May Showers...and Flowers

Wow, can't believe it's been over two months since my last post! So much has happened. We are finally settled in our home in Gross-Gerau. Gideon just qualified for Europeans with the track team, Ammon has been practicing soccer with some friends here in our town, Ben is almost taller than Vince, Ephraim is having a great time in 2nd grade, Sophia can ride a bike without training wheels, and Noah is driving me batty! It's raining buckets right now. I guess my flowers need it. There are flowers everywhere, and I have planted boxes on my balcony, a hanging basket, and a small flowerbed by the front door. Last month we took the kids several fun places for spring break. We went to an old castle called Ronneberg for an Easter festival. We spent a couple of days in the walled city of Rothenberg, which I loved! We spent two days at Europa Park in Rust, and that was a ball! On the way home, we drove through the Black Forest, and bought three clocks in Titisee. Last weekend Vince and I took a USO trip with our friends Brady and Sarah Busby to Holland. The long bus ride in the middle of the night left something to be desired, but Holland was awesome! We stopped at a Cheese and Clogs factory for breakfast, and demonstrations on making cheese and wooden shoes. Bought some of each, of course. Then we spent several hours at Keukenhof Gardens, which was FABULOUS! It had been rainy, but was beautiful all day for us! I can't believe all the tulips. And there was an Orchid Festival going on. Very cool. I have a window full of orchids. It was so nice to have time with Vince and no kiddos. I am currently planning a trip to Poland with a couple of friends in June. Can't wait! So much to do and see. We love Europe. We're taking a couple of day trips next weekend, to France and wherever we decide. Oh, I forgot something important! Vince finished his hunting course, and last Sunday he was "knighted" as a Hunter. Very big deal in Germany, and for Vince. Enjoy the photos!