Fam Bam 4th Festivities

I say 4th, but it was really a celebration on the 3rd for us. Our first 4th of July in Germany can be summed up in two words....heated and LONG! We started out with sprucing things up around the house for the BBQ, took a few 4th Family photos,



then we headed out to the Freedom Fest (which is only a couple blocks from my house...SCORE on that). Saige and her softball team were in charge of working the Dunk Tank for a Little League Fundraiser. It was frickin' HOT!! Hot not only for Germany's standards, but it was flirting with Okinawa/FL hot! But seriously, I think when people sweat like this they ARE actually melting!

The Dunk Tank was fun and I even tried to pay somebody to get me in that thing ...but only the coaches were getting dunked.

testing out the ammunition

Coach Kent in the tank...

Surrounding the area was the children's section...bounce houses, duck pond games, face painting, over-sized sumo wrestling, and an inflatable boxing ring. There was even the occasional superhero roaming around. The boys went to town...

Shrek looks like Zombie Shrek...but Teage didn't seem to mind.

Punch-Out Time!

NANANANANANANA...BATMAN!

After we left the fest, we went back home and I started grilling (again, how hard is it for a certain cubexican to grill up some burgers and chicken? ...all the days perpetrating). Rhea and the kids were in tow along with a friend of hers, my new friend, Brooke and her hubby came and then some other people I didn't really know too well. Needless to say, it is challenging to keep everyone in sync and happy when there are blind dates (guests) in the mix...especially when kids are involved. But, I was on a mission to have a good time, and I did.

Singstar is always doing everybody right...they were totally singing Britney Spears' "Toxic"

After the YUMMY eats and pool time (both water and table), we ventured back to the fest to check out the kid's rides and watch the fireworks. It turned into a gorgeous night and finally things started to cool down.

Next week we are headed to Italy for Saige's Regional tournament (they play Italy and Poland) and if they win, they represent Europe and move to the World Series in August held in Kirkland, Washington. They are a really great team and have the potential to go super far...can't wait to see my girlie kick some Italian and Polish booty!

Until next time....HAPPY 4TH PEEPS!!!

Firecrackers & Sinise

Well, the LoooNG weekend was intensely jam packed!! It all started Wednesday night when we went to the opening ceremonies for George's "Firecracker" Softball Tournament.



They had all the state flags flying above the stands, SO, I had to show some love for our 2 'hometowns' (I say hometowns loosely because really, the Fam Bam has no roots, we're just a bunch of rolling stones)...


They had a few events such as the Relay Throwing Contest, Home Run Derby and a Base Running Competition. George did the base running thing. He almost won except there was some freakishly fast track star there and he won by a landslide. Plus he was wearing jean shorts...it was funny because he had to roll them up to run (can you see it?)...


The boys were all sweaty and gross within minutes, but they were loving the climb up and down the bleachers. Me, not so much...

George's team ended up winning the whole tournament. It was HOT as all get out, but worth it I guess. I wonder when George will realize he's in his mid 30's and softball is just a "hobby". He's so damn serious about it...we refer to it as his mistress! Here's a pic from the trophy ceremony.



The next day (Thursday) we headed up to Torii (the tiny Army base here) to meet Gary Sinise. He came here on a USO tour for meet & greets and to play at the 4th of July 'America Fest' on Kadena this weekend with his "Lt Dan Band". He was gracious enough to roll through to see our Army of One...

He was real nice and nothing more than just a regular guy doing his thing. I'm lovin' all the Soldier supporters!!


The rest of the weekend was spent hanging with the kids during the day and making my way to softball field at night. Friday, the kids and I went to Mona Kids Jungle (indoor play palace) and then to lunch with a friend.


Saturday (the 4th), I took Saige (drug the boys) to shopping at the big mall here, so they call it. She was stoked since she milked me out of two pairs of shoes and a jacket that totally screams the 80's. Ahhh, teens and their trends...little does she know we already rocked all those 80's fads!

Oh and we did our traditional sparkler fest in the front yard Saturday night instead of fireworks (which the Japanese sell everywhere...even in the dollar store). The kids LOVE doing them. It reminds me of cousin Jennifer's house when I was little. Good Times!!


So some of the pics are finished from our Family shoot at the beach. I'm so glad we got some taken together. It's not that often we can round all of us up in one spot or stay still. Teage had a few moments when I thought I needed a leash (JUST PLAYIN'), but all in all it was a good effort. Check out my faves...and we hope everyone had a HAPPY FOURTH LOVIES!!

*(click to enlarge)*

Thanks T, for capturing us...as we are!!

New Year Antics

Happy Happy, Joy Joy....

Another great start to a new year...2009 is already looking fabulous! The reduced time at work for George during the holidays has been really nice and yet I also find myself wanting to strangle him here and there, too. Kidding aside...I must say that I am going to miss the family freedom we have had while there has been no school (for me or the kids) and limited work in Army world for the past two weeks. We have been sleeping in, staying up way too late, tooling around town, and of course enjoying some yummy food (you know the holidays are all about the good food). But, as we know all good things come to an end and come Monday, it is back to business.

In spite of that reality, we thoroughly enjoyed our New Year's. On the eve, I met up with some girls and did some shopping and coffee. Later on, we did the family thing...going to dinner and then a movie followed by burning things in the backyard.

Teage fell asleep right around 11:30. Poor kid, he tried to hold on.

Saige had to babysit so it wasn't our normal eve without the both of them. We did have sparklers and crackers waiting for her when she got home.

Thursday we spent checking out a few places off base and ended up at Tobaru Koen Park. What an awesome place to take the kids. So far it is the longest roller slide we have seen here. The roller slides ROCK and with a scrap piece of cardboard...you might as well be downhill skiing. We spent the whole afternoon there and had a blast.

OK, so I thought Poquito was going to pass out....look at his ears! He is NOT happy about this.

Saige was cold so she decided to "rest".

Actually, it has been kinda chilly the past few days. I welcome it for sure. It's comforting to be able to get all bundled up rather than sweating your a$$ off on a daily basis. I hope it lasts a little while.

After our outdoor adventure, we came home to prepare for company. Some friends came over and I finally popped open my champagne bottle. Good food and good company...always works!! Of course there was some Wii laced into that visit.

Overall, excellent week!!! Now if I could only find a way to get someone to take down all the holiday decorations for us. That means it's over right?? Can't we just keep it all up til Valentine's Day???

Well, next week I start seeing someone that's gonna train me towards my workout plan. I am officially ready for some life changes....and lookout b/c I clean up real nice LOL!!! Catch you later...Love You All!!