Happy Halloween 2009

I hope you all had a safe and happy Halloween. We really weren't expecting much of one over here since they don't really celebrate it the way that we do, but were pleasantly surprised. Our local post hosted at Trunk or Treat, where people decorated their trunks and handed out candy. We went with some friends and the kids had a great time. Earlier in the evening the kids opened the halloween packages that grand and great-grandparents had sent them. Both boys were thrilled to get books which they read immediately. Zane, while sitting on the couch and Logan, while "taking care of business!!!" I was a bit nervous to put Logan's costume on him and wasn't even sure he would know what it was, but he started jumping around clapping and immediately ran to get his 3-eyed alien doll. He wore his costume until almost bedtime and still did not want to take it off and has had it on twice since then. The water repairman looked at us like we were out of our minds yesterday when he was running around the house with it on and Zane was dressed in his knight garb......oh well, at least we have fun!!!! We cracked up at the beginning of the night taking pics of the boys, where Zane was aiming his laser at us and Logan got down and pretended to do the same thing. Then, of course, Zane had to practice his "to infinity and beyond" stance! The trunk or treat road was quite long and we ended up having to take turns carrying Logan and Gabby, while others ran ahead with Zane and Shelby who thought the "babies" were too slow. In the end, they had a great night and Zane has almost forgiven me for not getting mine and Jer's (Woody and Jesse) costumes ordered in time!!!

Logie is ready

I was talking to Dad the other day and he said to give him a minute, he was getting into the "office" or tractor to the non-farmer. Friday I was taking these pics and just uploaded them and was reminded of my dad, so dad this post is for you. Logie is ready to go to the office with you at any time. Until then he will continue to farm his bedroom floor!!

Logan Dale Turns 2

He all, I just wanted to post some pics of Logan's birthday party. We missed having our family there, but were very happy to get to share his special day with some very good friends. Logan was happy to be joined by his friends: Gabby, Shelby, Izzy, Patrick and of course Zane. Unfortunately he started feeling sick before his party, so he didn't enjoy himself as much as I wish he would have, but when his "Cowboy" cake came out he perked right up. He was very excited about picking the icing off and really dug his cake and ice cream. He was also a bit slow on getting started with the present opening, but once he got rolling he had a great time. He got some great trucks, blocks, cowboy shirts, and a really fun guitar; but he really lit up at the end when Mrs. Edith rolled in the GIANT Tonka truck!!! He loves to ride in it as well as filling it up with his other toys and taking them for rides. At the end of the day he and Gabby were having a great time creating great art and Logs took her for a ride on his cool bike while Zane and Shelby had a hula-hooping contest (Shelby crushed him!!) It was a great day!! Thanks friends for celebrating with us and HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LOGIE!!!!!!

Bad Durkheim

Around the first of September each year is the big grape harvesting time in the wine region of Germany near where our friends John and Brianne live. We met them in Bad Durkheim for their annual wine festival. Zane complained the whole way there because there would not be anything fun for kids to do there, but was settled a bit because his Aunt Jenni was with us. He soon figured out that he had been very wrong and was happy to spend most of the rest of the day riding the various carnival rides with whomever he could get to go with him (even Logie a time or 2). He got a great pic of some of the surrounding vineyards while spinning through the air above the town. There were many different kinds of food and wine to try. It was a great day, spent with great friends!!

Golf Lessons

I just wanted to upload a few pics from Zane's final golf lesson of the season. The next "Tiger" he isn't (yet), but he seemed to learn quite a lot and really enjoys playing. He informed me a few weeks ago while playing at Weisbaden that he'll probably be better at golf than me even before he out grows me (evidently he is planning on doing both very soon!!!). I'm going to have to take some lessons myself to be able to keep up with him!!

Zane: 1st day of 2nd grade

Here are some pics from Zane's first day of 2nd grade. We got there a bit early so the boys could play on the playground (and hopefully run off some energy so he won't get in trouble on his 1st day). He had to pose to show off his new OSU backpack and insisted on pushing Logan up to the lines. There he met his new teacher, Mrs. Ng, and head off to his classroom. I can't believe he is growing up so fast!!! Let's hope he has a great year!!

London: Day 3

Our last day in London was a short one, so we just left one big attraction for that day. We got up early, loaded our luggage on the bus, hit Starbucks and headed off for St. Paul's Cathedral. It is amazing and none of my pic do it justice. I couldn't even manage to get a pic of all of it from the outside. It is just too big. The dome is amazing. It is very tall and beautifully painted, but I was most impressed by all of the mosaics depicting Biblical scenes. They are made of millions of little pieces, but done so well that they look like paintings!!! Talk about artistry and craftmanship!!! We climbed up the 5oo some odd steps to the top of the dome and checked out the city from there. It is by far the best view of the entire city. Once we come down (completely worn out!!) we caught the tube to Picadilly Circus to find where we would catch the bus. After securing our location, thanks to a friendly local, we found a tavern to have lunch in. Our British friends made us promise to eat "real" English fare before leaving London. It wasn't open quite yet, so we hung out in the Rainforest Cafe for a bit and then hit the tavern for lunch. I ordered fish and chips as instructed and Jer had bangers and mash (Irish sausage and potatoes). The food was very good, but I'm not sure my arteries will ever be the same!!! After that we loaded up on the bus for a very long ride home, but it was well worth the trip!!!

London: Day 2 (afternoon/evening)

OK, so I am determined to get caught up on this blog and stay that way (we'll see). So, back to London. After our morning in the Tower we grabbed some lunch and then checked out some more sites. As we were crossing the Tower Bridge we took the tour. It started on one side of the river, went up 300 some odd steps, checked out the sites from the top and came down on the other side. From there you can go down below the bridge and check out the machinery used to raise the lower (road) level when they need to let bigger ships pass through. It is very impressive and massive machinery!!! From there we strolled up the wharf and crossed back across the Thames on the London Bridge. We checked out The Memorial that was built to remember the great fire of London that destroyed much of the city. From there we strolled a bit, crossed the Thames again and went to see Shakespeare's Globe theater. It is not the original theater, but is an exact replica built not far from where the original stood. The tour was very interesting, as was watching the workers prepare for a performance they were having that evening (which unfortunately was sold out). They wanted the recreation to be as close to the original as possible, so it is held together with 12,000 wooden pegs, has the thatched roof (with sprinklers for safety) and walls made of mud and goat hair. The original floor was made of crushed acorns, but too many people were allergic, so they replaced it with cement. It amazed me to learn that originally it cost only 1 cent to stand in front of the stage, 2 cents to sit in the seating and 3 cents to sit in the box seats (the beautifully painted boxes at the front surrounding the stage). It didn't make sense to me that the most expensive seats had the worst views, but evidently the people who sat there came to be seen, no to see. From there we strolled the wharf some more, then got ready and had a nice dinner out. Very good Italian food and some fabulous tiramisu!!!