Adventures in Nature

Warning: This entry is very photo heavy. I just couldn't narrow the selection down very well.

Last Saturday we were able to spend the whole day together as a family. That is a rare occurance. We took Mandi and Ben to a beautiful garden north of where we live. Jared had the company car because the his family's car broke and they were using ours. Ben got a chance to sit in the passenger seat and go 240 kph on the autobahn. That converts to about 130mph. Mandi and I sat in the back and giggled about so many things.

This park was orginally created by some emporer for his wife, but it never was finished completely. Through the centuries different rulers and owners have added onto it, so it is quite aclectic.

This is one of my favorite parts of the park.

This is such a typical site on our family excursions. Ray and Jared planning the route and talking about advantages and disadvantages of each option.


This outing proved once again that we are the goofiest people alive. Here is the evidence:

Exhibit A: Rike and Jared reenacting Romeo and Juliet.

Exhibit B: I always think of when Harry Potter and Hermoine ride the hippogriff when I look at this one.

Exhibit C: Walking over the wet rocks in the middle of a pond to get a picture like he is walking on water.

Exhibit D: What sane person would think of doing this.? Only Ben and Mandi.

Exhibit E: We saw this tree and instantly thought of the movie Emma. Of course, Mandi and Ben didn't waste the opportunty to reenact the scene.


My girls have loved having their aunt and uncle around. Anne and Alicia especially love Ben, as the next pictures show.

There were tadpoles in this pond. I haven't seen those since I was a little girl and my girls have never seen them.

This park is full of interesting architechure. Like this wall and pillars. They are made of little rock of different colors.And this asian inspired gazebo. This picture doesn't do it justice.

Grandpa was so nice and came with us to help drive and help with the girls. Here he is feeding Katie. I call this picture...Nanny Grandpa.

I love bridges.

The best part was getting the chance to walk around and hold my hubby's hand.

Water is always a huge hit. Alicia played in it the longest. I was afraid she was going to fall in at one point. Anne, as shown here, thought it was great too.

And of course, Alicia insisted on pushing the stroller as much as possible.