Summer...What Summer?

Around this time year people are always asking “Did you enjoy your summer?” And I have this urge to say “Summer, what Summer?” Oh yeah, it was that one week in June…I think I blinked sometime during that week, maybe took a nap...or two. Oh well, there’s always next year right? Right??

Anyways, Fall is setting in and we even have some leaves falling. This is my FAVORITE time of year. The air is cool and crisp, the leaves beautiful, and holidays are just around the corner. I sure do miss our family around this time. We’re halfway through out time here….so yup, homesickness is right on time. Must find ways to occupy myself for the next year and a half.

Well, for one, Hunter will starting kindergarten soon! We are homeschooling, so it’s not quite as exciting for him as it would be if he were actually going to school. I’m excited though! I’m using a wide range of curriculum instead of a one company box set. I’m sure it’s easier that way, but since when do I choose the easy route? Anyway, if anyone is interested the books I’m using just shoot me an email- I’ll be happy to share :)

Since Aaron was away for most of the “summer” in Germany we didn’t get to do any traveling, so we’re trying to make up for it now. Next week we’ll be heading to Wales for 5 days. It’s Aaron’s turn to plan our trip and I think he has the itinerary jammed, so I should have plenty of picture to share when we get back. I’m really looking forward to it! Something I didn’t know until recently is that the Welsh still fluently speak Gaelic. Even their road signs are written in the language. Can’t wait to hear it spoken!

And as always- the Ollis BnB and “tour guide” operation is open year around!!

Lots of love,
Candace

Independant Women

It's been a crazy week! Hunter and I finally made it to Germany on Thursday...it was some journey. The plan was to take a military flight which would be free for us, but that didn't happen because an important document didn't come in. So we finally broke down and took a flight out of London. To all those moms who have flown alone with their children- kudos to you!! Can you say stressful!? Cause that's what it was s-t-r-e-s-s-f-u-l! At one point I almost took out a china man's most favorite body part with our luggage....why do those things happen to ME!?

All that aside, we landed safely at the airport in Germany. One feat down, a few more to go....Now to rent a car. Thank GOD most Germans speak English. That made renting the car easy. Next feat- driving on the right side of the car, on the right side of the road (which I'm no longer used to!), in another country where I can't read the signs, and don't know their driving customs (can I turn left on red if nothing is coming!?)...AHHH, is this day over yet? Fortunately our GPS/SatNav worked in Germany which got me where I needed to go, but it's still unnerving not being able to read signs...especially the warning signs!

Next feat- picking up Aaron from a restaurant, one that I don't know how to get to. This would have been easy had I had the zip code. After driving around for an hour, and turning around somewhere around 20 times, Aaron eventually walked to the base where I picked him up. FINALLY- we get to see Aaron after a whole month! Hunter was estactic and wouldn't let Aaron out of his sight. Distance really does make the heart grow fonder!
The rest of this week is going to be spent exploring the local villages, and next week exploring the local countries! The French boarder is a mere 30 minutes away...Have I ever mentioned I love Eurpe!?

Stay tuned for my post about driving on the Autobahn!

~Candace

PS- sorry for any mispelled words...the computer is checking for mispelled words in German...not helping me much since all the words are lighting up....

The Crazy Life

Well, just in case being a military family and living in another country wasn't exciting (and sometimes stressful) enough, we decided to add our own excitement (and a bit of stress). After living here for a year our little house began getting smaller by the day- so we decided to find another one, which we did- quickly. And of course, as soon as we began the process of getting the house, the military throws in it's excitement (and LOTS of stress)! Just a few weeks later, Aaron would be leaving for a six week class in Germany. We had just enough time to finish paperwork, move into the new house, and clean the old one with just a few days to spare. It was a little too close, but it all worked out and Aaron is safely in Germany. The house is halfway unpacked and Hunter and I are adjusting to the new house nicely. In a week or two Hunter and I will be joining Aaron and Germany and will be visiting with some friends there.

The BEST part of our new house (aside from the added space!) are the views. The home is actually a parsonage- so to the left is a horse pasture and the church which was built in the 13th century! Behind the house is the Nene River with beautiful English countryside on the other side. Long river boats can be seen floating down the river several times a day, more so on weekends. We're is a small village where we kind of stick out as Americans. Aaron's truck is a dead giveaway. We've had several neighbors come and introduce themselves, and they are all super nice.

Here are a few pics

Side View- loves those horses!

View from the back
This photo doesn't compare to real life!

Happy Mother's Day!!

Happy Mother's Day to all the fabulous moms, grandmas, and aunties in my family's lives! We appreciate all your love and support. Hope you have a pampered and relaxing day!

A special thank you to my mom- I wouldn't be who I am today without you! I love you and miss you Mom.

~Candace (and The Ollis Family)

My Mother's Day flowers from Aaron and Hunter- Calla Lillies were Aaron's and mine wedding flower. Thank you hun- I love you!!

In Hibernation

Hey Fam and Friends!

It’s been 4 months since I last posted- am I lazy or what? I guess we’ve been hibernating all winter, so not many things to report. Winter was cold, grey, wet, grey, windy, and did I mention grey?? But we survived and are ready for a fabulous summer! The weather has been really nice the past few weeks with hardly a gray day (why is there two ways to spell that word?) Spring here we come!
Our summer plans include a week in Wales, possibly a trip to Ireland, a few castles, the “seaside,” and Lego Land a few times. That’s lots of plans so we’ll see what time and budget allows!
We are possibly moving houses in the next month or so. This place is a bit further away but it has much needed space, and another big plus- it’s in the country so we feel right at home! There is a horse pasture right next to the house, a 13th century church beside that, and a river in the back. Lots for Hunter to explore. As for me, I plan on sneaking the horses apples :)

I’ll post some pics as soon as I know the place is ours.

Another big thing going on in our house is homeschooling!

Hunter and I started about 5 weeks ago and it’s going really well! It’s preschool work focusing on phonics and math,

and of course art projects........

I’m hoping he’ll be reading fairly well by the end of the year and we can start kindergarten work. Say a prayer for us as we travel this road!

Lots of love to everybody- hope all is well!

~Candace

PS- I’ll be back posting some the trips we took earlier this year and late last year pretty soon. I guess we did do a few things during the winter…