Mysterious Morning

We had quite the morning this morning. I was late getting off to church. Jared is sick so I let him sleep while I got me and the girls ready. Then I remembered that Alicia's carseat was in her Uncle Richy's car and they had already left for church. So it was decided that she would stay with her dad.

While I was getting everything ready I had to go downstairs to the dryer to get Anne's dress. I looked out and noticed lots of snow on the car, but it wasn't smooth like freshly fallen snow is. I thought that was odd, but thought nothing else about it. Back in the apartment I noticed a couple times a very loud strange noise. It sounded like an earthquake, but without the accompaning shaking and distress. I wondered what it was but couldn't figure it out.

I was loading the car with all the bags and Anne, when I finally solved the mystery of all these strange things. These pictures are proof of the crime and the perpetrator.This shows the car with all the oddly placed snow, all of the snow around the car was disturbed too.

The first indication that something was seriously wrong was when I looked at the windshield as I loaded the back. I noticed that it looked really strange. At first I thought it was the snow, but then realized it was the glass and as I looked further I noticed that it was shattered and almost completley caved in.

I thought it must have been some sort of vandalism, because of the way the snow looked...like someone purposely threw it on there and broke the glass. I quickly realized that was impossible. Then it finally occured to me. It must have come from the roof. So I looked up and sure enough there was a spot right above the car that had no snow. This shows you where the snow fell from and how far it fell. Just to the left of the gabled window. No wonder it did so much damage. This is the windshield. Looks great, huh? As we were removing the snow we found that it was combination of heavy, wet snow and thick ice. All of this falling off the roof was the strange sound I heard during the morning.

This is what it did the the top of the car. The hood also has a small dent.

Our poor Betty (that is the car's name) being taken away. We will have to se how much all this is going to cost and how much the insurance will pay.

All Things Random

I have been collecting all these pictures since we had to get our computer repaired last week. Now it is back so here is the collection of them. Enjoy the randomness.

The other day Alicia was at Gma and Gpa Dautel's house. I found Anne like this at one point. I think she was lonely and really missed her best friend, Alicia.

I put the girls in the shower this morning. When I got in after this is what I found. Anne is just as meticulous and organizer as her dad.

Uncle Richy had a lot of fun the other night getting the girls all dressed up in these dishtowels. Anne looks like a gypsie to me and Alicia looks like she is wearing a loin cloth.

The girls and I went on a walk yesterday. Because of all the snow we have gotten the last couple days there wasn't enough room on the sidewalk for the girls to walk next to the stroller. So I had them walk in front of me. This picture shows how much these girls love each other and what best friends they are.

Valentine's Day!!

Our computer was being repaired so I couldn't put any update up on our comings and goings. I got it back this morning so here is the information overload.

I wanted to put something up about our Valentine's Day. Of course you already know about Anne's party on that day. Well, after that Gpa Dautel offered to take care of the girls so Jared and I could get out for a bit to celebrate the Valentines. We got a late start so were a little limited on what we could, this being Germany and everything closing at 8pm. Jared knows that I love American pizza (we have the Italian style here that frankly just doesn't compare). So he decided that we should go to Pizza Hut.

We went to the one closest to us in Nürnberg, but after standing at the door for 10 minutes with not even having my presence acknowledged by anyone at all I decided that they didn't deserve my business. Thus, we drove to the next closest one and got some there. We brought it home and watched a movie we had rented. Loved the movie and the pizza and the company was the best part of the whole day.
Earlier in the day Jared gave me these gorgeous flowers. Jared knows that gerber daisies are my favorite flower and these particular roses are my favorite roses. My wedding bouquet had these roses and deep red gerber daisies. What a sweet husband I have.

Anne got these flowers sent to her in the mail by her Aunt Rike. She is so spoiled. I love that I can reuse the pot once they die.

Where does the time go?

I wanted to put a picture of Anne from her birth up with all these, but it is on another computer. So I will add it later. Yesterday was a special day for many reasons. Of course the one all know is that it is Valentine's Day. But 3 years ago we had a very special valentine's gift...Anne was born at 4:15 in the morning. It has been quite the 3 years with this little girl. We have spent alot of time disciplining, teaching, hugging and most of all laughing with this very special girl.

Because Aunt Rike left the day before Anne's b-day for America she had a special mini party for Anne. These 2 girls have formed the most amazing relationship. At times I have wondered if maybe she even loves her Aunt Rike more than us. Rike found this really cute book about a butterfly named Beate. It has beautiful pictures that sparkle. Both girls were just fascinated by it.

Aunt Rike even got her a mini "cake" with candles that she could blow out.
Then this is what happened yesterday on her actual b-day...she and her sisters are sick with bad coughs and fevers. Doesn't look fun, huh! But she did get a phone call from her great-grandma Dautel. She is lucky to be able to talk to her so much on the phone. I hope she is able to remember these things. We decided to forego the big b-day meal of Cordon Bleu and Fries (we figured since fries are her favorite we would make something that goes with it), until she is feeling better. We just had a short celebration with her cake (since it was already defrosted) and her presents.

I decided a couple b-days ago that I just don't have the time or creativity to make fancy homemade cakes for my kids. I love the ones that others make and wish I could. But I am learning what my limitations are and improvising. So we buy these beautiful store-bought ones. And since I like being able imediately know which b-day it is when I look at a picture I use the number candles. So there is never any doubt. This year Anne's cake came with 3 cute Disney character candles, so we put those on with it. I must be doing something right with my kids, cuz both Anne and Alicia love Disney!!! They must be my daughteres.Here is the Birhtday Girl with her cake and presents. The ones on the left are from Gma and Gpa Dautel and the ones on the right are from her dad and I.The presents came first. Here are all her gifts. Jared and I gave her the dresses (she desperately needed them) and the DVD. Nothing huge, we had to buy her a new carseat right after Katie was born, so I guess that counts as one too. Gma and Gpa got her the bubbles, punching balloon and the matress. The matress is so she can have sleep-overs at their house and be comfortable.It took a couple attempts but finally the candles were all blown out. This is the part of b-days that she talks about the most.She even got to cut the cake...with Daddy's help. It tasted wonderful!!!

Inspiration

I love inspirational stories, especially those about people who overcome their weaknesses and find out their true worth. This is one of my favorites.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k08yxu57NA

Day in the Life of Katie

I thought it would be fun to show you what Katie's life is like.

She becomes more and more curious about her world each day. She loves her swing and has the most beautiful eyes

I feel like I spend my whole day changing diapers. Here is the size comparison. Her bum is even a little small for hers right now.

My mom sent this bunny to Katie with some other things in the mail. I had it out of the package for literally a few seconds, turned my back and it was gone. I found Annie with it in her arms, watching a movie. Then she strapped it into Katie's swing.

We have a picture of Annie doing the same thing at the same age. When I find it, I will post it. She looks worried about something. I just can't figure out what it is.

Going Public

So, Jared convinced me to open up our blog again. I have to admit I am a bit nervous about this, because I don't like having just anyone being able to look at it and seeing everything about our family. But I guess if I am careful what information I put up then it shouldn't be a problem. This will also allow all our family and friends to again more easily access the blog and this is one of the main reasons I do the blog. I will be sending out an email informing everyone about the change, so you can look at it more easily.