Skiing in Garmisch

We arrived to Garmisch Sunday around lunchtime. We checked in to the ski lodge and got fitted for everything we'd be using for the week. 

We enjoyed dinner that night at the hotel and the kids loved swimming. It was hard pulling them away from the water, but we managed and then called it a night. 

On Monday, Caleb began his week long ski school and Daniel and I took to the mountain. I did fine in the kiddie area, but not great on the bigger slopes. I decided I needed to receive more lessons before doing more, so Daniel ventured on to other areas with some of our friends and I stayed in the safe area. 

On Tuesday, Daniel and Caleb skied a few different slopes, including an intermediate slope. Caleb stayed with his class and Daniel stayed with some friends. They had a great day overall. That evening we enjoyed burgers at a local place and then went back for some swimming at the hotel. 

On Wednesday, Daniel took a break from the slopes and Caleb stayed with his ski class. They went down a black slope which is a more advanced course. The students did great! Daniel and I piddled around and decided we'd both ski on Thursday before packing up. 

On Thursday, Maddie woke up pretty warm. She was tired and not acting like herself. I decided to stay at the lodge with her. Daniel can actually ski so it was worth him going and doing more than I would have on the slopes. 

Daniel followed Caleb's class around for part of the day. They did a lot of different slopes, including the black runs again. Daniel said it was really fast and a lot of fun. Caleb managed to come down it without falling. He was so proud as this had been something he was working on during the week. 

Caleb's class participated in a race down the mountain. It was timed and Caleb came in second place. He was so excited and proud, as were we!! 

Maddie started feeling a little better once the medicine kicked in, but she was still having a rough time. We all joined in on dinner that evening and said our goodbyes as we were all traveling in different directions back to Warsaw. 

We had a great trip and we were very blessed to have made it to Garmisch once more before leaving. We love Germany and Garmisch is such an amazing place. We're definitely going to miss it when we leave. 

Photo credit to a friend of ours. 

Day 100: Goodbye Garmisch, Hello Dresden

This morning we said a lot of "see you laters" to old and new friends. We also enjoyed breakfast and packed up the remainder of our things. 

Once we were on the road we were making great time. We got through Munich, and traffic began to get slower and slower. The autobahn was SO slow which made it even more dangerous. Having people pass by doing 110 mph and then going to a standstill was insane. 

On top of the traffic fun, Maddie was having a really hard time using the bathroom. She would cry out "pee pee potty" so we would stop and let her use her travel potty. She wouldn't do anything other than cry and scream "all done" so we would put her back in the car, go another 3 miles only for her to begin crying again. The drive to Dresden should have been roughly 5 1/2 hours and it took roughly 7 hours or so. 

We finally entered Dresden and found our hotel. We have a lot planned for tomorrow so hopefully it won't take too long to get where we plan to go. 

Most of our view today was this. We really enjoyed seeing the beautiful countryside. 

Also, this is post number 100! I'm actually a bit surprised I made it this far!!  It's exhausting at times, but I do it for those of you who have told us how much you enjoy it. So for that, thank you! Much love. 

Day 99: Fun With Region 8

Today was great overall. The morning went well and Daniel was released at lunch for a bbq. The entire region (where each country is categorized into) got together and played games and enjoyed some great food. 

Ultimate frisbee in front of the Alps!

The kids had a wonderful time and I enjoyed hanging out with other wives who are in the same boat as I am. We talked about where we were from, what we do with our extra "kids" and we enjoyed each other's company. It was nice. 

Once the bbq was over we went back to the hotel room where I packed up clothes. So. Many. Clothes. 

We hung out with a few others around dinner time and played one round of cards. 

Overall we have really enjoyed the time we've spent in Garmisch this week. 

Day 98: A Day Full of Games

Maddie woke up in a great mood today. She slept in until 9 and was pleasant for a little while. However, she was defiant and testy for the first half of the day. Caleb was also a little defiant, but we got through the first part of the day and managed to have a great evening. 

Maddie loves the arcade area. She especially loves this truck machine. She's so cute when she climbs into it. I did a ton of laundry today while she ran all over playing games. She also ate goldfish and watched me fold clothes. Fun times! 

While we were having all that fun, Caleb was outside playing with a group of boys. He had the best time hanging out with them and playing frisbee. He hated to leave when it was time for dinner. 

We found a local Irish pub for dinner and enjoyed some burgers. They definitely hit the spot. Afterwards, we played in the pool and the hottub. 

Maddie loved walking up and down the steps and jumping up and down while she was in the water. Caleb was having a great time, too. He was in the deep end jumping and splashing around with other kids. 

Overall we had a great and relaxing day. We didn't do much, which is exactly what we needed. 

Goodnight!

Day 97: Another Garmisch Day

Today Maddie went to daycare while Caleb and I went on a local tour. We saw some amazing sites, and while taking pictures, my phone died. So, there's not a lot from our tour. We also went to a place called the cheese factory and got to sample different varieties of cheese and also learned how it was made along with the process of butter. It was a lot of fun. 

After lunch we went to a wood carving shop. It was so incredible how some of the things looked. They were very detailed and really nice. We got a few souvenirs and then rode back to the hotel. 

Once back I got Maddie from daycare. She had a great time. She loved playing with the other kids and loved snack time. 

The wives went to dinner since the husbands had a work dinner. We had a lot of fun and enjoyed getting out of the hotel. 

Caleb enjoyed his day having snowball fights and then hanging out with some kids at the youth center. He seems to be having fun!!

Day 96: A Day of Catching Up

Today Maddie went to the childcare center on base for a few hours. She had a great time and was well taken care of. She made new friends and enjoyed herself. 

Caleb and I met up with Daniel at lunch and hung out with him for a little while. We played Scrabble Slam, which was a lot of fun. 

At lunch we sat with a group of people who Daniel went to school with (along with their spouses) and caught up on so much. We talked about how life was at each post and us girls chatted about many random things. 

Maddie only stayed for a couple of hours at daycare, and then I went and picked her up. She napped in the hotel room and then we all went down to the pool. Caleb had a blast. Maddie, on the other hand, was a little more reserved. 

Daniel and I had a tour tonight with a group of people. We got a German beer tour and learned far more than we ever cared to know. We also enjoyed a great dinner and even better company. Overall our day was great. We couldn't have asked for much better. 

Pictures from our tour:

Our tour guide. 

Daniel and I now have new diplomas to showcase. We officially passed the "test." 

We had so much fun and we're thankful to be in such a great place with so many people. 

Day 95: Happy Easter, Wesołych świąt Wielkanocnych, Frohe Ostern

Today the kids awoke to snow and Easter baskets. They loved their surprises. 

After the egg opening and all that fun, we went downstairs for breakfast. 

We then went back to the room for a little egg hunt. I hid a few eggs for Maddie and Caleb found the ones she didn't. 

After the egg fun we went to the small PX and commissary on base. We were so happy to find American products for cheaper than we're use to seeing! Caleb was SO excited to find "his" bologna. Mind you he ate a bologna sandwich every day for kindergarten and first grade, and most of second grade, too. He's missed it just a bit. Maddie wanted fruit (no surprise there) and I bought diet coke. I've missed the real diet coke! 

Our view from the parking lot. 

We got back to the hotel and settled down with lunch. Maddie ate and then napped. Once she was awake we went down to the lobby and met other families from all over. 

We had dinner with all of region 8 (the region Daniel works in) and met some really nice people. We also caught up with the ones we already knew which was very nice! We also tried schnitzel. It was pretty delicious.