Off to Berlin

Here are Jennifer and Leah on their way to Berlin, Germany.  Yesterday morning they flew off to participate in the Junior Honor Orchestra at the International School of Berlin.  Bob and I will follow on Friday.  We will see all of Berlin like a tourist and stay at a posh hotel while the girls practice with a guest conductor from the University of Minnesota and sleep at the home of a Berlin student.  On Saturday we will meet up at the celebration concert to listen to the beautiful music they have practiced since October.  It is such an honor to be involved in this program and the concert will be very special.  The girls will get to see Berlin too with the orchestra members throughout the week. 

We took this picture in the parking garage at the airport.  How exciting!  As we were parking, I asked the girls if I could take their picture before they left.  They said yes, of course, and suggested in the kindest tone that we take the picture right in the parking garage.  They were very sweet but I know what they were really thinking...Please don't embarrass us and take pictures inside the  airport! 

The have checked in to say they love Berlin, love their host family and are having a great time!

Lost my photos :(

I am so sorry not to be able to post more of the great pictures from Disney, but my computer was attacked by a virus which came in and cleared out all my files.  The pictures vanished!  Thankfully, all my pictures are on a flashdrive that Maria had started for Bob's mom.  Someday I will have them back again and I can finish putting the pictures on the blog.  This isn't for you, kind readers, it is for me.  This blog is kind of a story of our lives beginning in 2008.  I am not a scrapbooker so this is what I do with all those photos and memories.  I have probably saved a bundle on scrapbook supplies!

Happy Valentine's Day!!

You know you travel too much when......

...you arrive at your hotel and this monogrammed robe is waiting for you!
Bob just called laughing from Zurich.  He stays at this hotel nearly every week and he always gets evening treats like chocolate or cookies.  They gave him a birthday gift, a Christmas gift and now this robe!!  I wonder if they will launder it and give it to him again next week? 
He really needs a new iPod.  Should I tell the hotel?

Disney Report #9 and More Pictures



From our hotel at Disney we could walk to Epcot and MGM.  To get to Magic or Animal Kingdoms we took the Disney bus transportation from out hotel.  We waited in a sweet little spot.

Jenn hanging out with her friends at a store in the Disney Village

MGM Studios.  Our least favorite ride is in the background.

We saw Minnie just standing there like she was waiting just for us to take a picture with her!



The Holiday Parade was really cool.  Cinderella's carriage pulled by a long line of miniature horses was exceptional.  Although I am the only one in the family who really likes the parade!



Disney Report #8 More Fun Pictures

Orval update

The twins are back from their educational Abbey experience.  It was one of those activities that they didn't stop talking about until long after we got home.  I guess I have it pretty good because I not only hear one kid's story but 2!  They took a 2 hour hike through lightly fallen snow and woods to reach the town of Bouillon.  They lit huge torches and toured an old castle in the dark.  Once they finally arrived at the Orval Abbey they cooked their own dinner and slept on the floor in sleeping bags.  They got up at 4am to hear the Monks chant and make breakfast.  They saw how the monks lived and worked and watched them make cheese and beer.  Their activities were numerous and they learned more than I could have imagined in two short days.  I tried to remember what I did when I was 14...It wasn't anything like this!
They also got to purchase some of the items which have made the monks famous.  My 14 year old daughters bought a 6 pack, a beer glass and a big hunk of cheese.  When they brought the souvenirs on the bus the driver casually said, "Don't drink the beer on the bus."  Duh!