Full of Surprises!

We picked up Brooke's aunt Elaine from the airport yesterday.  (Just in case you're wondering, it takes four different autobahns to get to the airport. haha.)

Here I am, thinking we have a down week while Elaine is here.  She just flew in from a week in Spain, so Brooke convinced me that she just wanted some time to chill out and visit before flying back to the States.  We slept in today, took a walk to the bakery, and visited for a few hours.  Then Brooke tells me to start packing.  Um, what?  She told me that we have a flight at 6am tomorrow and that I need to pack for a five day trip.  Oh, and don't forget my passport.  What?!  Well, apparently Brooke, Nate, and Elaine have been planning this surprise trip since before I even got to Germany.  Everyone knew what was going on but me. Not that I mind; I love surprises.  But still.  Brooke, you got me. :)

I have a few pictures that I wanted to share.... not that they have anything to do with our surprise trip.  Worth looking at anyway, though!

Delicious Sicilian wine!

Another fine example of spaghettieis. One word. haha.

We painted two more rooms and two hallways!  Painting the house is finally complete!

I know I already talked about painting in the last post, but here are some pics from it.

This is the best hefeweissen I've tasted yet!

The second guest room

Long day of painting, huh, Nate?

Horses in Horbach!

A view from the Autobahn on the way to pick up Elaine.

Some pictures I took while taking a walk through Horbach.

The bakery in Horbach... really the only business in town.

WWI and WWII memorial honoring Horbach soldiers.

An old map that shows Horbach and the surrounding towns.

Pretty architecture.

We went to Trulli's- an Italian restaurant- in Ramstein village today.  We drove Elaine around Ramstein AFB, printed boarding passes at the library, and then went to dinner.  It's Nate's favorite place to eat, and since he can't go with us on our mystery trip, he was able to get his favorite lasagna (not as good as yours, though, Mom..).  I'm still shocked that this whole trip was planned and I was completely in the dark.  But, bags are packed, and Nate is driving us to Frankfurt Hahn airport extremely early (we have to leave the house by 3:30am... five hours from now.  Eek.) to catch our Ryanair flight.  I'm taking my computer, so we won't be out of touch... and of course, I'll update this blog often!

I have to be up in four hours, so I'll get off of here and get some sleep.

Can't wait for tomorrow!!

Annie