Graduation!!!!!

I just love this shot!!!!

Well to paraphrase Nick’s sentiments this week “Does everything this week have to be about Robert!?”

Apparently, YES!!!!

We started off with the Spring Sports Banquet where Robert recieved his Varsity Letter in Socccer,

then off to Prom on Saturday,

moving right into a beautiful Baccalaureate service on Tuesday

the Senior awards ceremony on Wednesday

Where Robert received several accolades including 2 scholarships totaling $4500, Recognition for his work as Photoshop guru on the Yearbook,and maintaining a a 3.57 GPA!

and ended with Graduation on Friday!!

Whew, I have never been so happy to see a week end…well maybe not ecstatic since it means my first-born is ready to venture out on his own. I think John summed up our feelings bestwhen he sat at Graduation and said “I can’t believe this is the same kid I looked down at in the delivery room 17 years ago!”



It was a super-busy week and we were convinced it would never end...but it did and now we wonder where the last 18 years have gone...

Blessings from The entire Ahlers Clan

Adoption Announcement!!

Finally....

After years of saving and planning and dreaming and saving and hoping and justifying the expense, did I mention saving, we have a brand new baby in our house!!!

Welcome to the world the newest member of the family:
Harley Davidson Fireman's edition Road King (poor kid what a name to lug around)
Born: 14 February 2008
Weight: 780 pounds (wow talk about a big boy!)
Proud Papa: John



Isn't he beautiful? He sleeps through the night and barely makes a peek...unless the alarm goes off or you start him!!



Look at those specialty tank emblems and Firefighter paint job!! What a beautiful baby! Ok..that was definitely too much.



We don't want to be accused of showing favoritism so here are the latest pictures of our 1st born: Heritage Softail she went out for a makeover and cam back all dolled up. It is just like going to Glamour shots...only not!!

A beautiful Sunday in Rothenburg

Our favorite place to blow an afternoon has got to be Rothenburg! It is a beautifully preserved medieval city that just happens to have the best Christmas shopping year ’round.
This weekend they had a huge festival, parade, military camp display and gorgeous weather…so we loaded up the dogs and 2 of the kids and headed out to see the….

Schäfertanz
Historical Shepherds Dance

here's a little background for ya

Even in the Middle Ages, sheep farming and the wool trade played an important part in the life of the town. In 1517 the Shepherds Guild was granted the privilege of celebrating Shepherds Dance with music and dancing. In remembrance of this custom, every year, visitors have several opportunities to see the dance of the colorful couples in the market square.

All dressed and SOMEWHERE to go!

John doesn't own a complete suit (i.e.-jacket and pants match and were purchased that way) he does have a custom-made sports coat from Korea but that is the extent of his formal clothing choices. Since he is usually working in the garage or riding the dressed in Motorcycle leathers he just doesn't have alot of need for "dress-up" clothes. Plus, the Army is kind enough to take care of any "What will I wear today" concerns so the only time John has to consider his clothing is for church or the occasional rugrat awards ceremony!

I LOVE to go to Military Balls! I LOVE the chance to shop for a beautiful gown, the perfect heels and jewelry. It is so far from my stay-at-home mom persona that is actually FUN! John does not really see it that way...but he is sweet enough to give in.
Before we left Korea last year, John had a Mess jacket and a party shirt made. He wasn’t happy about having to spend money on it but I did promise to have him buried in it so he shouldn’t consider it a waste. I think of it as “planning ahead” he thinks of it as a warning to pay attention to the odd flavors in his food.

I think he almost looked as handsome as on our Wedding day! The food wasn’t going to win any awards, the wine on the table is never exactly the good stuff but if I had to rate this from 1-10 it would definitely be a 10! It was so much fun to spend the evening dressed to the 9s hanging out with friends!

BIG NEWS!!!!

Wow! A whole month since the last post, I knew I had been procrastinating but I wouldn't have bet a full month. Sorry!



I have some pictures to post but first we just have to share some wonderful news-

John has been selected for promotion to CW4. Talk about someone so happy they are literally on cloud 9. The whole family is so proud of him, promotion time is always hard, John has been very proactive about his career but he worries about the things he can't control (deployment time, assignments-etc) and then he hopes for the best--

and waits, and waits.

This definitely makes 22 years of late nights and separations worth it, plus it will be just in time for Robert's 2nd semester college tuition! YEAH!

for those of you who know us IRL (in real life) and are keeping track...this promotion will take us to 30 years...8 years from now...no changes in the near future, the final plan is still CW5 and 42 years....who knew 20 years ago ;-)

Update on the Harley

Renee commented that she wasn't sure which parts went where so I thought I would post some pictures from stripped down to ALMOST done....hopefully putting the pictures in the post below into context :-)

Hope you enjoy!

Stripped down...but the chrome is blindingly polished!

Front fenderThe tank is mounted the new tank bib, new ignition and cool aircraft-style gas caps are on!

There's the back fender

The sissy bar/pad plus new brake light and bullet turn signals are mounted!

And even new whale-tail mufflers!

For all you horse lovers!

Poor kid looks beat, of course she is only 12 hours old at this point. Looks like she had a rough night!

This was the 4th and final foal born for this season.

Although she doesn't have a permanent name yet, loosely translated from German she is called "the springy one"--her name fits her, those legs are constantly moving!

Snow day on 25 March

So this is what Spring looked like here in Germany. Even though the tulips were blooming---that wasn't enough to stop Mother Nature from dumping a bunch of snow all over us!!!

Thankfully the weather has taken a turn for the better and spring (I think) has finally SPRUNG!

New fenders and tank for the Heritage

Wow!

Things are starting to come together.

Vivid Dragon just emailed these pictures of the finished sheet metal.

They did a great job of taking our ideas and making them reality!

Take a look:

Beautiful work, we can't wait to see them mounted on the bike.

Our trip to Innsbruck, Austria

2 weeks ago we took a trip to Garmisch which is in Southern Germany. We intended to spend the long weekend skiing...unfortunately Mother Nature was NOT so helpful. Oh sure, it snowed but gale force winds closed down ALL the slopes including the Zugspitz...how rude! So the weekend wouldn't be a total loss we decided to take a train trip to Innsbruck, Austria.

Here we go.....don't the kids look HAPPY!




So here we are in the market square, lots of wonderful architecture, beautiful old buildings...oh wait, what is that in the center right side of the picture...oh that's right the oldest in Austrian businesses....Mickey Ds!! It never fails.....
I wanted to order 2 of these but John said, NO! Every little sparkly spot is a Swavorski crystal!
Beautiful carvings and statuary!

Can you count how many faces are in this door?

Train stop...even the bahnhofs are decorative...I just love Europe!
So there's the snow we have been looking for!

interesting street corner....I am not sure which one I like better...hmmmm


On our way home....I mean hotel.....they look happier after a day of sightseeing!