Guten Tag from Deutschland!

Well, we have been in Stuttgart for a week now and are feeling so happy to be back in Europe.    Susannah did well on the flight and handled the jet lag like a trooper.    We have spent the first week doing lots of check in paperwork and lots of apartment hunting.   Haven't signed a lease yet but we have a couple of good prospects and are hoping that the search will end soon.    We have been living out of suitcases for over 6 weeks now, so we are ready to "go home" wherever that will be for three years.   Peter was his normal efficient self so we already have our car and our permanent german car tags.

He passed the driving test and got his license already, which has been a big help with the apartment hunting since we are staying in a hotel on base that isn't accessible to the public transit.  I'm planning to take the test Friday.   All prayers are appreciated.   Those of you who know about me and driving know why prayers are appreciated.  

Here are the few pictures I've snagged since we arrived......

Technically this was before we arrived.....this was Susannah getting some exercise before we boarded the plane in Atlanta.   I know all of you are jealous of our transatlantic 7 hour flight with this ball of toddler energy.

This was our first full day.   Susannah was so excited to help me grocery shop with her own little cart.

 

This is a park/square in Stuttgart West called Feursee.   We had a beer here after looking at an apartment across the street.

This was the view from the balcony of a beautiful apartment that we fell in love with.....yes, that is a private garden and two level playground which is unheard of in the city.   Unfortunately, the realtor won't take a military lease, so Susannah played on it for the first and last time last week.   ;)

Peter drinking his first heffeweisen of this tour and probably not his last...

Our dining room table at the hotel.   While we are extremely ready to have a real home, we are also super thankful for this hotel on base.   It is brand new and so nice.    And Susannah seems to like her big girl "bed". 

This is Susannah playing on the awesome private playground mentioned above.   We got her to leave by telling her she would hopefully be able to play on it everyday.    No such luck.  

Another day of the house hunt and which meant another yummy lunch in the city....

and another playground to explore.  

Susannah loved this merry go round.    We looked at a great apartment one block from this playground, so fingers crossed......

And yet another playground.   Can you tell how we reward/bribe her during the apartment showings??

She has been such a trooper, but we are ready to get settled and find our home and our special playground.   Fingers crossed next week's blog post will include some good news on that front.


  

Thanks for all the prayers and good wishes from all of you.   We miss and love you all.    And don't forget to start saving for a German vacation during the next three years!