May 10,2015. Mother's Day and Jessica's b.day

Happy Mother's Day from colorful Germany !!

Eight years ago, I drove down to Richfield just a few hours before Jessica was born.  I "talked" to my mother all the way down.  I knew she was very aware of this special day.  I could picture her giving her great granddaughter a kiss and sending her " down the rainbow....yes, Mom, to earth and you."  That was the first poem I remember her teaching me to give in a Mother's Day program at church.  It was a wonderful feeling holding that beautiful new baby......so fresh from heaven.  She a wonderful girl and we love her so much and are so proud of her.....Zum Gebergstag, Jessica !!  

We spent a quiet Mother's Day here in Germany.  They celebrate it the same day we do.  The Primary children sang a sweet song and 3 young adults spoke.  A wonderful service.

My favorite companion remembered the day......I'm a lucky woman!

Last Monday we received a package from Kristi.  Lots of nice surprises, but the best one was a banner that she had put together......

Our 15 grandchildren spelled out Happy Mother's Day in the cutest way.

       Ethan McCleve.                   Ashton Cahoon.                      Paige Saunders.  BYU in the fall!

                    Jacob Cahoon                                          Kennedi Saunders

       Mia McCleve.                     Spencer Cahoon.                            Tyler Saunders

            Kellie Saunders.                          Emilee Cahoon.                       Kalli McCleve

                  Savannah Saunders            Our birthday girl, Jessica Saunders, holding the D she made.

           Austin Saunders.                                           Corbyn McCleve....with my Mother's Day kiss!

                                                                                       

                 Can't begin to tell you how much we love these kids......and their parents!!

Keith and I drove over to Mainz two Saturdays ago.  Beautiful church......but wished I could be touring the beautiful new Payson Temple!  Also saw the Guttenberg Museum, and walked through the plaza filled with booths and people.

One the way home, guess what we saw ...........

Yea!!   It tasted as good as we remembered !  Also.....ice for the drinks!  And free refills!!

And look, Tyler .......your favorite food!!   We had the chicken without the bacon......but if you had been with us, we would have ordered some just for you!

This last Saturday we drove up a beautiful canyon to a nice restaurant with 3 other missionary couples.  Nice drive, nice meal, nice company.  The place was called Sandplaten.  We decided to go home through a quaint little town named Schmitten.  It has a reputation for giving out lots of speeding tickets.......and sure enough, Sister Dittmar didn't slow down from 80 to 60 fast enough, and we got 

"flashed".  Keith saw the flash just when Elder Dittmar saw it.  Elder Dittmar wasn't driving because he has gotten a few too many flashes!  Sister Dittmar will get a nice little ticket in the mail in about 2 weeks.

While driving around this month, we have seen lots of fields covered with this beautiful yellow plant.

I asked about it and found out it is called Rape.......when the Germans say it, it doesn't sound like it looks!  They process the whole plant and make Rape Seed Oil....it is related to the Saffron plant.

I am living proof that you can take the teacher out of the classroom, but she still keeps on teachin' !

Speaking of teaching.....do you remember the name of the round balls in the trees over here?

If you have forgotten, the answer is in a previous blog.

My dessert the other night was Spagetti Carbonara....actually ice cream with nuts and chocolate.

Keith's looked pretty good, too!

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There is an ice cream shop in the mall where we get our groceries.  We were there with more Senior Missionaries and enjoyed eating out doors in the warm spring air.

There are always couples coming and going.  The newest missionaries are from Woodland and she is The Food Nanny.  I thought she looked familiar ! 

One last picture before I close......

This is the view from our bedroom window.  I sit here every morning to do my hair and make up.

Gorgeous, isn't it!  The autobahn is just beyond the trees, the red roofs, and the field.  It is more crowded right now because most of the trains are on strike.  We seldom ride the train, but some of the people in our office sure hope the strike will end soon.  You see a funny sign at the exits on the autobahn.....anyway, Spencer, Jacob, and Ashton thought they were funny.......AUSFARHT

We send our love to one and all.  We are well and happy.  This has been a wonderful experience for us.  We highly recommend it!

Love,  Elder and Sister Saunders