Happy Halloween!

Isabella's First Day of School!

After getting over jet-lag Isabella started 2nd grade!  She absolutely loves her school, teacher and classmates.  She is in an accelerated class and she's enjoying the new challenges.  We couldn't be happier with how well she has settled into life in Abilene.  

Isabella's school nickname is "Jets."
This is an F-4 in front of the school.

Leaving Germany

We knew this day was coming, but it still wasn't easy.  I have to admit that I cried as we boarded the airplane that would bring us back to America.  I LOVED living in Germany.  We created so many wonderful memories as a family, made some awesome friends, and grew our family to five.  Leaving our dear friends Jutta and Jurgen was especially hard.  We look forward to coming back one day!

At the Ramstein AB terminal:

We landed in Baltimore in the afternoon (but our bodies thought it was the middle of the night).  Considering that none of the kids took naps on the airplane, and we were running on fumes, everyone did very well.  We ate at my favorite restaurant and walked around the beautiful Inner-harbor area.  Our hotel had a great view of the harbor and even had binoculars, which was great entertainment for the kids!

The last few weeks...

Here are some pictures from our last week in Kaiserslautern.  It has been full of goodbyes, but also fun times.

Isabella had her two front bottom teeth pulled,
as was a champ!

Charlotte with Frau Muller

Herr and Frau Muller with the kids

Auntie Ines came to K-town to say goodbye!

We will miss the Wasgau Bakery!

Downtown Kaiserslautern

Jack's favorite store...Jack Wolfskin

Our favorite Thai restaurant! 

Jack loves his Texas hat!

Charlotte having fun in the TLF

Heidelberg

Heidelberg

Jack's last haircut with Miss Claudia

We love Miss Claudia!

One last Friday evening get together.

We love Miss Jen, and will greatly miss her!

Braunfels, Germany

We spent our last Saturday in Germany heading to a wonderful village called Braunfels.  We thought that before we took the kids to New Braunfels, TX they needed to see the original, and we weren't disappointed!

The village is situated in the Hesse area of Germany about an hour north of Frankfurt along the German timber-frame road.  It has had town rights since 1607, and was untouched during WWII.  At the very top of the old town is Scholss Braunfels built in the 13 century, and belongs to the noble family Solms-Braunfels.  It was Prince Carl of Solms-Braunfels that lead hundreds of people from Braunfels, Germany to settle in Texas, establishing New Braunfels in 1845.

"Was built as a school building still in use until 1868"