In limbo...

okay-little travel update for our faithful readers-
we're still in Germany.
We've been trying to get out since Thursday, and, ALMOST actually got on a plane last night...until it was recalled for being overweight.

I can't go into details for opsec reasons, but, folks we really are trying to get back.
We really are.
however...after 3 consecutive wake-up calls at 3:45, the option to go to Hawaii is looking REALLY good-I can't lie!

I'm already dreaming of sandy white beaches...a cocktail with an umbrellla...stuffing my pastey white (and 5 pounds larger) body into last year's bikini...
tempting.
very, very tempting!

Keep fingers and toes crossed for us...we need all that we can get!
umarmen und lieben,
essie

in the mail

yesterday was spent...at the post office.

I sent this minus two other boxes not yet ready for their photo op to the states.

it's all gummie candy folks...lots and lots of gummies.

then, I sent this, out to arkansas, where the cd birthday-scrapbook experiment BEGINS!

inside there is a little of this and some of this

that's all I'm willing to show, because I want arkansas and the states to be surprised when it gets to them. I can't wait to get it back...whenever that happens!

we're off tomorrow to start out journey back to the states for a family/friend trip home...so it might be a while until I blog again...the weather in Germany is beautiful, HOT, and calling me outdoors-

umarmen und lieben, all!
essie

twelve

our baby girl is twelve...
our baby girl is twelve in Germany...
now all three of our Kinder have turned another year older...
in Germany.

Never in my wildest dreams could I ever have imagined that we would live in Europe.
As long as I live, this will have to be an experience that rates seriously high in the lifetime achievement award category for opportunites parents give their children!

I promised to update, and update I will, but first thing this birthday morning...how about a little Doodle-Bug love?!

Umarmen und lieben!
essie
ps-Rahn, you gave us ALL the momma of bday giftness when I opened your email to read that YOU ARE COMING TO GERMANY IN AUGUST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Girl, YOU ROCK, and the festivities are being planned as I type!
pps-*e* you crack me up! J-rod TOTALLY needs to be kicking the ball, and wiping hair out of his eyes, here with us! Tell Mr. Nestle to get his act together and "move that Colin" to DE!

And now...some unapproved by the subject, snaps of our girlie in Deutschland

Dollie and Sky trying on the groovy '80's style DISCO stretch pants that are COMING BACK in style over here...


















Sky, Dollie, and Ruthie right before we went into the park at Tripsdrill


















Ben, Dollie, Ruthie, and Klein Ruthie















Lea and Dollie New Year's 2007



















Pres, Dollie, and Ben on Ben's Bday. (She will HATE this one bc her hair is wet...whoops!)

















Ruthie, Dollie, and Lea

the ides of June

And one day, I wake up, to realize that
school is over-
I'm the mother of a HIGH SCHOOLER-
I don't have to wake up at 5:30 if I don't want to-
I've managed to "stress away" the last 3 weeks.

not good...

Side bar:
TODAY is my baby brother's birthday!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY DUNCAN
We hope you celebrated SOMEHOW-SOMEWAY-SOMEWHERE with mom, dad, and angus.
Birthdays are for celebrating DA, and your lot in life is to be part of a family that adores you.
So, deal.
(Your gift should be there tomorrow!)

Soccer ended for the boylies.

Ben had a great season and I made this for his team "Optimous Lime"

not exactly claiming to be Julia Child, BUT, I did manage to dye the cupcake batter a putrid lime green to match the kids team color!



go, ME!



Preston had an amazing season; his first soccer season since 1st grade, thanks to years and years of football. We're waiting on his end of year team party, he's ready to turn in the purple jersey, but it was phenominal feeling, watching him attack the ball!

Preston ALSO had his 8th grade formal.
Note to self: "Self, it's time to get your son a SUIT...and possibly a haircut."



Dollie took up HULA-and hold your breath-SHE'S AWESOME.
(that's her, 2nd from the right)


We're not too sure we're 100% psyched about the serious hip and booty shaking that she has mastered, but, we're proud of her for trying something SO out of her comfort zone and finding out that she's good at it!




Last week I got this in the mail





all the scrappy love a girl could ask for, and then more.

*e* managed to send me WAAAY too much fantastic paper and scraping goodness, making me love her even more than I normally do, and while the kinder and I went through everything, I found a baggie with 5 purple plastic wrist thingys...one for each of us
A memory of Alex.
I read the band, and, smiled.
Erika and Gabby-you have done your sister and her memory proud.
Preston and, his wonder-twin Kevin, and Dollie listened as I told Kevin her story and then all put on a bracelet...which they have yet to take off.
"Eat 2 Live 2 Run 4 Alex"

Erika, huge hugs and SO much love, what you sent has made all the difference in my birthday cd experiment (coming to you first, so get ready!) AND Dollie has been bitten by the scrapping bug and is taking everything that I can't hide first-seriously!

Folks, there is more to add, but the bed is calling me-
I'm terribly aware of how neglectful I've been to this poor blog 'o mine...
tomorrow part II, I promise, with even more pictures!

umarmen und lieben!
essie