Halloween Bunko & More Pumpkins

My friend Mary decided to have a Halloween Bunko. If you don't know what Bunko is it's a super easy game that you roll dice. We all bring a dish to share & a small prize. It's a nice fun night out that we try to play once a month. Mary decided to make this Bunko a Halloween one. I finally made my mind up to go as a 1970's Go-Go dancer complete w/ the hoop earrings & blue eye shadow. The sad thing is I already had everything but the earrings & the make-up.

MJ loved me all dressed up! She kept saying "Mama wow". I tried to get her to wear my hat but she kept putting it back on my head: Here's a group shot of all of us (& Blayne- Mary's son): We all had a great time. After I got home Ben wanted to light up our pumpkins w/ the mushroom candles that I won at Bunko- thanks Jess!

Lights on: Lights off:

I know the Blue Clues one looks creepy.

Craving Pumpkins

While my parents were here we went to pumpkin fest. While we were there we got some pumpkins. We finally decided it was time to crave them. Ben picked out two designs to do. We first let MJ color on her own "baby" pumpkin:

After Ben cut a hole into the top she wanted nothing to do w/ it. She wasn't very impress w/ it & really didn't anything to do w/ it:

We got her to at least use a spoon: This soon turned into a mommy & daddy project: She decided to come check to see what we were doing:

Ben & MJ posing w/ the pumpkins:

Ben was so proud of his "work":

MJ's 1st Field Trip

I got a note in MJ's backpack on Tuesday telling me that her class is going to the fire station today on Vogelweh AFB. It's a short walk from her school. I knew I wanted to be there for it! I think I was more excited about it then she was. I sent her off to school & waited for a bit at my friend's house, mainly I wanted to see her new baby. I went up to school & right before we left.

Walking to the fire station: MJ & Jac (a boy in her class) under the fire station sign: After a short tour of the fire station they took to see the trucks. Us w/ the firetrucks (Ms. Sara took these for me):

MJ & Ms. Sara by one of the fire trucks: Us leaving the fire station after getting the kids thier fire hats:

We got back before Ms. Sara & Jac so MJ got to help Ms. Colette put everyone hats in the cubbies: I tried to get a good picture of her w/ her hat but she was more into her cookies: She wore her fire hat all the way home.

Do I Look Smarter?

Ben fell asleep one evening in his chair. MJ took it upon herself to grab his glasses & play w/ them. She needed help putting them.

She thought she was SO fuuny: Okay, how cute does she look? She look so much older w/ them does she?

More Brownie Pictures

I know I take a lot of these brownie pictures but these were too funny. Ben was upstairs one night after I got the brownie prepared so MJ got to have it all to herself. I told her that she had to stay in the living room at her table.

What? Me share: Look at her chocolate goatee: Look at her go: And the sugar high is kicking in:

Ben's New Do

I'm not sure if it was b/c Ben turned 30 last year or what, but he shaved his hair off around this time when visiting his family last October. He decided that Sunday after my parents left he wanted me, yes me, to shaved his head again. Maybe it was my parent's visit or his birthday coming up. Kidding mom & dad! MJ enjoyed watching me shaved her daddy's head. She really didn't know what to think about him at first.

She didn't want her picture taken: Ben's w/ his singer from his band, Dave: Don't they look a lot a like? Don't worry, it will grow back! It already started coming back in!

Annie Horse Party

My friend Rosie little girl, Annie had her 4th birthday party at Dania's Horse Farm. The farm is in our village & we drive past it all the time but never been in there! The party was on the same day as my parents left, so we drop them off that morning & came home to relax before hand. Dania's have goats, rabbits, & of course horses!

Saying "hi" to the goats: I think I'm ready for the real thing now: She LOVED riding the horse: Waiting for lunch to cook Ben helping her play horse shoes: Cake time: Here you have some: We were so proud of her for trying a hot dog for the first time! Hooray, another food she'll eat now! Also, mom & dad made it home safely that evening.

Speyer Tech Museum

For my parents last day we decided to go to the Tech Museum in Speyer which is about a hour away here. They have tons of trains, automobiles, planes, & more w/ an IMAX. Ben has been wanting to go since he laid eyes on it. We also knew that it would be a fun outing for everyone. We didn't count on it being so crowded! It was the first day of the museum of their new space exhibit & a German holiday. We finally found a spot after driving around a bit. We were going to eat first but it was so packed we just moved on to the exhibits. Mom & dad posing w/ one of the cars there: The men in Ben's family love trackers:

Trying to get another family photo: Dad & Ben enjoying one of the motorcycles: They had two slides that you can go down that you walk up to an airplane & go down the slide. Mom, Ben, & MJ went down this one below. Later on I, Ben, & MJ went on a different slide. Ben & MJ in the space exhibit: On our way in the have a great play area for kids. I swear half the things they had out there would so be banned from the states. They had boats, go karts for little kids, a swing that zipped over your head, & this cute little ride that Ben & MJ went on: It was nice closing for my parents visit. Me & Ben are wanting to back on a day it's not to packed! We all really enjoyed ourselves.

London

I've always wanted to go to London! Ben was kind enough to let me go w/ my parents while he stayed & watch MJ. It worked out good b/c we didn't want her to miss too much school while my parents where here & we didn't have to find someone to watch the dogs. Plus, Ben got lucky enough to go TDY there a year ago, so he got to go to London on Uncle Sam. For an early birthday gift my parents brought my ticket to London & paid for most of the trip. We flew on RyanAir, my friend's husband calls it the Southwest Air of Europe. We had to be at the airport early! I kissed Ben & MJ good bye & off we went! This was a first time for all three of us to go to London. We were so tried when got there we ate lunch & checked into our nice hotel & took a nap. After we were rested we decided to get on one of those double decker buses & see London. That night we ate near by & went to bed early.

The next morning we got up to go on a guided bus tour. We saw tons of things as you will see below. We got to see where Princess Di & Prince Charles got married (we couldn't take pictures inside the church) & so much of London.
Westchester Abbey: This is where they have changing of the horse guards: They didn't have changing of the foot guard that day so we got to see the changing of the horse guards:

Mom & dad posing w/ one of the guards: Prince Charles & Camilla live in the white palace: Buckingham Palace: The Art Museum: Big Ben: The Eye Of London... it takes 45 minutes to go all the way around:

Our bus made a stop at the London Tower.

Here's where the governor lives: A lot of the people there wear "costumes" there: Where Anne Boleyn was beheaded: Here's where they keep the crown jewels: The London Bridge: We finished out the bus tour w/ a short boat ride. We got back to our room & got ready for dinner.

Doesn't this look like New York?

We decided to go eat in China Town for our last dinner.

Our plane wasn't taken off till the afternoon so we went in search for Paddington Station. Why you might ask? When Ben was in London he wasn't able to get a Paddington Bear for MJ & he made me promise that I would get him one. I told him I would do my best! I also found out that where they also had good old Krispy Kreme donuts! I had dad take the following shot down below b/c Ben did the exact same thing to me while he was there. Don't worry b/c we found the booth & got two bears for her.

And it was good too: I LOVE London! It's SO expensive! I'm not sure if we'll be back even though there's so much I would love to see & do! Maybe if we hit the lottery we might be able to go back!