A day at the Luisenpark...and here and there..

I was awoken this morning by the knocking of little hands on my hotel room door.  UGH! I think I finally fell asleep this morning at around 3 a.m. so this was NOT a welcome sound. (give me a couple of more days and I will quit the whining about the lack of sleep) I felt like I had just woke up after a night of hard partying as I stumbled to the door and was greeted by the three Duff boys that had returned after a night spent at Mike's place with our little dog, Ruby.  I wanted nothing more than to retreat back to the comfort of my bed but the guys were hungry and we had planned to have breakfast around the corner from the base at the American Cafe.  So, since my stomach is usually the first thing awake in the morning, I pulled myself together so I could go enjoy some great American food and a HUGE mug full of coffee.  Before we left the room, I did check my Starbucks app on my iPhone just to find out that there is a store 1.5 miles from me but, as most businesses are on Sundays in Germany, it was closed.  I built my little bridge and got over it. (I just noticed that I say little a lot; not sure why)
So, after a great little (haha) breakfast buffet at the cafe, Mike took us to an amazing park in the middle of Mannheim, Luisenpark.  What a BEAUTIFUL sight this was.  We enjoyed several hours of fun which included visiting the animals of the park; riding on minicars; playing on the playground; taking a fabulous boat ride along the lake then finishing the afternoon with a bratwurst and pommes frites (only item on the menu that I could pronounce) on the breezy patio of a cafe inside the park. 

The boys had an amazing day which always makes this mommy very happy!

To end the day and our first weekend in Deutschland, the boys and I took a stroll over to the park across the street from our hotel room to burn off any shreds of energy they had left.  After a half an hour of play, we came back to the room and my sweet little Kristian climbed up on the bed and fell fast asleep.....(with blankie please) 



My baby who put himself to bed...looks like a little angel huh?  HAHA!!!



Enjoy some pictures from our day and this amazing park that I can't wait to visit again soon.... 

Krisser showing us his "mad face" at our breakfast table at the American Cafe this morning...

Cigarette machine outside of the American Cafe....and are also found at various other places around town...

Krisser just happy to be with Daddy!

Kristian's first run through the park..


BELOW: A FEW SHOTS OF THIS BEAUTIFUL PARK...Made this homesick girl happy for a few hours :-)

THE KING OF THE STORKS, APPARENTLY!



The HIGHLIGHT of my day; the PENGUINS!  They are too cute!









I LOVE this...Kristian having a bonding moment with his sweet little guy...



I could have stayed right here for a long time...

TV tower ... I'm pretty sure..

The playground area...or part of it...where little German kids run around half naked...NOW that is going to take some getting used to!  (not pictured is the water park nearby...but STILL!)

The boys' highlight of the day...the minicars...plunk in 1€ and your off and running for about 5 minutes...

I love that with my iPhone ... I was able to capture both boys mid-air....on the trampoline..

We're not in Kansas anymore....

View from our boat ...

Kammer and I being silly...this is one of seveal shots ...thought I would spare you the insanity.

Boat ride with a lovely German lady and her kiddos...



Ummm...yeah..??



Self portrait ...figured I should be in some of the pictures...

JENGA!

Lunchtime in the park...please note:
Glass of water with gas - 2.20€
Glass of Sprite - 3.30€
Empty plate with knife - Priceless - Mommy doesn't get to eat because the drinks cost too much! (no free water in German Restaurants...I'll be smuggling in my own water bottles from now on...and I knew this!)  (but, I am kidding, I did eat)



IN CONCLUSION -- It was oveall a pretty good weekend with my thoughts never too far from home.  I am looking forward to moving out of this Army Lodge to our home in Malschenberg mid week.  Maybe things will change for me....we'll see!  I, of couse, will be sure to let you know! 

Starting to live the Army Life...sort of

Well folks, keep your shirts on!  Its official; I have experienced my first "Army Family Gathering".  We were invited to a little going away party for one of Mike's "coworkers" (for lack of a better term).  This was held at one of the little hot spots on the installation; the bowling alley!  Really, I felt so incredibly welcome which slightly eased the pain of some of this crazy homesickness I'm dealing with.  Everyone was so genuinely kind and welcoming. 
The boys had a great time mingling with the other kiddos and even did a little bowling, which makes sense since we were at a bowling alley.  I, on the other hand, did not expose everyone to my mad bowling skills but rather chose to hold down one of the swiveling seats at the table with my beer in hand taking in life as we know it, starting now.

Also, as you'll see in a picture or two below, the Army knows how to build parks!  They definiately take care of the kiddos when it comes to playing hard.  Kris thought he had died and gone to heaven when his little eyes spyed this Mecca for Army kids.  So, we asked everyone to please excuse us while we used the "restroom" and B-lined for the door when no one was watching so we could enjoy this little piece of kiddo heaven smack dab in the middle of Heidelberg, DE.  Yipee!

 

I do apologize if this post isn't as angry or dramatic as the first;  I am actually writing it after a few hours of decent sleep in a kid and husband free hotel room;  I'm listening to a girls softball game being played in the field outside of my hotel room.  There is something comforting about the sound of American kids having fun on a warm summer morning.  (ok, now that was a little dramatic) 

Enjoy a few pictures from our second day and I promise to keep you all posted as this adventure truly begins....(soon?) 

Amie working on her smiling friendly face....its coming back...






Waiting for daddy to pick us up after work



Mike chattin' it up with Kris and his new little buddy..

This little guy was sort of like a squirrel while you're camping....if your back is turned, or not in this case, watch out for your food!  SO CUTE!! 

Krisser enjoying some grilled and fried grease for dinner ..

The NON Bacon Cheeseburger that Kameron refused to eat since they forgot to put the bacon on the burger.  It looks so sad and alone...

Saying good-bye to one of the gang...

YEEOOWWWW!!! Look at this place!!  Kris is thinking, "Army life, not so bad!"









Kris has a way with the ladies...

AGAIN, until next time Americans....