Dresden

We got up at 1:30 for Gretchen and I to catch the USO bus to Dresden for the Christmas Market. The bus wasn't full so we each got two seats!!! We stopped along the way for breakfast. I managed to order some yummy eggs and fresh squeezed orange juice.

Dresden was FRIGID!!
Dresden was bombed and mostly demolished in WWII. Many of the buildings were restored to their original grander after the war. They even used a lot of the pieces of the old buildings they found to rebuild. In the pictures, all of the black on the buildings were stones replaced or columns or sections of buildings burned and still standing and used to rebuild after the war.
After the tour we had 6 hours to shop and wander through the market. On a different day we would of appreciated the free time, but it was soooo cold we could barely stand it! Gretchen and I bought tights at the Christmas Market because our legs were freezing and numb! We walked around the market for a while and tried some different foods. We tried a strange pizza. It was pretty good. We also tried grog to warm up. It is a warm eggnog with alcohol in it. It was soooo bad we had to choke it down.

Then it was off to the mall to look around and get out of the cold. We still had 3 hours to burn so we spent it between 2 cafes. We got on the bus at 6 and headed home. We arrived home at 1:30 am and were glad to hear Hayden got some much needed sleep and the guys took a little tour of Stuttgart while we were gone.

Arrival

The Paricka's have arrived!! Hayden needed a little relaxation after too many hours stuck on a plane. Joey was wiped out and Gretchen was rearing to go....so after getting them IDs we headed to Real, a store kinda like Wal-Mart, and checked out the PX/BX/Commissary. Tomorrow morning, Gretchen and I head to a Christmas Market in Dresden with the USO. Andrew plans to show J and H around Stuttgart.

Tree

I waited until Andrew was home for a bit before we began decorating for Christmas. This is our tree and a ton of presents. Only because I wrapped every item I had bought while travelling while Andrew was away. The typical souveniers became gifts plus some of the presents were for my sis and her family.

Heidelberg

Andrew and I thought we had better take at least one trip before my family arrives. So, we headed to Heidelberg to check out their Christmas Market and their castle from afar.....It turned out to be a dreary day, but we were able to find a few things to take home. Plus, we got our fill of crepes, bratwurst, and hot cocoa. Since, it was so early in the month the crowds were non existent. We didn't want to climb the hill to the castle, so we took pics from the bottom of the hill. The other time I came to Heidelberg was with my friend to go to a bazaar on one of the bases there.

Thanksgiving

Andrew arrived home in time to celebrate Thanksgiving with me :) We contributed to a big feast held at my friend's apartment. I made strawberry jello applesauce salad, a pumpkin carmel pie, and a cranberry dessert. The cranberry dessert turned out to be a flop, but all of the food was delicious. I'm glad others did the "hard" work and we were able to just enjoy.

Great Pumpkin 5K Race

I decided last week that I needed to put all of my running to good use....So, I signed up for the 5K race on and around base. Needless to say, I didn't think I would win anything, but I did!! I got 2nd place in my age division and 4th place for women in the 5K. The lady who got first in my age group actually passed me near the end, she beat me by 2 seconds. I wish I would have known 2 seconds meant 1st place, I would have pushed my pace up. Oh well, I guess I can't complain, I got a mug, my picture taken, a tshirt, and a meal all for my 10 dollar entrance fee. Plus this means my run for the day is done, and I have determined I run much faster than I realized. I was hoping for 32-35 minutes, but I made it in 28:12, which isn't very fast overrall, but fast for me. Most of the truly fast people did the 10K. Next, month is another race around Thanksgiving time. I hope to do that one, too. I will post pics of the winners when they are sent out.

Andrew will be home in less than 4 weeks. And YES, I am counting down. We have planned a trip to Garmisch and also into Austria, in the beginning of December. I'm very very ready for him to get home.

Stuttgart Fallfest (Herbstfest)

This is gives you an idea of the size of one beer.
Early in the day, before everyone is drunk and dancing on the tables.
The day we were at the fest, there was also a soccer game.

Crazy Stuttgart clad fans everywhere.
A blurry self shot ;)

Today, I headed to Stuttgart's Octoberfest with Veronica, her husband, and daughter. We watched Kailyn go on rides, sampled the food, and checked out the entertainment. The crepes were very yummy. We went during the day to avoid the crowds of intoxicated people. Also, I have to work tonight. I am babysitting three kids, 11 months, 23 months, and 30 months, tonight. It should go well, they are fun kids. Their folks are headed to a going away party. I also babysat the 23 month old last nite, so her folks could go to the fest and partake in the "celebration".

Tomorrow, Veronica and I are headed to Heidelberg. We are going to the base there to check out a bazaar. I hope to find a few things to hang on the walls and possibly some Christmas gifts :). I'm almost done with my shopping. Boredom, leads to doing things too early. I have even started on my Christmas cards. I'm not sure what I will now do to keep busy until Andrew returns (23rd Nov).