Josiah's Birthday Cake

Happy Birthday, Josiah!

Bill and Ben (Thomas trains) are some of Josiah's new gifts.

Delicious birthday cake!

The Alps and Garmisch

Zugspitze

Annika and yours truly in one of the gardens in Garmisch.

Aren't these mice cute! Annika is much cuter!!

I love the Bavarian paintings on the buildings.

So many cute kids clothes.

The Alps are seen at the center of the photo.

Annika gazing at Zugspitze.

One of the most beautiful sights in Germany is down in Garmisch where the German Alps meet the Austrian Alps. In this setting is the beautiful Edelweiss Lodge and Resort. For the past three Mays, I have been privileged to go there with Rachel and Hans and my sweet grandchildren.

This year the weather was a bit cooler than before, but it was still very nice. We got there Tuesday afternoon and stayed there until just before 11 today. The view outside our windows was the Alps, including Zugspitze, the tallest mountain in the German Alps. A few times during our stay, one could see the entire mountain.

On Wednesday Rachel, Annika and I went downtown to shop in the charming downtown of Garmisch. I had in mind to buy a Bavarian sweater, as I did last year, but this year they were too expensive for me. I saw many beautiful things, but settled on only a couple of small items - a pretty candle and some napkins.

We went to the pool the two evenings we were there - including sitting outside in the giant hot tub where at one end the view is the Alps. You just don't get that in Minnesota.

We tried to take Will into the pool last night, but he didn't like it at all. Rachel and I took turns sitting out with him - and he was excited to see the children at play.

This whole experience was very nice, and I really appreciate getting to share this experience with them.

Last Day of Being Five/Turning Six

This picture speaks for itself - true happiness!

Annika was really good about Josiah getting all of the gifts and attention.

Oh, to be six again!

Will enjoyed the little party.

Josiah is very sweet.

On Tuesday night we were staying at the Edelweiss Resort and Lodge. It was Josiah's last day of being five, and he asked to sleep in my bed with me. Okay, that's fine. Little did I remember the excitement a five year old would have knowing he was turning six the next day and could open his gifts in the morning.

At 5:30 am he began sitting up in bed and looking at the clock. Up, down, up, down. Scratch the sheets. Deep sighs. Up, down, up, down. Eventually I told him he couldn't get up until 7. Soon he lay his head toward the foot of the bed where he could watch the clock. Sit up, lie down. Sit up, lie down. Sigh. Sigh again. He was about to burst. At 6:59 he sat up and watched the clock. 7:00. "Yay! It's my birthday!" He, Annika and I got up and went out into the living room of our suite. Soon Hans, Rachel and Will came downstairs and the gifts were given to Josiah. Needless to say, Josiah was pumped! He opened one gift after another. He was pretty happy with his new treasures.

School Day

Annika at her schoolroom door

Reading before school

Josiah listening to his classmates singing Happy Birthday!

The children enjoyed this special dessert.

He's happy!

Annika at preschool

Josiah jumping the hop scotch after being shown how by Hans.

Here's Hans!

This morning was the first time ever for me to walk one of my grandchildren to school. I work with several women who have grandchildren nearby and they attend a lot of programs at their grandchildren's schools. I finally got to feel a little of what it is like. A little later in the morning Rachel and I walked Annika to her preschool, also on the base. Then we walked over to Josiah's school to have lunch with him in the school cafeteria. We brought cupcakes along for the class to celebrate Josiah's 6th birthday which is on Wednesday. We're taking the kids out of school for the next few days to go to a resort on the Germany/Austria border.

Spring Flohmarkt

Beautiful harp

Look at these incredible antique hair dryers!

Statue in the castle courtyard

Josiah by a bell in the courtyard

Castle colonnades

This morning I went to the Protestant Services at the chapel on the base. We had sung a couple of congregational songs and the little choir had sung their anthem and then the pastor asked us to stand for the reading of the scriptures. At the conclusion of the text, he asked us to pray, but was interrupted with a series of beeps on the PA, followed by instructions both in English and German telling us it was a fire alarm and to evacuate the building and remain outside until the firetrucks arrived. I stood on the perimeter for about 10 minutes, listening to some of the conversation going on. I heard one person say he had been attending the church for 10 years, and had never experienced this before. Since I knew no one, I decided to walk home. I never did see the firetrucks.

This afternoon Rachel and Josiah took me to the spring flea market in downtown Stuttgart. It was huge - and so much fun! I loved looking at the booths and hearing all of the Germans conversing. I ran into a real find - 3 green stemmed wine glasses (The green stems mean the grapes were grown along the Rhine River.), to replace a couple I had purchased in Germany back in 1977, but have since broken). Price: 50 euro cents each! I also got two Danish Christmas Plates: 1986 and 1987. Price: 6 euro each. Score!

After walking around for awhile, we stopped in the courtyard of an old castle and had a treat. In the distance we could hear an amazing choir at a music festival in a museum. What fun!

First Saturday in Germany

Annika is growing up so much!

The free bottles of beer were being handed out to adult customers at Real.

Saturday Rachel, Annika and I went shopping - first at the PX on the base, and then to a large department store similar to Target. Annika had some birthday money to spend, so she had fun looking for toys and a couple of books.

Meeting Will

Hans and Will

Rachel and Will

Sweetie Pie

When I arrived at the airport in Stuttgart on Friday, Hans and Will met me. I was so surprised at how receptive Will was to me. He is really a sweetheart.

In Deutchland!

Ich bin in Deutchland!

Yesterday I landed in Stuttgart and am spending a couple weeks with my son, Hans, and his dear family. Already I am having so much fun being read to by Josiah and coloring with Annika. Will is 7 months old now and I only met him yesterday. He has the sweetest smile, and I was thrilled to get one when I arrived at the airport. He wasn't afraid to come to me!

Since being here last year, the family has moved to new quarters one building away from the previous one - due to the birth of Will. It feels a little strange to me since the rooms are mostly the mirror image of their last apartment. but in a different arrangement. Josiah loves making drawings of the 50 states of the United States, which he then cuts out. His goal is to make all 50 for me while I'm here (he'll be six years old in four days!). Annika is reading, too. Both of them really like school. Why do they have to grow up so fast?!

It's great to see all of them again! It's been nearly two years since I last saw Hans. It's also going to be wonderful to have some time off work!

Auf weidersehen!

Final Edition 924/1500

Saturday I made a big decision: I bought a new VW Beetle hardtop - Final Edition - mine is 924th out of the 1500 created. I'll be getting it when I return from Germany the end of this month.

I was able to transfer my license plates, which made me happy.

My red 1998 VW Beetle has been a great car! I never dreamed of owning it as long as I had, but it just goes and goes. To date it has 111788 miles.

Our Choir Loses a Member Due to Cancer

On Sunday morning, volunteers were asked to go to the home of Chuck, one of our choir members, battling cancer, to sing for him and his family. The meeting time was 2 pm. Those that arrived a little early learned that Chuck had died at 1:35. His wife and children asked the choir members to come inside and sing anyway. 50 members showed up. They filled his bedroom, standing around him lying in his bed, filled the hallway and the living room. Many hymns were sung, and finally the anthem, Majesty and Glory. I wasn't there, but will join the choir tonight as we sing at his celebration service. Chuck will be greatly missed.

Minneapolis Institute of Arts

This sculpture of "The Veiled Woman" impressed me! The ferns are woven. Lovely!

This floral arrangement was done by a woman from my church. Notice how the vessel is a boat. When you enlarge the photo (double click on it), you can see the straw hat representing one of the fishermen, complete with a fishing pole. The red blooms are the two men in red.

The vessel used for this arrangement represents the ship. Fascinating!

On Sunday I attended the Art in Bloom at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It was a beautiful event. This year the theme was Japan. Hundreds of volunteers - some individual artists, some garden clubs, chose one of the pieces of art on display at the Institute, and create a floral arrangement that mimics the art piece. They use vessels that resemble part of the art work. A huge variety of flowers and mosses and pieces of wood make up the creation. One of the problems with this year's show was the eruption of the volcano in Iceland which caused flights to be canceled - flights with European flowers. Substitutions had to be made, but to my eyes, everything was gorgeous!

Nanc and I tried on a couple of the Japanese kimonos at one display and posed in the doorway of a little Japanese house. Unfortunately, the dark background of the house is difficult to see.

This was my second visit ever to the art institute. Both times I've been there only for a short time. I have promised myself to return when I can be a little more leisurely. If you haven't been there, you should go.

Felix Drake

I have had the sweetest time holding my new grandson, Felix. What a darling little boy he is. Yesterday I met him for the first time. He and Sarah were in their hospital room, just hanging out. He has beautiful, creamy skin, blue eyes, and dark hair, which seemed to curl a little at the base of his neckline. His fingers are delicate, and oh, so tiny. When awake, he looked around, checking us out.

Today I was at their home when Peder brought Sarah and Felix home from the hospital. He was in his little car seat. Peder put him down on the floor for Aurelia to see, and Felix looked at her and around the room. Now, I know he's too young to focus on things yet, but it seemed like he was thinking, "So this is where I live, and this is my family."

Of course, Aurelia wanted to hold him. By the way, Aurelia has adopted this new phrase, "Of course." It's so cute. Sarah set up a place on the couch where she could sit next to Aurelia, allowing her to hold him. I was impressed by how gentle she was with him. Sarah and Peder have done a great job preparing her for this time in her life.

You can see more photos here.

Grandma - - Six Times!

Welcome to Felix Drake, born in Minneapolis this morning, May 1, at 2:30, to Peder and Sarah! He weighs 8# 5 oz. , is 20" tall, has dark hair and blue eyes. Peder says Sarah and Felix are doing just great. Felix already told me hello.

This makes quite the May Day present for Aurelia!