September 2009 Vacation to Glacier National Park, Montana

I've been meaning to post this for a while. During our trip to the States last September, we took the fifth wheel with Harmony's parents up to Glacier National Park for a few nights of camping and exploring. The landscape we encountered was amazing.

Our campsite near Salmon, Idaho.

Above: Keeping Jack entertained during the long hours in the truck.

The highlight of the trip was Glacier National Park. As you can see, the landscape was stunning!



We saw some mountain goats as we were hiking along a trail.

(L) Our campsite just outside of Glacier was at the end of this picture perfect lake. (R) Aaron hiked over to the edge of the shore by the island. (Zoom in to see.)

Jack had fun throwing rocks into the lake with Grandpa


This lake was by another campsite in Montana near Glacier National Park.
(by Aaron)

Aunt Susan's Visit

Aunt Susan, Uncle Dick, Sarah, and Elisabeth came up from their family vacation to Switzerland for a brief visit this week. We toured Burg Frankenstein and Schloss Auerbach, both of which are just outside of Darmstadt. Thank you for visiting!

(L) Posing in front of Schloss Auerbach; (R) Entering one of Auerbach's towers



Above: More pictures of Schloss Auerbach

(L) The ruins at Frankenstein's Castle; (R) Jack checking out the catapult
(This post created by Aaron)

Lucas

the drool-covered chin -- I see a top tooth coming shortly
Lucas is a very pleasant baby, even when Jack takes all his toys away.


He gets around the house quite well this way. He is almost crawling.

Pictures From Grandma's Visit

I was lucky enough to have my mom come keep me company for 10 days while Aaron is gone for a month (Aaron's trip was supposed to be 3 weeks, but was extended to 4.)

(L) Jack opening a package sent from Grandpa.

My biker boys!


(R) Love these open-mouthed baby kisses.

Shopping trip in Wiesbaden.

Flea market in Darmstadt -- This was my first time to a German flea market. I found out that anyone can set up a stand there, so one area was like a giant yard sale. In another area, people were selling new items and food. (R) Love all the fresh herbs.

Mom and I LOVED these hats. You can see that many of them are 1940's style (my favorite era). If I were a collector I would have bought the whole set.

(L) Jack can hold a lot of cars at one time. (R) Lucas enviously watching Jack eat french toast.

(L) Jack in front of our house. (R) Although I wasn't too happy when they started digging in the open field behind our house, this grocery store is the best thing that could have happened! That is our house just to the left.

Shopping trip in Darmstadt -- so nice to finally have a sunny day!


The boys watching Grandma get ready to leave. Jack is sitting on her suitcase.

Thanks for coming, Grandma! We loved having you.

Snowy Winter

We have had some really pretty snowfalls this winter, a lot more snow than last year. I've loved it.

This is Jack walking around our cul de sac.

(L) Lucas all warm and cozy. (R) This wasted space belongs to our house, but I love that beautiful gate. Our house is to the left. The gate leads to our back area where there is a swimming pool (that we've never used) but no grass.

To Aaron

"Lucky" Official Video With Colbie Caillat

Jason Mraz | MySpace Musikvideos

This song and video seem to fit our situation well (plus I really like it!). In our 5 1/2 years of marriage, we've been separated for a total of 1 year of it, counting all the trips and deployment. Many of these separations were for at least a month at a time, like the one we're in now. Then there was an additional year of separation before we were married. The video also shows 2 places Aaron and I have lived together, Europe and Hawaii. We've done a lot together. I am lucky to have Aaron in my life.

Aaron, Happy Valentine's Day! We miss you and can't wait to have you home again.