Skiing the Zugspitz 2.0

The first ski trip Brian and I took last December was to Oberau, Germany. We stayed at a nice guest house (that allowed dogs called the Forsthaus. While Christine was here we went back and forth on what to do for New Years while at the same time trying to fit a ski trip in while she was visiting. Our only requirement was somewhere that took dogs since our kids spent almost 25 days at the kennel recently. Brian called the Forsthaus and sure enough ten minutes before we called someone called and cancelled 2 rooms for 2 nights - we took it and were off to Oberau.

In the end we took the girls to the kennel - hanging out in the hotel all day while we ski is not their idea of fun. They had a great time playing in the barns and fields at their home away from home "Paradise for Dogs" and it truly is paradise for them.

On New Years Eve we skied the Zugspitz, Germany's tallest peak. It was Christine's first ski trip in the Alps and Josh's first trip to the top.

The day was beautiful - not a cloud in the sky. We had great snow for the day but it was really windy which made it pretty cold in the shadows.



Zugspitz May pole


My yummy hot chocolate...ok, so it wasn't the best, it was a little weak, but it was hot!



Christine and I on the slopes


Josh (on the ground with the board), Brian (in the back), Christine (in the green)




Little Chapel at the top. There is also a small Igloo Hotel at the top they build each year, but I missed getting a photo of it.

Happy New Year!!!

Happy 2009 everyone!



My adorable nephew, Jacob - ringing in 2009!

Prague, Czech Republic

On Monday, Christine and I headed to Prague for a day trip. It was sooo COOOOOOLD, but sunny, so that helped.

The world as she knows it. By Isabella Sharp

While Brian and I were in Michigan visiting, we noticed our niece, Isabella really loves the camera. When you take a photo of her she immediately wants to see it then comments on how cute of a photo it is. (It's ADORABLE!) Then I taught her how to use our Canon P&S. So these next photos are ones she took all by herself. You'll notice a few pointing down, she had a few problems pushing the button, but got the hang of it. I think they're pretty good for someone who is 2 years and 3 months old! The good news from all of this is I know EXACTLY what to get her for her 3rd birthday!!

NEW COMPUTER!!!

Well my wonderful husband gave me a new computer for Christmas...boy did that come in at the perfect time. So we're back up and running and now online! Woohoo! DId I mention I gave him two pairs of boxers and two shirts, man I'm a great wife.

Some fun new photos from our new macbook: (it has a camera built in)






As some people know one of my best friends from the states is visiting! YAY Christine! So today Brian, Christine, the dogs and I went to Regensberg. It was the FIRST day since she got her last week that it wasn't cloudy and rainy, but with no clouds to keep the warm weather down it was COLD. FREEZING COLD! but sunny. We had a good time and got some good shots.

Germany's very own Parthenon, Walhalla.







My kids...always looking at the camera!










A cute chapel close by:




Then we headed to downtown Regensburg. Maybe I'll post some photos from that when I get them from Christine. My hands were too cold to take out of my pocket - thus no photos ;) Regensburg is nice, but everything was closed - second day of Christmas for the Germans.

More to come! I got lots of photos loaded to the new computer. Maybe this weekend I'll get some posts up.

Home Sweet Home.

We made it home Thursday afternoon. YAY! We had a good flight from Andrews AFB in Washington to Ramstein, Germany. We arrived around 1pm local time. It was a 7 hour flight and I got LOTS of blogging done during the trip. I was soooo excited! I had all of our Dublin trip done and a few posts about our travels in the states. Then it hit. The blue screen of death *cue dramatic music*. So our laptop has crapped out on us...thank goodness we have all of our photos on an external hard drive, but my 3 hours of blogging on the plane seems to be lost. Right now we're using Brian's Playstation 3 as a computer...it works...but it's not the most effective way to do anything. So for now...no photos :(

Today my friend Christine (who is visiting from the states! YAY!) are going to the Christmas Market in Nurnberg. It's by far the best one in Germany and one of the most popular.

Just checking in.

No photos, sorry! I left the camera cable in Germany and now Brian has taken off with our laptop. Just a little update to let everyone know we made it to the states. Whew! First try on the first flight out Monday morning to Pope AFB in North Carolina. It doesn't get much closer than that. Our flight was looooong and cold, but I can't complain about the price. All and all it went well.

I'm currently in Virginia and Brian is on his way to Alabama with our friend Steve to do a bit of 4-wheeling. He will be in Michigan on Sunday and I'll be flying up there next wednesday (the 10th).