Germany

Germany, Fall 2013 was a really, really great trip. Matt had a few days off in a row, so we went for it! We wanted to see Uncle Freddy and Aunt Kathy before they moved back to the States. It was chilly European fall weather outside and such a nice change from the endless summer heat of Doha. We flew right into Frankfurt, on the red-eye flight and arrived surprisingly well rested! The picture above is us at the market, getting some 'hot dogs on a stick--with spicy mustard'. The pork is heavenly after such a long absence!

Next, we explored the area around the market and the City Center. This is probably my favorite picture of the whole trip!! Eli is such a cutie-pie and he catches attention like no other! These Asian tourists were especially drawn to him and kept asking to take his picture. It was so funny! He was cute and smilied a lot for them, as he does.

Isn't it just so picturesque?! I love Germany!

 Hi Jakey!

 

Running around in the Square.

Family Picture!

Locks of Love. I think it's a cool tradition. You throw the key into the river so you will always be bound together.

Happy Eli-O

Wheeeeeee, says James and Jakey!!

 

Me and my boys. I'm the lucky one.

We met up with Kathy and Fred and they showed us some of their favorite little towns on the way to Rotenburg. This is us in Oxenfurt, a quiant and sleepy little town that was adorable in every way.

Freddy and Kathy were good to entertain the boys and bring snacks and toys for them. They have probably been to this town 100 times with other guests, but they acted like it was no problem at all to be back again. They were such gracious tour guides.

Above is another one of my very favorites. Dad of the Year goes to Matt.

Cute Aunt Kathy and Uncle Freddy.

This is Rotenburg. It was an old city that was not destroyed by the war. It is completely walled in and charming, charming, charming.

I just love the second story windows with planters hanging out of them. Always full of flowers or greenery, so lovely.

These are Schneeballen, or Snowballs. They look delicious, but really they are not that sweet and taste kind of chalky. Typical characteristics of a German dessert. They were fun to look at, though!

Rotenburg was a fun day spent walking the city and grabbing street food and stopping by in small shops. One time we wanted some ice cream for the boys, a kinder cone, and went into a restaurant and sat down and ordered. The boys were not being crazy, but they were a little loud, I guess. She brought us our cones and said that we had to take them to-go. We were not allowed to stay in her restaurant and eat. We were so tired of walking, all we really wanted was to sit down. I almost started crying, but instead we paid her and left. It was upsetting, but I just realized that culturally, children are to be seen and not heard. They don't have large families and generally like dogs and cats more than children. In other words: We were not in Doha anymore. Oh well.

Wurzburg, Germany. We stayed in this little town and loved walking the bridge, up to the fortress, and again, eating the food. Germany is sooooo pretty! Have I said that already? Also, this is the second time Matt and I have been here......5 years ago we came with Phil, Elisha, and Laura to this exact city. I'm sure we snapped pictures in the same spots, even. I would have never thought I would be back so soon.....with 3 kids in tow. Life is full of surprises!

Bike-friendly!

Hiking up to the fortress. It was quite the walk, which was good because the boys needed to burn some energy! Along the way we found some nuts, which we collected and later learned that they were chestnuts. I don't think I had ever seen one before this trip.

Oh yeah. Googie's eye. In Rotenburg, Eli tripped on a cobblestone (he is just over one year old, as you know) and fell right onto the curb and smacked his eyebrow. It was so, so, so sad. Poor kiddo. It looked terrible! I mean AWFUL!!! So swollen and bloodshot. Once we returned to Doha we took him right into the Pediatric Opthalomogist, and fortunately, it was only cosmetic. No problems with his vision. No long-term damage. Poor kid. Damn cobblestones!

At the fortress looking out back over the city of Wurzburg. Great view. Unforgettable.

 

Saying our goodbyes to Freddy and Kathy. They were so, so wonderful to us and we so appreciated it. I can see why they stayed and lived in Germany for so long. It was hard to leave!
There are castles, castle ruins, and fortresses ALL over Germany. About every mile, you see a sign for one up ahead. Kathy said there are something in the number of 23,000 in Germany alone! This one is still privately owned and lived in, but you can still get close enough to snap a picture. Can you even imagine? Living in a real-life CASTLE?! This one even has a draw bridge!

The only other mishap I need to mention is that Matt lost his eye glasses. Can't find them anywhere! So, now some lucky Germans have a wedding ring and a pair of frameless spectacles. You're welcome. Sheesh!