Frülingsfest 2006

We made it to the Stuttgart Frülingsfest (Spring Fesitval.) It's actually in Bad Cannstadt, just across the Nekar River.) It reminded me of the state fair, except a lot smaller, with some bigger rides and a LOT colder. The boys had a blast riding some of the rides as you can see below. :) Even Victoria had a good time on the kiddie Plane ride.

How Bazaar!

Well, it looks like the snow finally did end (at least for the moment) so it was a lot better when we went to the big annual Stuttgart Community Spouse's Club's (SCSC) Bazaar over the weekend... Vivian had a good time shopping and seeing local merchandize, but the boys got a bit bored and I took them over to the park after a while. They had a lot more fun there!!!

Just about setteled in Germany!

We just got our internet up and running... Oui! 60 days without the net was rough for Vivian... So email will now be answered more frequently. Several of our services are tied directly to internet, like we have Voice over IP and rather than get satellite (Das ist verboten für our neighborhood) we had our friends in Texas hook up a Tivo and slingbox. So now we watch San Antonio TV! The pic below was the kids glued to the virtual set with "The Amazing Race 9" on Tivo/Slingweb/DSL/Wireless... Thanks soooo much Kelly and Tami!!! The situation will be better by integrated into the entertaiment system when I get the Media PC repaired (beware the 220/110V thing... DOH!!)

Schnee? Schnee??? I can't believe it! Just last week we had yet some more snow!!! It's well beyond the phase where this is fun. I'm ready for spring! We had a few crocuses blooming here and there and now the tulips are starting to come out, but it's still quite a while before I can break out the Hawaiian prints again!

This isn't a ball of lint, but the blossoms on the tree just outside our front door. I don't have any idea what it is, but is kinda pleasant from a distance, and it smells really nice...

Trip to Florida

I attended a trip to Florida 27-31 March for a conference between DISA and the United Kingdom's equivalent agency, Defence Communications Services Agency (DCSA). The trip was effective and productive, and getting away from the chill of Germany was nice. Of course, Vivian had me loaded up with a shopping list for Target and Payless Shoe Sorce and I came back with a lot of things for the kids. Wished the water was warmer though. Just didn't feel getting in after putting my feet into it. Of course, all the pics below are clickable and you can see all the florida pics at http://www.flickr.com/photos/vivneal/tags/florida.

Will the snow ever end?

It just seems to keep coming! It's off and on, and most of it melts between the storms, but the kids have fun with it when it's there. On the 4th of March we met new friends for some fun in on the kiddie slopes. All the boys and even Victoria had a good time. Though the kids continue to have fun with it, Mom and Dad are ready for spring! We get a glimpse of it now and then, but at least it's staying light a bit later now.