Three Christmas Markets in one weekend

 This market in Auerbach is held every year at the sight of an iron ore mine. It was our first time visiting. It was very unique, very very cold, and very crowded. If you go to this one, try to go earlier in the day.

After we got home from Auerbach, Erick and I headed for the tiny market in Grafenwöhr.

The following day, we visited a super cute market in Erbendorf at Schloss Wildenreuther. The kids tried out some archery and met St. Niklaus, his companion Ruprecht, and several other fun characters.

Change of Command 7ATC HHC

Today Erick became the company commander of 7ATC HHC. I acquired the first three photos from the 7ATC photographer.

After the ceremony, we served hot soup with rolls and fruits and veggies. We had a beautiful cake, thanks to my awesome friend and neighbor Leslie. We even cut the cake with a saber, which is more of a cavalry tradition, I believe. But it's all done in fun, so who really cares? We had great friends there to support us. I feel so grateful for our Army family!

Elementary school field day

Today I joined David's kindergarten class for a portion of their outdoor field day activities. The weather was warm and the activities were hilarious.

I think my favorite was watching David spin around a baseball bat and then try to walk. Good thing there was a soldier nearby to catch him!

We also ran into TJ while I was there. I love how much these boys love each other. David and I cut out early and ran to our local gelato shop for some yummy ice cream.

Another goodbye - #dragoonride

Today Erick left for a pretty cool training exercise. It's called Dragoon Ride. He and his troop will join lots of other soldiers from 2CR and drive their Strykers up through Germany, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, and finally to Estonia. They will stop along the way to show off their vehicles and meet the locals. They will perform historic multi-national training. It's going to be Amazing. If you want to follow along, you can check out 2d Cavalry Regiment on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Look for #dragoonride and #anakonda16 and #saberstrike

It's going to be awesome! But that doesn't mean it's not sad to say goodbye again. I'm so glad it's a short trip this time. And I look forward to our reunion.

Erick needed a haircut before he left. We were halfway into it when one of the kids took this picture.

Tour of the Graf Tower

There is a group of ladies here who have formed a club. It's called the Learn-Something-New-Mystery-Club. I have attended a few events with these fun ladies, and I have not yet been disappointed. The surprises are always interesting and fun. This week I hadn't planned to attend, but I got done with my errands early, so I jumped in last minute. I had no idea what the mystery was going to be. Sister Johnson, a senior missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (my church) hosted the club for a tour of the Grafenwöhr water tower.

I was so excited! I have wanted to tour the tower, but had not had the opportunity in my six years in the area.

Here I am at the top looking out of the crow's nest. But I'm getting ahead of myself. This was the grand finale of the tour. I didn't have my own camera because it is in the shop getting repaired. But Sister Johnson handed me her Canon, and I did my best to figure out how it worked.

Our tour guide.

Elder Johnson, Sister Johnson's husband and missionary companion, is standing in the same place Hitler once stood to address his German troops standing in the grass below. For those unfamiliar with the history of Grafenwöhr training area, it was originally a German military training base. The United States have resided here since the end of World War II.

Another fun fact is that Elvis visited this training area a few times when he was in the military. He was not allowed to perform his own songs, but he was known to sing other songs for the soldiers in the barracks. He also frequented a bar known as Mickey Bar, which today is the Grafenwöhr chapel for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Elder and Sister Johnson, our hosts for the Mystery Club.

A few of the other ladies in the club.

We finished off with a yummy lunch of chicken salad sandwiches at the USO, where Elder and Sister Johnson volunteer regularly.