Six Hours Ahead

And yet months behind on this blog. But that's a good thing -- life moves at its swiftest when you enjoy it.

Instead of trying to apologize through pictures of memories long since created, I'll throw some cute Liam videos at you to catch you up... and hopefully appease you.

Cruises Are LAME.

JUST KIDDING!

To celebrate Zeke's homecoming and get away from it all, we chose to hop on a plane to Florida and roll out on a Disney cruise ship. Bound for 8 days in the Caribbean. Now THAT is how you celebrate! Or at least how we celebrate. A cruise has managed to be a bookend to every one of our deployments!

Unlike last year's cruise, which was chock-full of beautiful scenery, history, culture, and information, this cruise was full of everything we needed now: sunshine, relaxation, sunshine, beaches, awesome family time, and sunshine. And sunshine. And some more sunshine.

So no history lessons or long-winded diatribes this round -- just some amazing pics ahead. For now, we will hook you up with the shots the Disney pros took of us on the cruise. Await more albums and maybe even a video or two in the coming days!

Free At Last

Thank God Almighty.

Next Stop: Harvard

This morning while we were having breakfast, I asked Liam if he could trace the letters on one of his little dry erase workbooks. He hasn't even looked at these books since this past summer.

He looks at the letters, goes, "Trace? Oh, okay!" and came up with this masterpiece:

Buon Compleanno, Liam!!*

Our little man is three years old today. I posted pictures so you can see what a fun day we have been having!

So far, Liam has eaten 3 cupcakes. I'm sure at least 3 more will "go past the uvula" before the day's end. (Seriously, Liam's words exactly. He is fascinated with the uvula.)

We were hoping to visit with some friends for a dinner out tonight, but we got hit with almost 6" of snow this weekend. Lots of shoveling, zero driving. It is times like these that I am thankful Liam takes after his parents: somewhat anti-social, a bit of a homebody, and much more interested in relaxing on the couch with a glass of Jameson than partying it up downtown. Okay, well maybe that last part is "a glass of bubble water" for Liam, but you get the idea. No matter how many times or in what ways I asked him, Liam did not want a birthday party. He just wanted a cupcake.

So I made him 24.

And I don't know if we will have any left to share with friends by tomorrow.

Happy birthday, our sweet Liam. We are so proud of the bright, witty, charismatic, inquisitive, handsome young man you are turning out to be. We love you!

* This title is in Italian because Vicenza, Italy looks to be our next duty station... we are a lucky bunch! More to come...

Gedenkt Macht Frei

Loosely translated: Remembering frees.

As the prisoners entered the Dachau contraction camp, they were greeted with the words ARBEIT MACHT FREI in wrought-iron letters. The door slammed behind them and they entered a world of forced labor, starvation, medical mistreatment, and intentional mass murder. When the SS told the Holocaust victims that "labor frees" it was a disgusting and horrible mockery of an idea otherwise valid and venerated in society.

What does make those tortured souls free -- what will make us all free -- is remembering. Taking serious note of what happened, sharing with others the truth of the past, and vowing to rise above, appreciate our differences, and find a better way.

Somehow we have managed to reach our picture limit for Google's Blogspot (unless we want to start paying... no thank you). From here on out, we will post thoughts and reflections on here and then provide you with a link to any pictures related to the topic. Videos will still be linked directly on this site.

Please check out Our new picture venue! to see some of the photos from Dachau. Seeing these photographs comes nowhere near providing you with the direct experience every human needs to have at a camp memorial, but it gets you started.

Willkommen in München!

No clue who these fun Deutschers are.
Two things I do know:
1.  Their outfits are not a joke
2. They didn't try to charge for this picture. I think they grabbed Grammy
and threw her in the sleigh with them.

The capital of Bavaria is easily one of the most beautiful and enchanting cities in the world.  I have been to Munich three times now, with a trip already on the books to go back there next weekend. When Zeke and I knew Grammy and Pappy were coming to visit, we knew we had to fit Munich in on our family vacation.

Here is a glimpse of Bavaria's capital -- enjoy the tour!

MEXICAN FOOD IN MUNICH!

GERMAN BEER IN A MEXICAN RESTAURANT!

This is what happens when countries don't believe in air-conditioning

Schloss Nymphenburg

So there is this nice little humble home in Munich. Based on its name, you're possibly thinking this place was a glorified brothel. (Completely possible, being that it has been the residence of Bavarian royalty during its existence.)  However, we like to think its name gains more meaning from one of the more peculiar rooms in the palace. There is a large study whose walls are graced with bust portraits of 32 random women considered "beauties" -- their societal roles ranged from seamstresses to noblewomen.

Nymphenburg is the birthplace of King Ludwig II, arguably Bavaria's most famous and intriguing leader. You'll learn more about him from me in upcoming posts.

View of the castle (this picture captures maybe 1/3 of the entire set of buildings)

Swans were everywhere -- paying homage to Ludwig II,
who was given the nickname "Swan King" during his life

The ceiling in the Great Hall.  Very simple decor, right?

Shot of the gardens

And they say men can't multitask

Liam is LOVING him some Grammy!

Karlstor Tor, one of the four city gates marking the bounds of old Munich

Someone finally discovered a better use of those silly size-clasps found on the tops of hangers

The infamous Munich Rathaus-Glockenspiel (dates back to 908 -- more than 1000 years old!)

The Hofbräuhaus has been around since 1589.
Can you imagine just how cool you'd have to be to qualify for your own
padlock-protected drinking mug at their establishment? 

Duck!... Duck!... GOOSE!

Picture nominated for Best Parents Of The Year 2012

The National Theatre Munich

Easily Liam's most favorite piece of art in the world: The Walking Man

"Daddy. DADDY. DAD! LOOK! The Walking Man won't stop staring at us!!"

Falling in step with a long-standing Munich tradition:
you make a wish while rubbing each of the three lion faces 

Beautiful city, beautiful faces to share it with, and beautiful memories to cherish.