Cologne (Köln), Germany

Friday, a few friends of mine planned on taking a trip up to Cologne (Köln) Germany. Even though two of the girls ended up not going, Andi and I still went. Its a relatively easy drive being less than 2 hours away. However, I still ended up getting a speeding ticket, or should I say will be getting a speeding ticket. They have cameras that take your picture if you are going to fast. I have yet to see one of those, but rarely do I ever speed so I might not notice them. This time, however, the speed limit was changing from 100 kph to 70 kph. Apparently I didn't slow down in time and I saw a HUGE red flash! I was only going 76 kph according to my GPS. I'll get the picture and a ticket in the mail in a couple of weeks. I hope I looked nice for the picture.

Anyhow, James was nice enough to take the day off so I could go without kids. It was a much needed day out and I had a blast with Andi.

For those that do not know, Cologne has one of the coolest Gothic Cathedrals that dates back to the 1200's but finally finished in 1880. During WWII Cologne was destroyed by more than 6 bombs but the Dom (Cathedral) happened to survive with very little damage. It is believe that the reason why the Dom was saved was because it was a navigational landmark by Allied aircraft raiding Germany. The Dom holds the Shrine of the Three Kings which was created in 1190. In 1864 the Shrine was opened and reveled bones and garments believed to be those of the Three Kings. Embedded in the interior of the wall are a pair of tablets on which are carved the provisions worked out by Archbishop Englebert (1262-1267) under which Jews were permitted to reside in Cologne.  The Dom is the most visited landmark in all of Germany.

The Dom is too big to get a picture of the whole thing. The gothic architect was unbelievable. 

This is one of the entry ways into the Dom. The doors are massive, but in the picture they look regular size. 

This is said to be the Three Kings. I didn't know this at the time, otherwise I would have gotten a better picture. 

The view from the very top of the Dom. Andi and I walked all the way to the top. Its a gorgeous view. 

Andi and I after walking up 433 steps up a stone, narrow spiral staircase. 

The 'bridge of love' or the lock bridge. 

I have SO many more pictures, but it takes forever to upload them. For some reason, its quick to add them to Facebook. Here is a link to the album there. I think this should work 

Cinco de Mayo Tournament

Two weekends ago was the Cinco de Mayo softball tournament here at Spangdahlem. 14 men's teams from all around Europe showed up, while we only had 4 teams (including ours) for the women's. While it rained ALL weekend long we still had a blast. The men's field was flooded, so they took over the women's field. We ended up playing at the field by the Middle School on base, which was super small. I think our team rocked this tournament taking second place. We lost against our rivals, Ramstein, who took first place this tournament. Here are a few pictures. Enjoy.

I had to smile for the camera

Getting ready to hit the ball

Me and Heather

Me and Kristen. I went to HS with her in Pearland. We only knew of each other then, had the same friends, but weren't friends ourselves. 

Happy Mother's Day

I know, a little late.

We had a very low-key weekend, which was nice for a change. We seem to be very busy people these days. We watched a few movies together, went for a really long hike around the area, and grilled some chicken.

This is the 'boothaus' down the road from us. You can rent kayaks, canoes, and paddle boats :D

Kylee's first T-Ball game and a weekend of Softball

Go Red Sox! Kylee played her first T-ball game on Saturday. Unfortunately it was rained out after the first inning. 

Waiting her turn to bat. 

Lets go Kylee! She hit the ball the first time. She's actually pretty good with hitting off a T. We bought her a nice t-ball set for practicing, but its ALWAYS raining so we haven't used it yet. 

Kylee running to first. 

Kylee waiting to run from third to home. Cloee (her best friend) is the one in pink. She's on Kylee's team, but Cloee had to field for the other team because they didn't have enough players at the start of the game. 

Kylee looks to be the only one with the correct 'ready' pose. Nice Job Kylee!

Its so cute that she knows what she's doing out there... at least she's ready for the ball.

James and I had a softball tournament a couple weekends ago. I had a one-day tournament in Sembach (about 70-80 minutes away from us). We only played two games. It was a lot of sitting and waiting. The tournament was really an 'umpires clinic' to help them learn all the rules. We did pretty well.

See, lots of sitting and waiting. Good times :D

The softball team. We don't have our real uniforms yet, but they are pretty awesome looking. Horrible picture quality by the way, someone else took these photos.

This is me :D Up to bat. I believe I hit a triple on this one 

James' tournament lasted 2 days. He had a intramural tournament on our base. His squadron did pretty well. They ended up playing 8 games and placed 4th or 5th out of 12 or so teams. Its was ridiculously cold, but hey, we are from Minot so we are used to it. Everyone was bundled up in their winter gear and wrapped in a blanket or two. 

Brrrr.... It is cold. 

If someone on James' team strikes out, they have to wear this pink skirt. This is Dan, one of our friends. His wife, Heather, also plays on my team.

James about to get a pretty awesome hit! 

I've created a monster...

But a cute one :) Kylee has been obsessed with American Girl for a while now. She is finally getting one for her birthday. We got a catalog in the mail the other day and I made the mistake of letting her look through it. Let's just say she has circled many MANY items for her wish list.

Speaking of Kylee and a wish list... Can you believe she will be SEVEN in less that two months?? Her birthday is sneaking up on us. At least I already bought her present and won't have to do shopping last minute.

She has a small list of ideas that she would like this year:
American Girl stuff
Books: The Magic Treehouse, the A-Z mysteries, Cam Jansen series. (She loves to read!) Anything about science and Nature.
Art stuff: paints, paper, brushes, etc.
Dresses
Monster high dolls

Kylee is a big book worm and a fan of anything artsy and crafty- so anything along those lines would make her day.

Yikes- I still can't believe she is going to be 7!

Cloth of Jesus in Trier, Germany

The cloth believed to be Jesus' seamless garment worn shortly before or during his crucification will be on display in Germany's oldest city, Trier from April 13th until May 13th. It is believed that this garment was brought to Trier (then an important Roman city) in the fourth century. It was built into the alter of a Trier Cathedral, and very rarely is it on display. It was only on display three separate times between 1900 and 1996. When it is on display it is a huge pilgrimage for Catholics.

Did I mention Trier is only 30 minutes away? Yes, we will be going to see it. We will probably take a train as I am assuming parking will be nearly impossible during those 4 weeks.

Nearly done with school

I took this semester off to transition the family to Germany. I didn't want to have to worry about finding a place to live, adapting to a different environment and having to worry about internet problems while finding a house. Good thing I took time off, because I only planned to be lacking internet for maybe a few weeks... not several months.

Anyhow, Summer semester is coming up and I had to enroll in a couple of classes. At first I wasn't looking forward to it, but now I'm excited. I enjoyed the time off but its time to get back into the groove. Plus, if I waited any longer to take another class I would have to start paying back some of those school loans... I'm trying to hold off as long as I can for that!

I originally thought I only had a couple more classes to complete until today when I looked at my student records. I only need 4 more mandatory classes, but the system is telling me I still need an additional 9 credits! Yikes! Thats three more classes, so I will still be able to graduate as planned (Spring 2013), but I was really looking forward to only two more semesters with light work, not full time. O well, it is what it is.

I also realized that my 'student teaching' I have to do for 12 weeks, is not student teaching after all. It is observing a classroom setting for 90 hours. I will have to plan a lesson and teach that to a class, but that is something I have already done multiple times. I was really confused as to why I had to 'student teach' for my bachelors (when its not a licensure program) and then student teach again for my masters (which I have to have to get my license). Thankfully, its not student teaching after all. I was really nervous about that because I know I am not ready to be a co-teacher. When I start my  masters (Fall 2013!) I will have to do co-teaching then, but I will be ready for it :D

I'm just so excited this will be my last year of school! I'm officially in my Senior year (although I was a senior last year, but didn't took things slower because of James' time in Korea and our move).

Anyhow, just wanted to let ya'll know I do not have Senioritis and will be going back to school in May :D