Edelweiss Trip 2014

The commercials on AFN convinced us we needed to check out Edelweiss in Bavaria, Germany. And boy was it worth it.

 



Gorgeous view from our room

 

Day 1 ~ Sledding

The boys have never been sledding. So of course we had to take them. It's been a very mild winter and so the only sledding spot open was as the highest mountain in Germany. Zugspitze . We took a train ride up to the top that we all enjoyed. The whole view was just breath taking. We then went sledding, had coffee's, hot chocolates, and brotchens. Then we went to the very top and took a cable railway down. We finished up the day with pizza and swimming.



sledding fun

so beautiful

me and my lil guy

lil Isaac sledding with Daddy

making snow angels

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Zugspitze...highest mountain in Germany

can't get over the view

the boys love to swim

Day 2- Neuschwanstein Castle

 

I was so excited when I found out that they had a bus ride and tour to Neuschwastein Castle. It was on my Germany list of things I wanted to see. The tour was so nice. It was two hours away from Edelweiss but we got to stop twice. The first stop was at a really neat wood carving store. The second stop was at a cafe and to see a church. The church was so so so beautiful. And the cafe served these Delicious donuts.We then got to go to the castle. Once we got there we had the option to ride a carriage ride most of the way up or hike up. We hiked (it's paved so it's not really hiking...more like a long walk up a very inclined road). At the top we got to tour the castle (there's only seven rooms finished so the whole tour was around 30 min). On the way down we stopped and got donuts...ummm we earned those from the hike right?  We then got to eat at a very yummy restaurant and Isaac got a good schnitzel. Once we got back to Edelweiss we had went on an evening carriage ride. It was hard to see things in the dark but it was so neat to hear some of the history of Garmisch.

wood carvings.

The amazing piece came with an amazing price tag. So neat that someone hand carved and painted it.

A donut. So so good.

inside of the monastery

gorgeous

such detail

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outside of the monastery/church

Isaac carried an extra 40lbs so he was hot by the time he got to the top

waiting for the tour

castle smastle...I'd rather sleep

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checking off the Germany wish list :)

this is the way to hike

bus we took and restaurant we ate at

German hot dog

Schnitzel

riding through Austria

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carriage ride through Garmisch

Day 3 ~ Partnach Gorge

I love Valentine's Day. And I have to admit this one is going to be tough to beat. We slept in that day. Had a quick lunch and then went off to visit Partnach Gorge. We took a carriage ride up (what can I say, I'm a total sucker for those things). I wasn't really sure what to expect but it was just breath taking. It was like a frozen wonderland. We all enjoyed it so much. After visiting the Gorge we were hungry. We went to a nearby village to have Italian food. It is the best Italian food we've ever had. The whole day was just magical and it was a great way to wrap up our trip.

Carriage ride with my handsome fellas

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entering the Gorge

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frozen wonderland

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one of my favorite pictures. Ever.

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How perfect was this cute wooden building with the heart cut out for Valentines Day? Couldn't resist a pict

Yummy Italian Cafe in a nearby village

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pizza!

A simple spaghetti. Olive oil, salt, pepper, tomato's, and peppers. So so so good

stuffed with  spinach and cheese

can't forget chocolate!

*Headed out*

On the way out we visited the little village again. We wanted to see the shops. The boys loved this hunters shop. And I enjoyed walking around solo snapping a few picts :)

Wonderful way to end our trip.



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Today I had the most hilarious covo with lil Isaac. We were facetiming with my mom while eating chicken and noodles for dinner...

Lola: what are you eating precious?

Israel: noodles!

Lola: I lovvveee noodles!

Lil Isaac: that's cuz your Asian.

*of course my mom and I busted up laughing*

Lola: you're Asian too! That must be why you love noodles.

Lil Isaac: what?! I'm Asian?!

Me: ummm yes. What do you think you are?

Lil Isaac: Mexican. Like Daddy.

Me: well, you are. Mommy is part Filipino and part white. Daddy is Mexican. That makes you, mixed..you're Mexican, Asian, and White.

Lil Isaac: oh. *looking sad*

Me: what's wrong? You don't like being one of those?

Lil Isaac: yea.

Me: which one?

Lil Isaac: white.

Me: well, you know Papas white and that would hurt his feelings to know you don't like him just bc he's white.

lil Isaac: I love papa! I like being white too!

Me: good! You should be proud of who you are. 

Ok, so maybe it was a hilarious and serious convo. 

Porta Nigra, Trier

This past weekend we went to Ramstein to get the kiddos Christmas presents and to get our "American Fix". We love history so we also decided to go see Porta Nigra in Trier. It's only an hour away  from Ramstien and an easy drive.

We had a wonderful time touring the Gate. I definitely got a good leg workout walking up the stairs ha ha.

Afterwards we went to see the museum that was attached. I didn't take any pictures but we really loved it. We also ran into some friends from Tinker. I wish we would have gotten a picture with them. (If you're reading this it was so great to see you Tracy!). All in all it was a wonderful day!

Driving down a road then *BAM* historical Roman gate!

Not everyday that you get to sit in a Roman window

cuties posing

one of my favorite photos ever. I wonder what he was thinking about

Loved all the carving details

They did a super hero pose in almost every picture. I love it!

we were going to go to the Christmas market after but it was so crowded and the kids were burnt out. We went back to Ramstien for dinner :) Perfect day.

Aachen Christmas Market

My friend, Gen, plans these great monthly ladies days or nights. For December we went to Aachen. 

Don't hate me but when my alarm went off at 8am it literally took myself thirty minutes to decide to go...

The bed was warm and toasty and I hate mornings. The weather app said it was a high of 34 with a 40% chance of rain. So, I literally had to say, "Hello! You're in EUROPE! You have the chance to go shopping with your girlfriends kids free! Get your lazy butt outta bed!" 

I did and it was so worth it...

The train ride was quick and pretty painless.On the ride back we missed our train. Then we got on the wrong one. But we did make it back to our village and that's all that matters :)

The market was beautiful and fun. Lots of yummy foods and fun things to buy.

Bonus! I made a new friend and she taught me how to wear hats! I might have a new winter fashion accessory addiction.

So grateful that God has blessed us with this opportunity to live in Germany and has given me great girlfriends to experience  this adventure with:)  

Thorn

This morning I woke up with a hankering for IHOP. To my knowledge there is nothing close to an IHOP around here. However, we did hear from a few friends about a delish "pancake" place. We were warned not to expect fluffy pancakes but that it was really good. So we hopped in the car and drove 30 min to Thorn in the Netherlands.

Here it is...a little taste of heaven!
It's always wonderful to have friends with kids, they let you know the important stuff....ask to be seated in the basement because there's a great play area BUT also great place for mom and dad to chat in peace and quiet...win win!

Where we sat in the basement

IHOP does not have this awesome play area!

you know it's a good hot chocolate when it leaves a mustache



The staff was so friendly. We ordered our food and a few minutes later our food was out. Friendly and quick....were we really in Europe!? It's rare to get both.

The pancakes were more like thick crepes with very delicious toppings. Anything you could imagine as a topping they pretty much had. We ate until we were all stuffed. Win, Win, Win!

Mine, top left: mozzarella, pesto and tomato
Big Isaac, bottom right: Bacon, cheese, pineapple, and onions
lil Isaac, top right: cherries and sugar
Israel, bottom left: nutella
*If you look at the boys pancakes they have a small dish with tokens in the middle. The tokens were so they could "buy" a toy after the meal. They got to pick out the toy they wanted in a small shop on the main floor. It was really cute and sweet.

 

After we ate we walked around the village. We stopped to look in the adorable antique store. I was convinced we needed all of it but we walked out with a pair of bookends.

The adorable Antique shop we visited

After the antique shop we explored some more. We checked out a few statues. I may or may not have made the boys pose with them. Hey, I can't pass up a good photo op ;) The boys also really loved the bridges.

The boys posing as statues and "fishing" off a bridge



I loved the church there. It got more beautiful from each angle...I might have taken a million pictures of it. I'll spare you all of them...but here's a few

GORGEOUS church

The cobblestone was really a work of art there. This was Isaac's favorite cobblestone design.

Isaac loved this design in the cobblestone

We want to go back soon and take the tour of the town through the museum.This has to be my favorite European trip so far. We went hungry and left with full bellies and happy hearts.

my favorite picture that I took...an angel at the cemetery

Isaac is six!

Isaac,

I can't not believe you are six! As I think back on this past year I can't help but realize how much you have been through and done. Here's some of it...

* Deployment #2. You helped me survive...again. You killed spiders for me, kept my day busy, and helped me with your brother. I am so grateful for my brave boys.

* Stateside you traveled to  Harligen, Dallas, San Antonio, TX-Minot, North Dakota. ---Los Angeles, CA.  We drove to all these places. So I have to give you extra credit for being so patient :)

* Some of your adventures.....

- playing in the freezing snow and hanging out with your cousins (Minot, ND)

- fishing, shooting your first BB gun, and Canoeing  ( TX)

- Hiking, First trip to Disney and Adventure land, Deep Sea fishing (CA)

THEN we dropped the bomb on you that we were moving. Not to another state but to another Country...Germany! We've only been here three and a half months but you have seen castles, the Moses Bridge,  Kayaking in Belgium, and we ride our bikes from our house to the Netherlands for ice cream!  

You have experienced more this past year than some people will experience in a lifetime!

 However, I realize that those are grownup dreams and boxes to check off of a bucket list. Little boys like to be with their friends that they've made in school, church, and the military. That you would love to play with your cousins in person and not on skype. That you want hugs and kisses from your Grandparents, Aunties, and Uncles. Kids strive on routine and we took you from all of that. So, I have to thank you son, for being understanding. For the positive outlook you have had on it all. You have made friends easily and are always looking for the positives. You love the pool here. You love your  new play room and bedroom. You love spaghetti ice cream. You love bike rides.

You love to have a great attitude. You are literally my ray of sunshine. 

I pray that you always keep your sunny attitude and have many more adventures in life! 

Happy Birthday to my Happy boy! 

Love, 

Mom

Top to bottom, left to right

-You and Dad waiting on pizza the first day back from his second deployment.

- swinging with brother. You're a wonderful big bro

- playing in the snow in ND

- Deep Sea fishing in CA

- Taking a break from a hike in CA

-riding the Dumbo ride with Tia Sylvia

-shooting your first BB gun with daddy

- hanging out with your best friend, Levi

- checking out the Moses Bridge in the Netherlands

-Playing in a river at the bottom of Burg Eltz Castle in Germany.

Three

You can play with cars for hours. I love, love, love your imagination

Israel,

How can my baby boy be three already!? Didn't I JUST bring you home from the hospital?!

I have loved this past year with you. I love that you are strong willed. It might take you an hour to do something that I can do for you in one minute but you will work at it until you do it.

I love that you don't let anyone bully you.

I love that you make up songs when you're playing and think nobody is listening.

I love that you love nature and could be outside all day...rain, snow, or shine.

I love that you have the biggest imagination. Sometimes I just watch you play and wish I could see what you see.

I love that you love your big brother.

I love that at the most unexpected moments you give me big hugs and wet kisses.

I love that you're adventurous.

I love that you are you.

Happy 3rd Birthday little man!

Love,

One blessed Mommy

Love you little man