Castles of Turkey

 Kozan Castle

The Kozan Castle was built by the Assyrians according to the Adana brochure. Of strategic importance, it was later taken by Abbasids in the 9th century. In the 11th century the Seljuk took over, next came the crusaders and the Armenians. This castle was smaller and less in tact in comparison to others we have seen in the area. It's still amazing to see how in tact these historic ruins are after thousands of years.

 We went with our church group and had a really good time

This is enough to give any mom an instant heart attack! 

Kizkalesi
"Castle by the Sea"

The castle by the sea was originally built by the Romans as a sea gate. Various additions were made during the Byzantine era.The fortress is rectangular, and is made up of an outer and inner wall.

Just like most of the castles in Turkey, Kiz Kalesi has an interesting tale.One day a fortune teller told the king of Korykos ( the former name of Kiz Kalesi) that his sole and much-beloved daughter would be killed by a snake bite. In order to prevent that, the king built the castle in the sea and made his daughter live there. But even a king cannot change destiny. A snake brought onto the island in a basket of fruit bit his daughter, and she died. 

Lauren took this the first time we visited Kizkalesi

On the beach outside the castle

Walking on the south side of the castle gave us some breathtaking views

Lauren and Joe doing a rubbing of ancient carvings

This was my favorite view

Snake Castle
 The kids' favorite

These are some facts I found in wikipedia: Snake Castle (Yilankale) is a large medieval crusader castle located east of Adana in modern Turkey, built on a rocky hill overlooking the east bank of the Ceyhan river. Its medieval name is unknown - the "Castle of the Snakes" name is due to a Turkish legend in which it belongs to the king of the snakes (Youngs 1965).

The castle and its impressive towers are visible from the highway E5 from Adana to Iskenderun (about 133km away). Yılankale is one of many castles in the Adana area. It was built in the 11th or the 12th century, and was used by the Crusaders of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia. 

The view from behind the castle where you climb up

Over spring break Joe let Lauren and Nolan choose a place to go and this is what they wanted to do.
Climb Snake Castle!

Just behind Lauren was a huge drop off....very scary for a parent!

Joe reached the top! Good job!

This was taken over a year ago...Owen rock climbing!

Inside a much needed shady portion of the castle

Anavarza 
Formerly known as "Anavarzba"

This was a passage I found online about this particular picture at Anavarza:

"The Moslems of the region consider this as the crack cut by Hz. Ali and tell a legend about how the son-in-law of the Prophet pulled out his sword and made a crack in the rocks for himself and his horse when he was being pursued by the enemy. Leaving this legend aside, the fissure seems to be opened to allow for the road which went from Anazarbus to Flaviopolis (Kadirli) and Hieropolis (Kastabala during the Byzantine Period). The passage is 250 metres long and its width changes between 4-15 metres."

There were tombs all over that had been destroyed by numerous earthquakes including a severe earthquake recorded in 1945. Locals emptied valuables from tombs and used them for personal gain.
I just had to lie in one of those tombs...it was too tempting and I caved! I love how Lauren is smiling down at me! No remorse at all! 

This kid brought me flowers (probably wanting money for them) and tried to sell us these fake coins. We were warned that many locals will try to sell tourists fake antiques....and as you see...they tried! He carried them in an old cigarette box too...nice!

There were 3 gates to the castle grounds. This is the west gate.

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.