Eric...All dressed up for a wedding!

Eric was in his good friend's wedding last weekend and I thought he looked so handsome, I would share the pictures with you! Can't wait to be with everyone for Thanksgiving week! See you soon!

Random pictures from Barcelona and Paris

Lauren had fall break last week and went to Barcelona and Paris with some friends. She was sick and didn't really feel like going but, like her mother, never wants to miss anything! I think she had a good time but was glad to get back to Heidelberg for some R & R! She is counting down the days until she is home for Christmas break and we are looking forward to seeing her! Hope you are enjoying these updates!

A few faces from Ukraine

I've been back for over a week and finally have some free time today to share some pictures and a little about the trip. We were able to visit five different orphanages. We were able to visit the one in Vilka three different times. If I could, I would bring them all here and help them find homes but that's not possible so I will just have to plan to go back and visit them soon! These were all facilities for older children and one was for disabled boys. That one was particularly disturbing. We take so much for granted in this country with our care of the handicapped and how we go to great lengths to ensure quality of life to even the most severe of these.

The weather was really nice, for a change! Usually it is cold and dreary. We actually were able to go out with just a jacket most days and the sun was shining almost every day! We stayed in the Messianic Jewish Center and had nice quiet, clean, non-smoky rooms. The ten days went by much faster this year than last year! My only complaint was the flight back from Paris...Air France seats are way too close together and it was a totally full flight...I was very cranky by the time we got to Dulles! But, aside from that, it was a great trip. I got to know William alot better and was impressed with his passion and love for the orphans and his desire to make sure they were being given every opportunity to hear the gospel. And, the kids have great affection for him (he had met many of them on other trips and they have never forgotten him!)...

The last picture is of the oldest resident of a nursing home we visited. She is 92 and is missing a leg. We were entertained by one of the residents who used to be a singer and she actually had a really great voice for a lady of her age! She would have kept going longer if we hadn't had to leave!

Lauren in the Swiss Alps...I'm Jealous!

Miscellaneous Stuff!

Hello Family! I am heading to Richmond on Wednesday and then off to Ukraine on Thursday so I thought I would post before I leave! Jim is going to Houston on Tuesday and will be back on Thursday. Adam is here visiting (he came home Friday night and will return to California Tuesday night). Eric is liking his job at Air Handler Supply (AC/Heating parts supplier). He quit his job at Dewey's but hopes to secure another restaurant job very soon! Lauren spent this past weekend in Sweden (Stockholm). Last weekend she was in Prague (Czech Republic). She leaves Tuesday to go to Vienna with the whole group for an "educational field trip." Needless to say, she is having a great time (we don't hear much about the "school" part of this but she says she is making all A's!)

I have been working often at the rental house in Ft. Collins and I think I may have it rented (renters will begin in November). I just need to check their references and send them a copy of the lease. It is looking much better. I have posted a picture of the kitchen since we have been working so diligently but I don't have a "before" picture for you to compare so you will just have to trust me...it looks 100% better!

The outdoor mountain scene is one a friend of ours took on his recent bike trip to Moab, Utah. It was so beautiful I thought I would share it with you! We didn't get to take a trip to the high country to see the color change this year (too busy with the rent house) so I have been stealing pictures that my friends have taken so that I can live through them vicariously!

So, some pictures from Lauren's albums, some from friends who have actually been to the high country this fall and one of a partially remodeled kitchen! Enjoy!

Thought you might like to see some pictures of LAUREN in Germany, not just Germany! So here are some I "picked" off her Facebook page! Enjoy! The first one is her signature on the Berlin Wall...the last one is her signing the wall!

Atomic Cafe opens 9-29-2008

Atomic Cafe is open! It opened on the day the stock market plummeted over 700 points. That bodes not so well for the mutual fund that was an opening cost cushion. To say it's being done on a wing and a prayer is an understatement...were selling the wings...could use the prayers...

More from Heidelberg...

I went onto Lauren's facebook site and got some more pictures to share with the family! She is leaving Friday morning with a group to go to Berlin and won't be back until Sunday afternoon. I just finished talking to her on "Skype" and she was using a video camera so I got to see her! I love technology! Anyway...she is loving it there and will have lots of stories to tell! Picture details: (1) Moore Haus where Lauren lives (2) Restaurant where the students eat dinner Sunday through Wednesday nights (3) Neckar River (4) View of Heidelberg (5) Heidelberg Castle

ok just a few more...

More pics!

Hallo Familien!

Hello family! I just wanted to inform you all that I am having a marvelous time! I also wanted to show you some pictures of all that I have seen thus far! Aunt Jane I am working on the translation I will get it soon lol. Grandmommy...the pictures of the flowers are for you. We went to Swchetzingen and saw the castle there. It has the most amazing garden and when I saw it I thought of you! I love you all very much!

Ich liebe Sie!

(I love you!)

Lauren