Germany Part 1

I first have to start by saying wow, I never thought I would ever get the chance to do something like this. I know now that we will be going again (not with kids) in the future, not soon in the future but we will. There were a couple times during our trip where Clayton and I would ask each other if we could just move there. Clayton planned it out where I would home school the kids and he would work for the local farmer, and by local I truly mean local. You could smell the farm smell from the heart of any little village you where in. It was so serene and quiet, at least when we were in the country. In the big cities it was chaotic.

 

On the plane ready to go

Our view out our bedroom window.

 

Okay well I guess I should start telling you about our stay over there. We arrived in Frankfurt at about 7am on 2/11/14 and were at Jason's house by about 930am (I could be wrong, this was the point where I never knew what time it was). That Tuesday we took it easy, we relaxed as much as we could but we needed some things from the base so Jason also showed us around. And we went to dinner at  "Bei Gianni". The owner of the establishment, Gianni, is awesome!! Very friendly and treats you like family. At the end when we were paying he looked at Jason and said, "What you no pay for your sister?" Jason responded, "No she can pay for herself." Gianni's response (and I do apologize for the language but I am quoting) "You mother fucker". We also met Jason's friends, Colleen, Taz, Chris, and Melissa. All very good company.

 

 

 

The next day we went to Trier and almost got lost right away when Jason missed a turn (and yes Jason I will be dogging your driving habits along the way, its my right ;)  ). We found the parking garage and started our venture to the Porta Nigra or 'Black Gate'. It was apparently named something else but its original Roman name was not recorded. This old city gate was turned into a two story church by Bishop Poppo in honor of hermit Simeon who had made the building his home in the 11th century and as a result saved it from being torn down for building materials. Around 200 year ago during the French rule was when it was transferred to state ownership.

 

Just a blocked off portion that yup I was to scared to go any nearer than this.

Some writing

The inside

Looking out the Porta Nigra you get a good view of Trier

A cathedral that I meant to have us go look for but after lunch I forgot.

 

There is a lot of architecture all over Germany and not just in its buildings.

 

This was in the middle of the square of the shopping district we were in in Trier.

My view during the road trips

Got him a motorcycle for the car although it didn't help and ended up never traveling with us.

 

Well now is the reason why I named this blog Part 1. Instead of making one long blog that everyone will get tired of reading and just glance at the photos really quick I'm breaking them up by days I believe. This one might be the shortest though don't quote me on that. But I thought Id get my posts started since I wont be getting to it this weekend and I've already made everyone wait 3 or 4 days, jet lag is still getting to me some how. Oh well I hope you enjoyed part one at least. This is going to help me re-live a good time and I'm excited to finally share it with you.



No cavities!!

Wow this appointment could not have gone better. I was dreading Preston's first dentist appt and put it off for a couple months after finding a pediatric dentist. Brianna's first appt she screamed through. Granted it helped that she screamed cause her mouth was open but still, it makes the kids think trauma then when mommy and daddy say dentist. But Preston did not scream or even whine today at his first dentist visit. 

They have TVs for the kids to watch while everything is going on and they make a big deal about no cavities. Just like any other dentist makes a big deal about no cavities but instead of saying what could happen and scaring the kids the make no cavities a positive thing and take pictures of the kids and put it on the no cavity wall and put their name in the flathead beacon. So guess what Preston will be "famous" lol no cavities for this man :)

Preston didn't lay hear when his teeth were getting looked at but he liked sitting up there.

Oops it's sideways but this is his view while sitting in the chair.

Congratulations Preston for being a good boy at the dentist!!!

What a YEAR

Wow what a year. From learning that my Grandmother has lung cancer to my dads less than a month old car broke down while on their way to Spokane. Id say we had a tough 2013. And I will add in really quick that while yes the driver stopped (2 to 3 feet away) our 2014 almost started out just as good by my dad almost getting ran over on our way to the car from Starbucks. The exact statement that went through my head when I didn't think the car was going to stop was "And here is 2014", made my mom and dad laugh.

 

 

While Grandma, or GG, is still not out of the woods with cancer, I can proudly say she is still with us. She is in progress with a new treatment and as far as I know things are going well. For me as long as she's still breathing she is doing well.

 

 Of course only a couple of months after learning Grandma had cancer (excuse my language but) shit hit the bricks again. The Boston Marathon was bombed and my family sat in terrible silence waiting for news after learning that Adam and Adrianne had been 5 feet away from the 2nd explosion. Just thinking about that day makes me well up and get a dry throat.

 

 

 

Their drive is amazing and they have gotten to meet some amazing people. From cookie monster to Barbara Walters. They are still healing but their attitude has helped others come over some of the difficulties in having disabilities. They are definitely an inspiration. Adam made a trip to Missoula and spoke to St. Joseph school and thanked them for their fund raiser that would help the marathon survivors. Adrianne has made a couple of different speeches, the one that is in my head right now is the one where she thanked the wonderful doctors that she has worked with.

While they are both still in recovery, Adrianne's recovery was more of a process than Adams but was quicker than most of us thought it was going to be. But being a dancer she was in great physical shape. One thing again that we can be thankful for and look at the positive, they are both alive and thriving.

 

Brianna did her first dance recital and was amazing!!!

The Davis family was altogether in Missoula for the first time in about 10 years!

 

Preston and I went on a vacation that was needed to get away for awhile of all the stress of 2013 even though it was only half over.

My baby girl is not a baby anymore and started Preschool this year which she absolutely loves and I'm sure the love will continue into Kindergarten in August of this 2014.

2013 I had some medical issues that are cleared up now. Jason learned he has our mothers thyroid and will be keeping an eye on it and doing what he needs to do. Preston turned one, Brianna turned five. My mom and dad got into a car accident which totaled out their 2003 Hyundai Santa Fe, and made them turn their 5 more years before getting a new car plan into a get a new car right now instead plan. My moms Aunt Kay passed away. Id say we are all happy that 2013 is over and hope that 2014 at least takes it easy on us with no more tragedies.

 

Now I stopped making New Years resolutions a couple of years ago, but I will say I have plans in 2014. This February Clayton, Preston and I will be flying to Germany where Jason lives and spend a week with him. I am excited for this not just because its getting over seas and being somewhere where Ive never been but because it is Clayton and I's first vacation together and my husband has yet to meet either of my brothers. One down at least.

Also this year we are planning and will be working on the last addition to our family. Cant wait to feel all the little kicks and have the anxiety of wanting it out and finding out what it is, even the things I'm not looking forward to I'm looking forward to.

And believe it or not even though I am hoping to have a bun in the oven by that time, I will be running again in the Missoula marathon 5k (2015 will be the half marathon) and I will be running in the color runs kaleidoscope run. I want to be able to eat what I want and stay in shape through the next pregnancy that way it doesn't take me a year to lose the weight again. I'm still not used to be as skinny as I am now but never want to be as heavy as I was.

2014 is full of possibilities and I know I am going to take full advantage and will have a better attitude (or try) about everything.

We rang in the new with Legos, board games, and wine. Oh and can't forget the snicker doodles. 

The winner of pretty pretty princess!

Played it New Year's Day but I wooped their butts bankrupting my dad first.

Two wines and remote bring in 2014.

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!!!

Chritstmas 2013

AHH Christmas. The greatest time of the year, or at least it should be haha. I will be depressing for just a moment so bare with me. Clayton left for work mid day and I didn't have Brianna this year. Because of these two things though we did have early Christmas celebrations which were great.

The weekend before Clayton, Preston, and I went down to Missoula to have our Christmas with Brianna, and of course with Grandpa Scott and Grandma B. With a nice surprise of Grandma Cindy tagging along, although the reason she came down was not a rather good one (will not discuss due to privacy and feelings as of right now).

And we officially celebrated Christmas on Christmas Eve. We could've waited to open all gifts on Christmas day but I decided I wanted to let Clayton enjoy Preston for the entire day instead of just the morning. So on Christmas Eve we opened our gifts which a couple turned out to be really good considering we led each other on about a couple. Clayton and I are going for a country theme in our house (which is no surprise to those that know us) I was really excited when I found bedroom lamps at the store that I had pictured in my mind. They are deer antlers posed up around a pole to the light bulb. I got them and then let slip out that I got us lamps, so I told him that I was going European country in our bedroom and that they were Eiffel tower lamps. HE BELIEVED ME!!!!!  When he opened the deer antler lamps he continued to call me a poop head for lack of better words. And his gift to me he kept saying was breakable. I didn't want anything breakable nor did I need anything breakable, so I was kinda disappointed, I kept hinting for a purse. Low and behold I opened up a huggies box to reveal a purse. I was a happy girl.

After we did our Christmas and let Preston have a good nap we proceeded to head to Papa and Grandma Cindys house to spend the holiday with them.

 

 

Happy Holidays from the Schmidlings :)

 

Did I get a "skipper" more for her or for me?!?!?!?!?!?

 

Such a happy little guy

 

 

 Couldn't wait to hop on and take it for a spin.

 

What this girl doesn't need is more Barbies, which she pretty much told me when she asked if she could take them to her dads house cause she has enough at my house. I told her lets wait and see what Santa brings to her dads house and then based on that some barbies and venture to her dads.

 

I got a bike. I cant reach the floor yet but I got a balance bike and I wanna goooo.

 

This little guy decided it was funner to open presents at Papa Wills and Grandma Cindys in just his diaper.

Doing the daddy thing and putting together the big wagon.

 

Well folks this year is almost over and for anyone staying tuned into our family this year will know it has been a bleepedy long year. I am looking forward to this next year so much. But the plans will be told in my next post. Since it deals with New Years. Christmas is still not quite over and I have a packages I need to send out and a couple of holiday cards to send out. As much present shopping on the ball I was I was not on the ball with mailing things out.  And some gifts were opened unfinished so in the next couple weeks the plan is to "finish" them. One gift in particular will take a while to finish since its a collage picture frame and I am very picky for some reason not adding to much of some photos and wanting more of others, I've already switched them around and out with others. I never seem to be happy or maybe its just something to keep me slightly busy. I feel like I am rambling now so MERRY CHRISTMAS to all and to all a good night. Enjoy the rest of your year and I am going to try!!!!! 

Thanksgiving 2013

I know this is coming a little late but better late than never.

This year we celebrated Thanksgiving twice. Once with the Schmidling's and once with the Davis'.

 

Since Clayton left the day before Thanksgiving and Papa usually works Thanksgiving we had the Schmidling Thanksgiving on Monday 11/25. Had all the goodies. Turkey, rolls, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, and of course pumpkin cheesecake.

mmmmmmmmmmm!!!

Nothing left.

Grandma stuffed.

 

 

 

Then on Wednesday I took Preston down to Missoula to have Thanksgiving with the Davis', we got Bri for Wednesday night and Thursday morning. And of course some kind of tragedy had to strike, Grandma B had to slice her finger while cleaning some EXTREMELY sharp blades and I took her to the ER for 4 stitches.

Grandma let Brianna decorate her 24hr wrap.

Theses two kids... love them!

Bri was a little to close to the camera.

Someone wanted his turkey NOW!

 

Another delicious feast