Driving Again...

in the parking lot, on a Sunday when everything is closed.

Its about as close as I will get until June.

Its not for a lack of wanting or such. I think some people over here look down on me for not getting my license. Its just that, coming from the state of Georgia, one is treated like they never drove before in their life.

You must take driving lessons (or else you will never pass), take a first aid class, take a written exam where you can only miss two or three questions, and then take a road test with the crazy German authorities. (Jason failed his first road test and he's proud that it only took him a second try!)

Some lucky states and provinces (like ALL of Canada), you don't have to do anything. Then in many other states, you just have to take the written test. I don't know many people here who had the misfortune of having to take the whole thing. Jason took about 60 hours to study and take lessons -- I just don't have that sort of time. Skylar and Carter come first!

New Camera

[Guest Contribution by Jason]

Old Camera:

New Camera:

Duh, the photo of the new camera looks worse than the old one... but that's because the picture was taken by a third (not shown) camera that predates all of them (1 MegaPixel HP model).

Long story short, the first camera, Canon PowerShot A510 (3.2 MegaPixels) died after 8200 photos. Unfortunately that was accomplished in only 17 months! Oh well, that's what happens when you have cute kids (and move to Europe). The new camera is a Canon PowerShot A530 (5.0 MegaPixels).

Black Friday is....

just plain-old Friday here in lovely Deutschland.


Its so fustrating to watch this year's action from the sidelines... Wal*Mart, Target, even poor old Kohls would be a welcome sight to my sore eyes. Next year I will be at Wal*Mart at 4 a.m. in line with a box of Krispy Kremes and a QT coffee.

Me and My Daughter

Strollers in Italy?

Remember my previous pondering about German strollers?

Well, on our recent visit to Italy, I saw a refreshing sight:

Normal strollers!!!!
Look at those wheels!!

My Yahoo Time Capsule Entries

More are still processing....

New Neighborhood in America

Here's a potential neighborhood we are looking at in America to live in:

http://newhood.blogspot.com/

Halloween

So the Noble's favorite Holiday is approaching. Halloween
I can not wait for next Halloween. We are going to have such a blast. The kids will be old enough to really enjoy it as well. I will buy lots of new scary stuff.
This year as most of you may know we are going away to get our Halloween fix. We are going to Italy for Halloween to Gardaland. It is the largest amusement park in Italy. They dress up the park for the Holiday.
We are going to spend the weekend before Halloween there. Dress the kids up and hopefully have a spooky good time.
I am sure if you check out the kids Blog soon after our trip you will find some great photos and tales.
Enjoy. Happy Halloween

Friends to Miss

In Germany I will miss the friends I have made. All of the great get togethers; breakfasts, dinners and parties. These people I have met have made this experience bearable, even enjoyable. I hope these people will be long time parts of my life. Yanti, Andrea, Karen, Heidi, Julia, Esther, Amanda just to name a few, Thank you to all.

Crazy Euro Stuff I Don't Understand

"Amber Teething Necklace?"

Supposedly, the contact of Amber on skin soothes the infant.

"Closed Bottom Sleepers (in huge sizes)?"
OK, for infants its a safe alternative to blankets, especially to prevent SIDS, but.... these Sleepers in Germany come in sizes for 3, 4 and 5 year olds! How are the kids supposed to go to the bathroom?!?.

"Tummy Tub?"
Wash your baby in a bucket?