The Perfect Country and Western Song

These boys (and girl) can not wait to get home to their mothers. They have missed them so much throughout the trip. While it may appear that they have been spoiled here by all the kindness shown by the families, nothing can take the place of MOMMA.

Our favorite mode of transportation while we have been in Berlin is the S-Bahn. The TRAINS are very reliable. They are on time and with a map can get you within walking distance to anywhere in the city.

One noticeable absence in Berlin for me and the boys has been pickup trucks. They literally can not be found in Berlin. However, when we were in Potsdam I saw several TRUCKS. The one shown below is the first one I saw. It is a VW pickup with a camper. I got pictures of several others that day as I saw them.

One very interesting thing we saw when we toured the Wall area with Martin was a proposed museum built on the site of a famous Nazi PRISON in downtown Berlin. They had a nice set of exhibits describing the  museum and the atrocities that occurred there. I hope the next time I'm here I can tour it.

The final soccer tournament of the season occurred while we were in Berlin. It was held at the old Olympic Stadium that is on the train route back to Grunewald. The crowds were a little rowdy. We ran into this group of college aged guys in the main train station singing songs and drinking from a large plastic container. I guess they were GETTIN' DRUNK before going to the soccer match.

We'll I'm posting this as we leave for the airport early Friday morning. I would like to thank all of the families involved in making this trip a great one we will remember. 

NOW FOR THE SERIOUS PART:

I would like to give a special thanks to Tante Nana and Uncle Hansi who provided us a place to stay, transportation, many meals, and overall great hospitality. To Markus and Almut (and family) for opening their home to Maddie for sleeping (and the boys for everything else); the vast amount of time spent with us over the past two weeks, the companionship for us all, that made it a better experience for us as welcomed cousins, instead of "tourists." I can not accurately express my appreciation.

To the children: Justus is a great cousin. His trip to the US last summer and friendship with G-man and Blake, and continued correspondence with M & G, kept the desire for the cousins to reunite going. Luise (who I like to call "Germany's Next Top Model") really reached out to Maddie and made her stay comfortable in the home. She is a sweetheart, an equestrian, and a great cook. Lina seems like a twenty year old to me. You would not guess she is eleven. She graciously hosted Maddie at school and made us feel at home as well. We hope to see you all in the near future. 

To all of the family that took time out of their busy schedules to entertain "the Americans:" Martin and Katrin; Nalan; Elga; and Andrea, thank you for your kindness and generosity. 

A special thanks to my Mother-in-Law, Angela (Grandma). We couldn't have, and wouldn't have done the trip without you. You provided the "bridge" to the family in Germany, and were lots of fun to be with.

Blake was a pleasure to have along. He is very well behaved, and represents his family well. Thanks to Kerry and Judy for sharing him with our family for two weeks.

G-man and Maddie were very good companions and I did not hear them argue or fuss one time while we were over here. That's amazing for a brother and sister for two weeks (just ask my sister). I had a great time with you both.

Thanks to Sissy (Yvonne) for taking care of things at home and letting us go see YOUR family. You are coming with us next time!

I would like to thank all of you that read and followed us on the Blog.  I wasn't sure how it would be doing a blog. Two people were instrumental in my doing a blog: the first was my sister, Kelli, who was the first blogger I knew, and the other was Becky, a co-worker, who convinced me I would able to do it, and to not worry about how it comes off. 

The blog actually helped me to remember to take pictures and document what we did, so I would remember. I know we will be tired when we get home. I'm hopeful when moms/family asks, "what all did you do?" You will help them remember from the blog. Otherwise the answers are sure to be vague and elusive. Heck, I can't remember what all we did yesterday. 

I would like to thank all that commented on the blog. For us who are here, that was exciting for us to read, too. Our host family was reading as well, and they were/are able to see your comments, and thus, it cut out the middle-man when you wanted to give a special message to each other.

And purely selfishly, it's fun to know that someone who cares is reading what you wrote, and seeing the pictures you took. I would image only Yvonne got all of the song references I like to use as topics/titles, but hopefully some of you "got it" also.

About the Blog: I'm not sure what will happen to the blog. Technically, I accomplished what I wanted to on the trip, and I'm satisfied. My Aunt Jana wants me to take her, my mom and their other sister, Jane, to Ireland next. I don't want to think about it right now, but it could be fun to plan for next year. 

So... I will spend some time re-thinking what to do with "Cave-in."

I will have at least one more post when I'm back home to let everyone know we made it and have one more chance to publish any final comments.