Deutschland for Christmas

Pastries, eggs, cheeses, and hot cocoa! Perfection!

Last year we took a trip just before Christmas to Germany. We took full advantage of our free military flight there and are so glad we used the opportunity to go. We had never been to Germany, but had heard so many wonderful things about it. Once we got there we were in heaven! We stayed in base lodging and rented a car. The scenery was so perfect! It snowed every day we were there and the kids loved it. While we were there we visited the Mainz Christmas Market and drove through the various towns along the Rhine River. The Christmas markets were the best part of the trip. It was so nice to be in a country with Christian beliefs during the Christmas Season. We visited the BX every day we were there (6 days). The BX is so huge in comparison to our ridiculous one here at Incirlik. We enjoyed lots of German food as well as lots of McDonalds (unfortunately). We got some yummy Chinese at the BX food court. We have been having Chinese withdrawal since being here because nobody does it quite like we're used to here. Up until we left for this trip we weren't so sure we wanted to stay overseas for our next assignment...now we know we absolutely want to stay overseas and would love to go to Germany next! This vacation was a lot of fun and has given us memories we will never forget! We hope to go back before we move. Hopefully Christmas again!

The Mainz Cathedral was right in the middle of the Christmas market

Other than the cold, Lauren enjoyed shopping at the Christmas market 

 The Rhine River

 Joe enjoying an authentic bratwurst

 Downtown with all the beautiful snow

A view from above the Christmas market

Okay, I have a tendency to start posts and leave them in editing status for awhile. I started this back in December I think, but just realized I never posted. Some things have changed since then. We would love to stay overseas, but have decided to go back stateside for our next assignment while Joe is in tech school. We are going to try to go back overseas after our next assignment. which will hopefully be Florida. Joe's tech school is in Mississippi so if we get Florida we will be close enough to visit on the weekends. Joe is trying to switch career fields into something that doesn't have shift-work so he can be with us more. He couldn't see himself continuing in his current career field because of the demanding work schedule. He was also concerned with his opportunities outside the military with what he does now. He enjoys computers and is trying to change to a career field that gives him the opportunity to do what he loves. We still don't know where we are headed next, but will update once we do.

Indy 500 Visits Turkey!

 To celebrate Indy 500 Racing's 100th anniversary the Centennial Tour visited troops and their families all over the world. One of their stops was Incirlik, Turkey. I was so grateful to them for their visit. Being so far away from home, it felt good to see something the resembled where I am from. I mostly went for my dad, but it was also cool to see the only Indy racing legend I know, Mario Andretti. When I got home of course my dad knew all of them I mentioned...go figure!

  Davey Hamilton, Mario Andretti and Sarah Fisher

This man (I forgot his name) saw Nolan's Hoosier sweatshirt and took an interest in us. He helped us out by getting us free t-shirts and an already signed poster of all the racers. Turns out he was from Muncie. I wish I would have had more time to visit with him....and remember his name! Very nice man though!

Lauren signing her name and location on the banner

Proud to be a Hoosier! 

Joe's Graduation

The Happy Graduate!

(Actually he was laughing at me b/c for some reason my camera was

 being slow and wouldn't take the picture!)

Last October Joe graduated with his CCAF degree. CCAF stands for Community College of the Air Force. This is an associates degree that the Air Force has to applies credits from military training to be put towards a college degree. This can also be transferred directly into a bachelors degree. Using a program called AU-ABC, Joe can take this associates degree and start as a junior in college (having his first 2 years complete). This is a great opportunity that I am grateful the Air Force provides for us. He has plans to continue his education, but is still indecisive as to what area. Depending on what happens career wise in the next year will determine what he will pursue....more on that later. I am so proud of Joe for this accomplishment. Congratulations Joe!

Just before he walked across the stage

Joe receiving his diploma

Halloween 2010

This was at Joe's work. They had trick-or-treating at the passenger terminal

Lauren passing out candy

Lauren a bit under-dressed...Nolan having a great time!

Nolan was walking too slow so we turned around and grabbed his scooter. We ...huthum...I mean they probably got twice as much candy using the scooter in between  houses!

Our baby lion was all tuckered out...sucker in hand and all!

Owen's First Haircut

Owen was way overdue for his first haircut. I never imagined I would be the one giving it, but one day I just got this grand idea that I was going to give him a haircut and so here you have it. Not the best haircut I've ever seen, but it still looked cute. He has since had a professional haircut and it turned out much better. I watched how they cut his hair and am thinking I may give it another try using their technique. The greatest part about boy haircuts is that the hair grows back within a few weeks!

Washing

Before

During

After

Letters to Santa

This year we made lists to Santa to mail.

Dear Santa, 

I want a big mean shark and it is going to be a stuffed animal. Can I have some big rollerblades please? Santa, I miss you and your reindeers. And, I want some make-up.

                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                
                                                     

Dear Santa,

I want trains and train tracks.

                                   

                                    

Dear Santa,

I really like cars a lot. Can you give me some? I would love it.
                                                                                                     

Lauren helped write Owen's list. Nolan was straight and to the point! Lauren got two of the 3 things she asked for. Santa wasn't so sure about a big mean shark stuffed animal though. I don't think they were making those this year ; ) Owen does love cars and go lots of them! But, with older brother's trains, he seems to have grown an interest in those as well! Christmas was wonderful this year. Our family is so amazing. I love the intimate times that this time of year allows us to have together.


                                              

3 Birthdays.... 3 months!

Happy Birthday Lauren

August 21, 2005

Lauren had a great year. She has grown so much in the last year. She is learning a lot too. She was lucky enough to begin Kindergarten this year and is already reading and spelling really well. She is our princess. She enjoys helping mommy around the house and is a really great big sister. She is our sweetheart!

Our beautiful birthday girl

The girls were given different poses to follow...they had fun!

Lauren had a good turn out for her birthday party

Joe and Lauren made the cake. Lots of love went into that cake that's for sure!

I will never forget this cake. It has quite the story!

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Wilson!

Happy Birthday

Owen

September 8, 2009

Owen has crossed many milestones in the last year of course. He started walking the week of his birthday and has been into and on top of everything ever since. He is keeping us very busy that's for sure! Owen is still the happiest baby ever. He enjoys playing trains with Nolan now. He is good at connecting the tracks. What a big boy. It's amazing what can happen in such a short period of time!

Our happy boy loved his chocolate cake!

Lauren helping hang the birthday sign she and Nolan helped make for their brother

 The finished piece...Lauren and Nolan enjoyed adding their little

touches of creativity into each and every letter

My friend Jackie helped me make this. It turned out good!

The morning of Owen's birthday with Daddy!

Happy Birthday Nolan

October 24, 2007

Ever since we got to Turkey Nolan has been infatuated with trains. He was so excited to have a party. He is the last of the birthdays for the year and he could hardly stand it. He watched Lauren have her party, then Owen..and then he had to wait almost 2 months until it was his turn. It was a long 2 months, but he made it! He was so sweet on his birthday...everything he opened he was so happy to get! I can't belive this little guy is already 3. He accomplished a lot in the last year including learning how to ride his bike without training wheels! We're still working on that potty training thing, but we've got 3 more years until he starts kindergarten so we have some time! (I'm just kidding by the way!)

I found this fun train cake idea on howdini.com. It was fun to make and super easy!



Choo Choo!...



Thanks Grandma and Grandma Wilson for my train jammies!

So Im not sure why we planned our children the way we did, but we have all 3 of their birthdays each one month after another. Lauren's birthday is August 21st, Owen's is a couple weeks after on September 8th, and Nolan's is the following month on October 24th. In our minds I think we were set on having each of our children 2 years apart. We were happy that each of our kids have their own "birthday month," meaning they didn't have to share it with either of their siblings. But, it didn't take long to realize that having 3 birthdays right in a row can be very stressful! Next year it's going to be a big combined party at the community center...it's already decided!

Our Amazing Kiddos!

So to be honest, nothing great has been going on lately. I wish there were more going on as far as fun trips and exciting adventures, but so far, none of that! We are struggling to find trips that are affordable for all of us to go on. We would love to go some places, but with 3 young kids, it makes it a little bit more challenging. We WILL go!!! We are saving up for some really fun things coming up next year, but this year we are going to try to go on a few little trips. Im looking forward to what fun adventures our near future holds. So, until then I am posting random pictures of the kids to show how awesome they are! They are such great kids and we are so blessed for that. I realize everyday how much they are growing and it kills me! I want them to grow up for some obvious reasons, but it's also sad to know that they will never be this young again!

July 2010

So it appears that I am a little behind on my blog entries. So, Im cutting my losses and starting from this month. Nothing great has really happened in the past couple months anyways. The kids are doing great and growing up way too fast. I started a job about 3 months ago and am enjoying the time out of the house. I work Mon-Fri from 7:30-1:00 at the education center here on base. Joe works a lot of long hours, but gets 3 day weekends every week. It's nice to have that extra day to get away if we need to. Both Joe and I are in school for the summer semester leaving very little "extra" time....whatever that is! We are getting by, but don't think we will put ourselves through this again! Joe is going to take a break after this summer and I will only enroll in 1 course at a time from now on! I used to be able to do 3 or 4 at a time, but extra kids do make a difference! I think I only had Lauren when I would do that! Slowly but surely we will get there!

Our 4th (Really the 3rd) of July Get-A-Way

Karatas

We made it! (It's only a 40 min. drive)

The view coming in

What a beautiful view

Nolan conked out on the way to the beach

Lauren brought her friend Abby

Enjoying the perfect weather

Owen and Daddy

We stopped by a yummy restaurant on the way back

 

Independence Day 2010

Ooooo....ahhhh!

They got really dirty that night!

Nolan and Lauren have been sleeping together lately. I think it's so sweet!