Carron Crew

December 2010 in Charlotte, NC

2010-12-28T05:01:00.003-10:00

Playmobil Land

2010-08-14T18:53:00.003-11:00

We went to Playmobil Land on Wednesday with our Squadron in Nuremberg. It's about 45 min from here. Madeline played with her friend Gabi and we met other friends there. They had plastic cows you could pretend to milk, slides, and water area.

Volksfest

2010-07-31T06:23:00.003-11:00

Maddie and I went to the German American festival this afternoon with friends. We ate bloomin onion with special sauce, soft serve erdberre (strawberry) ice cream, german gummy bears, and german pizza. Then walked around and then road the flintstones ride. Now we are home and tired! I bought Madeline a Traditional dirndl German dress yesterday that she wore and we'll be bringing it back to the States with us! It just looked too cute!

madeline and friends

2010-07-18T02:02:00.002-11:00

Christiana and Madeline playing on July 4th. We went to Graf just 20 min from here for their celebration. Next is Zoe and Madeline at the Chinese restaurant in Amberg last night. It has been a while since we have had chinese and boy was it yummy! Zoe's mom and I took the girls with us shopping for maternity clothes and then out to dinner.

Movies and outing

2010-07-18T01:54:00.002-11:00

Madeline and I with some friends went to see the movie Oceans and then Toy Story 3 the next week! She loves to go to the moves now and talks about it non stop. Next picture is when we went to a small town not far from Vilseck where there used to be a concentration camp. You can see Luke growing in my belly now and he is a mover especially at night. Madeline will point at my belly and say "my baby brother in there" of course I can't get her to say it on camera!

Madeline hearing Paul's message

2010-06-19T04:01:00.002-11:00

Paul called and left a message and I had Madeline listen to it. She was so excited that I tried to get her to listen to it again and video it. Madeline and Paul rode on a camel on our trip to the Western Med. this past month. They frequently remind me of this ride and that I did not ride on the camel. Granted I am pregnant and had to go to the bathroom very badly and it was not worth a 2 minute camel ride for me to wet my pants! But they had fun and I took pictures.

We miss Paul but are greatful for what he is doing.

Talking with Daddy

2010-05-12T05:29:00.003-11:00

I can never get Madeline to talk on the phone or when the video camera is on but today she did. Paul came home from work and we were eating dinner and she was answering all of Paul's questions so I ran to get the camera and snuck in to try to get her on film. She gets very excited every time we ask her about going to ride on a boat and swim in the pool. As you can see she loves to jump on the couch and then "fall down"! She also likes to verbally say what she is doing. Then we have to acknowledge that we heard her or she continues to say it even louder! She played at a friends house today with a girl her age and then they also have a baby girl, which Madeline apparently spent most of her time "watching after the baby". I am hoping she'll be helpful with our new little one due in October.

Trying to get Madeline to perform

2010-04-29T05:32:00.003-11:00

Madeline and I did some gardening this morning and then went to the store to buy plants this afternoon. At dinner I was trying to get her to talk like she has done all day!

Paris

2010-04-24T00:26:00.002-11:00

Last week we went to Paris and Normandy. Here are just a few pictures from Paris. We walked and rode the train (metro) which Madeline loved. Madeline and I checked out the department stores. Way over our budget but fun to look at all the clothes, shoes and purses enclosed in their own cases. We took in the sites and stayed, a great location, took a cruise along the Seine River, and went up the Effiel Tower.

Easter

2010-04-09T08:31:00.002-11:00

Paul took a picture of me at 14 weeks pregnant! Then Madeline and I dyed Easter Eggs. She was very helpful until she started splashing the dye around, then we had to call it quits! Her dad came to rescue her!

Easter Egg Hunt 2010

2010-04-05T05:52:00.002-11:00

We had a great time on Thursday at the Squadron Easter Egg Hunt. It was cold but fun to watch Madeline find eggs. She only found 3 total but was super excited about them! We had finger foods and they had a dozen egg eating contest. First one to finish eating 12 eggs won. We watched to see who won.

Locked out!

2010-03-18T09:40:00.003-11:00

Funny story today , now that I am back in my house. I decided to take Madeline for a quick wagon ride around the neighborhood because it was finally a nice sunny day today. We left just before dinner time, stopped and talked to a friend and then headed back home. When I got to my door I realized the door is locked, no worries we have a hidden key. Try to use the key it doesn't work for any door on our house. Great!? So I go to my friends house she comes to help and knows of our middle school neighbor who knows how to break into the lock on the door. I am up for it! He trys with no luck, I mention to him my other neighbor may have a spare key but she is at the school just behind us in a meeting. He says he'll try to go get his younger brother who has smaller hands and maybe able to break in easier. He takes a while so I wonder where did he go. Ends up coming back after running all the way to the school finding my neighbor and has the key to her house in hand so that we can look for my key in her house. Long story short, we are now safe inside after a yummy dinner with friends and thanks to all the neighbors involved!

New Kitchen

2010-03-13T06:25:00.000-11:00

Madeline and I drove 45min to Nuremberg today to go to the Toys R Us there. It is sad how excited both of us were to see so many choices! I have been looking for a kitchen for her and finally found one. She has played with it non stop since we got home. Thanks to Uncle Michael and Aunt Sarah she has plenty of food and pots and pans to use with her kitchen.

Our Friday night!

2010-03-12T06:54:00.000-11:00

We had a girl's night out on post, Madeline and I! We went to Burger King playland and then decided to check out the bowling alley. I wasn't sure how old you had to be to bowl but apparently they have shoes in size 6 for toddlers so off to the lane we went. Madeline beat me too by 2 points! She loved having new shoes and cried at the end when I had to take them off of her. And cried all the way home until I bribed her with ice cream!

Madeline talking and reading

2010-03-07T07:33:00.002-11:00

So I was in our den and walked into the kitchen with the video camera to catch Madeline reading her Kai lan book to herself standing on a box. She has become quite the talker. She will tell me what she wants and then if I don't do it right away she will pull my hand and lead me to the direction she wants me to go. She loves to take care of her baby dolls and pretend to cook meals with her play food in the kitchen. She will stop just about anything to come and help me stir something in the kitchen. She goes to the hourly childcare here on post several times a week and then plays with friends during my bible study hour on Tuesdays. I am noticing she likes to tell her baby dolls and younger friends what to do although most are too young to listen or to care! Madeline hasn't quite figured that out yet. We have really enjoyed getting involved in activities here in Germany and just love watching her learn new things everyday. I am going to try to get better at posting on the blog!! My new goal!

Our house

2010-01-04T05:42:00.003-11:00

The downstairs in our house in Germany. Sorry about the double kitchen picture. This is the snow covered back patio furniture that accumulated all today!

Madeline in Germany

2010-01-04T05:21:00.001-11:00

Our house is on the right side. It was snowing the day we arrived and has not stopped. I think I am the only one in the neighborhood with out a huge snow shovel. Something tells me I am going to need it here! Madeline loved the snow after she finally stepped out the door. Two girls on our street love to play with her and Madeline eats it up. We miss everyone in the States.

December week

2009-12-15T11:09:00.004-11:00

This past weekend we had Handy Manny tatoos put on our arms. Madeline could not figure out why it would not come off until she took a bath. We went to church Sunday and then ate lunch with the Parson Family. Rachel and Madeline played peek a boo with the table cloth! Today she had on the adorable black and red dot dress and walked around the house talking on the phone after we hung up with Paul. The yellow feather girl is the yellow bird costume Madeline is in her upcoming Chrismas play on Wednesday!

Susan's Birthday

2009-12-09T09:18:00.004-11:00

We had a great dinner out at Waldhorn, a German restaurant, in Charlotte. I had filet mingon and black forest chocolate cake for dessert, yummy! Madeline and Rachel were great troopers at entertaining and holding out past their bedtimes! Thanks Lizzie, Wes, mom, dad, Michael, Sarah, Rachel, and Madeline for dinner!

Little Fun and Exhaustion!

2009-12-09T08:43:00.005-11:00

Madeline loves to dress up and lately has been putting on her cooks hat and apron. She then decided to put on her cousin, Grace's bib. She loves saying Grace's name and talks about baby Grace all the time! Madeline "helps" in the kitchen most of the time by stirring anything! The first picture is how I found her this morning after I left her for a minute while she was watching cartoons.

Grandpa's Farm

2009-11-30T09:03:00.003-11:00

Madeline loved the farm ride with her Grandpa on his hobby farm in Fayetteville over Thanksgiving!

Happy Halloween!

2009-11-01T15:27:00.010-11:00

We had a wonderful Halloween in Raleigh. We cooked out at the Moores and were able to see lots of friends and family. Harmony and Grandpa came from Fayetteville to see Madeline in her bee costume. Grandmommy walked around with Harmony and myself and Madeline as we went to 3 houses just to let Madeline get the trick or treating experience. She loved it! She ran down the street to catch all the other kids, everytime we went to a door she wanted them to keep filling up her bag with more than one piece. Harmony (aka "Ha" as Madeline says now) had cookies to for Madeline to eat before hand, her favorite! After trick or treating the movie started, Monsters Inc outside on a big screen Andy had set up. I snapped a picture just as I looked over and Alli was covering Madeline's eyes. I asked her why she was and Alli said because this was the scary part at the beginning and she wanted to protect Madeline, very thoughtful cousin. We ate hotdogs, mac and cheese, baked beans, cookies and smores and got to be with family. It was a wonderful Halloween, except we did miss Paul not being here. These pictures are for you!

In Fayetteville

2009-10-06T15:27:00.002-11:00

Madeline went to her grandparents this weekend. She ate grapes right off the vine as you can see by the drool I believe she enjoyed them! They also went to a local farm where a little pony and Madeline shared stares. She is still recovering from a cold this week and we hope to be well and ready to fly to see Paul in Kansas on Thursday!

Beach

2009-09-28T15:47:00.002-11:00

Madeline loves the ocean! She wanted to hold her grandmoms hand just in case but she loved the water. So much so her dress was very ocean wet when we returned.

A Bee and a Baby

2009-09-28T15:40:00.002-11:00

I had Madeline try on her Halloween costume, which she wasn't too sure of, hopefully she'll get used to it before Oct 31! The other picture is Madeline feeding her baby doll, which used to be mine when I was little!

New Toys

2009-09-28T15:29:00.002-11:00

So I thought I would wait until I gave Madeline these to play with while in Charlotte but just couldn't wait. She loves her dollhouse and puts all the people and furniture inside the house and then throws them outside the house. We are working on the word GENTLE! A baby stroller is another new addition and she pushes it inside and out and each day is learning how to put the babydoll in correctly (not upside down!) All finds from consignment sales!

Trying on Shoes

2009-09-21T09:42:00.002-11:00

I walk into the den and someone put my running shoes on all by herself. She is really into tryinf on grownup shoes these days. She had a pair of my heels on the other day. If the shoes are sitting around you can bet Madeline will try them on. A girl that loves shoes, she truly is my daughter!

Duck Towel

2009-09-18T09:32:00.000-11:00

For a little treat I bought Madeline a new duck towel, who knew this would cause this much entertainment. But it was and still is worth it. A fashion show came on. She now doesn't mind as much getting out of the bathtub since she gets to wrap up in her duck. She wiggles everywhere while in it and then it makes it very challenging to put on a diaper.

Discovery Place

2009-09-14T09:22:00.000-11:00

Madeline, Alli, Caden, Kimberly, and myself went to Discovery Place downtown Charlotte to play. Only half of the exhibits were open but among them was a Kids play area which Madeline loved, a ship wreckage area with lots of recovered artifacts and then we watched the IMAX film Under the Sea. The film showed lots of underwater sealife and might of been a little advanced for our little ones but none the less it was a fun adventure day!

First Day of Weekday Wee School

2009-09-09T09:09:00.000-11:00

Madeline attends school in the morning at First Baptist Church where I used to go when I was her age. So it has been fun dropping her off and seeing so many familiar faces! She seems to be loving it and eats all her lunch that I pack her twice a week and falls asleep on the way home so I know she is wearing herself out. Just wish she would stay asleep when we get home and take a long nap! She has met several new friends and on Monday's it is just girls in her classroom so I am sure they have fun. Madeline is the quiet one in the group the teacher says. She saves her talking for when she gets home!

Matthews, NC Labor Day Parade

2009-09-06T08:54:00.000-11:00

Madeline, Granddad, and I watched the Labor day Parade downtown Matthews. It was pretty good. She enjoyed seeing all the people and hearing the highschool bands play. We had to take a picture of a military vehicle for Paul.

Karen's baby shower

2009-09-05T08:27:00.001-11:00

Madeline and I went to Karen Hunt Preston's baby shower here in Charlotte. While Madeline and Grayson (Sarah's little one) enjoyed assisting Karen in her present opening. You can see Madeline starts off by watching and then ends up stealing bags away from the pile! Our little one to watch out for. It was so good to see Karen and Sarah, dear friends from high school, especially as our families grow.

NC

2009-09-03T13:23:00.002-11:00

We are in Charlotte now getting involved and loving being back in America! We had so much fun at Monkey Joes yesterday with our friends Lizzie and Rachel. Madeline starts weekday school next Wednesday and we just joined theYMCA today so we are trying to take advantage of being here! Having family around has been wonderful. We just spent a week at the beach with Paul's sister and her family. I have started my German class and am hoping to go back to Germany with something I have learned! Today was one of those days where nothing seemed to be what Madeline wanted so not the greatest. I am hoping she wakes up on the right side of the crib tomorrow!

New city!

2009-08-01T18:58:00.003-11:00

We are all moved out of Heidelberg and now in our new town in Germany. We stopped by to look at our house we are going to be living in, which we are so greatful for. We just moved from stairwell apartments so a house is wonderful. We have been eating Greek food since they deliver here to the hotel and we don't move into our house until Monday. Madeline is doing well except for last night when she refused to sleep in her pack and play and after 3 hrs of trying we gave in and let her sleep in our bed. Which I vowed never to do. She is still asleep now so it must have been a rough night for her. She rode her first roller coaster yesterday at the Volkfest we went to, well it was Flinstones and went in a circle and sat on my lap but still! She is so Miss Independent now wanted to walk by herself, feed herself, and now plops down wherever we are if she is tired of walking and waits for us to come and get her. So stubborn too! Well I better run she just woke up!

Alligator Bouncing

2009-07-14T22:48:00.002-11:00

Paul bought this Alligator for Madeline in Georgia and now at the age of 18 months who knew how much fun it could be! Our friends Victoria and Max came over last night to play before they move back to the States. We will miss them very much! That is the hard thing about the Army as soon as you make a good friend it is time to move and you don't know when you will see each other again.

Madeline dancing

2009-07-14T22:39:00.003-11:00

July 4th

2009-07-14T21:22:00.004-11:00

On July 4 we went on post in Heidelberg to watch the concert and fireworks display. They did a really good job and we had a blast eating and hanging out with friends. Hope you all had a wonderful 4th!

Greek Isles

2009-06-28T05:52:00.003-11:00

We are back in Germany for now! We had a wonderful time in the States and our cruise to the Greek Isles, Turkey and Croatia was amazing. We walked the city wall in Croatia and shopped and ate lunch in Dubrovnik. Then we went to Turkey and toured Ephesus where Paul preached and where Mary lived, incredible that the artifacts and buildings are still there today and slowly being rebuilt. Then Greece was beautiful the cliffs overlooking the ocean and churches with blue roofs in the distance. Madeline did great, she had her moments, but for a girl who hasn't been in the same country for the past 2 months we'll give her a break. She is 17 months old and just learned to kiss this past week. If you ask her to she will come over and give a sweet little kiss. She is drinking from a straw, for today that is. She saw her first slip and slide outside today but didn't really want anything to do with it just put her hand in the water. Will post pictures later.

Visit to Delaware

2009-06-17T01:07:00.003-11:00

We went to see Cousin Scott, Aunt Michelle, and Uncle Josh. We rode up with Harmony and Grandpa. Then we celebrated Scotts 2nd birthday. It was great to see the cousins together despite them not really knowing how to play together yet. Growing so fast. Can't wait to see them again when their new baby arrives!

Michael and Sarah's wedding

2009-06-01T06:25:00.002-11:00

My brother, Michael got married this past weekend at a beautiful location just outside of Ashville. Here is Michael holding Madeline and Sarah holding her other niece, Lexi. We has a fabulous time. Madeline danced, ate cake, and took a nap on cousin Debbie. Thanks to Debbie Madeline was taken care of during the ceremony where I did a reading. Now Sarah and Michael are off to Costa Rica!

Madeline Portraits

2009-05-28T02:03:00.002-11:00

We went to have Madeline's pictures taken today. She is 16 months old. This is the dress she is wearing for Michael and Sarah's wedding this weekend. We are so excited. The other dress is one that Harmony gave to her along with a new wardrobe of clothes! She has loved hanging out with all her family over the past several weeks. Is walking everywear, almost starting to run. Loves dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, any animal that moves, which should make her dad happy! She would much rather be outside than in. Hope everyone has a great weekend. We are heading to the mountains!

Palace Gardens and Spargel Festival

2009-05-10T07:36:00.002-11:00

Spargel, white asparagas, very popular here in Germany. We went to the Festival just in the next town from us to enjoy the food and have a day out. I ate a Spargel crepe, actually pretty good. Paul had the German version of a steak sandwhich and Madeline ate mine. We then headed to the Schwetzigan Place Gardens to walk through. And then it was nap time for Madeline as she refused to ride in her stroller any longer!

Getting into everything!

2009-05-05T20:17:00.002-11:00

These days Madeline is trying to climb and get into everything. Her little green chair is the newest. She can sit in it and then can't always figure out how to get out. The other picture is with her friends Victoria and Max. Their mom, Vanessa and myself took the kids to the Farmer's Market this past Saturday and we all managed to fit in one SUV with a double stroller, a jogging stroller and 3 car seats. We even made it in and out of a very tiny parking garage elevator. Go moms for making it out of the house and back with no major melt downs! Vanessa is my training partner in our new tone, cardio routine. The Abs diet we'll see how it works in 6 weeks!

Madeline walking today

2009-04-27T09:35:00.002-11:00

Madeline as a Baby

2009-04-27T08:50:00.003-11:00

I finally have figured out how to upload a video clip, so hopefully this will be the first of many so we can show you how Madeline is growing these days!

2009-04-27T08:40:00.002-11:00

Team 4 Non Blondes completed our half marathon this past Sunday and today has been a really good rest day. Madeline is walking more and more each day. Once she spotted our neighbors pink JEEP she had to ride and pitched a little fit when we had to go inside. This month we have gone to Belguim twice, had friends over for a nice Easter dinner at our house and I have been able to go to Schweinfurt to see my firend Christina a couple of times. The weather is warming up here and all the flowers and tulips are in bloom which if I could keep them alive I would buy more but for now I just drive by in awe.

Mix of March

2009-04-01T04:03:00.004-11:00

Madeline 's personal fashion show! And then Madeline on a playdate with her friend Rowan. They are the same age and it is so funny to watch them play together or steal each others toys back and forth!

Bath time, dad did her hair a little crazy.

Madeline is finally growing more hair so in the back we had a little bow fest with different types of styles just for fun, until she realized they were back there and then pulled them out! We went to Souflenheim France this past week with my friend Christina after going up to visit her in Schweinfurt Germany. Found some really cool pottery and it is always fun to say you went to France for the day.

Madeline had a sitter today while I went to a spouses luncheon, which was nice to get dressed up and eat lunch with ladies and no kids (who refuse to eat, we are in that stage now!). She loves broccoli, tofu, rice, bread, noodles, yogurt, spinach, and of course cheerios! Anything else not listed is posion according to her this week. We'll see what changes next week. Which makes it fun to travel to different countries that don't have the same food. She is doing pretty well traveling in the car though so I can't complain too much. She loves pushing her giraffe, popper, stroller and walker around the house. She likes to empty trash cans and loves to take a bath!

Pasta & Park Day

2009-03-17T02:50:00.004-11:00

After a pasta meal, had to take some pictures of our messy 14 month old! It was finally a nice sunny day here so we took advantage of it and went to the park just down from our house. Madeline is learning how to walk but she held onto one of my hands and then walked around the park area. She loved riding the kangaroo and was quite curious about how it bounced. We get so many compliments on her pink jacket, thanks Aunt Michelle. This month Madeline has had RSV, pink eye, skin irritation, and a cold, so we have been busy trying to get well. It is just that season around here. She is still laughing through it all and sleeping through the night although Benadryl has something to do with that! I am training for my half marathon end of April. Paul is home most of the time and working hard. Hope all have a Happy St Patricks Day!

Kitchen helper

2009-02-24T01:03:00.002-11:00

Madeline wants to help so bad when I am in the kitchen doing dishes or cooking supper. I have found she is a much better helper if she has a wooden spoon and bowl to bang on and she goes to town. Paul normally walks in from work as she is making the loudest noise possible and often singing at the same time.

Silly pictures and photo shots in France

2009-02-24T00:56:00.003-11:00

Paul took a picture of Maddie and I making faces and then I started practicing some digital camera skills just for fun on one of our hikes.

France trip

2009-02-23T23:22:00.003-11:00

Paul took his girls to France for Valentines Day weekend. We went to a small island just off the southern tip. It was beautiful and nice to get away from the snow here in Germany. We hiked, biked and relaxed. Madeline even had her own room which was nice for all of us to get some much needed rest. We saw vineyards, a windmill, ate at every restarurant on the island, which consisted of only 3 and enjoyed time away. Madeline sported her Paris outfit from her Abernethy Grandparents.

February Update

2009-02-12T08:44:00.002-11:00

Madeline in her Ladybug outfit from Scott's Aunt Ginny. She gets so many compliments on this one because in Germany a ladybug is good luck! Paul bought Madeline a soccer ball which she was not too sure what to do with but loved when her dad kicked it around. Last picture is sideways I know but I just had to take a photo of her with all her zebra attire! The blanket Cousin Kimberly embroidered. These days Madeline is saying dada, mama, baba and uh oh. She waves bye, makes a kissing sound, still prefers crawling over standing up and walking with help. She is getting over a head cold. Sleeps with her pacifier, drinks whole milk and apple juice. Hates the sippy cup, we're still working on that! Loves to point and screams for excitement anytime the front door opens. She loves to look outside and loves even more going outside even if all you can see is her eyes poking through all the layers she gets dressed in for the cold. It snowed here again today but doesn't seem to stick for long.

January into February

2009-02-01T10:06:00.002-11:00

These are just a few pictures from when Madeline's Harmony (Grandmom in Korean) was here visiting. Myong came for Maddie's b-day in January. And some other funny ones from this month. Madeline loves riding on her dads shoulders especially when he has just gotten a hair cut and she beats on his scalp! Her great grandmother handmade this bear out of Grandpa Doug's old blankets and she gave one to Scott and one to Maddie. And then she decided to have a staring contest with it!

Happy Birthday Madeline!

2009-01-18T21:48:00.005-11:00

On January 16 we had Madeline's first birthday party. Halmony came to visit and cook Korean for the big day. I made bannana cake and carrot cupcakes. We had many friends come that we have met here in Germany with their children. Madeline had a little help blowing out her birthday candle from her parents. In taking with Korean tradition Madeline had 3 things layed out in front of her string, money and a pencil, which ever one she picked up first means something different. The string means long life, the money means she'll be wealthy, and the pencil means she will be smart. Our daughter picked the 20 dollar bill! Madeline was dressed in her Korean birthday outfit, which her Halmony had given her all the way from Korea. She loved having so many people around, she ate her first cake with icing and true to fashion smeared it all over her face! She loves to read, walk around the coffee table holding on, say baba, which we are not sure what that means yet and waves bye bye to everyone even if you just arrived! She loves to grin from ear to ear and show off her 7 teeth. Thank you all for your birthday wishes we can't believe we have a 1 year old. She is such a joy and we look forward to another year of many new things as we watch her grow!

The New Year!

2009-01-07T03:24:00.002-11:00

Just a few pictures from our New Years Eve. Our friends little beagle had had enough by midnight! Hope everyone is having a great 2009! Maddie and I went to her playgroup this morning and then her music class this afternoon and then we both crashed and took naps!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

2009-01-03T00:07:00.004-11:00

The month of December was busy for us traveling. My parents came to Germany to visit and we went to Rothenberg, Nurnberg, Heidelberg and Mannhiem,Germany Christmas markets. Which was so much fun to see all the holiday decorations and vendors. My dad was gracious enough to push the stroller while my mom and I went up and down every isle, just to make sure we didn't miss anything. We then stayed a couple of days in Heidelberg toured the castle and caught up on laundry and then headed the Garmisch, Germany. The weather was cold and snowy but beautiful scenery. We toured "Cinderella Castle", took a Bavarian Cheese tour, and mom and Dad toured Dachau. The wintery get away was perfect for just before Christmas. We then met up with Paul in Heidelberg. My parents left for the States and Paul, Madeline and myself headed for Vicenza, Italy to spend Christmas there. It was breath taking with the snow falling on Christmas Eve and the mountains covered as we woke up Christmas morning. We then drove to Venice to take in the sights. And then back to Heidelberg. We then celebrate New Years by having our friends over for dinner and I was able to use my new fondue set!

Madeline these days is crawling faster, waving bye bye, grinning from ear to ear most of the time, and just learned to make a spitting noise from her dad.

For New

Happy Thanksgiving!

2008-11-26T20:06:00.002-11:00

Madeline loves her Turkey that makes a gobble sound from her Aunt Carolyn. She just cracks up laughing everytime we push it! She now has 6 teeth, drinks from a sippy cup, and is crawling everywhere. We are headed over to our friends house for Thanksgiving. I am thankful for God placing people in our lives that can help in filling the gap when we can't be with family. We miss all of you in the States and hope you have a wonderful holiday! We are so thankful for you.

It's snowing!

2008-11-21T21:19:00.002-11:00

We woke up this morning and saw snow on the ground. I can't wait for Christmas to get here and to see snow on Christmas Day! It is freezing outside but beautiful. So being away from the States has it's down times but looking outside today gives me a new look and how awesome God is. Pictures to follow!

Weekend Trip

2008-11-03T07:17:00.003-11:00

This weekend we went to Garmisch, Germany. We rode the cable car to the top of Zugspitz, the tallest mountain in Germany. Lots of snow to see for miles. Then we went to the Neuschwanstein Castle (Cinderella Castle). Madeline, as you can see, was exhausted and just gave up her hands to it all!

Laundry Basket

2008-10-26T06:51:00.002-11:00

We just returned from an overnight trip to Weiden, Germany where we stayed with the Ford's. We had a great time visiting friends and driving to a new city. Back at our house Madeline decided she wanted to climb in the laundry basket and made this gorgeous face that we just cracked up at. Madeline now has 3 teeth and is working on her fourth. She loves looking and playing with other children and any cat or dog that walks by.

Pumpkin Festival

2008-10-12T07:47:00.002-11:00

We went to a pumpkin festival at the Palace in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Thanks to Aunt Michelle Maddie got many smiles in her pumpkin outfit. I think she was the only one dressed with so much spirit. They had pumpkin soup, which was quite tasty, children's rides, and pumpkins shaped into many different figures, animals, rockets, and even one shaped into the man on the moon. Maddie loved looking at all the people!

A little under the weather

2008-10-07T00:44:00.002-11:00

I'm trying to upload images but my computer seems to be having trouble so I'll keep trying. But so far this week we have been to the acute care for Madeline's pink eye, which she is on drops for and it appears to be getting better. Then on Monday a fever came on with a runny nose and stuffiness so we are taking it easy today. She was around alot of children one day last week and I believe that is where it all came from. Hope the rest of this week she feels better. I did sign up with the Red Cross to do some volunteer work so I am excited about that.

Downtown Festival!

2008-09-29T02:10:00.002-11:00

Maddie and I went downtown this weekend for a jog and found this festival with vendors, food, a parade and live music. They started playing Hello Dolly, Downtown, and other classics that brought tears to my eyes just because we are in a different country but yet there are things that remind me of home. It really gave me a boost for the weekend.

Madeline's First Tooth!

2008-09-29T01:54:00.006-11:00

So I know this is not the best picture but it is the only one I could get where you can kind of see her tooth coming in. She is now the proud owner of two teeth! I think I was much more excited than she was! She was much happier after I took my hand away, I promise.

We have a creeper

2008-09-21T07:47:00.002-11:00

Madeline has officially started creeping. She gets her belly off the floor and then wiggles around and then goes back down. But if there is an object she wants she'll wiggle and creep till she gets it. The last picture was just after her bath tonight. Thanks Scott for the PJ's they fit great! Maddie and I went to church this morning and then took a nap and then took a stroll. The weather was beautiful here today, a nice fall day.

New Hat!

2008-09-19T08:49:00.003-11:00

It's getting colder here so I found this cute little hat at the bay store here. At first she wasn't to sure about it. Thanks Sarah and Michael for this outfit. Harmony, Michelle, Josh, Scott and all are family pretty much supplied Maddie with the limited amount of clothes she has until our shipment arrives so thank you all for that. Michelle she still loves the remote and books like crazy!

We picked up our car today so now we have one of the few SUV's in Germany,but it is nice to have the space. Although I haven't had to parallel park yet! Paul will be home this evening and then leaves again in the morning for a couple of days. Part of our household goods are coming on Tuesday but the rest won't be here for another 2 months. So we are making do with what we have but I am getting into that making a house a home phase but it is hard to do when you don't have stuff. I'm still planning a trip to IKEA shortly.

Madeline's first Playgroup art project in Germany

2008-09-16T18:32:00.002-11:00

We went to our first playgroup here and met other moms and babies. Madeline made a bag with her handprint on it and they punched holes in it and put handles on it for her first "handbag". She loved being arund other children and singing songs. Except for the fact she wanted to eat every piece of paper in site she did well. We then went over to the education center and I signed up to take a German class in Nov. and a get to know the area class in Oct. so hopefully I'll be able to pick up a few things and at least get better at shopping!

Our Apartment

2008-09-14T23:47:00.004-11:00

Here are just a few pictures of the inside of our apartment here in Heidelburg. Today Maddie and I went to the dry cleaners to drop off some shirts and uniforms and then went by the post office. We are going to head out for a walk to the bakery after she wakes up from her nap. Our apt has furniture that has been loaned to us until ours arrives. We'll be glad when all our stuff arrives and we can make it feel more like our home than a college apt!

In Germany!

2008-09-11T07:14:00.003-11:00

So as most of you know we have moved to Germany! Madeline is adjusting well and the rest of us are getting over our jet lag. We walk almost everywhere we can. Paul works just across the street from where we live so it is a good 5-10min walk. Maddie and I are keeping ourselves busy with going to the commisary (aka grocery store), PX shopping center (like Walmart) and touring the small town streets of Heidelburg. We have spare rooms so come visit anytime! We have many brochures of what all Heidelburg has to offer and what resources are available for us here. I just signed Madeline up for a Kindermusik class on Wednesdays. So slowly we are finding things to keep us busy.

2008-08-22T04:09:00.000-11:00

Our friends The Thompson's gave Madeline this cute outfit for Germany. We are getting excited and doing some crazy packing! All are boxes are now packed and they are loading up the truck today and we head to NC tommorrow to visit our family before we leave. Madeline loves playing with any packing paper so can get her hands on. She would not look up and smile at the camera she was to interested in the paper in the box this morning!

Our little girl is sitting up!

2008-07-30T14:48:00.000-11:00

Maddie is now a sitter! She doesn't stay in one place very long though. She either falls foward or sideways and then loves to roll all the way across the room! She had her 6 month old shots today and did well and thanks to Tylenol is sleeping well tonight.

Found a bug

2008-07-13T09:08:00.001-11:00

Ok not a real bug but a stuffed one. Maddie became so excited like she had just discovered something new while dad is in California. Maddie and I are just hanging out here in GA. We went to church today and Madeline graced the nursery workers with a huge poop explosion, which she was due for one, but still at church?!

Maddie chowing down!

2008-07-13T08:45:00.000-11:00

Madeline loves her rice cereal. We are planning on trying vegetables next week. Paul is all about taking some pictures with our little girl's face all messy.

Day at the Pool

2008-06-27T12:06:00.000-11:00

This is my fist attempt at blogging so I am giving it a go! Maddie and I met Paul at the pool today at 7am for her first time in the water. We went on post at Fort Benning in the indoor pool. She loved it.