This post is a tad bit late. Carol and I visited Aaron, Megan, Alora, and Ethan in Stuttgart this spring. We departed on our flight on 26 April from Dulles International and landed at London-Heathrow. We had a nearly two-hour layover, then departed on a Lufthansa flight for Stuttgart.
We didn't have much of a problem, except right at the end when we were passing through customs. The two grenz-polizei (border patrol) were chatting amongst themselves, and an African-American woman preceding me just walked through with no problem. As I tried to just walk through, with Carol following, one of the polizei called out in German, "Hey, Hey, wart' mal!", which is "Wait a minute!" I answered in German and he started the questions, "Where are you from, why are you here, is it for vacation or work...", and I'm just blithely answering, but a bit nervously. I didn't know if I did something wrong, or what. He looked at Carol and asked her, in German, if she was with me. I translated quickly, and she said, "Yes, of course." When I told him we were here to visit our son, who is stationed here, the border patrolman asked if I was bringing gifts, such a alcohol, coffee, or cigarettes. I was almost amused at the question. "No," I said in German, "We're Mormons. We only have some clothes and toys for our grandchildren." His somewhat harsh expression softened, and he let us through. What an experience for Carol on her first ever trip to Europe!
During our time, we drove to Berlin (a wonderful 7-hour trip due to road construction) and revisited the apartment area where we lived during the time I was stationed there, as well as the Church on Im Dol Strasse. We also took a day to visit the Berlin Zoo, looking at all of the animals. We were only a couple of blocks away from the Kaiser Wilhelm Gedenktnesskirsche or Memorial Church. It's the bombed out steeple every tourist sees as part of the Berlin landscape. We also took a drive past the old Berlin Army compound, which was totally leveled and grown over. The Outpost movie theatre was a museum about the Occupation, with a large DC-3 aircraft (from the Berlin Airlift era) next to it. The Thomas A. Roberts Elementary school still looked occupied, as did the Gym. However, all other buildings and shops, including the commissary and BX, were all torn down, During our visit to the Dueppel area where we lived, we did find the pine tree we planted as a family when we left Berlin in November 1990. Now almost 20 years later, it has grown tremendously. On our return to Stuttgart, it only took 5-hours. Amazing how much faster it was when there was no road construction and detours.
We also took time to visit downtown Stuttgart, seeing the city center, shopping district, and fountains. Our last local trip was to Schloss Solitude, a small 18th century palace near Stuttgart, and Burg Hohenzollern, the ancestral castle of the German Kaisers and Romanian kings.
Time went too fast, as we were so used to hearing Alora come running to greet us, with both blankets Carol had made for her and Aaron gripped tightly, and jumping in our laps. We got used to Ethan's mischievous grin and laugh, and the way he looses himself in the Signing Times videos. I don't think Carol and I have yet to get the lyric, "...it's signing time with Alex and Leah..." out of our heads. On the other hand, we DID learn to sign.
We left on 5 May to fly back, same route. We got back home by 1500 that day. Aaron later told us that when told we had left to go home, Alora said, "No Way!!" Ethan just wandered around looking like something wasn't right. In such a short time we got become such a major part of their lives. Carol and I can't begin to thank Aaron and Megan enough for letting us spend so much time with the little ones, and for opening their home to us. I'm sure they were glad to get there own bed back. :-)
Once we go through some of the pictures we have, we'll post for all to see. We love and miss our Letteer's in Germany, and look forward to seeing them again.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Birthday Trip
Well, Carol and I made it out to visit Cora and her family (she is the principal in this, as it was her birthday). We left Virginia at around 0800, rather than the "0-dark-30" time I had hoped. I just didn't have the "oomph" to get going, and Carol had to prod me into moving. I guess the 3-week, back-to-back TAD schedule (added to my schooling and my digging out of issues at work) took it's toll.
Be that as it may, Carol and I made great time, and the weather, though menacing at times, was good through-out. We got to Dayton around 1600, checked into our hotel, then called local family to let them know we were in town.
On Saturday, we were able to have breakfast with David, Leticia, Adam, and Cora (Adam brought her). Camille was feeling sick and Joshua had to go to Columbus for his monthly PFT. We chowed down, with Cora stealing a couple of Carol's breakfast sausages. It was so wonderful to be with everyone.
We got to Mike and Cherie's place a little later, and helped set up for the party. Poor Camille was looking pretty rough, but she still had that sweet sparkle we have grown to love. Joshua arrived soon after and we all went into the game room to celebrate. Need we say that Cora made out like a bandit?
Adam, in trying to help Hunter not feel excluded (at least, that's the excuse he gave) bought a real neat double-barreled Nerf shot gun. To show just how much this was a "guy" thing, the toy uses plastic shells to house the Nerf dart-bullets. One can fire it both barrels or one at a time. When the catch is released, the shells eject, just like a real shotgun. All of the guys (including Mike and me) when they saw it, went. "COOL!!" Like I said...a guy thing. Hunter eventually got to play with the toy and was able to take it home...probably for his dad to examine. :-).
We left Ohio on Sunday morning at 0630, picking up Adam who is going to stay with us for a few weeks. We had breakfast at 0830 and made it back to Virginia at around 1445. There were winter storm warnings in effect for the northern Virginia area for 1400 onward, so we were anxious to get home before the snow it. As it turned out, the snow hit later that night and dumped about 4 inches on our area.
Any way...that was our last trip. As soon as we can get the pictures from the camera downloaded, we'll post a few.
Be that as it may, Carol and I made great time, and the weather, though menacing at times, was good through-out. We got to Dayton around 1600, checked into our hotel, then called local family to let them know we were in town.
On Saturday, we were able to have breakfast with David, Leticia, Adam, and Cora (Adam brought her). Camille was feeling sick and Joshua had to go to Columbus for his monthly PFT. We chowed down, with Cora stealing a couple of Carol's breakfast sausages. It was so wonderful to be with everyone.
We got to Mike and Cherie's place a little later, and helped set up for the party. Poor Camille was looking pretty rough, but she still had that sweet sparkle we have grown to love. Joshua arrived soon after and we all went into the game room to celebrate. Need we say that Cora made out like a bandit?
Adam, in trying to help Hunter not feel excluded (at least, that's the excuse he gave) bought a real neat double-barreled Nerf shot gun. To show just how much this was a "guy" thing, the toy uses plastic shells to house the Nerf dart-bullets. One can fire it both barrels or one at a time. When the catch is released, the shells eject, just like a real shotgun. All of the guys (including Mike and me) when they saw it, went. "COOL!!" Like I said...a guy thing. Hunter eventually got to play with the toy and was able to take it home...probably for his dad to examine. :-).
We left Ohio on Sunday morning at 0630, picking up Adam who is going to stay with us for a few weeks. We had breakfast at 0830 and made it back to Virginia at around 1445. There were winter storm warnings in effect for the northern Virginia area for 1400 onward, so we were anxious to get home before the snow it. As it turned out, the snow hit later that night and dumped about 4 inches on our area.
Any way...that was our last trip. As soon as we can get the pictures from the camera downloaded, we'll post a few.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Back from our Ohio trip
Well, we made it to Ohio and back this past week. Carol felt much better for our trip when we left on the 30th. I, however, had developed a kickin' head cold. I started taking the Zycam and other cold meds to lessen the affect of my sinuses. We left Virginia at around 1030 and got to Troy and our hotel by 1845...not bad by normal standards. Traffic was light and the weather was pretty good, but cold.
We rested the first night after chatting with everyone by phone. I could tell that I needed some of the "down time" after driving that distance combined with my cold.
We met up with Adam, as well as Joshua, Camille, Cora, and Hunter during various times of the day on the 31st, but David had to work, then everyone had New Year's Eve plans. With that, we postponed our Christmas gift exchange until New Year's Day, since everyone was off work and could dedicate the time.
On New Year's Day, we had everyone over to our hotel room, a nice little efficiency suite at the Mariott Residence Inn. Carol completed two quilts, one each for Cora and Hunter. We also had some toys, including some planes and cars for Hunter. He started hopping up and down with excitement when he saw them, showing he's all boy. Cora got a doll, and immediately asked what her name was. I said it was Princess Hortense, and the name stuck.
Everyone stayed the entire day with us, which made Carol and I so happy that words can hardly be expressed. The highlight came, for me, that night when we all went for dinner at Friendly's. With everyone sitting around three or four tables, we we all joking and laughing, having a great time. I sat back and looked at everyone there, most of my dear family, just enjoying each others company. It struck me that this is what heaven is like...one's loved ones around, laughing, happy, and together. I thank Heavenly Father that He gave me another glimpse of Celestial happiness. Thanks to Joshua, Camille (and Cora and Hunter), Adam, David, and Leticia for giving us a truly memorable holiday!
Carol and I left the next day at 0615, and made it back to Virginia by 1530 after stopping for breakfast in Cambridge, Ohio, around 0915. We "crashed" at 1900, and got back into our routine on Saturday. My martial arts class had six members this time, with more planning on the next class on the 10th.
Work starts on the 5th and my last college class on the 8th, so I know I'll have to jump back into the grind quickly.
We love the photos of everyone. Alora and Ethan look wonderful, naturally. We miss our "Stuttgart Letteers" terribly.
As soon as Carol and I can get some of the pictures off the cameras, we'll post some for all.
'Til next time...Blossom where you are Planted!
We rested the first night after chatting with everyone by phone. I could tell that I needed some of the "down time" after driving that distance combined with my cold.
We met up with Adam, as well as Joshua, Camille, Cora, and Hunter during various times of the day on the 31st, but David had to work, then everyone had New Year's Eve plans. With that, we postponed our Christmas gift exchange until New Year's Day, since everyone was off work and could dedicate the time.
On New Year's Day, we had everyone over to our hotel room, a nice little efficiency suite at the Mariott Residence Inn. Carol completed two quilts, one each for Cora and Hunter. We also had some toys, including some planes and cars for Hunter. He started hopping up and down with excitement when he saw them, showing he's all boy. Cora got a doll, and immediately asked what her name was. I said it was Princess Hortense, and the name stuck.
Everyone stayed the entire day with us, which made Carol and I so happy that words can hardly be expressed. The highlight came, for me, that night when we all went for dinner at Friendly's. With everyone sitting around three or four tables, we we all joking and laughing, having a great time. I sat back and looked at everyone there, most of my dear family, just enjoying each others company. It struck me that this is what heaven is like...one's loved ones around, laughing, happy, and together. I thank Heavenly Father that He gave me another glimpse of Celestial happiness. Thanks to Joshua, Camille (and Cora and Hunter), Adam, David, and Leticia for giving us a truly memorable holiday!
Carol and I left the next day at 0615, and made it back to Virginia by 1530 after stopping for breakfast in Cambridge, Ohio, around 0915. We "crashed" at 1900, and got back into our routine on Saturday. My martial arts class had six members this time, with more planning on the next class on the 10th.
Work starts on the 5th and my last college class on the 8th, so I know I'll have to jump back into the grind quickly.
We love the photos of everyone. Alora and Ethan look wonderful, naturally. We miss our "Stuttgart Letteers" terribly.
As soon as Carol and I can get some of the pictures off the cameras, we'll post some for all.
'Til next time...Blossom where you are Planted!
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