July 2009

So where does one begin a blog about adventures in Germany? How about at the beginning?! The movers arrived the morning after our 3rd wedding anniversary and spent two days packing our entire life (and Sarah's classroom) into a crate to be shipped through the Panama Canal and onto to Munich. It really sunk in that we were making a HUGE life change as the boxes piled up. However, at the same time, realizing the crate wouldn't be more than 2/3rds full, I sent Jeff out to purchase a cart full Costco diaper wipes while I ran to Target to buy as many diapers as possible! People warned us Munich would be expensive, so I was just trying to be frugal!

The crate pulled away and my parents graciously allowed Jeff and our chaos to enter their home for 3 weeks until we flew to Germany. Lucky for them, we headed off to a vacation in Colorado, Kansas, and Montana to visit family, friends, and attend two dear friends' weddings. We spent two weeks hanging with the Zabel clan and flying to Kansas to visit the Fuhrmans. You can see little cousin Wyatt gave me a tour of their beautiful soy bean and corn fields and farm house . . . tractors and all! We especially loved a vivacious evening barbecue with the entire Zabel and Zeckser clans colliding! Literally and figuratively! It's always a great time when we all get together!


Plus, Jeff was honored to be a part of his longtime friend Jarrett and Emily's wedding. It was a beautiful day filled with love and personal touches hosted in her parent's backyard. It's so fun to catch up with all his best friends, plus I think his friends have fabulous taste in the women they've chosen for wives! Anytime the crew of childhood buds reunites good times are had by all.

After Colorado and Kansas, we headed to Montana for another great friend's wedding. Thanks, Dave and Alexis for getting married and allowing us to reunite with Santa Clara University buds, plus explore Big Sky, Montana. As you can see, in addition to a beautiful lodge reception, we managed to fit in some fly-fishing. There were no Brad Pitt sightings (movie reference, anyone?), and I was thankful the waiters came with room to spare for Zabebe!

We arrived home from our fun-filled vacation for one last doctor's appointment, final lunches with friends, and dinner with the fam. My awesome brother even flew up from Los Angeles for a Bon Voyage evening. We felt so loved! Withing 48 hours of being back in the Bay Area, my parents dropped us (and our 6 pieces of luggage) off at SFO, and we were off to Munich for our two-year adventure!