Hohenecken Castle

So on Wednesday May 21st, AJ's scout group went for a hike up to Hohenecken Castle.  It is the last hike for their leave no trace behind patch.  It is actually almost right in our backyard since we moved to Hohenecken.  I was excited to explore it.

One thing that is great about Europe is all the wonderful statues around.  Some I am not sure why they are there like this one, but just really cool!!!

AJ and Michael at the start of the hike and this was after an hour of baseball.

AJ and one of his scout buddies hiking up the hill.

The boys wanted to go and explore the "dungeon."  I don't think it really was that, but they all thought it was cool.

Their scout leader was giving them a lesson on poisonous plants in Europe and a few other scout electives.

Michael having fun playing around in the inner court of the castle.

So I am sure you were all wondering where is the history?  Well here you go.  :-)  Hohenecken Castle was built on the western foothills of the "Schossberg" (Castle Mountain) from the middle of the 12th century.  It served the purpose of governing and securing the empire.  The Lords of Hohenecken, who were in complete or partial feudal possession of the castle until the end of the 17th century, were first mentioned as a dynasty of ministerialis (administrative servants) in 1212.  It was destroyed twice, 1525, rebuilt and 1688 during the war of palatine succession by the French. 

A view of our new town, Hoheneken!  Isn't it pretty?

Michael in front of the back wall.

AJ and Michael up on the well in the castle

Here they are by the front gate of the castle, always with the sticks!  :-)

Here is the groups of scouts that made the hike up to the castle.  It was a great time and cool exploring the castle in our backyard and AJ earned his leave no trace award!!  A win, win situation!  We are heading out on another vacation soon, so I might be our of touch for a little while, but there will be plenty to tell you when I get back!!!

STEAM Night

So after a wonderful morning with their father, the boys had an activity at school called STEAM night, Science, Technology, Engineers, Art, Math.  This was the first one we have ever been too and everybody was really excited about it!!  All the classes did some sort of science project for it and everybody was so proud!.

The entry sign!

AJ's class made robots.  He did the one in the back by himself and then his buddy Josh and he did the one in front together.  That is Josh with AJ, he is a senior in high school that has been interning in Mrs. Richardson's class for the past few months.

Michael's class did planets.  He choose to do Earth.  They did paper mache and then painted.  All the kids had a great time! 

Michael is checking out one of the experiments by another KES student.

The high school robotics club came down to show them what they do.  AJ was pretty interested in it.

Michael with a mustache - he couldn't make it stay under his nose.  :-)

I was really proud of the boys going around and checking out the different exhibits there.

Michael's turn at the robotics table.

This was Michael's favorite one!  He kept going back to it time and time again!  I might have to invest in that in the future.

Daddy and AJ with AJ's robot and his drawing.

Michael getting his groove on with the bells.

Michael checking out the pre-school's indoor garden.  It was actually pretty cool!  There were so many more things for them to do and learn.  Both boys had a wonderful time and I think learned a few things along the way.  They did a great job as always with the school functions here!

Job Shadow Day

On Friday May 16th it was job shadow day all over KMC.  So the boys went off to work with their dad!  They were both soooo excited about it and couldn't wait to go with him!

The boys ready to start their day with their dad!!

There was a 5K that morning David was supposed to go in, so the boys went along with him!  Here they are at the start line.

The boys walking, they started out really well, but after awhile, they started to complain a bit.  They didn't make the full 5K, they took a shortcut to the finish line.  We will get them there.  :-)

Then it was off to Daddy's office.  Michael taking a turn in his chair.

AJ's turn while wearing his dad's PT belt.

Aren't they too cute!!!  They had soooo much fun hanging with their dad that morning!!!  They said they wanted to stay all day with Dad, but David had some work he had to get done and the boys had to get back to school.

David gave the camera to the boys for awhile, some really interesting shots that is for sure!  The boys were able to have lunch with David before going back to school.  They were all smiles that day!!

Mother's Day

So after getting home really late on Saturday, I was only able to sleep in a little in order to be able to get ready for church that morning.  That is okay.  AJ decided on his own that he wanted to cook me breakfast in the morning.  It was so sweet, I came down stairs and he told me to just sit down and relax he was cooking me eggs and bacon.

Here Daddy and AJ cooking us breakfast!!

After church we headed downtown Kaiserslautern with some friends to go out to eat.  This beautiful waterfall was right out front. 

Michael and Miles - both boys LOVE Miles and he is so good with my boys!  The kids played Uno while the adults were able to have a wonderful chat.  It was a nice relaxing lunch with wonderful friends!!!

So I made my boys pose like this but Lynnie told me about this pose and I absolutely loved it!!  After that home for a short nap and then David made me dinner.  It was a great day and I felt very loved!!!

Military Ball

So between moving, checking out of housing, trying to unpack boxes, birthday party, karate, and coaching t-ball David decided that he wanted to go to the AG ball, so what did I say?  Sure let's do it!  So on Saturday off we went to the AG ball.

David and I before we left the house.  Isn't he handsome?  That is part of our wonderful new backyard!!

So the football draft was on that weekend, David was getting regular updates on what the Seahawks were doing.  I tried taking his phone away, but he wouldn't let me.  :-)

Some of our friends were there too, her are the handsome men!

David with Jen - they have known each other since Fort Lewis days and deployed together.

Us at the ball, David a little more comfortable.

Getting down on the dance floor.  I even joined in after this. :-)  I have to say this was one of the most fun balls I have been too.  We sat be really wonderful people, David's new boss, and had a great time with friends!  David has been really good to me and only dragged me to four balls in his whole career.  For those of you in the military you know that isn't many.  They have at least 2-3 balls a year you can go to.  But I really enjoyed myself at this one and had fun dressing up in my new dress!!

Rain Gutter Regatta

So on Sunday May 4th the cub scouts had their rain gutter regatta.  It was a pirate theme one this time.

Going through the ceremony part of it, sometimes it gets a little long but each boy deserves his due for his accomplishments.

The first station they made treasure bags.

Then what type of pirate doesn't have a hook for a hand?

And where there are hooks, there is fighting hooks.  :-)

The racing part!  AJ did really good, the lane he was in was low on water, but he still did great!!

After all that hard work it was snack time.

Michael picked out all the M & M's of course.

The next station was a treasure hunt!  The boys were sooooo excited!!!

AJ found the second clue and it was his turn to read.

Michael even had a chance to read.

There were about seven different clues.

Michael was the one who finally found the treasure box, they were all so excited!!!

The boys looking mighty fierce!!!!

AJ took third place in the Wolf den!  We were so proud of him!!!  He is doing such a great job in scouts!!!  Michael can't wait to get started!!  Unfortunately there weren't enough boats so there wasn't a sibling race this year.  But the boys had sooooo much fun!!!