2010, Reviewed

I cannot believe that this year is coming to a close. Not so much because it went by so quickly-- although it most certainly did--but because we spent such a long time waiting for it to get here! The build-up was absolutely nuts but the reality of the year has not been a let down. It has been an incredible year; one that I am sure we will remember for the rest of our lives.

Here's a little look-back!

We spent last New Years with friends. Fireworks, crafts, card games, and seven kids. It was fabulous.

In February we took what ended up being our last trip to our favorite German city, Heidelberg.

We also enjoyed our last Fasching parade in our village. Ah, Germans and all their various excuses to party and drink!

March blew in, along with what was (I believe) the worst windstorm of the year in Europe. Not realizing that, the little boys and I went for a walk. The worst of it hit south of Germany (thankfully) but several huge trees in our village were blown over and one of the statues was knocked over and broken.

In April we were finally able to break free long enough to go to the Island of Mainau at Lake Constance. It was every bit as beautiful as we hoped. (If you are currently living in Germany, put this on your "must-see" list!

We also managed to get up to see the tulips at Keukenhof in the Netherlands. Another trip that is so worth it! My favorite picture of the year (you know I have to stuff it into the blog just one more time!):

I did not take many pictures in May. At the very beginning of the month we found out we were heading to Beale AFB. Then we found out there was a possibility we might have to stay in Germany. (This obviously did not end up being the case, although it was a close thing.) Then our van got broken into for the second time. Hmmm. No wonder I didn't take any pictures in May! May sucked!

Then in June we went to Paris! Paris!! PARIS!!! We spent an afternoon hanging out by the Eiffel Tower. We saw the Mona Lisa. We toured Notre Dame. I never really considered myself one who would freak out over Paris...but PARIS!!! I am so happy that trip worked out for us.

In July we said good-bye to our friends. We finally got the blessing to move and our orders. We did a lot of prepping for the movers. We did not take many pictures.

August was, hands down, the busiest month of the year. Our household goods were packed up and shipped out. Our van and our truck went out. We planned a trip to Indiana on the fly. ("On the fly" because there was so little time to plan once it was all said and done.) We flew out of Germany, spent a day in Baltimore, flew into Indiana, and spent a couple weeks visiting. It was surreal.

In September we said hello to California. Although we had been told that the area was ugly and barren, we found it to be quite beautiful in its own way. We started to realize that as hard as we had tried to end up just about anywhere else, California was not going to be so bad.

Although we love the look of the area where the base is located, we ultimately decided to move up into the mountains. Honestly, who wouldn't?! It's gorgeous up here.

In October we went to Long Beach to get our truck. That guy there in the striped shirt? Yeah, that's my baby brother. He lives in L.A. and this was the first time I had seen him in three years. That ship in the harbor there is The Queen Mary. (I should probably admit here that I am more amused than I should be about being in L.A. and Paris (!!!) during the same calendar year.)

We also discovered a wonderful little spot right down the road. You know, 'cause we need more reasons to love it here.

In November Jason and I celebrated our 15th anniversary. We also found out that it does, in fact, snow in California.

December found us feeling pretty comfortable in the area, although it was the first month that I really experienced a touch of weirdness over being back in the states. We were (not very great) witnesses to a nasty accident. We continued to explore the area, finding a local railroad museum where Santa comes to visit every year. The boys had so much fun; I think we'll be back before Santa is.

And now it's time for 2011 to begin. I can't imagine where we'll be at the end of it, but I sure do love where we're starting out!

Happy New Year to everyone out there in blogland! Have a wonderful (but safe, please!) evening. May 2011 bring you everything you want and need.