Milan and Venice, 1st stop - Milan

This past weekend was a 4 day weekend, so you know we couldn't let that opportunity go to waste. We thus headed to Milan and Venice! We spent our first two days in Milan then took a train to Venice for the next 2 days.

Milan was beautiful, especially the Duomo! The Candoglia white marble makes it especially stunning!

The Milan Duomo is the largest Gothic cathedral and the second largest Catholic cathedral in the world. It was started in 1386 and finished in the early 1800s for Napolean Bonaparte's inauguration as King, even though small work technically continued into 1965. The spires are really spectacular, which you can view up close since they allow you to walk on top of the roof! Very neat!!

Of course, a trip to Milan would not be complete without shopping! We did our fair share, even when it was mostly just looking in the windows of the designer shops.

The inside of the Galleria. Even the shopping gallery is art!

(Prada to the left, Louis Vuitton to the right, us on the outside looking in :) ....someday!)

We also went to see "The Last Supper" painting by Leonardo da Vinci in the Santa Maria delle Grazie. It was very large and impressive, completely covering the back wall of the room. Over the course of 500 years since it was completed the room has been used as an armory, prison, stable, and left without a roof for several years after it was bombed during World War II. Of course we weren't allowed to take pictures, so here is one of us waiting outside. They had serious security for this thing! Bar doors, 2 air sealed rooms to walk through, and then you could only view it in groups of 15 for no more than 15 minutes! Had we not bought out tickets 2 weeks before we would not have been able to get in!

Then off we went on the train to Venice...

My Birthday in Mallorca

For my 28th Birthday this past May we spent 5 days in Mallorca. Mallorca is part of the Balearica Spanish Islands, in the western Mediterranean Sea. It was GORGEOUS!! Our hotel was right on the boardwalk, just steps from the Platja de Palma (Palma Beach). We did a whole lot of relaxing on this trip, and it was absolutely fantastic!

Platja de Palma, where we spent most of our time

Ahhhh...doesn't get much better than this!

Boardwalk

Enjoying the Sangria


Beautiful sunsets every night!!

The Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma

Gothic Style, began in 1229, finished in 1601

Stunning Interior!

The alter was designed by Gaudi during a renovation in 1901

Light reflecting on the floor from the stained glass

We tried all types of the local Spanish cuisine. This tapas bar in Palma on our last day was our favorite. The rings are fried squid, delicious!

Jewelry shopping in Palma. :) Mallorca is especially known for their faux pearls.

Wonderful vacation! Until next time....

Adventures in Running, Part II

New lesson learned on today's run...It is fun to pet the horses, not so much fun to get shocked by the electric fence!

Long Overdue Project

I am tackling a project that I have been putting off for way too long. Cleaning out our office and files! I need to get this done now so that I have a happy work environment when I start teaching my online classes again in about 2 weeks. How long has it been since I cleaned out our files....ummm...lets put it this way, I am throwing away last years Christmas cards that were sent to us!

GAAAH!! This is only the contents from our Cheese box! BONUS: I found our State Tax Return from Kansas that we had yet to cash! All $11.00!! Combine that with the Subway coupons I found and I think Phillip and I will be treating ourselves to a lunch out this week!

More to come.... Oh My!

October...what!?!

How are we already in October, and not only that, almost done with October!?! Where has the time gone? Ok, I know where, work, but wow. I have been meaning to update the blog, and well, there is just so much to talk about that I hardly know where to start. We have gone on several trips, had friends visit, etc. but nothing has been talked about on here. So, I am starting to work on that. But just to keep you entertained, and hopefully coming back and checking the blog again, below are some pictures of our latest trip to Bavaria. We went down to spend the weekend in Garmisch and Munich to run a half-marathon (Phillip) and a 10K (Kimmy). (Another blog post to tackle, agh!) I love Colorado in the Fall, and well, Bavaria is just the same if not more beautiful. At the very least it reminded me a lot of home! Enjoy!!!

Today's Run

Sometimes (often times) I am just lazy and don't want to go on my run. Today was one of those days. However, with getting back to work this week I missed all of my runs, so I was not allowed to cop out on today's run. It was supposed to be my long run of the week, but it didn't quite turn out that way. Here's why:

1. Have massive headache. Decide eating lunch would help, so put off run to afternoon.

2. Massive headache still present after eating. Take Excedrin and decide to wait another 1/2 hour.

3. Get dressed and open window. Wow, how did it get so cold out in the last 30 minutes?!

4. Change clothes, now I'm ready!

5. Open front door. What, now it's raining?! Are you kidding me?

6. Decide to head to the gym instead, but don't want to change clothes again, I'll tough it out.

7. Get almost to gym; realize I am wearing my Mizuno Heat Gear shirt which heats up when you sweat. Great for running outside when its cold, not so great for running in the gym.

8. Drive to BX which is across the street from the gym. Buy new short sleeve shirt. Easier than going home to change clothes.

9. Change shirts in car at gym.

10. Finally running!!

I was supposed to run for 6 miles today. I made it 3 before I had to leave the gym because 1) we had plans tonight and 2) the gym was about to close. I am still calling this run a success because I at least still ran in spite of all this mess! I am hopeful tomorrow's run will go better!

Kimmy's First Day of School

It's definitely not my first, and I'm sure it won't be my last, but today was my first day of school as a full-time Para educator for Spangdahlem Middle School. Actually, it was my first teacher work day, as school for the students doesn't start until Monday, but it still counts.

Can we all say, "YAY!" for a full-time paycheck!

Pig Fest

This past weekend was Pig Fest in Wittlich. It is our favorite festival to go to as it is always lots of fun, great food and drink, and not crazy overcrowded like some of the other festivals can get. The top reason to go to Pig Fest though is to eat the Pork Sandwiches and drink plenty of wine; so so good!

The walkplatz where the main festivities are held.

Roasting of the pigs.

Making the pork sandwiches.

YUM!!! Deliciousness!!!


Phillip and Drew having a good time, enjoying the wine and food.


A view of the fairgrounds from the ferrous wheel.

Phillip was not too keen on the ferrous wheel, but we made him go anyways! :) Poor little guy had a death grip on the handle bar!

And thus was another successful year at Pig Fest!! I didn't take near as many pictures as I would have liked. Guess I was having too much fun to take a break!

I'm still here!!

Wow, so the last time I blogged was back in May! I've been really meaning to take the time and catch up the blog, we've just had a pretty busy summer!! We've been very excited to have lots of people come visit us this summer, so that is really what we have been up to. I will work on getting more detailed posts after this, I just thought I would break the silence and let you know I still plan on updating the blog on a more regular occurrence.

Here is the Roth family when we took them over to Paris!! Grandma and Grandpa, Uncle Tony, Aunt Shelly, and Cousins Braxton and Samantha. They were here for about 10 days in June and we visited Paris and Rome.

Here are my parents when I took them to Rome! They were here for 2 weeks in July and we visited Germany, Rome, Belgium, Luxembourg, and even slipped over into Austria when we were down in Bavaria.

Talk to you again soon!!

Captain Roth

Phillip is now a Captain! He had his promotion ceremony this past Friday. The ceremony was really nice. It was held at the officer's club and Phillip's current commander gave him his oath and I pinned on his new rank. Two other officers also got promoted, one to Captain and the other to 1st Lieutenant, who actually also happen to be husband and wife. The Lieutenant also works with Phillip in Finance. Then afterwards there was a nice reception with hors d'oeuvres and cake.

Pretty soon Phillip will be moving down to the Budget Office to be the Budget Officer. Plus in about a month the other Captain in the office will be leaving for a new base, so Phillip will then be second in command. Lots more responsibilities to come...pretty scary! :)

Congrats to my little Captain!! I'm very proud of you!

The start of the ceremony, all those involved.

Phillip's commander, Major Stevenson, talking about Phillip.

Taking his oath.

Pinning on his new rank.

It's a tradition to give the spouse flowers at the ceremony. I like this tradition, a lot! :)

1st Lieutenant Smalenberger, Captain Smalenberger, and Captain Roth

Scheveningen, Den Haag, and the North Sea

Here are a few more pictures from our trip to the Netherlands. When we went we stayed in the Carlton Beach Hotel, right on the North Sea shore.

Unfortunately when we arrived late Friday night we got stuck in this itty bitty corner room. The previous tenant had complained to the front desk about the noise from the Rave going on down on the beach, so we think he got switched into what would have been our room.

But....check out the view!! Sea view room for a basement price!!! Lucky for us we brought our earplugs to drown out the Rave music, and even better that the Rave only took place on Friday night. We slept with the patio door open the other nights to listen to the waves crash!

Gorgeous!!!

Phillip and I on Saturday morning after we went for a run on the beach!


Closing down the hotel bar Saturday night. Good thing Phillip and Drew have each other since they basically have the same job and can vent about the same problems! That leaves Rhiannon and I to chat, which is also good since we have the same job too!


Sunset Saturday night


So Pretty!!

Toes on our balcony!! :)

Dad, your jerky also made the trip to Holland!

Windmill!!

Overall, a great trip!