Sunday, October 29, 2017

W2 of Y4

Halloween

The Americans celebrated Halloween on Saturday this year.  Whitney went to the festivities with her friend, Georgia.


My little Gremlin
Family Photos

It's been a long time since we got Family photos (4-5 years!) So, we thought it was time.  
We found a photographer who did mini-sessions - literally 15 minute long sessions.  That sounded perfect for us.  
They rented this beautiful, historic Villa for an amazing background.  I can't wait to see the final pictures! 



The photographer had a table full of snacks for us while we waited for the family before us. 
It was ran so smoothly and stress free!

Ward Trunk or Treat

Our church had their own Halloween party. Jeremy was especially looking forward to the chili contest.  He chopped up some of our home grown ghost peppers into his homemade chili.  I was surprised to see that our crockpot was scraped clean!  I didn't realize so many people liked such spicy food!  You could tell the ones that ate our chili... they were all sweaty from the peppers! lol!







Whitney was making a homemade gum ball machine costume but ran out of "gum balls" so she refused to wear it. 
Aiden wore it instead!

Jeremy loves Halloween!
Primary Program 2017

This was my 3rd primary program since moving to Italy.  
I just love these kids!!  They did a great job!


Pumpkin carving

Pumpkin carving used to be full of tears and frustration (similar to gingerbread house making) but those days are over!  
The kids got creative and made their pumpkins their own!  







Before the week was over we finally gave these 2 a bath!!  So cute and white and fluffy!! :) 


Monday, October 23, 2017

W1 of Y4

And just like that we started our 4th year in Italy.... 

On the day of our 3 year anniversary in Italy, Connor started piano lessons with Francesco! :)
Spangdahlem, Germany

The last football game of the season was in Spangdahlem, Germany.  This is on the other side of Germany bordering Luxembourg.  So, I flew there with some other moms and brought Connor back with me on the plane.  

After a late flight after a long day we arrived to our hotel and sat down to this for dinner.  I was in heaven!

Unfortunately for my travel buddy... she was NOT in heaven.  She is 30 weeks pregnant and started feeling a UTI coming on as soon as we landed in Germany.  A few hours later and we were checking in here at the ER!

I'm very happy to report that we had a wonderful ER experience here!  In and out so quick and they were so nice!

The next morning she was all better!! :)
Side note: I LOVE German breakfast buffets!!

Vicenza vs. Spangdahlem #67
40-6 L

Warming up

Lineman drills

The line!





He looks like Superman in this picture.  Both of those kids were much bigger than Connor!



I did NOT like #87! >:(



Ya, we lost.  We got KILLED!  But these guys never gave up or gave less than 100% all the way to the end.  And when it was over - they were happy.  Happy because they know they played with integrity and grit during the entire season.  I am very proud of all of them!






I'm especially proud of this one!  He's improved a lot since last year! 
Vianden, Luxembourg

Our flight back home didn't leave until Sunday night so are group headed to Luxembourg after the game for some R&R! 

The Vianden Castle - one of the largest castles in Germany

Our hotel with the castle in the background

Just what these guys needed!


Always competing!

Dinner at the hotel


Schnitzel and Cordon Bleu

A little drizzly but still going to hike up to the castle!


Beautiful views of Vianden on our way up


I had so much fun with these two!


We all agreed that the top of the castle looked like Minecraft















These two demanded a picture to see who was taller
















Lots of pictures, I know!  But it was a really beautiful and charming town.  I'm so glad we got to see it in the fall with the changing colors! 
We stopped in Bitburg on the way back to the airport for lunch


Ooooohhhhhh how I miss German bakeries!!!!!!!

The absolute, by far, BEST potato soup I've ever had!

So-so pork medallions with mushroom sauce and spatzle

How to choose!!  I ended up with the mandarine orange cake.  It tasted as good as it looks!

The GPS took us through the most quaint, little, German villages on the way to the airport.  


*sigh* I miss Germany!