Yo Diddy- I'm Coming Home

(turn volume up)

July 13-August 10 !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Over the ocean and through the clouds...

To GRANDMOTHER's house I GO!

Cousins Savannah and Erica- please include me on your birthday party invitation list. I'll be home in July! love, CC (Cousin Carter)

Though nothing is finalized, Paula's working to get her Continuing Education moved in the States from October to July. She's approved for the funding, just have to get approval from the boss. As of right now, we'll be home July 15- Aug 1. Can't wait to meet baby Maylee!!

2 months!

Time is going too fast!! 2 months today!

Meet Yeliz!

Paula officially went back to work this week after 8 weeks off for maternity leave. Though a sad day in the Stepp household, we gladly welcomed Yeliz! Yeliz is Carter's nanny-she lives in Adana and has been working on base the past 7 years. 1 week in and we could not be more happy and spoiled (well- one downfall--she drank a Ski-- the only thing in the house that's off limits!!). How she has time to take care of Carter, take him on walks, and clean the house is amazing. Yesterday she rearranged Paula's dresser drawers while Carter was napping and today she made fresh Turkish food which we surprisingly LOVED! Wow, we are loving Turkey right now.

Willkommen in Deutschland

After 4 straight months in Turkey, a trip to Germany was more than needed: Brats, Spatzle, Sauerkraut, Beer, Pretzels- need I say more. Curt had to work, but only 3 of the 10 days we were there.

Traveling with Carter was whirlwind, but a fun learning adventure. In his 10 day trip at 5 weeks old, he hit Heidelburg, Ramstein, Rothenburg, Kaiserslaughtern, Mainz, and Strasbourg-France. What a journey. Important tips: don't run out of diapers and always carry more than 1 extra pair of clothes!

1st plane ride was great (despite a $110 fine from the Turkish government for not having Carter's Residency Permit--Curt & Paula were not happy).

Heidelburg, Germany.

Happy Easter or shall we say Feliz Semana Santa. Forget the Easter Ham-break out the Mexican food!

Carter's 1st Easter was celebrated at Sankt Martin Cathedral in Kaiserslaughtern. Couldn't understand a lick of the message, but the music was good.

Strasbourg, France. What a cool city. A perfect mixture of German and French culture.

Rothenburg, Germany. One of neatest places I've ever visited. The city was not bombed during WWII so much of it remains a midieval village. Like Disneyland for adults.

The perfect end to our 1st Family Vacation.

(Note the socks on the hands--not only did Carter have to sleep on the floor a couple nights, dad kept the room TOO cold!)