Berlin

We had a whirlwind weekend trip to Berlin and let me tell you, Berlin is too big for one weekend! We tried to see everything and it just wasn't possible. Berlin wasn't filled with huge cathedrals or traces of the medieval past that we've seen in other German cities, mainly because it was heavily damaged over the years. Berlin had so much more though, like traces of the Cold War and parts of the city that just haven't caught up with the more affluent side. We arrived early on a Friday afternoon and headed straight for the Brandenberg Gate and it was just as amazing as I had imagined it to be. Of course, we hit the local Starbucks to add to Aunt Nancy's growing collection of landmark mugs! The next morning was the start of our busy, busy day! We not only went back to the gate, to get Lollycakes pictures, but also visited the Berlin Wall memorial, Checkpoint Charlie, Tiergarten and the HUGE Berlin Zoo/Aquarium. Sunday we wrapped up the trip with a visit to the Sansoucci Palace grounds in Potsdam. I have to say this trip was so special for Dave and I to be able to share what happened in Berlin with Emma. She was full of questions all day and it was very hard for her to understand why things happened the way they did. Seeing the actual portions of the wall was breath taking, as well as seeing actual pictures of events surrounding the construction and demolishing of it. You would need an entire weekend to devote just to the history of the wall and seeing all that Berlin offers about it and we only had a few hours so I can't wait to go back and learn more. Checkpoint Charlie was the only access for foreigners into Berlin as well as the Allied Forces. I think Checkpoint Charlie is a must see just for the tourist photos, but there was also a museum and more wall history that we just didn't have time for, or children who really wanted to walk slowly and be quiet, lol. SO again, that is something to do if/when we go back! CC was followed by a LONG walk through the Tiergarten which is much like Berlin's version of Central Park. We headed to the Zoo from there, which the kids loved. Getting to visit the grounds of Sansoucci was a treat since we were all pooped from our Berlin visit but I'm glad we stopped! It was also very spread out and has been placed on our list of things to see again! All in all, it was a great weekend, just too short! So I will hush now and upload the pictures! :)

the small post

I wanted to include these pictures before the overload of Berlin pictures that is coming...These were taken earlier in March. Emma and Dave were able to attend the Daddy/Daughter dance sponsored by the Girl Scouts here and they both had a great time!!! Fasching, is the German's version of Halloween and it takes place right around the same time as Mardi Gras. The kids really enjoyed being able to dress up twice in one year, haha. It is also warming up here, well a slow gradual warm up. So, to enjoy the rare sunshine and 50 degree weather we are having, we purchased a really nice patio set for our backyard! The kids love it and we eat out there almost every night! I've really enjoyed spending that time out there with them, away from tv, phones and computers. Stay tuned...Berlin is up next!!

oh Prague

There is way too much to try to tell you about Prague...but that is where we spent this recent weekend. It was an amazing trip even though it was a mesh of old world Baroque style buildings and graffiti trash of the Eastern Block of Europe. We took a guided tour our second day, and even though we spent the first part of the tour on the wrong bus it was a great way to see all the sites in Prague. Somehow the tour company believed we were Germans and placed us with the German tour group, which was fine, but I can't translate that fast in my head and then to Dave. So, we met up with our 'real' group on the first stop of the tour and the rest was grand! My other favorite part of the trip was Mason eating three real meals a day! Mason is our muncher, snacker, etc. On this trip he actually ate the entire plate that was put in front of him and has continued to do so since arriving home! I couldn't be happier! Instead of trying to explain all the wondrous sites we saw, I will just share some great pics!

Busy Busy

Emma is officially a Girl Scout Daisy. She had her troop investiture ceremony last month and they are smack in the middle of cookie sales. I have to say, Emma is a natural. She just walks right up to those soldiers and lets them know that they will be buying some girl scout cookies! First, who can say no to cookies and second, who can say no to her? lol! I'm sure Dave and I are the only ones raising our hands. We went to visit Nuremberg last week while picking up an antique desk and had a lot of fun visiting the old fortress and new places to eat! Dave has a four day next weekend and says we will be going out of town, I'm hoping Prague or Brussels! He is busy in the middle of the advanced course, it is a requirement to continue to move up in promotions. I like this school schedule he is on though, 8-5 most days with some letting out even earlier! I think the kids really enjoy having him home in the mornings and evenings! I'm taking a pretty heavy load this semester of all senior psych and behavior courses, but I am loving every second of them. They are really helping to prepare me for my future in Counseling. The sacrifices and hard work really start to pay off when you can actually enjoy what you are doing! I am hoping grad school will be just the same! Love you all!!!

sleighing...

or sledding. Emma prefers to call it sleighing but that sounds vicious, at least to me. We took the kids to the giant hill across the road from our little town and let them have at it. Mason loved it until he busted his face in the snow and then he was down, but who wouldn't be after that? Emma didn't want to leave and announced she wants to 'sleigh' everyday. hahahaha.

Is Disney inside the castle?

This week after Christmas we traveled to Neuschwanstein Castle which is most famously known for being the inspiration for a few of the Disney castles, Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella. I say both, because of course on the internet there is great debate over which one was actually the original inspiration, so to cover my mistakes I noted both. :) Emma overhearing this, believed we were actually going to Disney World...she was a tad bit disappointed, but was soon won over with a carriage ride up the hill to the actual castle. We visited both Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles and both were exquisite inside and out. Both were castles for the Kings of Bavaria, Ludwig and his father. Poor Ludwig didn't get to live in his fancy castle for too long. He had a spending problem and instead of just taking the checkbook away from him, they had a doctor declare he was 'mad' and dethroned. Geesh. I'm glad I'm not a Queen or anything.... This family was also very obsessed with swans, they were everywhere in the decor, and I mean EVERYWHERE. Emma was very concerned with why there were so many of them. The little hotel we stayed in was so cute and the food was amazing!!! All in all, it was a wonderful trip and I cannot wait to visit when the weather isn't as cold and the fog doesn't block the castle!

Merry Christmas Ery-body...

That's how Mason says it anyway. You can tell my Dad is on vacation because he hounds me all day about not updating the blog. He gets upset when I post pictures on Facebook, because well Daddy doesn't do the FB. :) So here you go Daddy! We had a wonderful Christmas indeed! After some aircraft troubles, cancelations and delays, Dave made it home to Germany at lunchtime on Christmas! The kids have just been thrilled to have him home, poor Dave though is having to play catch up with the jet lag now. We are hoping to do some Euro-travel during our break, if the weather stays nice. We got a couple feet of snow the other day and seems to keep on coming. Santa knew that Daddy was going to be arriving late on Christmas so he scheduled his visit later on Christmas Day so Dave could be there, which I thought was very nice of him. I made a wonderful Christmas lunch/dinner that actually all tasted yummy! The kids were spoiled, like always, by both sets of Grandparents. Our house looks like a toy store disaster right now, but thats ok. Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas!