I'm Back!

I know some of you have been waiting for pictures and information of my trip to Germany.

I'm working on it.

I'm also working on getting back into the groove of being a full-time stay-at-home-mom (whew 16 days can really change a groove!), getting ready for Seminary, getting ready for the girls to go back to school, and then trying to keep up with the four girls, the house, and still packing in as many activities as I can these last 3 weeks before school starts.

THANK YOU SO MUCH to Nana (my mom), Nanaunt (my aunt) who took care of the girls for me. Thank you so much to Julie and to Nikki for helping out my Mom (suggesting activities and giving help with the girls). THANK YOU SO MUCH to the Megner's and the Klaumünzner's for their kindness and hospitality in letting us stay in their homes and showing us parts of their countries. And, thank you so much to everybody who wished us well, prayed for us, or sent us good vibes- because Travis and I had an amazing time!

I will post pictures and include my journal of each day. It's just going to take some time sorting through the 1,000s (yes, THOUSANDS) of pictures and post cards and putting together a cohesive story.

But, here is a picture or two (ok 30+) just to keep you interested.... :)

Frankfurt

Friedrichsdorf Temple. Our second stop on our trip.
The first stop was the Frankfurt Dom (Cathedral).

Heidelburg

Heidelburg Castle... see it in the background?

The tower that exploded after a French attack in the 1600s.

Inside the courtyard of the Heidelburg Castle.

Speyer

Travis with the Megner Family.
They welcomed us into their home and drove us to Heidelburg
and here, to Speyer,
so we could meet with Rahel's family- whom he knew on his mission.

Triberg

Waiting at the train station at Triberg, Germany.
This is in the middle of the Black Forrest, and just after we bought our cuckoo clock.

Switzerland

With the Klaumünzner's on our way to Keyburg Castle in Switzerland.

Travis took turns carrying the kids on his shoulders. I only carried Kaylee for a short while.

Rheinfall in Switzerland.

The Klaumünzner's at Rehinfall
Jared drove us all over Switzerland to show us wonderful sights.
Their two oldest are not pictured- we took their seats in the 8-passenger van.

Iconic bridge and tower in Luzern, Swtizerland.

Sunday in Switzerland, I listened to 3 hours of church spoken in High German.

Iconic storefronts in Appenzell, Switzerland.
I'm holding Kaylee.

Santis, a mountain in Switzerland.
Kaylee was super cold and so Travis was warming her up.

Munich

Marienplatz in Munich, Germany
Behind me is a clock tower that has an amazing display that lasts 8 minutes long!

Regensburg and Weltenburg

Listening to a tour guide as we walked through Regensburg, Germany

Standard Measurements in Regensburg. Travis was showing he fit the "standard".

I guess they didn't use the standard measurements for doors...
Inside the City Hall in Regensburg.

The not-so-blue Danube.
The German's call it the Donau, and we are on a riverboat headed to Weltenburg Monastery.

Nürnberg

River dividng the old city Nürnberg, Germany between North and South.

Bad Gögging

In Bad Gögging at the hotel where we ate our meals.
I'm here with Laura Schaefer Hyde and Sarla Kothary

Schwangau

This is near Schwangau, Germany, at the base of the Alps.
See that on the mountain in the background? See what's on top of that little hill?
Neuschwanstein Castle!
In the picture are Laura Schaefer Hyde, Muna Nash, and Krisztina Valter.

Another view of Neuschwanstein Castle from the Marienbrüke

Hannover

Travis with an old missionary companion, Brandon Schulze, in Hannover, Geramny.

Berlin

See that in the background? The 'Brandenburger Tor' in Berlin, Germany.

Dinner with Ann and David Morris (pictured) and some other friends in Berlin, Germany.

Outside the Lego Store in Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, Germany

Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin, Germany

Gates of Ishtar (Babylon) at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Germany.
Do you see Travis?

Potsdam

Outside the Postdam Palace.

Looking down the main pathway through Potsdam

Orangerie Palace- we didn't have time to go in, but we did walk through the gardens (from east to west!)

Berlin

Jewish Museum in Berlin. The architecture was absolutely stunning- very pathos evoking
Pictured with me are Laura Schaefer Hyde and Tina McGinnis

Amsterdam

Boarding our "commuter flight" from Berlin to Amsterdam.

Train from the Amsterdam aiport to Amsterdam Central Train station- on our way to the Rejksmuseum.

One of the many canals in Amsterdam.

So, now you've had a brief overview of my trip. I'll fill in detail as I get time (Ha!) OK, as I make time. I also have many more pictures and even some video to include.

It was truly a wonderful trip! Not relaxing, as I packed in as much as possible. I didn't lay by the pool (too cold!), and I didn't sit on park benches napping (although I walked through parks). But, I did relax, and walk and walk and walk, and enjoy all the beauty and history, and art, and Castles! I can hardly wait to put these pictures and my journal all together so I can share this with others! But, children and duty call....