Germany

We arrived in Germany in the middle of July after a long flight from Chicago. It was a nice smooth flight and each person had their own tv screen and choice of several shows to watch. It was hard trying to sleep on the plane so none of us did. We caught a ride from Dusseldorf with our sponser Maj. Deaton and went straight to down town Geilenkirchen. After checking in to our hotel, we promptly fell asleep. The 7 hour time difference and strange daylight hours took some getting used to. (in summer it starts to get dark around 8:30 PM) We booneyed around the town for the next few days and I have to say, it is cool. One bonus is the dogs can go almost anywhere with us. Into resteraunts, banks........it's neat for us and them! We stayed in the hotel for 30 days. That was a long 30 days! Very long considering we found a house in the first week. We moved into a little town called Waldfeucht in the middle of August. It is surrounded by fields and windtricity windmills. It is very pretty, but it looses some of its luster when they spread manure on the fields. (that happens a lot) Since summer, Josh has settled into his job quite nicely and the kids have setteled into school. I started working at the exchange on USAG Schinnen. (a little Army base about 30 minutes from our house) We are getting along quite well. We still miss everyone at home and the calling home is difficult (because of the time difference) but I think it is only gonna get better. We are planning lots of adventures since travel to so many different countries is SOOOOO easy! So look forward to many more innane blog updates.

Here are some pictures of our Family Adventure to Valkenburg. We actually set out for Aachen (oppisit direction) but in a true Tomchesson-Grizwald moment, ended up in Valkenburg instead. It is a neat little town in the Netherlands that has one of the oldest castle ruins in the country. It was also the only hill fort at the time. There were cool games to try including things like stilts and archery as well as horseshoes. At the foot of the castle is Velvet Caves. We have not had a chance to go there yet but plan on it when the weather warms up.

Germany Pictures - a bit out of order (sorry)

Horse and buggy driving down the main drag in town as seen from our hotel window.

Skye and Jax at a local park.

Josh with his Bittberger.....

The airport in Chicago......

On the airplane...9 hours and no naps!

The town of Geilinkirchen......