German Christmas

If I stretch far back into my memory bank and attempt to locate the earliest Christmas memories stored in my brain, it would be when I was five and my family traveled to Germany. We were there for a month so I have quite a few memories of that particular trip. This time, was quite a bit different than the last. The weather was none co-operative for some of my family, while it seemed that others took the weather and snubbed it in the face. Some lost luggage (that after some waiting, was finally returned. Others had no trouble whatsoever with baggage issues. One of the biggest differences by far was the number of people we had in our company. A grand total of 15!

Ty and I actually flew into Stuttgart on Christmas Eve. As soon as we were out of baggage claim and met my dad and brothers, I immediately burst into tears. (Me + long distance airplane travel = a migraine = uncomfortable travel experience). On the way to the place where all of the siblings (minus the youngest, he stayed with my grandparents) were staying, we stopped off at my Omi and Opa's apartment. It was a short visit, since Ty and I were just plain exhausted. Back at the farmhouse (literally), everyone was eagerly awaiting our arrival. Okay, so it was more like the arrival of their husbands and news on if they're luggage had finally arrived. At around 1 AM, we finally settled in for our Christmas Eve nap.

The next day, we got dressed and ready and headed over to my grandparents abode once more for Christmas dinner and presents.

The place settings at the table. It was assigned seating.

After dinner we settled into the Living Room for opening gifts from Omi and Opa.
I didn't get any pictures that night of me or Ty and the others I'd rather not share. However, we did have a lot of fun. Ty and I both love the clock that my grandparent gave to us.

I still have yet to figure out where I'm going to put it in our little home, but it's so beautiful and I'm sure we'll find a place for it.

By the end of the night we were all so exhausted.
These two were so tuckered out that they didn't eve notice sleeping on the little seating next to the table.

After the festivites were over, we headed back and unloaded. We were still somewhat jet-lagged and our sleeping schedules were completely off balance. Again, we found our way to sleep much too late that evening, but a great day in the end.

How was your Christmas?

Weeee're BaaaAAaack!

So, now that we've finally made it home, and are finally starting to settle into a normal schedule (took us long enough, I know), I'm back to the blogging world! There are so many pictures and so little time that I'm really not going to be able to put up half the ones I'd want to. And quite honestly, I wish I would have taken more. I'm going to have to separate this into parts. Which means (pause for dramatic affect).....I'm going to have to post something different every day....or so.

I won't go totally crazy with a new post right now, but I will leave you with this picture of some of our fellow passengers....That's right! We traveled with Santa and his Mrs. Claus! I know, you're jealous. Well, it was the day before Christmas Eve and I believe something was amiss with their reindeer, so we gave them a ride up to the North Pole. You know, since we were going that way.....seriously.

Mrs. Claus was a hoot! And there was little kids everywhere completely thrilled to see him so close. Oh, and apparently Santa is diabetic. So, next year, go the Sugar-free route, and save the rest for yourself! Haha. The really funny part was that we actually ended up traveling back to the states with this famous couple, only they were a bit more inconspicuous.

****FYI: That is his real beard!!! How cool is that?!****

We're on our way!!!

I'm hoping that we won't have any problems today. Seems everyone else has. My brothers and their families were supposed to have left Sunday night and got there yesterday afternoon. However, do to delays, they won't get there for a few more hours. It looks up for us however. The roads were clear all the way here to Seattle last night and so far the airports are doing pretty good with a lot less cancellations than yesterday and Sunday. One can only hope from here. We'll spend the greater part of today lounging around my brother's apartment and then my wonderful friend, Tiffany, will be driving us to the airport. Where I hope that we won't wait very long. It might be awhile before I update this blog. (I know, I know, what else is knew.) Hopefully, I'll be able to check my e-mail periodically. Whilst we are gone we plan on taking a ginormous amount of pictures to share later.

On a side note: we would love to get addresses from everyone as we compile and put together and New Year's Newsletter, since a Christmas Card wasn't really going to happen this year.

Well, Ty needs this computer since he still must work today. I hope you all enjoy the snow and have a very Merry Christmas!!!

Becoming Christmas

Like most of us, I've eagerly been anticipating the arrival of Christmas. If it were just me I would have started listening to my wide array of holiday music at the beginning of October. However, out of courtesy for my dear husband I begin the minute after Thanksgiving. I love the whimsical feeling in the air. Everything simply feels better at Christmas than any other time of the year.

I decided that in preparation for our long awaited trip overseas, I would prepare my husband with a little mock German delight that is Leavenworth. Both of us have been there, but never together and I was by all odds determined to have this man eat a German meal previous to our arrival to the actual country. Granted you really won't find the originality anywhere unless you're talking about my momma's cooking (hmmmmmmmm), but I'll take whatever I can get.

We decided on the 6th, a Saturday, and last minute convinced my parents and younger brother to come along for the ride. Okay, so they actually provided the ride, but who's keeping track. :) After researching menus (and pricelists) and atmosphere, I decided on Andrea's Keller.

Proof that Ty will eat leafy greens.

On the way up we had some good conversation about my parents' experiences in Germany. Upon arrival to the mock German village we discovered only too late the excitement and utter pandemonium of the Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Ceremony. Cars lined the streets and parking lots, while mammoth buses lined the allyways. In my eagerness, I miscalculated the event and its apparent magnitude. People from all over come to see this event. In all seriousness though, all it is is a bunch of buildings turning on their Christmas lights at the same time. THAT'S IT!!!!!!!!! All the hallabaloo for that! What do you think? Is it worth all the hype?




The trip was chaos, trying to get around, but all in all a sucess. Especially since the night ended with a short trip to the beloved Cold Stone Creamery, where Ty and I indulged in a nice little helping of Birthday Cake remix. Yummmy!!!!

In order to get ready for the holidays, I find it completely necessary to decorate the humble abode in which we dwell. When I was still living at home, I took the utmost pleasure in placing ornaments on the tree and little knick-knacks around the house. After becoming married, this would not be terminated.

The Living Room

Extension of the Living Room

This is hanging just above the couch. Would you believe that all these little decorations only cost me $3.00!

The End Table next to the couch.

And finally, our Christmas Tree. That thing hanging in the corner is our Countdown Chain that I made.

I think these are the first pictures I've put up of the inside of the house. I'm not really sure what I'm going to do when Christmas is over and I have to move some things back. I told Ty that house was built for Christmas. If only I could keep my home like this all year long.

My boss and his wife also like to decorate the office for this special time of year.


Now that the Stockings are hung by the chimney with care,
it soon will be time for us to be in the air.
Flying over mountains, and cities, and cars, and seas,
in hopes of my grandparents' hearts to please.
Our presence shall long be awaited,
and after so many years far too belated.
We'll slip and we'll slide on the Autobahn we'll go
and to make matters worse it will probably snow.

I hope that with your gifts you will all be delighted
and your Christmas spirit renewed and your hearts ignited.
For the greatest gift of all is the gift of giving,
To help someone on their way in this life we are living.
Find the real meaning of Christmas and take it to heart
And this year at Christmas make a new start.
Think in your minds, "What would the Savior Do?"
I promise now it will be the greatest thing for them and for you.

Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

I love free stuff!

This is the first time I've done a blog giveaway thing-a-ma-jig. I'm really hoping to win this one!

Check out the the button on the side and see all the cool stuff. There's quite a bit. Thanks Tiffany for putting this up. I hope you win something too!

Timley passing

Oh, where has this month gone?! Heck, where has the year gone?! Does anyone else feel like they're really back somewhere earlier in the year, but time decided to keep on moving forward? This last month just seems like it hardly happened. November didn't really have a lot going on until Thanksgiving and that was justifiably insane.

I'll go back a little bit before that though to recap. Our office decided to do yet another "Off", which started off as a "Bread Off", and last minute changed to "Baked Goods Off". The requirement was that you had to have it come out of the oven. It was such a busy day that I didn't get a chance to take pictures of anything, but here's a picture of what mine looked like.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread

I was really excited to make this because I had tried at a bakery a couple of years ago and it was DELICIOUS!!! Needless to say, mine actually turned out pretty good. I was confident, until.........Daniele popped in with her Raspberry Cheesecake Bites. I know what you're thinking, and believe me I was quite skeptical myself. Apparently though, her crust was baked. I wouldn't have come out first anyway, but it was definitely not a fair fight. Oh well, mine was still pretty dang good!

The next week, Ty's mom called us and let us know that our dear Grandpa Robbins had finally passed and the funeral would be the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Which meant a lot of family was coming. If you would like, you can read Grandpa Lovell Robbins' obituary here.

Thanksgiving weekend was crazy, but so much fun. I actually made my Pumpkin bread and the kids gobbled (no pun intended....hehe, okay maybe a little bit) it up. The whole day was full of making food, eating it, and enjoying each others company.

The next day was kind of a laze about day for us ladies. The menfolk however, headed out to the Royal Camp cemetery to dig the grave that Grandpa would be placed in. The person who would normally take care of it was out of town for the holiday and Rex (Ty's dad) took the opportunity to take all of those who were willing and dig with shovels as far as they could (a good two to three feet) and finished the rest with the backhoe. Don't worry, we had warm and steamy hot chocolate waiting for them. Their cousins from Oregon met them out there just in time to help and I think they all enjoyed the task.

Saturday was an early morning for us all. The viewing was at 9AM until 9:30AM. Getting everyone showered and cleaned up took some organization, but we managed to work it out.

Lovell B. Robbins

The funeral services were wonderful. Music and memories were shared and given. Tears were shed and hearts were filled. The spirit was present in all those who participated and it was felt by everyone present. Grandpa Robbins was just shy of 91 and I'm awed at all the things he's seen and done. The only thing that made me sad during it all was that I couldn't have gotten to know him better while he was with us. I so look forward to the day when I'm able to do that. He really was an amazing man in his own right. He was hardworking, ingenuitive, loving, patient, kind. A man of few words, though he was, never without a kind thought or deed to those he loved.

Well, now that Thanksgiving is over and the turkey has had its day, D-day soon approaches. That's right. We're in the final month of waiting until we leave to Germany. It's unbelievable that Christmas is that close. There's so much to do and so little time in which we are given to do it all. However, I firmly believe that with some ingenuity of my own, we can pull this off without forgetting something back home in the bathroom.

Pumpkin Carving....

On Tuesday, I decided it was finally time to go forth and buy our small little family a pumpkin and take part in the time old tradition that is pumpkin carving. However, I didn't actually get to it until last night! Oh, well. Let me take you on my journey....

Step 1.
Cut out top of pumpkin.
Yes, I bought a tablecloth and place mats for Halloween. Aren't they cute?













Step 2.
Take out all the pumpkin GUTS!!!



























Step 3.
Pick out pattern and place on pumpkin.













Step 4.
Make an outline of pattern onto the pumpkin.
Okay, do not judge how fat I look in this picture. I was wearing one of Ty's shirts and was waaaay big on me.


Don't worry. That injury on my finger is not from this activity.





Step 5.
Get about thus far and call for reinforcements.













Ty brought out the BIG knife!!!










Step 6.
After awhile, decide to relocate to the coffee table so you can watch a movie while completing the task.













Keeping a watchful eye over his shoulder.








We were a little on edge by the time we finished this project.






But it was well worth the effort!










Not the greatest picture in the world, but it definitely shows of our work. Yay!

Finally Tagged!

So I've finally been tagged! I was beginning to think it might never happen. Lol. You have to give five answers to each of the questions and pass it on. To pass it on, you name them on your blog and you leave a comment notifying them on their blog. Wellp, here it goes....

5 things I was doing 10 years ago:

1. Hoping to go the Youth Church Dances
2. Girls Campin' it up!
3. In 7th grade
4. Crushing on Prince William
5. Starting the Anne of Green Gables book series

5 things on my to-do list today:

1. Unpack from the last two days
2. Do laundry
3. Get rid of my headache
4. Clean the house
5. Make my hubby dinner

5 snacks I enjoy:

1. Chocolate!!!!!!!!!!!!
2. Popcorn
3. Crackers, cheese, and apples
4. Yogurt covered raisins
5. More Chocolate

5 things I would do if I were a millionaire:

1. Pay off all the bills, and pay tithing regularly :)
2. Build an awesome house
3. Put amazing landscaping around the house
4. Travel around the world
5. Donate to charities

5 places I have lived:

1. Mae Valley, Moses Lake, WA
2. Rexburg, ID
3. Kirkland, WA
4. "The Base", Moses Lake, WA
5. We're looking at buying a house.....but still in Moses Lake, WA

5 jobs I have had:

1. JRCC - secretary for my Dad's company (speaks for itself)
2. Gymboree (probably my favorite job, everyone was sooo nice)
3. Fashion Bug (it's not always better at the bug)
4. Nanny (never, ever doing THAT again)
5. Secretary/Massage Practitioner at the Chiropractic office

5 people I tag:

1. Amber
2. Nichole
3. Portia
4. Rachelle
5. Ashley

Luggage

Okay, I know I'm lame to be posting about these stupid little details, but they just get me all kinds of excited!!!

I had looked up online what our baggage allowances are, then talked to my dad. I found out that because we have scheduled our flight before the change in baggage allowance, we will be allowed 2 checked bags, a carry-on, plus a laptop bag, purse, or briefcase. That means Ty and I each will be allowed up to 3 pieces of luggage, plus another bag to carry-on. Wooohoo!!

Well, we didn't really have anything all that equipped for such a voyage and decided that now was a good a time as any to find something appropriate for our needs. I searched through numerous online sites and took into account other stores (including Costco) that I knew we could get luggage from. Hands down, the best price was Overstock.com. When, Ty came home I asked him about it and he said that if that was the set I wanted to go for it!

I couldn't resist taking a picture when I got them! They are so pretty and big! The four little pouches at the bottom are actually little organizers. I'm really looking forward to using them.








I wanted to take a picture of them open to show how big they are. The one on the left has the one smaller inside of it. Easy storage. If you look closely enough, you'll see (on the right one) that there is a zipper there. You put all your belongings in the suitcase and it's all completely protected after to zip up the cover!


I've decided to do a "pre-pack" soon, so I'll be able to tell if I can manage to put more things in there and if I need more room for things. What do you think?

Passports!!!

So, I had originally planned to have posted a couple of weeks ago. But life gets in the way and there really isn't much you can do. Also, I know at the end of the last post, I said that the luggage was next, oh and believe me I'm excited about it, but I actually got these sooner than planned and wanted to share my excitement!

First of all, getting a passport takes some time and a good dollar (more like 100 good dollars) to get. We wanted to make sure that we would have them in enough time. My mom, the wonderful lady that she is, went down to the Post Office in Moses Lake, and picked up applications for just about everyone she could. I started to fill it out, but had some questions about different little things to fill in and didn't want to make a mistake, since these are official government documents. Ty, the amazing computer genius that HE is, looked it all up online, and what do ya know? You can fill it out online, print it, and take in it when you apply. Hooray!

Now for those who might want to know, you can get your passport pics done at Wal-mart two different ways. You could travel the little more expensive route and get them done in the professional photography center at the front of the store (like I did, for almost $11) and only wait a grand total of about 2 minutes and have them in hand. Or if you want a smaller price (close to $8), go to the Photo Center and wait for an hour whilst they process. When we went to get Ty's done (they don't do it in the Ephrata Wal-mart), the girl at the Photography center said they were out of the paper, but we could (and she wasn't supposed to tell us this) go back to the photo center and get it done for cheeper! Ummm, did I mention that this was the same girl who took my picture!!! Oh well.

Okay, so the actual getting of the passports, apparently not as easy as we thought....at least not in Ephrata! We picked a day I didn't have to work and went to Ephrata. We had lunch and then shot over to the Post Office before Ty's lunch was over to get it done. Wrong, you have to go to the Clerk's Office at the Court House. So, we high-tail on over there. And after the maze of get to the office, we finally found it. We stood there while the lady was BABBELING and asking all kinds of questions about my family in Germany and if we had gone before and all the things she LOVED about the country, to finally have her ask for Ty's Birth Certificate, only then realizing that we didn't have either of ours!!!!!!!!!! I was more than upset. We wasted so much time with her talking that Ty was late getting back from lunch. Luckily, it's not that big of a deal for him and he wasn't horribly late. But we decided to come up with an alternate route. After finding all of our information that we would NEED, we found out that you can go to the Moses Lake Post Office, but only between certain hours, no appointment needed. We got there right before the huge lined began to form, and the time it took for the Clerk's office to get to the point they did with Ty's passport, we had finished both of ours. They said that it would take about three weeks until we got them. However, two weeks later......

We got these!!!!

You can see that I was quite anxious to make mine official and couldn't wait to sign it. Ty is much more leisure than I am. Of course, he's not to excited about the actual travel part. Germany, should be fun, but the flying and airports and what not are going to be more fun for me than him.