Germany, October 2010

Back in the summer, we found out that my hubby had been invited to an installer training meeting in Germany, and better yet, wives were also invited!
He was also invited and went 10 years ago, but I was not able to go, so this time there was going to be nothing that would keep me home.
Passport, clothes all was in order and off we flew full of excitement to visit a foreign country.

New York City, the last of the land we saw before the big ocean.












Landing safely, we got our rental car, an Opal.
Cars over there are so small and cute!





We then traveled to a small town north of Frankfurt where we flew into, and went to the temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

I don't remember the name of the town, but it was small, quaint and beautiful.





A wonderful blend of old and modern.

Being hungry, we found a little bakery that was open. The aroma was a thrill for the senses, and the taste was even more so. I knew right then that I was going to like this country very much.









Moroni atop the temple.




They have a nice little hostel where members can come and stay overnight.

I love all the cobblestone.

Here we are in front of the temple. It was a little cold and foggy, but we enjoyed ourselves immensely.











Very tired after flying all night without much sleep, but excited to start the rest of our trip.








The road trip to Osnabruck.









The German countryside is just beautiful. I immediately fell in love.








An old car on the autobahn.

Remember, we had just gotten there, so I was amazed by everything.





Side view of the car, and the driver. I'm sure he was wondering why on earth I was taking a picture of him.

Did I mention it is kinda hard to get a good picture going 150 on the autobahn?

McDonalds was even cool. A double decker restaurant, it was really nice. I came to realize that they overdo the Mc"this" and the Mc"that" over there a bit. As you can see by the drive through.

Christmas 2010

Our tree, I hate it when a set of lights goes out right in the middle of the season.
Everyone coming down the stairs to see what Santa left.

Jordan finding the Christmas pickle Santa left on the tree.

And with the surprise Santa left for the one who found the pickle.

Kate with her mini glass giraffe

Spencer with his favorite toy

Jordan upset that Santa did not bring her a lady bug pillow pet.

Silly girl, she did not know it was already covered.

Happy at last with her lady bug

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve was spent at my in laws house. It was nice, we had a nice dinner and enjoyed time with the relatives.

However, 26 people and kids in a very small house is insanity X's 2!
It was nice to spend the holiday with them, and see some that I have not seen in a while.

Even More Cousins

I have put up pictures of my kids with their cousins, my husband with a couple of his cousins. Now it's my turn. Here is a couple of my cousins that came to Christmas. I figured I better get a picture of my brother and I with them.
I have so many happy memories of them coming to Christmas dinner when I was a kid, and it was really nice to see them at my home this year.

This girl is COLD!

My man keeps the thermostat set kinda cool to save money. We're used to it by now and dress warm. Poor Kate, she came home from school and just can't stay warm enough. In an attempt to stay warm she came up with this wonderful award winning outfit. pants, two pairs of socks, shirt, sweatshirt and dad's sweater. I think she was even wearing gloves earlier. Nice look.

3 and Counting...

1,2,3, teeth missing. The tooth fairy is going to go broke.

20th Anniversary......sort of

This is my best friend Samantha, I know I have talked about her before. Last Christmas when she came to town in fact. We have known each other since 1990 when she came to school at Purdue. Our mutual friend Melanie decided we would be great friends if we only got to know each other, so she introduced us and the rest is history. We hit it off and became fast friends that has lasted through the years.

She moves a lot with her job, so she only gets to town about once a year, so each Christmas we get together to exchange gifts, eat, laugh and generally have as much fun as we can pack into a few hours.

Yesterday we went had a ball. It makes me very thankful to have such a great friend in my life, I miss her and wish I could see her more often. Maybe I should make a trip to her house for a visit.

My pretty Girl

Kate took this picture of herself. I love it, almost as much as I love her.

Christmas Time

Don't you just love Christmas bulbs hanging from the tree? It so festive and happy, add a little Christmas music and you're set.

Like Mother, Like Son

My parents tell me that when I was a child I did not like to read until second grade that is. Something clicked in my brain and it was fun from that point on. My nose was always in a book.
My boy is evidently the same way. He is second grade and this year they have to do a lot of reading. He loves it! In fact when his class had to do an independent project of reading 4 books, make a poster and presentation of it, he was thrilled. Here he is reading by Christmas tree light while I am decorating. I love to read, and love that he now loves to read to.

Killer Turtle Cheesecake

I made this killer good turtle cheesecake last night for a client of ours for Christmas. Looks yummy huh? They said it was to die for. Yeah!!! Success! I will post the recipe on my cooking blog for you, just go to coleshomecooking.blogspot.com I should have it posted tomorrow sometime. And a, sorry, I don't know how to make a link for you so you will have to actually type it in, but it will be worth it.
The recipe is now up on the cooking blog, so you can go over there and check it out!