Family A Journey to Forever!

Sunday, June 14, 2015

Metz France May 23, 2015

The kids were a little disappointed that we were not going to Paris, France.
They can't wait to see the Eiffel Tower.
We were so excited to finally get our Tourist Passports and our International Drivers license to finally be
able to explore outside of Germany. yeah!

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St. Stephen Cathedral of Metz.

This Cathedral is one of the most beautiful Gothic Cathedrals in France. The cathedral is the product of two churches combined into one. It was built between 1220 and 1552. It was made from limestone,With it's 42 metre high vaults, it is one of the highest cathedrals in Europe.

This is the entrance into the Cathedral it is lined with statues.
The detail and architecture on this cathedral was amazing. I just couldn't stop looking at it
AMAZING!!!!

This Cathedral has approx. 70,000 sq feet of stained glass windows.

The Nickname for this cathedral is "God's Lantern" because of all the stained glass windows.

They are just amazing. Each one has it's own story. I wish I could
read German and find out exactly what the story was.

Master glassmakers of every period are represented, ranging from
Hermann of Munsert, March Chagall, Jacques billon and Roger Bossier.

This window was one of my favorites. We just sat in the chair staring at this
beautiful window. So much detail and so much to see. It really was just breathtaking.

The kids in front of the Cathedral.

18th Century Theater. It's the oldest working theater in France
You can still partake of different shows and the opera. Another thing we learned from our tour is there were 63 people executed here by the guillotine. EEEKKK

Water Tower

What an Adventure....
Trying to find a bathroom in France is almost impossible. We searched and searched for a Bathroom.
We had know idea it was a little green building. This little building had one toilet and you had to pay .30 euro to use it.
It was so gross inside if we didn't have to go so bad I would have passed on using it. But it took forever to find it and we needed to go. UUUGGHHHH.

We just love these fun train rides

This train ride was just over an hour and gave us a lot of information about the History of Metz.
This train had head phones and 10 different languages you could choose from. It was really cool.

Bastianclan, Kayden is taking the pictures.

Bastianclan, Brooklyn is taking the picture.

The best way to travel while exploring a New Country.

Bastianclan on the Train

Jer and I we are loving our time in Europe.

Monday, May 25, 2015

Memorial Day Remembrance at Luxembourg American Cemetery

Today we traveled to Luxembourg to attend the Memorial Day Service.
Saturday 23, 2015

The Beautiful Monument Erected 1941-1945

The back side of the Monument.

They had a couple F-14 Flyover

Jer, captured an amazing pictures with the
Monument and the F-14.

Ms. Allison Shorter-Lawrence the U.S. Charge D Affaires
Gave a beautiful speech and honored the Brave Men that lie here at this Cemetery.
I learned something new today. A little History.
Did you know Memorial Day use to be called "Decoration Day?"
After the Civil War family members and volunters would come and decorated graves with flowers and flags. Congress declared Memorial Day a National Holiday to remember and honor those that have fought for the freedom we enjoy.

The Prime Minister of Luxembourg, His excellency Mr. Xavier Bettel.
It was super cool to listen and hear how the Country of Luxembourg was blessed
to have these Brave Men protecting the interest and freedoms of this Country.

The 52nd Fighter Wing Honor Guard standing out in the cemetery during the entire memorial.

Mr. Serge Cahen of the Jewish community of Luxembourg gave a beautiful Prayer of Remembrance.

This years guest speaker was Commander USAFE and Africa, LTG Darryl. L. Roberson
The lady standing next to him was his interpreter. I loved listening to her speak in French. Awesome!

I have never before watched a "Wreath Laying Ceremony."
It was awesome. It started with the Official Party. The very first
wreath of flowers was from His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of Luxembourg.

His Royal Higness the Crown Prince of Luxembourg.
How cool... All the kids thought it was so cool we were 6 chairs from the Prince.
It was fun to see him talk to the families and watch his Secret Agents create a safe environment.

The next wreath was The United States of America.

Ms. Alison Shorter-Lawrance

The next Wreath from His Excellent Mr. Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg
I'm not sure who the other guy was?

His Excellent Mr. Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg

LTG Darryl L. Roberson Commander U. S. Air Force Europe and Africa
I loved watching them all salute the fallen soldiers. So very touching.

It was so cool there was a parade of other organizations both by U. S. and Luxembourg.
It was so cool to watch everyone bring their wreath in and lay it on the ground.
What a neat thing to experience.

Even the Boy Scouts of America had a wreath to honor the fallen Soldiers.

U. S Embassy Luxembourg Wreath

Luxembourg Government Wreath

The Grand Duke's Wreath.

Monday, May 11, 2015

Our Baby is 10!!!!

Happy Birthday To our Amazing,Brave,Caring,Energetic little Boy!

We are so very blessed to have your

Sweet Spunky Spirit in our Family.

Chandler wanted a Pokemon Birthday. Jeremy and I had so much fun decorating his door.
We wrapped his door in blue wrapping paper, We ordered 1" Pokemon figurines and put them on yellow
dots and put them all over his door. We also ordered ceiling decorations to hang in front of his door.

Chandler Door and entry into the Living room.

One of my favorite activities preparing for Chandler's Birthday was making his Birthday cards.
Everyone made their own card. Jeremy even drew a Pikachu.