We absolutely loved the book Where the Red Fern Grows, so we couldn't wait to read Wilson Rawls second book called Summer of the Monkeys.  This book is about a boy who spends his summer trying to catch some monkey that escaped from a circus train.  This books made us laugh and Meg and Owen really enjoyed it.  On the way home from our big Italy trip we decided to stop off at Monkey Mountain.  What fun we had.  We hope you enjoy the following video of our time there!

Last week we set off for the longest trip we had taken thus far while being in Germany.  We set off early in the morning and drove to the middle of France to visit sites where one of Pascal's favorite movies was filmed.  We then made our way to Southern France and enjoyed that part of the region we had never been to before.  Then, it was time to make our way down to Italy!  We drove along the coast all the way down to Pompei!  What a trip!  We made a ton of memories and had a great time.  Below is a little slide show of our adventures!

What a Week!

Our Week!

 

First Day of 2nd Grade

 

 

LAST day of 2nd Grade!!

Last Friday Meg and I ran in the last road race held at Patrick Henry Village in Heidelberg. The base closes the summer and we are so sad but also feel really blessed to have been able to be stationed there for a little over a year.  We loved this post and have lost of special memories of our time there.

Meg ready to go!

On Sat.  Owen went to a Birthday party for his friend Harrison at the Lego Store downtown.  He was super excited.  I had to get a picture of these boys together.  Owen has a best friend named Marvin.  We were so sad when we had to move from Heidelberg and Owen had to leave his best friend.  Before Marvin moved away he met another boy that he said reminded him of Owen and he said that boy would be moving to the same post we were going to be at and if we could we should try to find him.  All we had was a first name and with so many people moving to this post, 7 second grade classes and two elementary schools we thought the chances of us meeting him would be slim but guess what?  They somehow found each other on the playground one day at school and became instant friends!  So the only thing missing in the picture is Marvin!  I often tell Marvin's parents that they were destined to be friend!  How funny that Marvin played a part in bringing these two together! 

 

On Sunday we attended the last church service in Heidelberg. Here is a picture of the chapel in the late 1950's.  We loved being a part of this church. 

Meet the UNO Queen.  This girl can play some cards, and she usually wins.  We've been having some serious UNO card playing at the Rebers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

69 Years Ago

 

A few pics of Meg's outfit choices this week

 

Meg LOVES to write letters

Here is one to "dad"

We have been having some major talks about RESPONSIBILTY at the Reber Household.  I made it very clear to Owen that if he forgets to do these simple tasks he would incur a penalty.  Everyday after school the kids in our building play together outside in the common area.  Owen and Meg love this, but if you get a penalty you loose 30 min. of playtime with your friends.  Owen got his first penalty the other day and the other morning I found this sticky note in the bathroom. Apparently he made it as a reminder.  It made me smile.  (#3 is "seat belt" and the last one is "empty lunchbox")  

I think it was super cute that Meg got him to write out one for her. 

Owen had a pizza party with his team to celebrate the end of soccer season

This year we were super blessed to have a great coach!

I found this in Owen's Prayer Journal and I thought it was perfect to post today because it is the 69th anniversary of D-DAY.

 

We are all smiles here in Germany because the sun has been shining!  This is our 4th day in a row of sun and we haven't seen that in months!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

What we've been up to

 

Here is Meg in her poncho. A lady stopped us on base and said, "she is dressed so European where did you find that sweater?"  I am sure this lady thought we had bought it in some sweet little European village... I just smiled and said, "Oh, we picked that up at the thrift store!"  Meg is all about her poncho.  With weather last week was in the 40s and 50s, she needed it!

I just never know each day when we head out the door what she has put together.  It is always such a treat!

"Mom, I like it when my socks don't match."

 

We headed to Heidelberg over the weekend.  We had heard there was flooding in town and it was amazing to see.  We had the darkest winter on record in the last 4 decades and then it seems it has also been one of the wettest Springs.  It has rained and rained and then rained some more.

 

 

 We found this hat for Julie at the Thrift store for $1.00.  Now they are twins!

 Books are 10 for $1.00 at the thrift store.  Meg and I are in Heaven!  We are always on the hunt for certain characters, authors and books that have earned certain awards.  We found a bit of everything in today's collection!

 I have been wanting to read Grandma's Attic, I have read lots of reviews on it and people seem to love it!

 Finding Reading Rainbow books are always a treat, they are always good ones!

 Our neighbors downstairs are two sweet second grade girls.  They are too cute and then when they speak to you in their British accent your heart just melts.  They love to read as well, so I invited them up for a book swap.   These are the books they left for us to read.  It was such fun to hear them talk about each of the books and tell us their favorite parts.  They left us a series called Andrew Lost, Owen has read two so far I think we have 10 more to go!

 

I will close with this beautiful piece of art work Meg surprised me with this morning.  I was putting in a tub of clothes and she said, "Mom, I made this for you."  I asked her what the name of it was and she said, "Flower Spread."