Merry Christmas

Hello dear friends,

here is someone who likes to wish all of you a merry Christmas and a happy new year.



Secondly I would like to say sorry for not doing more post on the blog but I was completely overloaded with work. Now my vacation has started and therefor I’m feeling pretty well. On Saturday next week Katie, little Tim and I will go to north Germany at the coast of “North Sea”, somewhere northwest of Hamburg for a week. We’ve rented a house with Jo and Jeanette (and of course Aldo) and hopefully will have a good time. I’m really curious how little Tim will look, when he’ll see the “big pond” for the first time. Anyway, we’ll wave to you.
Our Christmas tree this year is smaller than usual because we’ll leave on December 27. But that doesn’t matter. Katies Mom told us years ago that she’ll have another Christmas tree not before she’ll have her first grandchild. So some weeks ago I said to her: “Hey Mom, it seems you’ll have to buy a tree this year”, and she did. I’ve been there today and she bought a really big one.
Commonly we’ll visit my father on December 24 in the afternoon and then go to Katies Mom in the evening to celebrate Christmas eve. This year we decided to stay at home. We don’t want to pack all the things you need for a little boy in our car. So we’ve invited the family to our house. I think I will put something in the pizza oven in the back yard and we’ll have our celebration here. Little Tim is absolutely fascinated about all the lights in the tree.

Please let me not finish without wishing you a warm, happy Christmas, a wonderful 2009 and thank all of you for your friendship.
Holger

Most Beautiful Baby....Ever!

I mean really...have you ever seen eyes like that before?

Some Laughs for the family

Pictures from the North Georgia Mountains

Holgar, I wanted to thank you for sharing the highlights of Tim's trip and the beautiful pictures.

I loved the "Short trip to France. What a great place to go. I can't imagine hiking past a castle. What fun. When you talk about going to France or Spain or Switzerland, etc. it sounds like such a long way and we forget that all of the countries are so close to each other.

Tom and I spent several days in the North Georgia mountains last week and the leaves are just beginning to turn. The Sourwood Trees are always the first to change color in the fall so I'm adding pictures so you can see "my mountains"

It was a rainy, drizzly day but I love to see the mist rising from the mountain. Our leaves will be in full color in about two to three weeks.

This is the view we get from our deck. We have an RV up there, I think you call it a caravan. It sits on 5 1/2 acres and we love it.

Please tell Katie hello for me and give Little Tim a big hug

Don't forget to post new pictures of Little Tim.

Oh, by the way, I enjoyed talking to you last week.

Judee

Hey Dad I felt that I needed to put this up here for you to see.

Love Ya Dad!

Josh

Short trip to France

Weather had not been gentle to us the last past days so we really thought wether to go to France or not. At least we would have missed something if we hadn’t gone. Weather was better than expected and we always found a shelter when it started raining. So the decision was right to go. Distance to our home was approx. 300 km and we arrived 3 km behind the German border at noon. We started our hike but unfortunately took the wrong way. At least we came where we wanted to go.


We had a nice lunch in a restaurant and big Tim absolutely wanted to take the check. So thanks again Tim for inviting us. After that we came to a place where we found a lot of boulders in the forrest. Some looked like people.



That part of the hike was absolutely amazing. We passed castle Fleckenstein on our right and came back to our car at approx 5:30. On our way back home we saw 8 rainbows(!!!) and we retured to Neunkirchen at 9:00 pm.

Today we were invited to Jo and Jeanette’s house. They prepared a very nice dinner with an appetizer of roasted nuts and after that, rolled ham with red cabbage and potatoe dumplings (where I ate 11 from – much too much). Little Tim broke the record by drinking 380 ml at one sitting. After 300 ml he started crying so Katie hurried up to give him more. Now we are at home again and will have something to drink as soon as we finish this post.

Time flew by and so will Tim – we will bring him to the airport tomorrow moring at 9:00 am. So the week is over and it seems to me that we just picked him up at the main station of Frankfurt yesterday. At least I think we had a great time and probably will meet again soon. In any way he’s always w e l c o m e!!!!

Holger

Exhausting Sunday

Here we are again. I don’t think I lie when I say that we had an unbelievable Sunday. Our friends Jo an Jeanette invited us for a nice breakfast, before we started our 360 km trip. We first went to Nürburgring (one of the most famous racing tracks in the world, also known as “green hell”, because it has a length of approx. 21 km(!!!), and is leading through the forrest around Nürburg). Unfortunately we couldn’t drive above because there was a race of historical cars – but it was also fun to watch them.

2nd stop on our journey was in Cochem, a small town at river “Mosel”. Please see the picture of the castle (I forgot its name, sorry). We found a car like Jodis and wondered where she might be?








Hey Jodi, where are You???


After that we took a small snack and a glass of white wine with “onions cake” in a nice restaurant at the river bank.





Then we went to Koblenz at “German Corner” (this is where river Mosel meets river Rhine) with the view to castle “Ehrenbreitstein”. Good old “father” (river) Rhine kept us company then and tempatures went up to 23° C so it was really warm and nice.


A little later we became hungry again and so Jo lent us to a place, which, I deeply believe, we’d never ever had found without him and had our dinner there. Little Tim became a little bit tired and started “complaining” so I hurried up to finish my meal and carried him in my arms for some time. We went back to Jo’s and Jeanette’s home, had a last drink there and came home around 10 in the evening – tired but happy! Today we will stay home and relax. Tomorrow we will go for a hike in lovely “Siegerland” and Jeanette will join us as well. As I told you before, in any way we’ll keep you updated!!! Talk to you later.

Tim and Holger

Short update of Tim’s journey

Hello all,

Just a short update to let you know that Tim ’s doing fine. I guess little and big Tim became very good friends in the meantime (see attached picture).

On Saturday afternoon the two Tims and myself took a nice walk in the forrest arround our house for nearly two hours, while Katie was doing some homework (among others ironing behind the house – Tim told me that this is not common in the USA). But Katie likes to be outside and since Tim arrived weather has changend to the best you could expect for end of September. So we could walk in our t-shirts as well and had a nice day by doing a new sport called “extreme relaxing”.

Holger

„Big“ Tim has arrived

Hello all,

Short update on “Big” Tim’s trip to Germany. Train was in time and Tim arrived with a big smile on his face from one ear to the other. I thought you could only remove it with an operation. But Katie and I are very pleased to have him here and looking forward for a wonderful week with our good friend. In opposite of what weather he usually brings with him this time it is perfect. The last 14 days had been wet and for September much too cold. I had to scratch ice from my car 3 times.

Weather forecast now says that we will have a large high over Middle Europe and when I look out of the window I can see blue sky and sun is coming up now. So we will have a nice day today with shopping, visiting my sister in law for her birthday, meet my father and in the evening we are invited at Silke’s home for a nice Thai dinner. She is Katie’s youngest sister and my “favorite sister in law”. Tomorrow we will have breakfest with our best friends Jo and Jeanette and will go with them to river Rhein or Mosel for a nice trip over the day. In any way we will keep you updated.

Have a nice time,

Holger

Hello from Switzerland

I know, its day 3 here in Thune (pronounced toon) and this is the first opportunity that I've had to post anything.

The flight over was uneventful and luckily, not full at all. I had an empty seat next to me. When we landed, I got through customs with no issue and headed for the train station in the next building over. I got my tickets without any problems at all and headed for the platform....uh oh, what platform? There were a bout 8 of them & the trains come and go fast, so I went back to the ticket agent & he steered me in the right direction. No train changes at all & a couple hours later I was in Thune. A short taxi ride & I was at the hotel & checked in around lunch time.

Planes, Trains and Automobiles... the first time I have ever been on all three in a single day.

The hotel is gorgeous & is a few feet from the lake. The lake is on the edge of the Alps, unfortunately, it has been foggy and misty here the entire stay and I can't really see the scenery.

Last night we drove way up on the side of a mountain and had Weinerschnitzel, potatoes and spinach along with a nice bottle of wine. For desert I had a hot chocolate sundae. The view from our table was spectacular and we could see the city lit up in the valley below us. So far this has been the best meal of the trip. However, I will have dinner at Holger and Katie's home tomorrow & from past experience, I know that I will gain 3 pounds during my stay with them.

Attached are some pictures of the lake from the hotel on my first day. Unfortunately, that has been the only picture taking opportunity so far.

Tim

Little Pigs and Little Boys

Papa and I went to the Gwinnette County Fair last Thursday. We haven't been to a fair in years and thought it sounded like fun.

Thursday night was the night for pigs and cows and when we walked in they were washing pigs, lining them up and kids of all ages in their prospective groups were getting "their" pigs ready to show.

Uncle Edward says never to leave home without your camera and most of the time I remember but this time I forgot.

I learned several things that night. The first was that even young pigs can run fast, they are huge and they bite each other. I doubt there was a pig there without fresh scars from the current day's battle.

Did you know that even pigs get sunburned? Papa asked why so many pink pigs and was amazed when he was told that they had been out in the sun too long.

Did you know that you shouldn't carry a straw purse when you are looking at pigs at a fair? They look right back at you and you just know they are going to eat your purse.

Also, you should never get in the wrong aisle when they are getting the pigs ready to go in the ring. They run, they run fast, they grunt, snort and squeal and they keep running and I kept hiding behind Papa's back. I wasn't sure if they would bite me, run over me or eat my purse.

Well, the real reason for this blog is to tell you about the cutest little boy I've seen in a long time (my own grandsons and Little Tim of course are the cutest ever) but this one was so cute, I wanted to bring him home. He had bright red hair, boots, jeans and a plaid shirt. He also had a pig. He also had a pig crop and whaled on that pig when it didn't go in the right direction. He knew to look the judge in the eye at all times and he knew to keep that pig off of the fence. How could the judge ignore such a fine example of our future farmers - that little red hair boy smiled his way to a blue ribbon and won my heart at the same time.

Oh how I wish I had taken my camera.

Another lesson learned, go again next year.

Judee

I sarted my own Blog

this blog is a political one, so only for the republicans in the family(not many of yall).
I have to make a blog for my government and my teacher said it can be very opinionated, just so long as we don't freak out on anyone.

So this is my attempt http://lifeandlemons33.blogspot.com/

Again it is my personal point of view, a fair warning you are about to enter into the no spin zone!

Ok 1 more post then geology!

Ok so i had to put some great pictures of dad up there just for kicks. I thought that they were funny and that everyone would get a kick out of them!!!!!

Ok now i promise to study my geology

HEY, You, yeah im talking to YOU!!!!

hey everyone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(the above picture is of the snake at the graduation party)(for giggles)

it is Josh and i just got out of Geology and i realized i am way behind!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH shoot me now!

Anyways i told people i would post a picture of my dorm room and so that is what i plan to do and then read a crap load of geology.

Wish me luck!

COUSINS BY CHANCE; FRIENDS BY CHOICE!!!

MCMURDOS ROCK!!!!

I think it was more than chance for this motley crew. We needed a little divine intervention. Can't wait to hear the stories of the many McMurdo adventures sure to be experienced this year! Fun times ahead, so stayed tuned!! Watch out the McMurdos are out and about. :)

„Fatal error“

Hello all,

today I was victim of a complete wrong information or misunderstanding. Katie called me in the office and told me that we’ve got a parcel from our dear friends Tim and Jody. I quickly wrote an email to both and thanked them very much. When I came home I found out that it was not a parcel from them but from Tom and Judee. Oh my…………… Anyway, sorry Tim and Jody but we thank you for something different, probably for beeing our friends, okay?


Judee and Tom. What can I say. We never met face to face and we know each other only over the blog. So how do we deserve your generous gift? Anyway, we would like to thank you very, very much and we’ve been very touched. I will tell little Tim later, when he’s older, that he had got a gift also from nice people over the big pond. The clothes are so cute and an original Levis Jeans is a thing that is very, very expensive in Germany, even for children. So again our special thanks. I will take some pictures when Tim will wear your shirt and the Jeans. I think he will fit in right now. No wonder, when I think of what he’s eating over the day. In Germany we say he’s eating the hair from our heads.

Attached some more pictures, we hope you’ll like. Also one of my new car, not really new, 15 months old. It is a VW Touran, sort of a mini van. Anyway there is enough space inside for all that stuff you’ll have to take with you when you’re traveling with a small child.




The picture of Katie, Tim and myself was taken on July 5th. Can you believe that Katie has got a baby 3 weeks before that?


Time to go to bed now – you must take the chance when little Tim is sleeping as well. Today he came at 3:30, so I’m now nearly 20 hours at my feet.










Good night

Holger

Jodi Has a New Ride

Holger will be pleased to know that Jodi has a new Volkswagen EOS. We are just trying to keep the people inthe fatherland employed! It is a hard top convertible & Jodi looks great in it.

You may now druel....

Tim

A Little Tim Update

Just thought everybody would like an update of Little Tim & Family. Katie and Holger are experiencing the joys and challenges of being first time parents. They love this little baby & wonders of parenthood, but are allways tired! I can see all of your heads nodding & all of your faces grinning. Poor little Tim (and Katie and Holger) suffers from colic. I all respects, Tim Little Tim is a perfectly normal baby. I get new pictures from Holger almost weekly and I apologize for not sharing more of them. I will do a better job of it in the future.

Big Tim

Sleeping Arangements

Josh and Diana arrive tomorrow for a weeks visit. They are even driving up themselves. I think it was probably forsight that we got him a Garmin for graduation. If he has any Uncle Scott in him, he could end up in Arkansas without it.

As you can imagine, a week with the two of them in the same house has brought on many discussions about sleeping arrangments espicially since Jodi insists I am not sleeping with her for a week straight!

With that in mind, I have developed a few scenarios.

1. I lock Josh in the shed and let Diana have my room. She is a girl and needs her privacy & I know where Josh is at all times. There is a racoon living under the shed & Josh can keep it company.

2. Josh goes on the couch, Dianna gets my room and I sleep outside her room on the floor with a shotgun. I figure this is the Uncle Scott approach. Simple, easy and the prospect of extreme violence.

3. I just get a hotel room for myself & pretend the situation doesn't even exist. (holds hands over ears and repeatedly sings... la la la la to himself)

Please vote for your suggestion as to the best approach. Or, offer one of your own.


signed....

I know how I was when I was 18

Introducing Tim Schneider

Hello all,

I’m not really sure if “big Tim” has informed all of you (as far as I know him, he probably did) but anyway. It’s a great, great pleasure for me and I really love to introduce our new born son “Tim”. He was born on June 12 (3:37 pm German time) by cesarean section. His weight was 4450 gr.(!!!) and his size 55cm. If you would know Katie, small and “dainty” (correct in English???), you would know that with the enormous size of our son she could not get him on natural way. I’m still sure that we did the right decision to get him by cesarean section in order to protect both from injuries. I have been in the operating room with Katie and “little Tim” already started screeming when only his head came out. When Katie had hear that, tears came about her cheeks – and so I couldn’t stand it anymore and started crying as well. This was the most emmotional thing of my entire life until today and I can’t imagine anything to top it.
I’ve already sent some pictures to Tim and Jodi so I try to find some new ones to put them on the blog. Hope you like them. Isn’t he the most beautiful baby of the whole world? :-)
I had a short party on Friday evening at home with the neighbours, family and some friends where they decorated our entrance (please see picture attached).

Warmest regards
Holger

CONGRATULATIONS JOSH AND LEA!!!!

CLASS OF 2008

COLLEGE BOUND!

WE'RE SO PROUD OF YOU!

FUN AND GAMES AT MCMURDOS WEST

Peek-a-boo!! :)

Spring in MY Mountains

We're back home. If you are tired and weary, just head for my mountains. It's good for the soul as well as the body to stand there and look out at what nature is doing for all of us.

No wonder so many of us are recycling and composting and in general trying to think green to keep our little bit of the world from turning into a huge paved parking lot with nary a tree in sight.

As you all know, I go to the mountains to work out all of my frustration of the Atlanta world. It's peaceful, beautiful and if I so desire, I can work until I drop and then lay down and read a book until I finish it.

We went to Cooks for their special - a huge cheeseburger all the way and a pile of fries. I know Weight Watchers frowns on such but only in Blairsville to we endulge.

The Dogwood was in full bloom and I thought I'd share a picture with you.

I particularly like this picture of Papa. I don't exactly know why as he looks tired (he would say I worked him too hard) but it touches my heart.

Enjoy your weekend.

Love,

Mom

A Hiking We Did Go....

Sunday morning we got to go for a hike in Clifton Gorge. It was chilly and crisp...excellent for hiking. Mom & Dad have hiked the gorge with us before & can attest that it is a great spot. Brought the new camera & took some pictures. Here ya go.....




















A trio of Canadian geese in the river



























The blue bells were spectacular, they just flowed down the slopes.


























The trillium are not all out yet, but this one was nice.





















A picture of the river from the lower bridge.

Enjoy,

Tim