Turning 29

Turning 29 was a little hard this year, not because I am almost done with my 20s, but because Phillip is back in the States. He's attending a class and will be gone for a month, so unfortunately he had to leave 2 days before my Birthday. I still had a good day though, and spoiled myself thoroughly!

My Birthday Card and Presents! A new wallet and perfume!

Birthday Cake! I called Phillip and had him sing me Happy Birthday over the phone then blew out my candle!

And then the spoiling...I took the day off work and went to one of my favorite Spas and had a massage, manacure, and pedicure. :) I then took myself out for Mexican food. Overall, not too shabby of a way to turn a year older!

Feliz Cinco de Mayo!

This post is especially for Amanda! Not only has she been asking for a blog update, but she and B.J sent us some AMAZING jalapenos which we just opened today to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! Thank you Amanda and B.J! They are delicious and pretty darn spicey too, which we love! I'll be updating the blog more often now. :)

Tonight's dinner: tacos and homemade jalapenos!

Christmas 2010

This Christmas we celebrated at our home in Spangdahlem. It ended up being just Phillip, Clara, and I since we had a huge ice and snow storm the night before and our friends couldn't make it down. We had a nice time though and cooked a great meal!

What we called our Christmas bush! It was more of a bush than a tree. The German who sold it to us told us that our expectations were just off because German trees are not like American trees. Or...Americans are just suckers and will buy anything sold to us!

Christmas dinner!

Clara with one of her Christmas presents. Just pooped from a long day.

Yep, I realize this post is just a little past due, but I am at least back to blogging again!!

Christmas Markets

One of my favorite events of the year are the German Christmas Markets in December! They are wonderful!! It is just fun to go, get a mug of gluhwein, share a Brot with Phillip, and peruse the stalls. Oh, and I can't forget my chocolate covered strawberries! This is one of the few times of the year you can get them, so I can't say no.

This year we went to Bernkastle-Kues and Trier for their Christmas Markets. We had planned to do more, but the weather wasn't very cooperative and we just ran out of time. However, these are two of my favorite markets so it was still a successful season.

Bernkastle-Kues Christmas Market

Trier Christmas Market

Fuerteventura

Since we couldn't be in the States this year to celebrate a traditional Thanksgiving, Phillip and I decided to do something fun and warm! We headed to Fuerteventura, one of the Canary Islands off the coast of Africa! We had a wonderful time since it was still warm there, and being off season, it was uncrowded and less expensive than regular.

The view from our hotel room! GORGEOUS!!!

Check out the Camel on the beach!!

We were essentially located on a giant sand dune. The sand blows in from the Sahara Desert.

Phillip playing in the water. The water was around 70 degrees, which really was ok after you were in it about 5-10 min.

Spending a windy day on the pool deck. That sand hurts when the wind whips up!

Since we stayed at an all-inclusive hotel, we felt like we were kinda on a cruise ship that never went anywhere (honeymoon, anyone!). So, we found it kinda funny that our hotel was shaped like a boat.

One last picture before we headed home. :( It was a wonderful vacation! Just rest and relaxation on a white sandy beach! Lucky for us we had gorgeous weather the entire 5 days until the day we left, when it started to rain. We must have really hit at the right time since they started to store all the beach supplies for winter on our last day.

What we came home to! So so sad!! :(

:)

Milan and Venice, 2nd stop - Venice

Oh, how I fell in love with Venice!! It was so beautiful! I'm sure it had a lot to do with the fact that we went in winter and it was basically empty, but that made it all the more perfect. Wandering through the alleyways, crossing all the little bridges, taking a gondola ride, spending an evening in a fantastic wine bar, just lovely!

Love at first sight!

Aww, a bed just for Phillip! ;)

Making our way through the alleyways to Piazza San Marco

Picture from Rialto Bridge

Love the gondolas!

Taking our own gondola ride!

Drew and Rhiannon enjoying our ride

You know we couldn't visit Italy and Phillip not get gelato!

Piazza San Marco and the bell tower where Galileo tested his telescope.

View from the bell tower

Murano Glass Shopping! Got some beautiful glass bead necklaces!



Rialto Bridge

Ahhh, how I can't wait to go back!