Quest for a couch...

Alright. We initially figured we would buy a couch about a week after our household goods arrived. But life happens, as it usually does, and that got pushed. Then we went to Ikea and picked out the one we wanted, but bought too much other stuff so couldn't put it in the car. Then started thinking about it and wondered if it would fit in the car, period? Finally, we came to the conclusion that it will fit (based on measurements given on the website) but the seats have to be down, so no kids. So it's been about a month and a half...we've hemmed and hawed and were still sitting on our patio furniture - which is great outside, but not so great to snuggle up and watch a movie on or read a book.

This is what our movie nights look like with no couch and every pillow we own brought downstairs to make the movie bearable. This was our private showing of Percy Jackson & the Lightening Thief.

Well, I've been internally trying to figure out how I can get a couch in my living room PRONTO. Dave left Monday for training about 1.5 hours away. Some other wives and I planned a trip to Ikea yesterday. One has a small truck, so we figured between the 4runner and the truck, the couch could somehow be finagled to fit. Jessica, one of the wives, wanted a couch, too. But that won't be a problem, right? Ikea breaks stuff down for ease of transport.

This is what was waiting for us at furniture pick-up. Granted, I did change the couch model this visit, but an entire extra box? The wives and I have high hopes. We can work this...I mean, it's like a puzzle.

Mmmmm. Well. Let's see. After about 15min it's very clear that two couches will not fit in our vehicles. Jessica arranges to make a trip back the same day to get her couch. I breathe a sigh of releif. Yay! It was so close, I didn't think I could deal with having to take mine back in. Now, to be clear, Jessica still has government loaner furniture, so she isn't couchless. I wouldn't be that mean :-)

Our beautiful new couch!!! Which, I must brag, I put together ALL BY MYSELF!!! It's actually a dark blue/gray. I'm noticing it might look a little purple in the photo. But the best part is below.

The bottom pulls out almost like a trundle bed, but pops up to turn it EASILY into a bed, or a wonderfully comfortable movie-night couch. I feel like I hit the jackpot. Plus, it was 499 Euro, but we get taxes back (with our VAT form), so take 19% off, and that is a steal!!!

The premier of our new couch, and the movie The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. So big and comfortable.

So there is the story of the couch. Can't wait for Dave to get back and relax on it with us! I must admit it was worth the wait.

Kids!

I've gathered some photos of the kids since we've been here. Mostly some random things that don't fit into any one category but are cute enough to want to share!

Jones and Kinley are so excited for the snow. Before all our stuff got here, they dove into some rain and cold weather gear that we had bought in Missouri - it got delivered earlier with Dave's work stuff. Sometimes she just looks hilarious.

Here they both are looking ridiculous!

Kinley getting down and dirty with what they call a "milk bar" - basically milk chocolate with some kind of creamy sweet nondescript filling. It's actually called Kinderchocolat.

Jones bull riding at the Batallion Organizational Day on post. It's a day for families to come watch the different companies' soldiers compete in various sports - football, track, softball, volleyball, basketball. Dave's company (the 42nd Clearance Company) won the trophy!

Another highlight of the Org Day was the dunk tank which Dave spent some time in. Jones thought it was awesome to dunk his dad! Kinley wanted in on the action, too, but was too short. Sweet big brother gave her a boost!

Jones is so hard-core with his fighting games. Here he is looking fierce and showing off his battle formation.

Kinley wears her princess/fairy dress-up clothes almost every day. I just want to eat her up trying to be so dainty in those little shoes!

We took the kids riding on one of the easy bike paths. Kinley loved it and wanted to keep going forever! Of course, she was so slow that Dave and I took turns walking next to her.

So the other could ride bikes and try to keep up with speed-demon Jones! Notice how he's standing up in this shot, totally a big boy!

And lastly, this little delicious bite just ran out of energy!