Thursday, September 30, 2010

Hannah's Cork/White Board


I just had to take a picture of this. I think it is cute! It is a wonderful collage of Hannah's life. She has some letters from friends on here (Cara, Tessa, and Sydney)! A letter from her teacher, her class schedule, a napkin of a dog that looks just like our landlords, scribblings that say "four months to home, can't wait" and two pictures of her with family and friends.
She is really having a good time here, but still constantly reflects back to things that are important to her. I get it, because I do it to. I see her and I know it is healthy and normal progression! We are blessed with so many wonderful people in our lives, here and there.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Tannere playing soccer!




This is Tannere and below is his friend Preston! They had a soccer game in Berlin!

Monday, September 27, 2010

IWAH International Woman's Association Hannover



This is a group for women with international origins, backgrounds, interests or experiences who live in the Hannover area and would like to share their experiences with each other and promote inter cultural understanding.
I have joined this group. They have general meetings once a month and several special interest groups. Like book clubs, cooking, German/English/Spanish conversation groups etc.
They had a family pic-nic at the Park der Sinne (A park of the senses). It was very nice to meet some people that I have not meet yet. The park was very interesting and the weather was beautiful.




We went on a tour of the park. As you walk through you experience many of things that catch your senses. Here are some examples: It had a pic-nic table with herbs in the center for tasting, it had a path that you walk on barefooted to feel all of the different textures, it had a huge sun dial that you stand on to see the direction of your shadow, and it had a big dinner table with pretend food on it made out of stone.


They had activities available at the pic-nic. They had races holding an egg on a spoon, three legged races, running races, and tug of war. In the pictures above you can see Chris playing tug of war, Tannere and Hannah doing the three legged race and Tannere and I checking out the sun dial. I have a bit of a gash in my leg, because Chris and I apparently did not have our left.. right... combination down pat in the three legged race, but all is good (it was fun).

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Thank you page!







This is just "a shout out" to everyone who has helped us before we left and to say thank you! It will always be remembered and always be appreciated!

PS. Mike, I heard that the one inch fishies are about 5 inches already! They apparently like their new home!


Dukie, I did not forget the Chief! I just apparently had sent you on some huge mission and you were not there when I took these pictures! Love ya bro





































Also, thanks to Dalia and my mom for helping with the Garage Sale!

Paul.... you are "the man" with the Shed!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Bremen

Bremen is a ancient city set along the River Weser with approximately 1200 years of history. Many sailors used to live and work here. You can walk along the harbor (Bremen's maritime mile "The Schlacte") or you can go shopping in the Schnoor area which is where all the old sailors shops and houses are.

The Schnoor Area



















Walking along the streets of Bremen we ran into some sculptures of pigs designed by Peter Lehmann. They are on Sogestrasse which in means "steet of sows". It is where the butchers used to live and put the pigs. There is also a sculpture by Peter Lehmann called "Schweinehirt und seine Herde" which means swine heard and his flock.

A picture of me and the kids by "Schwinehirt und seine Herde".










This fountain is on Liebfrauen-Kirchhof. Every morning except on sundays, there is a flower market here.














Right next to the town hall building lies a bronze statue by Gerhard Marcks. It is a statue of the animals in the Grimm Brothers fable Die Stadt Musikanten or "The Town Musicians.














This is Roland. He is symbolizing Bremen's freedom. He has been here since 1404.



















This is Schutting. It is Bremen's Chamber of Commerce.















Above the kids is a bronze relief by Bernhard Hoetger. It represents St. Michael, the bringer of light.

Thursday, September 16, 2010

Clyde


Do you recognize this fellow?

He is still living in our home in the States. So, if you know him and you happen to see him, give him a "Meow" from me. He is one special cute old guy!

Library Time!




Well, as most of you know, I am quite fond of libraries.
So without needing to say, it was necessary for me to get to one soon after our arrival. There is a lovely little branch library here in the List area. It is part of the Stadtbibliotek "city library" system. Over the summer the library helped us out in many of ways. It entertained us by providing us with videos, games and most importantly for us puzzles. It was also helpful because we were able to get German picture books that helped us learn German. They have a small Adult and Child English Language section. The people were very friendly even considering our German language deficits. The kids got cards, put their proud signatures on them and we were ready to go?

Monday, September 13, 2010

The historical town of Celle!



Celle is just outside of the city of Hannover. It is a picturesque untouched village with many of timber-framed houses. It has a Renaissance and Baroque style castle called "Schloss Celle". The castle grounds are surrounded by a small moat and there is a beautiful park in the castle's backyard.

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Bite sized Funnel Cake!


This tastes just like funnel cake, but it is in the form of little squares. They have it at most of the festivals that I have been to. Some other goodies here are soft pretzels that taste more like donuts and soft pretzels that have baked cheese on them. YUM YUM

Monday, September 6, 2010

Private Gardens!



In Germany many people have private gardens. They are areas of land that they rent for their gardening. They often have a shed or someplace to put their gardening equipment and they often do not have just fruits and vegetables, but beautiful flowers as well.

Thursday, September 2, 2010

Just some crushed bones!


Remember when I posted a picture of the kids sitting on the couch titled "Want to know what the kids do with every second of their free time?". Well, this is what else the kids do with every second of their free time. They goof around! Then someone ends up in a German hospital with crushed bones in her finger.
Thank goodness they are back in school!