Knock, Knock

So, Rob's been in Romania right. And he is due home Thursday, right? (So glad we are all caught up and on the same page now.)
Well, Monday I was baking some bite-size pumpkin pies when Angie- my wonderful, neighbor downstairs- came knocking and asked to have 1/2 cup of rice at about 5 o'clock. Well, there was another knock on the door a little over an hour later. I called out for Angie to come in (the door was still unlocked). She didn't open it so I went over singing "Angiiiieee!" Only I opened the door and instead of an 8 month pregnant neighbor there was this 6 ft+ guy all decked out in Army gear with a big grin on his face.
"You're not Angie!!" I say, stating the obvious.
"You're right, I'm not." Answers my husband who had to come back 3 days early to fix some computers back here in Mannheim. (The rest of the guys are still coming back tomorrow!)
He came in, we kissed... and well that's all you all will be getting to read of THAT evening.
Just thought I would post a little post on the blog letting the blog watching world know that Rob is back home. =)

My summer

I know! I haven't written since Rob and my's 5th anniversary at the end of July and you are all dying to know what I've been up to since then... right?
Well, my summer in Seattle was awesome! (Remember Rob is working for a few months in Romania, hence me opting to head to Washington for a 2 month visit while he is away.)
Here are some pics and in-a-nut-shell type highlights of what I did...

I went to the Oregon Coast for my 5th anniversary (sadly, without Rob):

I went with my friend Staci (whom I met in Mannheim but is now living in WA again) and her 4 little kids to her sister's wedding in Montana. (What a road trip!):

I went camping in Newport on the Washington coast with my in-laws. We also headed down to the Oregon Coast in search of more smashed penny machines:

And, of course, getting to go to Oregon twice during my stay means 2 trips to the best breakfast place ever....

I got to hang out with my goofy brother, Chris, his girlfriend Tara and her son Landen (as well as more time with Staci and her crew):

I also went to see my Aunt Dodie and cousin Sheldon in Sequim, which just happens to be on the Washington Penninsula-- near where Forks, the setting of the Twilight Series takes place:

And here are some more random photos of my summer:

I went to another wedding.

I got my feet dirty and sweated like crazy in the 110 degree heat wave.I picked the blackberries outside to make cobbler and jam.Walked around the Des Moines marina near SeaTac.And I ate corn on the cob (every other row style). All in all, it was a great summer back at home. I was able to be there for my brother's birthday, visit with family and friends, and see some great places. Shortly after Labor Day I flew back to Germany and back to the routine of working at the elementary school, volunteering with the FRG and PWOC (women's group at the chapel) and having fun with friends here.

Rob-mania

No, you didn't read that title wrong. A week ago my train and plane ticket might have read I was heading to Romania- but when I got there and was able to see Rob after 2 1/2 months, well... it was more like Robmania. We had a BLAST!
The going and coming wasn't fun (it was 2 trains and 2 planes to get there and then the same to come home)- but well worth it.
We went to some 2000+ year old ruins, drove out to a palace and Bran Castle (aka Dracula's Castle) and learned a little bit of history about Count Dracula the man, went the a quaint restaurant where we had yummy dinner, tried a traditional Romanian dessert and drank a bottle of red wine from a vineyard only 15 miles away (drove to the vineyard but they were closed) saw downtown Constanta and waded in the Black Sea. I also got a limited edition bottle of Dracula red wine, a bag, a hand loomed shawl (that Rob had bought for me even before I got there), and a traditional style blouse.
Oh, and did I mention that I got to see my wonderful husband who had been away from me since mid-July? Yep, that was the BEST part. Only a few more weeks and he'll be home again- where he belongs.
Romania was great, enjoy the pics: