Merry Christmas

I have debated these last few weeks on Christmas cards... I wanted to wish many family members and friends a Merry Christmas and tell them how much I love them but wasn't quite sure how to do it! This will be a first for us not being in Idaho for Christmas. We aren't quite sure how we feel about it yet. :) 
 I hope that if your reading this,  you know this is a wish for you, to know how much we love and cherish your friendship, support and love! Often I feel like my ability to show my loved ones my love for them is thwarted with distance and time zones. I feel frustrated and wonder if they will know how much I love them and think of them. When I am falling asleep at night and their climbing out of bed in the morning, the time we have to communicate that love seems very short...cliche I know...but like branches on a tree we all grow and go in different directions.  I always pray that our roots will keep us together across the miles. I am betting it does! 

I have only posted once in 2015! That is pretty sad. Living here has caused us to be in constant motion! We plan a year in advance and are always looking and preparing for the next opportunity to take a glance of whats around us. My kids are growing up and are taking steps into adulthood. Here is a quick peak into each of their lives.

Laken as Unit Commander of Company A

I am so proud of this young man! He has worked tirelessly at becoming a better student, leader, friend and brother. Last night he called us so excited that he had been selected to be the Regimental Commander of Infantry. This will be his final make of his career at Culver. He is planning to serve an LDS mission. We are thankful for his caring and kindness to Allie, his work ethic, and generous forgiving heart - always giving people the benefit of the doubt.

 grandma joined me for parents weekend in September. 

Sydney enjoying a round of golf with Grandpa in Saudi.

Syd has worked so hard this year at school! It's hard to believe that I have two kids graduating. Sydney manages to stay busy in Saudi. She works really hard in  her studies, balloon business, teaching gymnastics, seminary president  and running all of my errands. I am not sure our house will function when she goes off to college. She is my sweet friend and who I go to for help. I love you Sydney! 

 Desert trip to Doha, Qatar

Allie, happy to be rolling around in the grass! 

This has been a big year of change for Allie, and for our whole family for that matter. She began her 10th grade at Culver Academies. The same school that Laken attends. Allie has worked really hard at living away from home and gotten good grades. She played on the soccer team this fall and had a great time. I think what Allie has enjoyed the most from her experience is the weather, beautfiul lake Maxincuckee, being with Laken and me not nagging her! 

The Fall Ball with Laken and Allie

 Ashlyn

This girl loves life! She is a dedicated student, friend, sister and teammate. She has grown a lot this last year and is easily taller than I am! I love to watch her in any sport but especially soccer. She has a fun group of friends and likes to be social as well as hang out in the kitchen with me.  She loves food, The Voice, her phone, parties with friends and her bed!  Oh, and I forgot to mention Alfredo;)

Sounds like a pretty typical 14 year old right?! 

Sydney and Ash in Malaysia

Ash and her bud Kathleen. 

Mason loves school! He has been so happy this year with his class and his teacher. He has learned to be very responsible and works really hard. He got a hover board for his birthday and is really good at it. He is the baby of the family and so we give him pretty much whatever he wants!! except for an iphone! :) Tim coaches Masons baseball team and is his den leader. They keep pretty busy!

 Mason Jumping off the boat in Malaysia. He loved Scuba diving.



Tim and I trying to keep the romance alive! We danced the night away at our first formal in a long time. 

We hope that you all know that at the center of our family and what ties us closely together is our knowledge of our Savior Jesus Christ. We try to follow His example and treat others as He would have. This experience of living abroad has made us appreciate our time together more fully. We have been very blessed with employment, good health and a  wonderful community of friends. We are thankful for each of you and pray for you. I hope that we will see you in the year to come. Merry Christmas! 

Growing up!

 

 Tim and I snuck away to Cyprus for a long weekend. It was a great big treat for us :) We enjoyed our time eating yummy hummus, flat bread, and greek salads. Touring around the island and Tim even got me to go for a little swim in the ocean.  The kids are old enough now that we can do these things and they can stay home!

 

 

 

 Mason's pinewood derby. Take it or leave it!

 My beautiful girls. Sydney was headed to a prom in Bahrain, Allie to her 9th grade dance.

 

 Syd's prom at DHS

  Bahrain Prom.

 

 Laken and his Lacrosse team had a 15-0 season! So awesome.

 Laken had his friend Noah ring him at the final ball this spring. He is now a Senior! He will be beginning the year as the Unit commander of company A. Congratulations Laken. You make me smile :)

 

 Ash and her friend Alfredo after the honor society induction. She is blushing a little bit I think :)

A summer to remember!

What can I say.... The last month went faster than any month I can remember. The days and nights were filled with magical, breathtaking, relaxing, exhausting , comical, moments. Yes, its true... Home is wherever I'm with you! 

 weiner Schnitzel... Whats that? It is a fried peice of pork. This was our most expensive meal the whole trip!

 I am not sure what has their attention.... Maybe be it was the catacombs!

 We spent our days touring the cities by bike! This tour was in Vienna.  Our guide was the best.

 We decided a gelato (or two) a day keeps the doctor away! 

 Seriously lucky lady! They love holding grandma's hand.

 Yes, we are foodies! We love food. These Bratwursts were the best I think we had the hole trip. They were in a food truck across the street from our hotel in Vienna.

 A view from our balcony in Bad Ischl. The bed and breakfast was unreal. We wanted to stay longer but they were fully booked. It was awesome!

 The best pizza we had was at this restaurant in Bad Ischl. We were so full afterwards. We
American... We eat a lot!

 Gram and her loyal followers! I think that my mom is beautiful... But on this trip she lite right up. It made me feel so happy to see this carefree side of her. 

 My personal favorite bike ride was around Lake Wolfgangsee. It was about a 15 mile ride with a stop for lunch along the way. Completely breathtaking scenery. Heavenly Father sure did an amazing job at creating this place!

 I love it when I see this smile! Sydney you are adorable... Tim you are too.

 Scenery from our ride around the lake. 

 The Sound of Music tour in Salzburg. Yes,the hills were alive with the sound of music. 

 Medieval torture museum

 This day we explored the five fingers region. The ice caves, salt mines, and really high tram ride. 

 I ordered an apple strudel with every meal... My hips don't lie :) These two tried to have willpower until mine came out and then they always had to have their own. 

 The salt mines jump suits! It was kinda a bit of a costume to make you think you were going to do some serious sliding.... we had fun!

 This is mason and he is a dork with a cool lookin hat.

 Yes... Alles is everywhere. It means "everything" 

 This picture shows pure joy and love! These two have a special bond. Ashlyn adores grandpa.

 Dad and I were really interested in visiting a dairy farm. We snuck a peak at this one and found it crazy that they had the cows tails tied to ceiling so the poop wouldn't get on the cows.

 This was our awesome 9 passenger van! Tim was a great chauffeur, especially speeding down the autobahn. 

 Biggest ropes course in Austria. Scary but fun. Do you think Allie is enjoying herself?......Yes, she actually was really good at it.

 Germany

Dakaw, Munich, Rothenburg

 Our last stop was Amsterdam! I didn't get a great picture of all of the bikes but we were feeling lucky to be alive.