Winrey's First Feline Fun Show

I got an email a couple of weeks back about the special events that were coming up. One of them was "The 3rd Annual Feline Fun Show", once I read that I knew I had to sign Winrey up for it!

About a week later Winrey had a vet appointment and I signed her up for it. You had to choose which categories you would like her to compete in and so I chose; "Fluffiest Tail", "Longest Tail", "Best Decorated Cat Carrier", and "Longest Whiskers". The other categories were; "Most Lovable", "Cartoon Cat Look Alike", "Fattest Cat", and "Best Trick".

We got to the show at about 10:30 to get set up and they had a goody bag for each participant. It was filled with a lint roller, a can of wet cat food, cat nip, and a ball. I thought that was really sweet! we got to our table and we had a name card with a balloon attached. They spelled her name "Winney" though, and Jeremy had to correct it.

The show overall was really fun. Samara, Jeremy, and Xavier were there to cheer Winrey on. Haha. There were a lot of cats there and some were really beautiful and some were not so cute. At all. There was only one little cat fight, thankfully! Winrey took 1st place in "Longest Whiskers" her longest one measured at 4 inches! She took 2nd in "Best Decorated Cat Carrier". With ribbons, she got cat treats and another can of food. I thought that was sweet as well! I had a lot of fun and I cant wait for Winrey to participate next year!

Here are some photos from the event:

Winrey being all pretty! <3

Although this cat didnt place anything it still had a place in my heart. Cheesy I know. HAhahaha I LOVED this cat and thought it was beautiful!

 Such a good sport! =)

 This cat won a place for "Best Trick". I dont remember what "trick" it did or what place it got.

 Elvis won "Cartoon Cat Look Alike". I guess he looks like the cat from "Stuart Little". UGLY! He also won "Judges Choice".

 This cat won "Fluffiest Tail" Gosh, its so ugly. Haha

 Izzy won "Longest Tail". Her tail was 11 3/4 inches! WOW!

Panoramic of all of the fun happening! =)

 Winrey trying to hide in my purse. She was comfortable with all of the other cats.

First place winner for "Best Decorated Cat Carrier"

Winrey's prizes

This sweet little girl came up to us and asked if we wanted a souvenir ribbon for Winrey. We said yes and she drew the cat on the white part and wrote her name. It was so cute. We gave her a dollar after she insisted we didnt. Hahaha When we said we were going to give her money she said "What will my mother say?" all concerned. Hahaha it was cute!

Our Experience with Buying a New Vehicle

We originally wanted to wait until we moved back to the states in 2012 to buy a brand new car. When we got here we bought a 1999 VW Golf and were planning on using that while in Germany. However, when we got back from a 2 month vacation in the states our car decided it wanted to grow mold. There was a leak somewhere (we still dont know where it came from) and despite being covered with a car cover it leaked and got moist with no ventilation. I was totally disgusted and while it was very cold out here we didnt know how we were going to clean it and ventilate it. 

Jeremy did a pretty good job cleaning it out and we got enough ventilation to keep it dry. Thank goodness. We still didnt want to have that problem again so we decided to buy a new car. 

In early December we went to the Volvo dealer and talked to the salesman named Jason and looked over some things. We were sent home with a booklet with features and a list of options and accessories.

We looked over everything that we would want and made sure that if we wanted something that it was logical and useful. We were getting really excited! I mean, this was our first brand new car. The next thing we needed to do, after we got a price in mind, was look for a loan.

Jeremy called USAA and they couldnt get us a loan for high enough. He then called Navy Federal and they did give us a loan for high enough PLUS a really low interest rate! We were so happy and so excited that it was finally coming together! They sent us a check! Yay!

A couple of days later we went back in to talk to Jason and we ordered our XC-90! The only thing was that we would have to wait about 2 months for it to be custom built and shipped to Stuttgart. We were OK with that, as long as it came before Roberta came to visit. The estimated date of arrival was the 25th of February.

So we waited and waited and waited. Getting anxious for our new vehicle. Then finally, the day came!!!!

And, we now have our new XC-90:

Isn't it so pretty? =)

So I guess what I was getting at with this post is that our whole experience has been awesome. We never ever felt pressured to do anything and it was just a smooth process. I am so glad that everything came together and we got it just in time for Roberta's arrival. Jason was just awesome and so helpful throughout the whole thing. He didnt even wear a tacky green suit or anything! =)

Living in Germany

Here are some things we have learned while living in Germany:

1. The drivers are dumb jerks.

2. If a candy package states that it is sour and even uses the term "crazy sours" and looks just like the American package, it wont be sour. At all.

3. There are no places to eat breakfast over here. Its weird.

4. They have amazing pretzels with butter.

5. Germans really do like their beer.

6. There is a fest for practically everything.

7. Their desserts arent as sweet as they are in America.

8. Snitzle is super good. Especially with a mushroom cream sauce.

9. Some Germans are nice to Americans and some aren't. They sometimes get mean if you don't know the language.

10. ^Not all Germans know English.

There are plenty more things, but I cant think right now.

Ive been neglectful!

It has been a while since I've written on here! No excuse, just haven't done it. Haha. So whats going on in our lives, you ask? Well, I'll tell ya!

It has been so beautiful here lately. Temperatures in the low 50's! Its crazy! I try and take this opportunity and take Xavier to the park to swing and see the other kids play. He loves it. He likes going on the teeter totter as well ( I dont put him by himself, its usually me and him on one side and then either Samara or Jeremy on the other). I've heard that people are saying that we are supposed to be getting a lot of snow soon, basically what the states got hit with, but I dont know if I buy it. I did think Winter was too short this year but now I'm used to the spring like weather. Trees are budding for crying out loud!

We are still waiting on our car. It should be ready by the end of the month! Hopefully! I really hope it gets here before Roberta comes to visit.

Speaking of, on March 3rd, Roberta flies into Stuttgart! I am pretty excited that she will be here for 2 weeks! Woohoo!! I am also excited to plan adventures. Which reminds me that I should do that soon. I only have like 2 weeks until she comes! Yay!

Lately I have been trying to get Xavier to get used to sleeping in his crib. He also has been really stubborn at taking naps lately and wont go to sleep if I nurse so I put him in his crib. He cries, I would say more than half the times Ive put him in there he hasnt cried, but sometimes he does. Its really really really hard for me to take it, but I go in there and reassure him that everything is OK. There is also music playing so that maybe it would soothe him to sleep. Anyway, so when I go in to check on him and to lay him back down, guess what he I smell? Yep, you guessed it! He dirtied his diaper! Now the first couple of times he did it Jeremy tried writing it off that it was coincidence, but I knew better. I knew what he was doing. Especially since it kept happening. He knew that if he did that that I would have to take him out. I would take him out and he would fall asleep in our bed. I've tried changing him and putting him back in his crib and he still cries. Today was interesting. I put him in his crib, a little bit later I go to check on him and he had exploded out of his diaper and was in the crib and so I had to give him a bath. It was not a pretty sight. So, I am not sure how in the world we are going to get Xavier to sleep in his crib.

Oh! Melanie booked her ticket to come here the other day! I am super excited for her visit as well. She will be here for Xavier's first birthday party and actual birthday. As well as Easter! I feel so special! We are also going to Ireland when she is here. Super awesome!

Speaking of Xavier's first birthday party. We picked Dr. Seuss as the theme. Let me just say that its going to be one bombin' birthday party! I am so stoked about everything for that day! Its hard to believe that Xavier will be a year old soon! Yikes!

Well, I think that is all of the news I have for now.

Its been real.