A Day of "Lasts"

Today was our last day living in Germany…the girls’ last day attending MIS and the last time we will see our friends before flying to the USA.  Thank you all for your friendships!  We will miss you all and look forward to planning the reunions Stateside!

 The girls with their closest friends and me, with mine:)

Since Elle's birthday is in one week, she celebrated early at her school today!

Elle and Britta with their teachers...we are definitely going to miss these amazing teachers!

Schwetzingen Schloss: Almost Two Years Later

Yesterday, in the midst of the packers and baking 57 cupcakes:), my friend Meredith and I took our girls to the Schwetzingen Schloss to take some pictures.  I had the girls’ pictures professionally taken at the same Schloss in August 2011, just 6 weeks after we moved to Germany.  I thought it would be special to take the girls’ pictures again, at the same location, just 2 days before moving back to the USA.  It was definitely special to look through both the old and new pictures tonight.  The girls’ appearances have definitely changed, but their personalities and abilities have only gotten bigger:)!!  It is such a blessing to be able to watch my children grow up!

Is there time for a carnival???

Our little town just never ceases to surprise me. Today, the girls and I were on our way to the park and ran into a carnival a mere four blocks from our house! Needless to say, we did not make it to the park this afternoon:)

A car just Elle's size!!!!!

Mini vs. Jag

This morning, Matt officially turned in (sold) his black minivan and had to pick up his rental for the week…a new Jaguar.  Does he miss his van? NO.  Did he take the long way into work this morning? YES.

Matt LOVES vehicles and thus, this has turned into the BEST.WEEK.EVER.  I am happy for him.  Matt works very hard for our family and he should be able to enjoy the autobahn in something other than a minivan that would start cutting out at 160km.

Tonight, we enjoyed our last date night in Germany.  And ironically, we ended at a restaurant that we found and ate at during our house-hunting trip in March 2011.  Only during our first visit, I was crying because we were not finding any homes that I felt safe to live in and tonight, I was filled with pride, happiness and excitement re: our return to the USA in just four days.  It is interesting how the things in life that we most often fear, end up being the most gratifying and fulfilling.

So needless to say, we enjoyed a good meal and BOTH enjoyed taking turns behind the wheels of our rental!!  IT.WAS.AWESOME!!  I FINALLY did not have to worry about getting a speeding ticket!  I truly will miss the Autobahn…not only are there areas where you can go whatever speed you feel comfortable driving at, but people actually know how to responsibly drive!!  They take it very seriously and it is a joy to drive on!  I am going to make sure that I set the cruise next week while driving on HWY-20 and I-35!!!