HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAROM 1 YEAR OLD

My baby is 1 year old today! I gave him a cupcake to see if he would like it. He was unsure about it, but he finally ate it.

Happy Birthday :)

Many updates!!

Jarom has been crazy at my dad's house getting into everything. I bet he just loves houses that are not child proof. He also broke another snow globe at there house.
A day after Christmas we were ready to get out of the house, so we went to a fun center with jumpy things and games.

Jarom loved the slide

Christmas morning we all sleep in to 7:30 and I even got a shower in before anyone woke up. It was nice!

I bought this shirt in Germany and can finally wear it in this warm weather. This shirt shows how I felt on Christmas day and everyday.

My dad's golf cart was the children entertianer doing Christmas. I do not think it stoped for more than 10 mins all day.

We all took a horse carriage ride to see the Christmas lights. It was wonderful!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to everyone. We love ya :)

I found this picture of my dad and stepmother and my little sister Alyssa on their computer and thought I would share it. Sunday night we went to Alyssa's first piano recital and she did very well. Alyssa came into our wonderful family when she was 2 years old. They adopted her while living in Colorado. Now she is 10 years old and I am putting her to work helping me with the kids! Thanks Alyssa :)

Getting ready for Christmas

Sunday we drove to Tallahassee to see the rest of my family. Today we went shopping, but we did not get anywhere but Walmart. One stop shopping!! We spent about 2-3 hrs there and then Jarom was done. I did not have Devin, so I had to treasure the moment and get all the gifts for Christmas. Devin will be in heaven! Now Christmas can hurry and get here.

Visit to Sea World!!

Sea World has a wonderful program that allows Military to get into the park for FREE! Other businesses need to do the same for Military!!

Here is the dolphin show
penguin Encounter

The wonderful Shamu!!

Let me tell you, mommy does not exist anymore when Grandmas around. He has to do everything with Grandma. Poor Grandma!!!

My brothers and sisiter

It is so nice to see my brothers and sister. Even though I might not say it much, they are very special to me and I love them very much!

We are in Florida!

We got into Florida Tuesday night. The 9 hr flight was actually not bad with the kids, but the 5 hr layover and the next 2 hr plane ride was more than what Jarom could stand. I do not think the kids are on the right sleeping schedule yet because Devin wanted to wake up at 4:00am last night, crazy boy! We are at my mom's house and having fun. We are visiting family and GOING SHOPPING!!! Let me tell you it is HOT here!

Getting ready!

Well, we have just one more day before we leave for Florida. I have been trying to remember all the things I will need for one month. We will see how that goes. I am excited to see family and give them all a BIG HUG! I am ready to be in America were everyone (almost) speaks English! I am ready to go shopping at Walmart and the dollar store and buy all things I can not get here in Germany. I'M READY, but not looking forward to the 9 hr plane ride, then 5 hr layover, and then another 2 hr plane ride to Florida. I will be dead when I get there! Maybe the excitement of seeing family will keep me going and going and going!

Christmas time in Germany!

I have really enjoyed the pretty white snow everywhere. It is cold, but it has a feeling of peace with white everywhere.

Here is part of our backyard. This big yard is not common in Germany. Some people have no yards.

"Thumb cookies" my favorite at Christmas time!

1/2 cup butter

1egg yolk (save the white part)

1/4 cup brown sugar

1 cup of flour

Mix all together and form into balls, roll in the egg white you saved and then into chopped pecans. Push your thumb in the center of the cookie to make a little hole.

Cook for 20 min at 300 degrees. I sometimes double everything because this does not make much.

Top with homemade icing: little milk, powdered sugar, and spoonful of crisco.

It feels like Christmas!!

3 day til we leave for Florida!

My Big Devin

This year is Devin's first year playing basketball. He is doing well and enjoying getting SOME his energy out!

I think he is getting a grow spurt because yesterday he ate an entire FAMILY SIZE Lasagna and still hungry and ate 2 bowls of cereal. Tonight after he ate his own dinner, wanted my dinner. I had to protect my food, but I did share a little.

5 day till we are on an airplane to Florida!

Jarom's Obsession

Here is my attempt to get a Sunday photo of the kids!

These last 2 photos, can you tell what Jarom's obsession is??? Any time he sees them he has to have all of them in his mouth or hands, crazy boy! Devin could care less about them when he was a baby. I wonder what is so great about pacifiers!

Almost forgot, 7 days till we are in Florida!

Saturday

Well, I was supposed to go on a wonderful trip to Rothenburg, land of Christmas, but I got to the bus area and the bus was already GONE!!! I bet that man could see the flames coming out of my red hair, just joking!! He said he had been trying to call me to tell me the time changed to 9:00am instead of 10:00am. Well, he was calling my DEPLOYED HUSBAND CELL PHONE!!! I never gave them his cell phone number. I am sure I gave them my cell phone. Anyways, after I got over that, we went to the ward primary activity which we would have missed. I think it worked out for the best because we did get to go to the activity, flea market, see Santa at the PX, and it RAINED all day! Maybe we weren't supposed to go on the trip after all!

Devin is making a Christmas ornament to hang on a tree to give to a very lonely lady in our ward that lost your husband last year. I hope she feels loved this Christmas!

9 days till we are in Florida!!

Dane's Christmas box!

Today, Friday, I spent the morning while Jarom took his nap finishing Dane's Christmas box. I really wanted to sent it out today because I hope it will get to him before Christmas. I poped his favorite Air pop popcorn and made butterscotch candy. It was my first time making candy, fun!



The other day Devin helped me make this Christmas stocking out of Dane's old uniforms he got "ink" stains on. He likes to leave his pens in his uniform while I wash them!!! I hope he likes my "homemade stuff" trying to live up to his mom, ha ha!!

Going on a Trip!

Tomorrow, Saturday, the kids and I are going on a trip (Army group) to a Christmas Market in Rothenburg. This place is known for it's Christmas shops all year round! Hopefully I can find some cool German Christmas gifts to take back with me to Florida 10 days left!!! I will have lots of pictures when we get back.

New Winter Hat

I could not think of much to post, but I new my family would be asking for something. I got Jarom this German winter hat. He still does not like to wear them, but it is to cold to not wear it. You can also see in the back window our snowman and Santa. We got stencils and sprayed frost on the window. I thought that would be fun with Devin since he feels like he needs to do something every second of the day.

I just love his smile :) He brings joy to my heart.

The toddler stage!

Let me tell you....it took me about 30min-1 hr to get that last post up with Jarom awake!!! While I was on the computer, Jarom pulled on my Christmas table cloth and made everything fall off the table, then he found our Christmas globe (Devin left on the floor) and broke the glass. So I had water, glass, and snow everywhere. I cut my finger cleaning it, but Jarom was fine. Sunday, I was so tire because he did not sit still for ONE SECOND! There are lots of other little babies in our ward, and they just sit and play so nice. Jarom takes off on high speed! Why must I have such active boys?? They better be easy when they are teenagers!

I can tell Devin is missing Daddy! He is being so emotional, crying because he can not get the TV to work. He was really upset Jarom broke the Christmas globe. For my birthday, we went out to eat with some members of the Church and one of the men was leaving that day for Iraq. That made him cry missing Daddy. I am just trying to redirect him to think about seeing family in Florida in 14 days.

Sunday we went to the Army Tree lighting event, but it was very short. The only cool thing was Santa came on a Fire Truck with loud noice! I did not want to wait in line to see Santa, so we went back home. I was waiting for Dane to call since I had not talked to him in a while. I know he would call. I guess while I was putting the kids to sleep he called and left a message :( I missed his call :(

After about 3 Jarom naps, we finally have our Christmas tree up! We have this perfect window area for it. I also did not put up the tree since we are leaving for Florida for Christmas, but I thought it would be good for the kids and give the Christmas spirit in our home.

Devin playing with my Christmas music box.

Germany Christmas Market

I found these cute Christmas stamps at the thirft store. Now Devin can make his own Christmas cards. He really likes playing with them.

Friday we went to the Schweinfurt Christmas Market down town. It was really fun with lots of food and things to buy. Devin loved the different rides incuding a pony ride. IT WAS REALLY COLD, but we survived. I really enjoyed the Christmas music. It really made me in the Christmas spirit!

You can't leave without getting cotton candy for your kids!

Today is my birthday, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!

16 DAYS TILL WE ARE IN FLORIDA!!

Jarom walking

After many attempts of trying to catch Jarom walking on camera, I finally got it. He has been doing more and more everyday. He is 11 month tomorrow! I can not believe it.

Christmas

I finally got this adorable picture of the kids to send to Dane for his Holiday message in the paper (see the next post) and the file is to big to upload! Not fair! I even went to the PX and got Santa hats just for this picture. At least I have a cute picture to share.

Today we went to Devin's school and played PTA Bingo, lots of fun. I was trying to win Polish Pottery, but I did not win :( Maybe next time.

20 days til we are in Florida!!

Monday

It snowed here again, but the snow was a lot easier to get off the car. It was more fluffy instead of hard icy snow, not fun! I like the fluffy snow much better. Devin thinks it is fun to eat the snow. I told him this morning it had bugs in it so he would stop!

I have talked with Dane, he is doing well. VERY BUSY, working until 9:00pm. If you want to send messages of love and support to their men and women stationed overseas here is the link

http://messages.stripes.osd.mil/

22 Days until we are in FLORIDA!!

My new boots

Well, about 10:00am I could see other people driving around and the roads had less snow. Let me tell you, cleaning snow off a car is not that easy! So I decided to take the kids to the Super Saturday (babysitting thing), so I could have some free time to myself. My goal today was to find some boots. I see all these Germans with these cute boots that look so warm. But of course I did not want to spend tons of money on them, so it was hard to fine. I was ready to leave down town when I saw these boots outside a store for 24 euro. I also found some cute German shoes for Jarom and a scarf for me. It was really cold here, 28 degrees.

When I picked up the kids, do you think Jarom cried the entire time???? YES, that boy! At least I feel loved! Devin did not want to leave! I feel a little sick, but I had a good day.

They tell me it never snows here!!

We woke up this morning, Saturday to this......

I do not know if I should go anywhere. Living in Florida, I do not have much experience driving in snow! Good thing I just ordered some "ALL" weather tires!

Now Devin!!!!

I got a phone call from Devin's school that he has been throwing up, wonderful. So he is home now but can not keep anything down. I am still hoping they are better for tomorrow, so I can have a couple of hours to myself.

My baby is sick!

Jarom was up a lot last night coughing and then crying because it hurts. Poor baby! Hopefully he will feel better by Saturday. I have signed up the kids for Super Saturday were they watch the kids for 5 hours and it's FREE for me since Dane is deployed. I know Jarom will not last 5 hours without me, but maybe I can go shopping for a couple of hours with NO KIDS. I'm excited!

Ward International/Thanksgiving Dinner

I planned our ward International/Thanksgiving Dinner on Wednesday. We had a very good turn out with some new faces so that was wonderful. The surprising thing was, we actually had food left over!!! This never happens. Good things I only did one turkey and one ham! The night was fun. We learned some traditions from other cultures including American Thanksgiving. See Devin at the last picture.

For our American Thanksgiving, I thought about dressing Devin as a Pilgrim and another primary girl as an Indian (She was for Halloween). I told the story about the Pilgrims coming over on the Mayflower and how the Indians helped the Pilgrims with food and such. I was almost over when Devin whispered to me, "what about me giving a hug?" I had told him earlier I wanted him to hug the little girl showing the Pilgrims and Indians were good friends. So at the end Devin gave the girl Indian a hug and everyone thought that was cute.

Dane has deployed!

I have waited a few days to post that Dane has left for his 365 day deployment to Iraq. You never know who might read your blog, and I wanted him to travel safe. My first few days alone have been busy with kids and getting our Relief Society International/Thanksgiving Dinner planned. It is tomorrow night, Wednesday. I will take pictures and post later. I really like staying busy while Dane is gone so I am not so sad. Now it's time to lose some weight!!

Frankfurt, Germany Temple

We had a great opportunity to go to the Frankfurt Temple Saturday. We even had some family names from Dane's side that needed sealing work. It brought me great joy to see my husband in front of me in the Temple. Thankfully we were able to switch off the kids with my Bishop's family which was a great blessing. Sharing your last day with your husband in the Temple brought me great peace in my heart. I do not think I even cried (much) that day! Friday was another story! I am so thankful for a great husband that is so loyal with a great testimony of the gospel. He brings me great strength when I am weak. He is truly my BEST FRIEND. I will miss you and pray you will be safe.

Friday

Friday we went to Dane's work area and some of the families and kids made a banner for the guys deploying. Here are the handprints we did for Dane.




We also went to the Wild Park here which Devin loves!