For the first 3 months here in Northwest Germany, we have had really really horrible weather. I was thinking I moved to Seattle, but in Germany!!! We have had lots and lots of rain with nothing but a minute of sun once in awhile. I was ready to move anywhere south in a hurry. Then out of no where, March 21st was here and we had SUN!! It was very strange that the first week of spring came and the rain went. Since this time, the cities around here have come alive. People are walking into town, kids are riding bikes, people are rollerblading..amazing, there ARE people here.

Well, since coming back from Michigan October 19th, we have been keeping busy with friends in Ye Old Lippstadt. There was the Herbstwoche Festival (celebrating the arrival of autumn) which was a lot of fun for the kids and the adults too. Jason has posted those pictures on this site. Addison went on a lot of roller coaster rides that would scare other normal 3-4 year olds. Kylie went on her share of little kid roller coasters. The food at this festival was your typical fare of brats, pommes and of course beer (apfel shorle for the kids).

We went to visit Jason's extended family in Nordhausen, Germany the weekend of the 8th. We stayed with Jason's 2nd cousin, Christian and his wife Connie. They were the nicest people I think I have met in Germany yet! They understand a bit more English than I understood their German. So needless to say, it was a "German Weekend" for me! Their children, Katja and Stephen we there too. Connie kept us fed so well the entire weekend; I wanted to get every recipe from her.

July was once of our biggest travel months so far! Whew...Denmark, Sweden, Hamburg, Munster and Berlin? When did all of this happen? We already added most of the pictures with the exception of Berlin.  Berlin's pictures should be up on the site in the next couple of days.

Once we landed at Helsingborg, Sweden we then had to drive down Sweden to our hotel at downtown Malmo. This only took 30 minutes if you can believe it. We checked in late; I of course went to a local "grocery store" and then we all went to sleep for a full day planned of sight seeing in Malmo on Saturday.

Well, we made it back alive and with some change in our pockets!

I was lying in bed and could not sleep so I thought I would start a wish list for the girls:

Addison: We have officially confirmed that Lippstadt does not have Tap or Ballet for 4 year olds. No dance wear will be needed. 

• Currently is a size 4T, next year = 5T ?
• Flash light for bed (kids)
• Roller blades (size 10)
• Gear for roller blading: knee pads, elbow pads
• My Little Pony
• LEGOs
• CD player for room
• light snow/winter pants for school

 Kylie:

We went to Hamburg this past weekend (June 27, 28,29th), it was a beautiful city! Hamburg is only 3 hours away from Lippstadt and completely worth the drive. We stayed in downtown Hamburg at the Marriott Hamburg. It was a bit pricey, but I guess that is pretty normal for the town. Once we checked in, we realized that the girls had never stayed at a hotel before.