Berlin

Matt has loved this music band called "Big Country" since he was a young teenager.  They are not a country genre group, more rock/new age...very eclectic.  They don't really fit in too any genre.  Anyway, Matt has almost all their albums, even all the rare B-sides they put out.  So, when he found out that they were touring again, and coming to Berlin...he jumped at the chance to go to their concert.

They have a new lead singer, since the original passed away some time ago.  However, the new guy used to be the lead for a group called "The Alarm", and Matt actually liked them too.  So it was a win, win for Matt.  Having listend to Big Country's albums over the last 15 some odd years with my love, I thought the new guy did a pretty good job of staying true to the original, unique sound that is Big Country.

Since we had to drive the 3 1/2 hours to Berlin for the concert, we decided to stay the weekend and look around Berlin.  The sign below is left over from the East Berlin era, it was right outside the window of the hotel we stayed at. You can still find these signs up all over the city.  A reminder of how much better things are today, perhaps.

The infamous Check point Charlie.

They have actors standing in as guards that you can have your picture taken with.  I wish I had brought my passport with me, because they will still stamp it for you if you ask.  Symbolizing the crossing from West to East...or East to West.

Of course we had to see the Berlin wall.  There are only a few places in the city where the wall is still preserved as a monument.  We found one of them.  If you walk along this wall and continue to follow it, at the end where the wall is no longer is a path of unique cobblestones.  These cobblestone paths (about the width of the original wall) follow the original path the wall took...through parking lots and modern buildings that have been built since the walls fall.  I thought that was very thought provoking.

"Madness"

says it all...

Brandenburg Gate

Marks the entrance from East to West

Memorial to the German Resistance

In front of the Building

Years ago, Matt and I watched a film called "Valkyrie".

It centered on the German resistance within the German military itself.  There were several high ranking officials and officers in the German military that did not believe in what the Nazi movement was doing. They tried several times to assassinate  Hitler, but failed each time.  Towards the end of the war, they were all executed here, in the courtyard of this building.  Which used to be the Headquarters and offices of the German Army.  We really enjoyed the history of this movie, and researched the various people and components surrounding these events.  Since that time we have always wanted to come here.

The courtyard where the executions took place,

this building is now a small museum and apartments.

I don't know that I would want to live here...

A progressive timeline in pictures that leads up to the attempted assassinations of Hitler and eventual executions of these brave men.

The memorial wreath and plaque dedicated to these brave men.

To end the day we went up the Berlin Radio tower.

This was the kids favorite part!

 

There she is...

Remember how I told you that Matt had taken picture of Miss Mona Lisa on his phone.  Well I finally downloaded them.

They aren't the best, but you can tell it is her, non the less.

Happy Birthday Anya!!!!!!!

I can not believe that my oldest has just turned 12.  It really has gone by as if a blink of the eye.  I know, before I turn around my youngests will be turning 12...but it still seems so crazy to me that my daughter is now a Young Woman.

Is it a sign of her age that she did not ask for a character themed cake this year?  This is the first Birthday cake that is just a cake that I have made for her in like 10 years.  

She wanted a Peanut butter cup cake...it was delicious!

 12 candles looks like so many!

 Sorry Anya...it is just too many candles, we have canceled your birthday this year!

(yeah right mom!)

 She got a "Griffyndor" house color scarf made by her Aunt Trudy.  She loved it!

I love this picture, because if you look close in the back ground, you can see Anya as a newborn receiving her first bath.  Oh, the memories!

I usually try to only post pictures of the child whose birthday it is.  But I couldn't resist posting this one of Hunter.  This kid loves his cake!

We had a fun, low key, family night celebrating Anya's birthday.  We got to try out some new Wii games that she had gotten, and just enjoy being us.

It was a great birthday, for a great kid. 

We sure love you Anya, and we are so proud of you!

Always and Forever!!!

Poor Jack

This is what happens when a little boy chin meets a wood floor.  Poor Jack, luckily after a quick e.r. trip and two stitches later he is back to his normal rough and tough self.  Now other's will be able to tell the boys apart easier, right?  At least that is what we are telling ourselves.

Jack didn't like having pictures of his "owie" taken...so these aren't very good, or happy!

poor jack!

Photo Booth Candid's

At my brother's reception, besides the dancing, I think everyone had the most fun with the photo booth.  Nicole's family surprised her with it.  It was so much fun.  Instead of signing a guest book, guests were invited to take pictures in the photo booth.  Then two sets of pictures were printed, one for the guests and one to put in a photo scrapbook.  Then guests were able to sign and leave a message in the scrapbook next to their photos.  Such a fun idea, and we all had a blast.  I think most of us went in the booth three or four times, maybe more.  I loved this, and will definitely remember this idea!

The new Mr. and Mrs...

 My sheik parents...

Myself with my favorite cousing and fabulous Uncle...

 Myself with my sista...

 Myself with my baby brother...

 My favoritist Cuz and I...

It really was a fun night.  My only saddness, well two, were one: knowing I was leaving the next day.  And two: my own little family wasn't able to come.  I know that all my girls would have loved the photo booth...they would have spent all night in there I am sure.  Anya would have LOVED the dancing...she would have cut a rug like nobody else.  Hannah would have followed Nicole around all night, dominating her attention and talking non-stop.  The boys would have destroyed the wedding and reception somehow.  I am not sure how, but I have visions of them escaping Matt and I and running up and down the wedding aisle.  Knocking over flowers.  Poking fingers in the cake.  Climbing on the tables and picking flowers....I am sure they would have found any number of ways to get into trouble.  But I do know they all would have enjoyed it so much!  Makes me wish that certain things hadn't happened that depleted our savings so we couldn't all go...like moving to a new country, having to ship a car on our own (Army only ships one), getting in a three car accident last May (that was a fun one :), having to replace a severely cracked windshield. It seems like things just kept happening this year, that kept costing us money and more money...till our surplus was diminished to the point where all we had left was the bare minimum for emergencies.  So, I am sorry Quinn and Nicole that we all couldn't come...but am so glad that I was able to come.  I am in a "begging", "pleading for forgiveness" mode with my girls, because they are still sore about not coming.  We have a date to make the wedding cookies this Saturday...that seems to have helped.  Todd sent his boutonniere home with me, and Hannah has quickly claimed it.  It is now being pressed in one of her princess books.  Plus the little gifts I brought back with me for the kids seemed to help...a lot.  I am not above bribery!

Congratulations Quinn and Nicole.

We love you and are so very happy for you!

My Brother Turns in his Bachelorhood

The reason I was stateside for a few days is because my little brother tied the knot with a wonderful woman.  We have waited a long time for this, not that I blame them.  They have had a lot going on for the two of them.  While they have been dating she and my brother both graduated from College, He went away for several trainings for the army...months at a time, and he also served a year deployed in Iraq.  Through this all they have stuck by each other with love and support.  I am truly proud of them, and so excited to have another sister!  Of course we have counted and claimed her as part of our family for years, years.  My girls first met Nicole the summer that Cora was 1, Hannah was 4 and Anya was 6.   She was so brave, not really knowing much about us, and having just met us,   She came along on a camping trip with not only my whole family, but all my in-laws as well.  And I have a lot of in-laws! This was the first time she had been camping, and it was rough camping.  Tents, haul your own water in, dig your own toilet, no showers or running water...rough camping.  She did it though, and she impressed everyone...especially all the kids.  Nicole could hardly go anywhere without a gaggle (and we have a gaggle on the Jeppson side) of kids following her around.  I think every picture we have of her on the trip there is at a minimum of 5 kids around her.  And she still stayed with us!  So, like I said, she has been family for years.  She is all over in our family albums, my kids have been calling her Aunt for years, she is even in our formal family photo.  We love her (and my brother...but that goes without saying) and we are excited to be able to officially claim her!

The ceremony took place in this beautiful Catholic Church, St. Elizabeth's.  It was amazing, and reminded me of the old English style.  I have even seen chapels like this in Austria.  It was simple, but filled with Architechtural beauty.  It was perfect for Quinn and Nicole.

Walking down the aisle.  Everyone knows I was blubbering like a baby.  I couldn't help it.  Look how beautiful my new sister is, and look how handsome my brother is in his dress uniform.  He has served our country, fighting for our freedom and that of others.  Selflessly leaving his personal life behind, during two deployments to Iraq.  He is amazing, and I am so proud of him.  Even now it brings tears to my eyes...maybe because I myself am married to a soldier.  So I know a small piece of the sacrifice these two have given in the name of our freedoms.  

They truly amaze me and I love them dearly.

The new Mr. and Mrs Overton

The reception was lovely.  Not only was the venue gorgeous (a hotel called the Old Mill Inn), but the food was amazing, and my favorite were all the personal, homemade touches that Nicole and her family added.  The letter's marked the tables so we knew which one we were assigned too.  And the party favors were the cookies in a jar.  My kids loved this, they are able to make "wedding cookies" even though they couldn't go to the wedding.  I think one of my favorite things was, I was staying at this inn.  No drive time!  I could party like nothing else...then I just went upstairs to bed.  It was awesome!  

Her cake is so beautiful.  What I liked best was how she tied everything together.  The flowers on the cake, are the same design that was on all her invitations and RSVP cards.

They were both very nice to each other.

Very classy.

My mom and Dad

They looked so great, we have to find somewhere else to take them now so they can wear their outfits again!

 Me with my Little Brother and my official new Sister

 me with my other Little Brother, the baby of the family.

 My sister and her boyfriend Oz

It was so awesome to see my family again, and to meet Nicole's wonderful family.  As with everything thought, it was very short lived.  I got a brief taste of my family again, only to leave them days later.  It is never enough time though is it?  We had a good time, good memories.  Seeing my cousin again, whom I haven't seen for a couple of years.  Seeing my brothers again, both whom I haven't seen for a couple of years because of deployments, and opposite training/working schedules that have kept us from seeing each other at the same time.  Waking at 4am every day because it is 10a in Europe, and then keeping my siblings up because I can't go to sleep and I want to talk...good times.

I already miss them all, and I look forward to when I can see them again. 

Hint, Hint,

COME VISIT ME!!!!!