We're back!

We had a wonderful time with our families over the past 2 weeks. We even got to sneak in a couple get-together with friends who were in town. Splitting 11 1/2 days amongst 3 families just doesn't give us enough time with any of them. Yet a ton of eating was done, (we were able to hit El Mirasol a total of 4 times!) a little bit of shopping was squeezed in, family game nights, and tons of wedding events we got to share in for one of Brandon's sisters. With our poor picture taking remembering skills, we were only able to capture a few of the wonderful moments.

My Fam! After taking 870 pictures, this is still the best one (with still not everyone looking).

Two of our favoritest people. (I know thats not truly a word.) Thanks again for treating us to breakfast.

There it is!

*Insert picture of Brandon's dad and Karen. We do have one its in the processing of being obtained.

Brandon's mom, Ken and Brit!

Now to catch up on all the things we have ignored forgotten to do over the past 3 weeks.

Almost There...

We have had a marvelous, relaxing time here in Germany. Oh yes, for those who don't know, we are in Germany this week. We got to take a mini-vaca, before our 2 week vaca to take care of some minor medical things.

It is cold and wet here. We got to see our snow, remaining from a couple of weeks ago when there was snow everywhere, but no snow flurries have been falling during in our time here.

We have not been as adventurous as we were on our last trip here, just taking it easy. We've walked around a couple cities, eaten some good food, and you wouldn't believe how many people we have run into from Lajes, here.

Today is our last day, plans were to go to Heidelberg again, but sleeping in and not rushing all day won over.

We fly into Lajes tomorrow to check-up on our son, unpack and repack. Two full days of flying ahead and we will be on Texas soil. :) See you soon!!

Bells

 Look at that preciousness! Before anyone Hillary S. gets excited she is not ours. Our neighbor, who also has a basset hound found her on lajesads and couldn't say no. Where on the other hand I live with some one who unfortunately said no. This is me driving back from picking up Mason's new girlfriend with my neighbor. Yes, he has 2 now, Remember his original one, they are now residing in the same residence.

This past Monday, me and Mas got to puppysit. Oh the small joys in life. :) Her name is Bells. She is just 5 weeks old and we just might have to make the babysitting thing a weekly occurrence. She is just too dang cute.

The New Year.

The ringing in of the New Year has once again come and gone. We kept with all of our "new traditions" we intend to implement that I spoke of here.

I wanted to share with y'all our 2011 Things We Will Strive to Accomplish List for the 2 people that might care.

Brandon

1. Make an “excellent” on PT test.

• An excellent is received by obtaining an overall score of 90 or above. Besides the numerical standpoint, it also warrants a day-off as well as no PT testing for a year. A mandatory test is given every 6 months, the next one is scheduled in May then November would be the 2nd one for this year, so he will have 2 tries this year to get it done.

2. Complete at least 30 credit hours for school.

• With CDCs still looming, "normal" school will not start back up again until hopefully this summer. CDCs completed will already add 6 credit hours for his degree plan. He will then have, more semesters than I can count this early in the morning, to complete the 24 more credit hours before 2012. Definitely doable.

3. Complete OTS package!!

• This is the big one. To make the switch from enlisted to officer, an active member can apply for OTS (Officer Training School) one year out. Completing bullet point 2 will get B to this point, the rest will be in God's hands.

Jacki

1. Learn a new language.

• Now, the obvious language choice would be Portuguese, you would think. However, I feel in the long run this will not be as beneficial as becoming actually fluent in Spanish. We will see which route I decide to follow, maybe it'll end up being both.

2. Visit at least 6 different countries.

• It is so doable, promise. We are headed to Germany in a week, thats 1. I am not counting our trip to the states after because that is too easy. So then are long awaited vacation/cruise will be happening this spring, and after that I may only need 1 or 2 more countries. After saving up leave for a little over a year, it is time to use it! I guess I can say I take after my ma in not doing well in staying stationary for an extended period of time.

3. Read 18 books this year.

• For some this may sound super easy, and I agree. I am pretty consistent in starting a book and then not finishing it for weeks later. I am a fast reader and all, this tasks is really more about be more disciplined in actually sitting down and reading. So rather than putting on another episode of Lost (our new favorite) I will try to take the last hour of every night to knock this one out.

And there you have it. Now, that you have read them you now have the official responsibility of making sure we accomplish them. Happy New Year!!