Jamie 2nd Quarter

Jamie had Straight As on her 2nd Qtr report card.  "1" for those in Germany :)  She also was selected one of 6 "Champions of the Quarter".  This selection is done by the teachers of her team.  The 7th & 8th grade are broken into 4 teams with about 150 kids.  Her team is named the Champions.  The teachers select 6 students each quarter by unaminous consent of the 7 teachers.  We are VERY proud of her.  She received a t-shirt, certificate, candy, article in the Ram newspaper, etc.

Promotion Party

12 Feb - We had a promotion party at the house and invited friends and some co-workers.  We had about 40 people come throught the day.  We did an international foods theme:

Slovak American Friendship Goulash (Martin's recipe)
German Ham and herb creme rolls (Petra's recipe)

German open face sandwiches - Salami, cheese or Salmon

Korean Dumplings called Mandu

Korean Gimbop - beef and tuna

Slovak open faced appetizer

Veggie tray

Chicken bites from Chick Filet

Mexican 7-layer dip with chips

Chocolate fondue with fruit

German Peach cake - Petra's recipe

Fruit Torte cake- European Style - Bought at Wegmans

Buckeye Cake - Gift from co-worker - very good.

Plenty of Belgian and German beer and of course

Stoffel Wine!!!!!

It was all a BIG hit and everyone enjoyed the food so thank you to Martin and Petra for inspiring us to attempt your traditions!!

German Peach Cake - Petra Specialty!!

German Openface Sandwich

Slovak American Friendship Goulash

Fruit Torte

The table

Fruit Chocolate Fondue

Korean Gimbop



German Ham appetizer - Petra Specialty



Promotion

13 Jan 11 - James was promoted to Colonel effective 1 Jan 11.  The ceremony was held in the Pentagon.  James's Mom and Kim's parents came up for the ceremony.  Kim and Tot did the pinning of the new rank on the jacket and Jim and Judy did the rank on the shirt.  Jamie changed the rank on my hat.  We had a quick reception with punch and a pentagon shaped cake.  James' prior boss in Germany, COL John Haley officiated the ceremony and readministed the oath of office.  It was a nice ceremony.

Kim and Mom putting on the Colonel rank

COL Haley administering the Oath of Office

Judy and Jim pinning my rank on my shirt

Jamie getting flowers

"New" Car

18 Sep - We purchased a used 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid.  Hybrid uses electric power and a gas engine.  It averages about 35 miles/gallon or 6.5L/100km.  It was a really good deal and drives great!  It is strange because when stopped at a light or something, it is so silent, it feels like the car cut off but we'll get use to it.

Yes, it is Redskins colors!!!!!!1

Arrival

16 Sep - We departed Germany on time on Lufthansa - Great airline.  Germany food and free German Warsteiner beer and wine.  Flight was great and did not seem as long as 8.5 hours.

We arrived and our good friend Marcus was there to meet us.  We had 8 bags plus carry ons.  We rented a car for a week and drove the 30 miles to our friends in just about 90 minutes.  Yep, we now know we are back in Northern Va area!!

We had our first meal at Arbys with Deb, Marcus, the girls and their new Korean Daughter.

We stayed up as long as we could, called the realtor about house appointments, etc.