In August we made our first ever road trip, in this case to Corpus Christi, Texas. On the way we saw Memphis, New Orleans, and New Braunfels. Coming back we hit Wichita Falls, Wichita and Des Moines.

We had a great time in Berlin this past month. The weather was fabulous and Berlin as always interesting, quirky, big-hearted and full of good food, old friends and opportunities to spend money. See our photo album for a few impressions.

… or for sitting cuddled up by a fire with a hot drink to warm your hands and insides. We did both last weekend, though the kids preferred the snow and the adults the coffee and ‘Apple Betty’. Thank goodness for the Internet, so Christmas shopping was a breeze. Now we can just enjoy the holidays as they were meant to treat us: With comfort, friends and joy.

Well, you haven’t heard from us for a while, but finally mom uploaded quite a few new photos from all our summer travels. First we all went to Florida to have fun at SeaWorld, Universal and the Mid-Florida wetlands. Then the kids went to Summer Camp in the Missouri Ozarks for a week. After that Andrea took off to Germany and Italy for almost a month. Meanwhile the rest of us was in Jamaica and on a short weekend trip to Michigan. Check out the photos in the album section.

We have had a few really nice days already this year, but today was perfect for a bike trip at Busse Woods. At first the kids complained but then Sabrina volunteered that it might be fun after all. She could talk with Julian while biking next to each other. Also Busse Woods is right by ‘Sweet Tomatoes” her favorite salad restaurant. So we took a 7.7. mile tour around a lake, through woods and over prairie and then rewarded ourselves with mountains of green stuff for dinner plus serious piles of apple cranberry cobbler with vanilla ice cream.