Beyond Summer

I have finally caught up with posting pictures from various things we have done this summer (at least for the moment!). All the big events are over with and we just have a few more small things before September hits and our lives change for a while. Some of you may know what is in store for us next, but for those of you who don't or want a bit more information, here it goes.

Brian found out earlier this summer that he is needed at his company's headquarters in Freidrichshafen, Germany for 6 weeks this fall. The company is coming out with a new engine and Brian is going for some training/meetings along with a co-worker from Singapore. The two of them will stay in a two bedroom apartment that MTU has set up for them. Brian will be gone from September 6 until October 17.

When I found out this news, there was no way that I wanted to be left out or stay in Belleville by myself for 6 weeks! I spoke with the director at the library and am able to take 3 weeks off to join Brian in Germany. I'll stay in the same apartment and be gone from September 16 until October 6.

We are very excited about this short chapter in our lives and are looking forward to the experiences that we will have. Neither of us know any German, so our travels will be interesting, but we are hoping that many people will be able to speak some English with us or that we will catch on to German very quickly!

While we are there, Brian will continue working his normal hours and I will be taking three master's classes online. This should keep me busy during the day while Brian is at work. If not, I'll read/listen to lots of books on my iPod Touch! We hope to spend the evenings and weekends exploring Germany and experiencing some of Oktoberfest. We're still planning out what we hope to do on the weekends, but it looks like we will go to a concentration camp, a science museum, and the Disney castle in addition to other things!

Since this trip takes a large chunk out of our fall, we have decided to postpose the house hunt for 6 months. At the end of July, we signed another 6 month lease on our apartment that will take us to the end of January. At that point, we will see what God has in store for us and where he takes us next.

We are very excited about this trip, but also a bit anxious too! Please keep us in your prayers as we take this journey. I will continue to update the blog while we are there so that you can see what we are experiencing along with us.

MTU Tiger's Game

Last night we went to a Tiger's game with Brian's work, MTU Detroit Diesel. They are sponsors of Cornerstone School in Detroit and last night's game was in honor of the school. As part of our donation to the school (which MTU matched), we received t-shirts, tickets to a tailgate party, and Tiger's tickets. My parents and Nick and Kelly Monsma drove from GR to join us for the game and we had a great time!

We took a bus from MTU to Ford Field, where we joined in the tailgate party in the parking lot. They had dinner for everyone, live entertainment, and fun activities for the kids. We then walked over to Comerica Park where we had tickets in left field behind the bullpen. We could see the game very well and really enjoyed ourselves.

Thanks Mom and Dad and Nick and Kelly for joining us! Enjoy the pictures everyone!

Frankenmuth

Last week Saturday, Brian and I decided to go to Frankenmuth for the day and experience a bit of German culture. We had lunch at the Bavarian Inn, walked around downtown a bit, went to Bronner's, and stopped at Birch Run on our way out. It was a gorgeous, but very hot! We were glad to be inside Bronner's and Birch Run instead of walking outside. We purchase our first ever Christmas stockings which I am very excited about! Below are a few pictures that Brian took during our time there.

Stephanie's Wedding

On August 8, my roomMate from college got married! Brian and I were able to attend the wedding and thoroughly enjoyed being able to attend a wedding without having to do anything in it! It was a nice break from the last few weddings and was our last wedding until Brian's sister, Jill's, in December. Stephanie and Scott looked wonderful and it was great to be able to witness their wedding. We hope they have a great marriage and can't wait to see their house someday soon!

The bride and groom

One of Stephanie's notorious funny faces :)
The roomMate hug!