Road Trip to Germany

This morning we were on the road at 8:45 and decided to make a stop in Poznan, Poland on our way to Nürnberg, Germany. We knew we would be on the road all day so why not detour for lunch?

We arrived in Poznan's square a few minutes before noon when the goats would come out of the clock and headbutt one another.  After the show, we walked around the square quickly as we were all numb from the freezing cold. The temperature was around 12°F and none of us found that refreshing. So, after walking around we found a place that suited us all for lunch: Whiskey in a Jar. We only enjoyed burgers and fries, but the restaurant was very neat and had some American aspects to it. 

In Poznan, we parked next to this car. There were many messages on cars that we walked by. This one was nice to see. 

We finished up and then drove to find Starbucks. We detoured there for a few minutes and then found our way back to the road. 

We made a few stops along the way and also got hung up in traffic for over an hour. We stopped for a quick dinner around 7. It was 34 degrees and felt so warm compared to earlier. We got back on the road and drove the last two hours in the snow. Doing that while on the autobahn, not my favorite moment, but Daniel did great and we made it through. 

We arrived in Nürnberg around 9:30pm and we were all ready for a break. We checked in to our hotel and tried not to be too loud before crashing. On the drive here, Caleb was able to finish reading his book and Maddie watched Frozen at least 7 times. 

Overall, we had a decent day and we can't wait to explore a little tomorrow. 

Goodnight!

2015 Recap: In Case You Missed It

This past year has brought so many exciting things as well as opportunities to see other countries as we live abroad. We have tried our best to take advantage of seeing as much of Europe as possible. I think we did okay, but we have a few more planned to top our journey off. 

In 2015 we visited 15 countries (including Poland since we went South for skiing along with a few other cities).  Beginning in January here are our trips in order:

1) Garmisch, Germany

2) Zakopane (Poland)

3) Sicily, Italy 

4) Prague, Czech Republic 

5) Barcelona, Spain

6) Vienna, Austria 

7) Copenhagen, Denmark

8) Stockholm, Sweden 

9) Helsinki, Finland

10) St. Petersburg, Russia

11) Tallinn, Estonia 

12) London, England

13) Budapest, Hungary 

14) Paris, France

15) Italy (Milan, Venice, Florence, Tuscan vineyard, Rome, Pompeii, Sorrento, Capri and Naples)

Our travels ended at the end of October as we breaked to host Thanksgiving, Christmas and endure various inspections at work. Daniel hosted the 240th Marine Corps Birthday party, too. 

We did make it to Kraków, Gdansk and Kutno, Poland over the past year. We visited multiple cities in Germany and enjoyed Warsaw every chance we got. 

Our family had a few firsts as well as some great experiences. To list a few: 

-Caleb and I ran our first 5K

-Daniel participated in Warsaw's Spartan Race

-Caleb started ASW in the fall

-I started working at the embassy and later received an award

-Daniel hosted multiple work visits

-Daniel and I got to meet the Secretary of the Navy and the former Speaker of the House as well as other Congressional Representatives 

-Discovered our favorite Polish dishes as well as a favorite German restaurant 

-Maddie and Caleb continue to learn and speak more Polish 

-Caleb's first time on the ski slopes 

-Our first cruise 

-Made friendships that will last a lifetime

We have been so blessed this past year and we can't wait to see what 2016 holds for us. 

Cheers!

The Singley's

Day 366: New Years Eve

To begin, I'm not sure how I ended up with one extra day this year but you're welcome ;).  I'm sure one day was added along the way, but the details aren't important.  I made it.  A blog post each day for the most part. I'm not sure if I'll do a post for each day in 2016, but I definitely plan to post enough to keep all the ones interested up-to-date. 

So now: New Year's Eve. 

Today, we woke up and enjoyed a breakfast at the lodge.  We took time to drive to Gdansk even though we knew it would be short and sweet. 

It took us about 45 minutes to drive there but once we arrived we parked and bundled up with as much cold gear as possible.  It was so cold!! It felt like 12°F and by the water it was windy.  Nothing like experiencing that with your kid who doesn't want to walk.  This was both kids by the way, but Maddie was the only one carried. 

We didn't last long but we were able to walk around and enjoy some of the amber for sale. We bought Maddie a pair of earrings and made our way back to the car.  We found a Starbucks, purchased our coffee cup and then enjoyed lunch.  

We drove back to the lodge and hung out with the other families before dinner.  The kids played and watched a movie.  We then dressed up and let the kids eat first.  They enjoyed noodles and oranges as well as a coconut dessert.  

The parents put the kids down for the night and then returned to the adult dinner at 8:30.  Thankfully, our room was right beside the dining area so we didn't have to go far.  Caleb read his book, Maddie slept, and the adults ate and ate.  The food was fantastic.  

At midnight, we made sure Caleb was awake and we watched fireworks.  The lodge set off a few, but the best was watching all of the fireworks all around us.  It was truly incredible.  Best part?  Madison never made a peep.  The fireworks didn't wake her. 

After dessert and wonderful conversation, we called it a night.  2015 has been an amazing year and we cannot wait to see what 2016 holds. 

Cheers, and goodnight! 

Day 365: Kania Lodge Bound

This morning we made sure we had most of our luggage packed for our New Years getaway. We'll be staying at a lodge near Gdańsk and hope to see the town tomorrow. 

The work day ended at noon for us and then we left around 1 to head home. We got all of the luggage loaded up and got on the road around 2.

It's about a 4-5 hour drive, so we were hopeful we would make it there sooner than later with no issues. 

The drive was pretty good overall and Maddie even took a small nap. She woke up really needing to potty though and began screaming to pee in the grass. Thankfully, we were really close to a rest area, so we made a quick stop. We got back on the road and then stopped again for gas and food. 

After a few back roads, a phone call, and a few steep turns, we made it to the lodge we were staying at. We met up with a group of friends and enjoyed a 3 course dinner. We all put the kids down and then enjoyed drinks by the fire. It was a lot of fun overall and we can't wait to see more tomorrow and also bring in the new year with some great folks!

Goodnight. 

Day 364: Tuesday Clean Up

This morning Anna came to the house to keep Caleb, Maddie went off to school and Daniel and I made our way to work. Traffic has been very thin lately thanks to folks being gone for Christmas, so getting to work in less than 15 minutes has been wonderful! 

I spent the day getting organized and checking things off my to do lists. Daniel knocked out a few things he needed to do and we went from there. 

Caleb learned of his fate. He has to read one book (his newest Harry Potter one) and write a three page report about it. He then gets to write a two page paper of why it's important to keep up with items, such as retainers, etc. until those things happen, there will be no play dates or screen time. He doesn't seem to be motivated enough to get ungrounded but he'll soon learn this is not a bluff. Hopefully, he'll find time before our next move! 

We spent the evening cleaning up and getting the house in order. I took a few pictures of Maddie playing with Caleb. Maddie also took time with me to play with all of her Barbies. We enjoyed them for a bit and then played with her dollhouse. 

Overall, we had a good night and got a lot done. Goodnight!

Day 363: Margarita kind of Monday

This morning started out okay. Caleb was taken to a friends house, Maddie went off to school and Daniel and I went back to work after the long weekend. 

We pushed through this rather long Monday and got home around 4 to get  Maddie from school. Caleb came home and that's when it began. 

While at his friends house, Caleb lost his retainer. The top piece which was all that remained. He thought he left it at the restaurant that had eaten at for breakfast but didn't bother looking for it once he realized it was gone. He said it may also be in the car they rode in, but he couldn't be sure. 

After texting, I discovered it was in the car so I sent him down to get it. He was still grounded, but from what we hadn't decided on yet. 

The sitter arrived and Caleb was grounded from all electronics. He got to play with Legos and such, but nothing else. The sitter said they had a great time and Maddie was good too. 

Daniel and I left to have dinner at a Mexican restaurant. We ordered huge margaritas when we arrived, which was perfection after the Monday we had. 

We celebrated our friend's birthday along with good company. We had a wonderful time!

Goodnight!

Day 362: An Old Town Kind of Day

This morning we woke up much later than planned (thanks Maddie).  Daniel cooked an amazing breakfast and we watched a little tv. We decided we would go to Old Town today and then to the palace to see Christmas lights. 

We left a little after lunchtime and walked around Old Town for a while. We visited the boy soldier, Old Town square and enjoyed the lights around town. It was in the 50s with little wind so it felt amazing. 

Maddie took a small nap with Elsa and Anna. She woke up to a hotdog and balloon we had promised her. We enjoyed a long walk from Old Town to the embassy where we parked. The lights were great down Nowy Swiat and the walk was great! 

We drove to Wilinow Palace and it was insane. We found where everyone in Warsaw was hiding! We made our way to the entrance in our car and saw the line to get in. It was insane!! We decided since the lights were up until March we would come back another day. 

We made our way back to the house and finished getting cleaned up. We enjoyed leftovers for dinner and played with the kids. Today has been a really good day and it was a great way to end the weekend. We are very blessed! 

Goodnight all! 

Day 361: A Day of Playing

This morning we started out by opening and playing with the toys we didn't get to yesterday. The kids loved it and Daniel and I did much of nothing. 

It was a great day. We enjoyed leftovers and each other's company. Later in the evening we chatted with everyone at my family's Christmas dinner. It was nice seeing everyone for a few seconds and saying hello. We definitely miss everyone. 

 

Goodnight everyone!

Day 360: Merry Christmas

We woke up this morning after 9am. We got our Christmas wish: to sleep in! Unfortunately, we had so much to do, we had to hit the ground running. 

We began with opening stockings and then moved to presents. It was fun! The kids had a great time. Every time Maddie opened a gift, she would bring me her paper, ask Daniel, "Can I have another present please?" And then she would sit back down and open a gift. She was too cute! She loved many things, but one of her favorites was her Elsa and Anna dolls. 

We hosted dinner this evening and had a great crowd. We enjoyed great food, drinks, and company. We met new people and made new friends. Maddie loved showing off all of her princesses. She had so much fun. 

Figgy pudding! 

We enjoyed learning about a Polish tradition and then celebrated with Christmas crackers (an British thing) hence the crowns. We had a great time. 

At the end of the night we cleaned up and then facetimed with family. We're pretty tired, so we're hoping to rest well tonight. 

Goodnight all and Merry Christmas!!!