Berg Hohenecken

We have quickly found that there is LOTS to do every weekend and the hardest part is deciding between it all! The weekend before Ian's birthday it was a beautiful Saturday and we decided to take full advantage of it by visiting the Kaiserslautern-Hohenecken Castle for a small medieval festival that was going on. We had to park at the bottom of the hill and walk up. Here's a picture of Ian trying to push Ellie up the first hill.


We passed this church on the way up and it had really neat doors.



We finally made it all the way up and the views were amazing and the castle ruins were really pretty neat. Plus, they had some cute rides for the kids.






Here are some pictures of us with the castle ruins.









Here's a couple of pictures of the views!









Here's the banner they had up for the day. We kind of think this is a banner they use for several things/years because there wasn't as much going on as it would lead you to believe!


Despite it's small size, we really did enjoy it.
From there we went to a car show that was happening in downtown Kaiserslautern.






Ian and I posed with a couple of the cars we really liked. When I lived here before, Porsches were my favorite although this is THE one, it's a pretty good alternative!
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Ian's birthday in Trier

On Ian's birthday, we had to get up early to go to another base to get Brian's car he bought for our time here (an Audi S8). We decided to get breakfast at the other base since we had to leave home pretty early and it turns out their bowling alley has a good breakfast so we gave it a try. Ian was able to have chocolate pancakes to help start his day. Here he is enjoying them!



In order to make the most of our drive and wanting to make it a special day for Ian we decided to tour around Trier. Trier is the oldest German city and was inhabited by the Romans - even Emperor Constantine resided there at one time! As a result, there are still many Roman ruins that you can see. From the Porta Nigra (the old entrance to the Roman city) to the coliseum (now an amphitheater) to Roman baths and churches there is plenty to see!



The first church we came to had this really cool door. (My friend Julianne has inspired me to always be on the lookout for cool doors!). It is an Episcopal seminary and was founded in 1773.



I thought the inside was really pretty - I love the painted ceilings!




Ian in front of the Basilica, built by Emperor Constantine in the 4th century!


This is our "princess" in front of the Electoral Palace which adjoins to the Basilica.



Since we were in wine country it seemed the right thing to do to have a wine sampler at the restaurant we snacked at. It was yummy!





Here's the birthday boy and Brian at our table.





Ellie is enjoying some time at the restaurant.


We turned a corner in town and there this was! It is the Trier Cathedral (Dom) and it connects to the Church of Our Lady (Liebfrauenkirche).


These are the pipe organs inside the Dom.


This is one if the ceilings. It is pretty impressive! An interesting relic that is at the cathedral is the holy tunic of Christ worn by him at his crucifixion.


Here are the kids enjoying some eis on this hot day in Trier.


Here it is folks - the Porta Nigra - the gateway to the city. Built in the 2nd century it is the biggest surviving city gate north of the Alps. We didn't get to go inside today but hope to come do it another day.


Because we were going to be out most of the day and because we didn't want to leave Bella all day in the house, we brought her along. She did a great job although we were limited in what we could go in and had to take turns at some of what we did go in but I think she really enjoyed herself and has since wanted to come with us every time we leave the house!



Brian wanted to get this picture because while he was in Iraq, he was a part of the dragon slayers and this is a statue of ST George slaying the dragon. He was very excited!


Here is the remnants of the amphitheater that dates back to around 100AD it is the oldest surviving Roman structure in Trier.


Here are Brian, Ian, Ellie and Bella as they are about to go out into the arena. We were imagining what it would have been like to be a gladiator and hear the crowds of up to 20,000 people as you are about to go out. Amazing.

We enjoyed our day in Trier and Ian said it was a good day and he really enjoyed it. I'm so glad. I hope he continues to enjoy the rest of our time here just as much!

The beginning of our European Adventure

Yay, it worked, now I really can blog in an easy and much more enjoyable way! So, here it goes....
I plan to go back and tell about the rest of our summer since it was FILLED with travel and fun but I thought it would be easier to start with the here and now then work my way back as I have time. As of tomorrow we have been here in Germany for three weeks. I still can't believe it has been that long already although we did just move in to our house this past Saturday so it does seem that long in some ways! Here's a picture of the kids with Bella on the couch at our TLF.


We have yet to get our household goods so we are "camping out" in our house with loaner furniture and dishes. It hasn't been too bad and we are really hoping to get our stuff in the next week (it was supposed to be here July 31!). The downside at the moment is that it is fairly warm out and there is no air conditioning so we are having to get used to that. We just keep reminding ourselves that we won't need it (air conditioning) soon enough!
For those of you that don't know, I spent six years growing up in Germany so in many ways this is a coming home for me! Here's a picture of me with my old high school in the background.


I must admit there is A LOT I don't remember (it was 20 years ago) about living here and the one I'm the most embarrassed to admit is that I DON'T remember all the hills right here! It really is beautiful! The village we are living in is at the top of a hill and you have to drive some windy, scary roads but the views/scenery are amazing!! I hope to have some pictures to share soon.
One of the things I DO remember about living here is spaghetti eis (ice cream). Although the kids and I got to have some with friends one day, here is a picture of us taking Brian for his first one.


Ellie loves that she can have fruchteis (sorbet) at just about all the ice cream shops here! Here she is enjoying one!



There are definitely lots of things to get used to with living here and the lack of being able to get tap water at most restaurants is a little frustrating for a family that drinks mainly that! We have learned to ask for stilles wasser (water without bubbles) but even then it turns out it can be mineral with no bubbles so there are no guarantees. One of our first adventures out on our own we ate dinner at a donner kebab place - they are quite popular here! Here's a pictures of our drinks just to show you something you don't see much in the US.



Okay, you see Coke everywhere but probably not Fanta in bottles or Mezzo Mix! It turns out it is a mix of coke with orange flavor although I didn't really taste much orange!
Well, I am going to wrap it up for now. There is still much to share about the last three weeks but it will have to wait for another time.
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I think this might work!

One more try with a new app I am using. If this works, we are home free!



I added this picture as a teaser for what's to come AND to try out the Watermark and see if it really works. If so, I am pretty excited!

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I know, I know. It has been forever since I have updated our blog but I have been busy!! Plus, I have been unsure as to how to blog using my iPad so I am experimenting and we'll see if this works. If it does, I will, hopefully, be blogging a little more regularly because I do have lots to say and share! So, here's hoping this works!