Skiing in Winterberg

Hi

Over half term we went skiing in Winterberg, Germany. It's only a 3 hour drive from our house so we left on the Tuesday returning on the Friday. When you get nearer to Winterberg it becomes very pretty, a good place to explore in the summer too. The resort we were staying in was on the outskirts of Winterberg itself. We were in a one bed self catering appartment. On site was a ski rental shop, a retaurant and a spa with large indoor pool plus 2 hot tubs outside on the terrace over looking the town. The restaurant did buffet nights that were themed so we ate there 2 of the nights and were extremely impressed, mainly that we didn't need to try and translate, not many of the Germans will speak English to us. Allen has now got Google translate on his ITouch which gets frequently used when we are out and about.

I think we have turned into American ski snobs as I was not keen here, I knew it would be small as it was very cheap. The snow was very sticky so if we go here again it'll need to be earlier in the season. A lot of parents seemed to leave their children on their own, I picked up quite a few kids that had tumbled and there was no adult around to help them. We did have a good time and the kids went on the only black run with ease, they are both now faster than me! Watch out Cameron and Finn - we are skiing/snow boarding together with Allen's family at Christmas in the Chamonix area.

I have added a photo from the week, it features Barnaby Bear too as Abi had him for a school project over that week - didn't take many as it wasn't that pretty!

Rachael.

Carnival

Hi

It's been a week of Carnival celebrations out here. I was teaching 4 days and there were lots of activities at school. There were different themes each day, National colours, National dress, face painting and dress up day. Abi had a variety of face paints this week, she made us late everyday! I've included photos from the different days. She also had a fun day at gymnastics, she went as a skeleton. Jacob was a cowboy for school , Abi a witch and me a clown.

They have both started swimming lessons this week. They are going 2 sessions a week so it was a busy old week, especially as I was working.

We went to the Carnival parade in Sittard on Sunday, we walked in with a family we know from school and work. Abi had great fun as Haley is her age. Monday we went into our village, Munstergeleen, for their Carnival parade. I have to say I prefered the village one. The weather was great for both and the kids came back with loads of sweets that were thrown from the floats.

Off to Winterberg, Germany, skiing tomorrow. Looking forward to the break away. Have chosen a place with an indoor pool in case there is no snow, or it's wet!

Rachael.

More Scouts

Hi

Seemed to spend a lot of the weekend doing Scout things. Saturday we went onto the American base nearby to visit the community bank. They learned some new information about banking and came away clutching more tat! I've included a photo of them in their uniforms.

The weather has been wet this weekend so after Abi's gymnastics we did our normal stop off at the garden centre for a late breakfast and for the kids to play. After the bank visit we stopped off at Ikea, again for the play area and a quiet coffee for us! Then it was off to a retirement party in a local village. A lady from Allen's office was leaving the American Airforce. We're buying their old BMW off them when they go at the end of March. It was a good do but the cafe/bar that it was held in was a smoking place so we all had to have showers when we got home.

Sunday was wet again so I had to take Jacob and Abi off to a Scout Sunday service at the church on base. I thought it would be a child friendly service but it was dull and boring. Jacob and Abi were very well behaved - they coped better than me! I've included a photo of them joining in with the singing at the front of the church.

So I worked 4 days this week, more than I thought I was going to. Allen had Friday off and we were meant to be exploring Achen together. Unfortunately I was called into school so Allen had a day at home to himself and I was very busy at school! After school there was a curry night on base so we went along and had a chat and a very nice home made curry while the kids had pizza.

It's Culture Week at school this coming week - a run up to Carnival. Lots of activities going on and different things to wear each day. Tomorrow it's National colours, so we're off to school in red, white and blue! I'm working 4 days again so a hectic week. Abi starts swimming lessons, she's having 2 a week so we'll see how that goes. Half term coming soon - can't wait.

Rachael.

Another playplace

Hi

Allen had to go to some military church thing today so, as it was rather cold out, Jacob, Abi and me went to an indoor playplace we've not tried yet. We got 2 euros off a person as we've joined Monde Verde - the outdoor place we went to last week. I took plently of snacks and nagazines too. One of the nieghbours came back from the UK yesterday and brought me 6 magazines so I was well prepared for 4 hours of them playing. Jacob and Abi would have stayed there until it shut! I have included a variety of photo from today. No doubt we will be visiting this play place again.

Working tomorrow but that's all so far. Daisy Scouts is Sing-a-long patch so that could be entertaining! Hoping to start my pilates DVD this week, need to do something to shape up.

Hope all's well

Rachael.

Daisy's and other bits.

Hi

Have been busy teaching over the past few weeks. Good fun. We have also been doing lots with Daisy Scouts. It's cookie selling season here so Abi and I went onto the American base and sold Girl Scout cookies. We then went to the neighbours and sold lots to them. I have included a photo of Abi in her Daisy Scout uniform having just received 5 patches including a cookie sales one. She's loving Daisy's. Jacob's doing well with cubs too, he's nearly completed all of the tasks to his main award. We are starting to work on his Pinewood Derby car, an American car challenge that's been going for years in America.

At the weekend we went to Monde Verde, a local attraction that we have bought a years membership to. We took Allen's mum there when she visited. I've included a photo of them feeding fish, climbing a tall play thing and Abi on a roller coaster.

Allen's been in the Hague this week and is off to Germany tomorrow for the night. I'm only teaching 2 days this week which is perfect. Selling more cookies at school tomorrow. Will be cookied out soon. If any friends and family want any cookies let me know!

Rachael.

Allen's 40th Birthday

Hi

A month late but at least I'm getting it done! My excuse is good though, since we've been back in Holland, I have worked a lot at school. My clearances finally came through on the last day of the December term so I can now so supply teaching, but only for the British teachers. Saying that I have worked 15 days, having said no to 2 days. I have really enjoyed being back in the classroom and have been in nursery to year 6, never bored! Anyway, back to Allen's 40th.

We flew in from Denver, landing on the 29th December. Dad picked us up from Heathrow and we headed back to Holwell spending lots of the day opening presents, meeting up with friends and family and doing a tad of shopping! The kids were on a strange timetable, sleeping in until 10.30 in the morning but staying up late too. For Allen's birthday we started with cake in the morning and then Allen and I went into London for a relaxing lunch at Yo Sushi in Harvey Nicks. We met Marion at Kings Cross in the afternoon and made our way over to South London to meet up with family and friends at a Tapas restaurant recommended by Allen's cousin Stephen. We had a brilliant night, food and company were perfect. I've included a variety of photos from the night. After the meal we ended up in a local pub doing Karaoke. Paul, a friend from Cheltenham, is in a band and he wasn't bad. The rest of us loved it but we're not ready to be signed to any record labels!

We stayed in the RAF club opposite Green Park and got the train back to Hitchin the next day. We celebrated New Year at Mum's with games and good food. Jacob and Abi stayed up to see their first New Year in and loved it. New Years Day was quiet, we went over to my aunt's, Annette's, to catch up with them. The next day we made our way back to Munstergeleen, getting back in time for tea. School started the next day, I was called to do supply but turned it down as Allen had the day off so we tried one of the outlet malls. Allen found his coat that he wanted for his birthday so it was worth the trip.

Life is now as hectic as ever, teaching, Daisy scouts and cubs. Allen's off to Greece this week. I'm working 3 days and Jacob and Abi have a half day Friday. Got to fit in 2 lots of coffee and one lunch out, not sure that will happen!

Booked 4 days away at half term, trying skiing in Germany.

Hope all is well

Rachael.

Denver 2010

Hi

I know it'a been a while since the last post but we were enjoying ourselves too much to sort out the blog. Denver was a brilliant holiday. We arrived on Sunday 12th Dec, picked up a hire car and drove to our old neighbourhood and neighbours the Blunks. It was really as if we'd never left even though it had been 2 years since we'd seen them. The kids went straight off to play. Abi and Mallory got on great and Jacob and Will were straight to the basement to play a variety of video games. The adults caught up over a beer. Over the next week we gradually met up with lots of old friends. John and Sheri kindly leant us a car so we returned the hire car back to the airport. We went out for lunch with them and Sheri brought along her Ipad, which we were all very impressed with. I really thought we'd be going home with one, especially due to the amount of time we spent in the Apple Store at Cherry Creek Mall. Abi met up with Maya and had a lovely lunch followed by playdate at Maya's house. Jacob had great fun with Dillon and Nicholas and I had a good time catching up with their mum Renee. We also managed to catch up with Melissa's clan, meeting her one year old twins for the first time, Ryan and Risa, who were on holiday from their new base in Boston, and also the Livingston's. Missed a few people but I'm sure we'll see them next time! Also managed to do loads of shopping and we loved it. Visiting Denver made us both realise how much we miss America. Ate out loads, shopped too much, drank way too much!

So we then went up to the mountains for a week of skiing. I was hoping Allen would take it easy, due to his knee, but he didn't. He'd had a brace made before we left, which he did wear. Skiing was good for everyone. We even got the kids down a black run although Abi was a bit of a pain on the way! We were so lucky with the weather, lots of snow but good during the day. They have built a new outdoor, very heated, pool and 2 hot tubs which we used everyday. Jacob and Abi were torn between swimming and skiing. They did 2 days of ski school and then skied with us. They both said they prefered skiing with us so I think that's the end of ski school for them. Santa visited us in Breckenridge. Then we had to pack up and drive back to Denver for a Christmas dinner with our old Jewish neighbours Mindy and Shawna. We got down to brilliant sunshine so took the kids to the park. Mindy was in full flow, preparing an enormous meal for Christmas tea. She'd invited her family and cooked loads. It was all lovely, a favourite being yams with maple syrup and marshmallows! So we had a very different but great fun Christmas finished off with Betsy and Tim and kids joining us for a drink and then watching Dr Who on BBC America! We stayed at Mindy's for 3 nights, again we experienced brilliant hospitality.

I've included a variety of photos, Abi with Maya, a couple of group shots plus a few from Breckenridge. We had an excellent time away, didn't want to come back, endulged too much. Our livers definitely needed cleansing by the end of 2 and a half weeks. I hope we can repay Tim, Betsy and Mindy if they come and see us in Europe as they were so kind and generous.

Next post Allen's 40th.

Rachael.