled for the night. We were anxiously watching the weather by now as Hurrican Ike was headed directly for Houston. Even with the anxious undertone to the trip we managed to have a good time. We spent Saturday walking around the old part of Frankfurt and enjoying the typical Germany feel. We ate at an outdoor street festival, shopped in an indoor open market. I absolutely love the indoor open markets. They always have a great variety of foods; meats, cheeses, breads, vegetables, fruits, pastries, and on and on.

While we were down at the river we decided to book a river cruise for the next day. So Sunday we got on a tour bus and drove about 45 minutes north were we visited a beautiful resort type place. then we borded the boat for the trip back to Frankfurt. This river trip took about 8 hours. The first 1/2 to 2/3 was really beautiful. There were castles all along the bank, terraced farming and lots of beautiful countryside. Except for the fact that it was slightly cool, leaning on the cold side on deck, it was a beautiful trip.

Due to the Hurricane our regular flight for Monday was canceled. But we did manage to get a flight out to go to Dallas, then changed airlines and flew to Austin. This is where out family had evacuated to. From there we drove home on Tuesday. All in all the trip was a lot of fun, and I would love to go back sometime.

As for the hurricane. We lucked out greatly. We only had a few shingles missing from one ridge line, which Mike replaced, the about 60 feet of fence was down. We did have a number of trees leaning over, but we straightened them and now have stakes and ropes all over the back yard. We also got our power back the day we returned home.

We were blessed to have our daughter-in-law's family, from Galveston, stay with us for a couple of weeks before they could return home. It was great fun and we were very glad that we were there to help them out. Sadly all of my pictures are lost with the Germany pictures.

As time passes we continue to rebuild our lives and strive to get back to normal. The lord has blessed us greatly through this time.

Friday, December 5, 2008

Guten Tag Feunde, Part 2


On Thursday while Mike continued to work I spent the day in Koln(Cologne) shopping, sight seeing and generally having fun. The first exciting part of the day was that I had to take the regional train to Koln alone. This was fun to try to figure out, but I managed to get there fine. Luckily I didn't have to worry about getting back. I met Mike, his boss and the others guys for dinner that night.

While there I started at the Cathedral of Koln. This is a really beautiful building with a great history. From there I wandered the streets, shopped as I felt like it. Stopped to eat what and when I wanted. Sat and watch the people, or read my book and basically had a great day doing anything and everything that I wanted to do. Sadly, I was enjoying myself so much that I forgot to take very many pictures. But these are the few that I got in town that day.

More to come later of our time in Frankfurt and our River Cruise.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

TwilightMom



So I finally went to see the movie. I know it is long after it came out, but what can I say, at least I made it finally. I loved the movie, thoughly enjoyed my self and would even buy the DVD when it comes out. I hope it does soon.

Monday, December 1, 2008

Guten Tag Feunde! More Travels



About a week after we returned from Phoenix we tood another trip, this time to Germany. Mike had a business trip in Wesseling and I went along for a mini vacation. We left Houston on Monday September 8th in the early evening. we had a direct flight to Frankfurt. As this was an over night flight we arrived in the morning of Tuesday. From there we had to take the train (ICE-intercity express)and then a taxi to get to our hotel.

The hotel was right on the Rhein River, and we had a room with a samll balcony overlooking the river. I spent most of the rest of that day watching the river traffic and catching up on my sleep.

On Wednesday, I ventured out to explore the town of Wesseling. I had a lot of fun wandering through the old town. I bought lunch and went to a park along the river. I spent about 2 hours just sitting there enjoying my lunch, reading a book and watching the river. That night one Mike's bosses took us out to dinner in Koln (Cologne) and to show me where the best places were to shop.

There was a lot of barge traffic on the river. I found it very interesting that a lot of the people actually live on their barges. They have a home in the back and even drive their cars onto the barge to use when they stop somewhere.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

Three weeks and counting down



It had been three weeks since I started working with Jenny Craig. Today I have officially lost 9.2 pounds. It feels great. I have so much more energy, have a bouncer spring in my step and just feel over all much healthier. I have been very pleased at how easy it is to stay with the program. The food is really good and I feel that I get plenty to eat. In another three weeks I will again post my progress. Pretty soon I will post an after picture. I'm excited for the changes.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Fun Family Time - Part 2

The next day after camping we went into Sedona to look around. We ended up as a neat shopping area. It was full of fun shops although they were a bit expensive. This is a fountain that Avery insisted on playing with.









After looking around for a while we were ready for lunch. This was a cue for the guys to pull out the maps and study them for a bit. My husband loves his maps and it seems that his son enjoys studying them also.



While at lunch Mikie found a place we could get tickets to go for a helicopter ride. Ashly, being pregnant and not feeling well, decided to stay on the ground with Avery, while Michael, Mikie and I went up in the helicopter. Here we are in front just before takeoff. I was sitting up frong with the pilot. there was window under my feet as well as in front.





This picture is when we were taking off. We were headed for the bluffs in the distance. We flew around them for about 15 minutes.






It was so cool to fly right up close to the bluffs. It was also beautiful. The day was of and on rainy, so the sky was dark in places making the contrast even more beautiful.















A few times we flew through the canyons over a saddle. These are not zoomed pictures. They are actually how close we were, at least how close it felt we were.These next two sets of pictures so the approach to a saddle and then flying through.















We had a really great time on our trip to visit with Mike and Ashlyn and Avery and look forward to another visit. Hopefully in the not too distant future.
































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































My husband loves to study maps and apparently he has passed that to his son as well. When we went looking for lunch we found a place to get tickets for a helicopter ride. We Michael, Mikie and I got to go for a ride on a helicopter. Ashlyn, being pregnant and not feeling well, stayed behind with Avery. Here we are infront of the helicopter that we rode. I got the front seat, with window under my feet as well as in front.



































































































































































This next picture is when were were taking off. We were headed for the bluff in the distance. We flew around them for about 15 minutes.












































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































































Saturday, November 15, 2008

I Have Found Heaven



I have been waiting for this store for some time now. It is finally open. We have a new Jo-Ann Fabric Superstore near our home. It is awesome. Went shopping today for window treatments and absolutely love the place. I now know where my new favorite store is.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

Fun Family Time - Part 1

Over Labor Day weekend Mike and I went to Phoenix to see Mike and Ashlyn and Avery. We also took the opportunity to take the last of Mike's things out to him. It was a fun trip for us, even though the drive was long. We had lots of fun with the kids. While there we went up into the mountains camping. Here are some pictures of our trip.


This first is of the campsite. It was such a primitive site that we had to bring our own water for use, cooking, drinking, etc. It did get cold that night, but we were fine in our sleeping bags.






This next is a picture of the valley from our campground. It was really beautiful. We enjoyed so much being outdoors and in the mountains.











Here are Papa and Avery on a walk through the campground.




Finally were is a picture of all of us.


Sunday, November 9, 2008

I'm a Esme! I found out through TwilightersAnonymous.com. Which Twilight Female Are You? Take the quiz and find out!
Take the Quiz and Share Your Results!

You are thoughtful and care very deeply for your family. A loving home is of great
importance to you and you always try to make people feel welcome. Although you have a great capacity to love, you also have a great capacity to hurt, so at times you can be
sensitive. You're firm when you need to be, but people trust your judgment and
appreciate the kind way you always handle things.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

When will it all go


Today I started a life style change. Maybe I should first go back a bit to explain. About 2 weeks ago I went to see a new Doctor, he did some routine tests. Next day his office called and said that he wanted to see me again. So I went back the next day. After more blood tests, he had me come in again. After 3 visits in 1 week, I have been told that I have very early Type II Diabetes. He also informed me that I must lose 50 lbs.


Well, this news came a no surprise really, but the 50 lbs. seemed a bit unrealistic to me. So I have decided to take his "advice" and lost 30 lbs. Therefore I have started a "life style" change today. I have joined Jenny Craig. Now I have 2 1/2 months to loose the weight and maybe get to stop the medication the Dr. put me on.
Wish me luck, I mean to really do it this time.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Hello from Kaplua

This is my first attempt at blogging. I have enjoy so much following my children. Also I have wanted a way to keep a journal of myself. This is my attempt to keep better in touch with my family and keep my journal. I plan on more to come later with pictures also, but for now

HERE IS MY START (yes Jonny, in meant to have all caps).