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Fasching Parade 2008

Fasching is the German version of Mardi Gras. Taylor was in the club and made lots of decorations. The whole school got in the spirit and had a great parade.
Taylor's class represented the Masks of Bavaria.
This is part of Tori's class, they represented the Drums of Bavaria.
Here is Tori (in her signature color of pink camo) and her friend Amelia.

Fun in the Sun

The sun was out today so we just HAD to go outside!

Taylor's Spelling Bee 2008

Taylor was in a Spelling Bee on Friday. She got 2nd, we are very proud of her!

Furniture from Belgium

I have been asked by a few people to show them pictures of the furniture we bought in Belgium so here it is. Some of you know that Troy bought his "Monster Truck" when we were in Texas and the reason was, "To go to Belgium and buy furniture"! At the time we had no orders, just a hope of going back to Europe some day. Well, as you know, we got orders to Louisiana following Texas. It's a far cry from Belgium, let me tell you! Then, it was Italy...We were closer! Now, Germany...Sounds like time for a road trip!! So, with our kids in tow, we drove across the country, literally, and made our way. The first piece we saw was this Butler's Table. It has a removable tray on top.
As you can see, three sides come down and you can put "stuff" inside. What else does an Artillaryman put inside, but a cannon!
This one is "The Bench". I had completely given up hope of ever finding one that was affordable and plain enough for my taste. Troy made it his "mission" to find one that day! This is actually a bench made out of an antique bed, the back is the head board, the sides are the foot board, and the front and seat (storage inside) are made from the sides.

Talent Night 2008

The chapel had a talent night on Friday and Taylor had three entries. The first picture is her reciting a poem she wrote called:

The Pencil

The pencil is a pokey thing.

It doesn't laugh or clap or sing.

But it is fun to use all day.

Sometimes when you want to play.

It helps you write a letter.

I don't think anything's better.

Some people think it's just a clump.

(Those people are usually grumps.)

There's nothing better than the tip.

But I hate it when it goes RIP.

The sharpener helps it stay sharp.

So it runs across the paper like a harp.

The only time this poem will end,

Is when my pencil breaks again.

Here is Taylor playing her recorder, she learned the song in Recorder Club at school.
This is her third entry, a painting she made and gave to me for Christmas.

Tori took all these pictures and chose a behind the scenes entry to Talent Night. More of Tori's pictures later.

Troy's 40th Birthday

We surprised Troy with a Spiderman cake and decorations.
Tori made her Daddy an Army bookmark for his birthday.
What else do you get an Artillaryman for his big day but a cannon!

More Coos County Fair 2007

Action shot of Taylor on the Tea Cups. Tori before the ride started.
Tori was not amused with this ride (you can see her thumbs down if you look closely), it was toooo slow!!
Tori with Kara and her friends.

Coos County Fair 2007

Here are Uncle Rex and Tori heading to the fair. This was the first thing we saw when we got to the fair and the girls had been wanting to do this since they saw it in Italy.

The girls got all day ride bracelets and did they have fun!

More Oregon Beach Pictures

This is my mom and John, they drove up from California to see us. What a cute couple.
Kara and Taylor in their hole.
Taylor
Tori

More at the Beach in Oregon

Taylor and Tori Tori and Daddy

This is a picture of Taylor and her cousin, Kara. Kara is 13 and lives in Oregon and she was just great with the kids, she always included the girls.
We might just have to blow this one up and put in on the wall!

More Beach Pictures

What a great picture of Grandma Effie and Tori! Here sitting next to Troy are his mom and Aunt Becky.
Tori was really concentrating on the sand.
Tori and Grandma Judy working on a masterpiece.
Taylor and Cierra in the water....again!

At the Beach in Oregon

Here are Tori and her cousin Cierra, they are only a month apart in age and had such a good time together. They had not seen each other since they were one year old, before we moved to Germany for the first time. Tori was so brave!
Taylor exploring and getting ready to get in the water.
Taylor and Cierra had a great time in the water together.
We had a picnic at the beach. Troy's grandparents drove out to see us from Iowa and Troy's Aunt Becky, who is in the sweatshirt, drove out from Eastern Oregon with Cierra. It was so great to see everyone!