Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau

Yes, it is another post about our times with Mandi and Ben. We sure miss those two. The girls talk about them all the time and the family just isn't the same without them.

On the 2nd day of our trip to Southern Bavaria we stopped at Neuschwanstein, by way of Munich for more gas and breakfast. We had stayed at hotel outside Munich the night before. Sadly they were so full that there was only room in the smoking section. Never want to do that again.

These pictures are in an odd order. Sorry about that.

Jared and I visited these castles while we were on our honeymoon. How many people can claim that? He surprised me with it. What a sweety. We hadn't been back since, so it was fun to see it again. Mandi went with our parents while they were all living here, but Ben had never seen it. I think he was impressed.
This is Hohenschwangau. It was the family home of Emporer Ludwig. It used to be called Neuschwanstein, but when he built the famous one up the hill from it, it got renamed and the new one now had the famous name. The parking for both castles is in the same area and they are within seeing and walking distance of each other. By the time we got to climbing up to see this one we were too tired. So on this trip this was our view of it.

And here is the famous, Neuschwangau. This castle inspired Walt Disney's design of one of the princesses castle. I can't remember which one. Sorry. Ludwig never finshed this one either. But it still is soooo impressive. It is gorgeous from all sides.

When we came on our honeymoon I don't remember seeing this lake. But when I walked out of the restroom I saw it. Love it!!! These lakes in the alps are the most beautiful. I wanted to take one of the paddle boats out onto it.

Jared, Katie and I waited at the bottom of the hill while Ben and Mandi hiked up for their tour of Neuschwanstein. We entertained ourselves be people watching then a movie in the car.

On their tour Mandi and Ben got this wonderful picture of the lake in the picture above and another one.

The architecture is just so wonderful. And they took such great pictures of the castle.

Königsee and Berchtesgarten

This is one of the most beautiful places in Germany. It was featured in the movie Sound of Music. I have seen it several times and it awes me each time.
The water is absolutely crystal clear. This makes the reflections so clear, it is like nothing else in this world. You can go on a boat ride around the lake. The acoustics are amazing. Ben found this out by spontaneously screaming (not very loud either). We got there a couple hours before sunset and after the boat tours had ended. So the town was completely quiet and the water was almost perfectly still.

Mandi calls this picture their cd cover. She has me convinced. Now they just need to record some music.

What Ben is pointing out for you here is Hitler's Eagle's Nest. You may have to blow up the picture to see it. It is right where the tip of his finger is. This is a home-like place that Hitler built. There is an elevator you take through the mountain to reach it. He had several meetings with his leaders, reporters and other world leaders here. I even think he kept some art here. Unfortunately it hadn't opened yet, but someday I want to see it.

You are seeing that right...the water is a pale green color. That is because it come directly from the glaciers of the alps. It is freezing cold too. But so beautiful. Jared was trying to touch it and dropped his new iphone into the water. Here he is trying to save it. Luckily it still works.

This is very typical of the house in this area. Jared and I want to build an alps inpired house sometime whenever we move to the States.

Mandi found this gigantic (literally the size of a small house) rock sitting all lonely in the middle of a meadow, off the side of the road. Of course, being Mandi, she decided to climb it. I have to admit that I couldn't watch after a while. I worry to much. I guess it is proof that I am a mom.

Chimsee

These pictures didn't get put up in any real correct order. So I will try to make sense of them for you. Jared, Ben and Mandi surprised me with a trip down to Southern Bavaria. I loved it. It was so nice to have a lot of uninterrupted time with Jared and with Mandi and Ben.

Our first stop on the 2 day trip was at the Chimsee. There are several islands in this lake. One has a monastary and another has a palace made by Emporer Ludwig. He was quite an extravagant guy.
I like that Jared and I are just in sillouette in the this one. That is the palace behind us. Katie is on my lap.
Here is the palace. He based it on Versaille (however it is spelled). He had a really complex, and was truly crazy. He was obsessed with Louis XIV of France, who built Versallie. This is one of the 3 palaces he built for himself. He only spent 10 days here once it was done. And the kitchen never really got finished before he drowned in the lake. The suspicion is that someone killed him.

Just 2 goofs having a good time during a much needed vacation. I love the boat rides we took around the lake to see all the wonderful sites.

You can see the alps from the lake. They are so impressive and beautiful.

Katie had a great time. She was so good and never complained. I think she was just soaking up all the attention.

Mandi loves water and decided to wade into the lake a little ways. This dog loved her. It was the funniest thing.

More Memories

While Mandi and Ben were with us we took the opportunity to go to see where Mandi and I lived when our family was here. I haven't been back since my parents left. This was the first time that I think I could actually handle seeing it all again. I just miss my family so much.
This is an old pedestrian bridge in the city close to where we lived. On our second date, Jared and I spent a long time standing on this bridge talking. Then he proposed to me there. So this is quite a significant place for us. This picture is the exact spot where we stood on our date. This is the first time our girls had seen it.

Here is the sign from the restaraunt that our family ate at all the time. When we would come in the waiters never asked if we wanted alcohol, but knew that we wanted either fanta, sprite or sparkling cider. They just asked who wanted which and who wanted which of the our two favorite menu items.

It was quite fun to walk through the village again, but it felt like something was missing. Even though it is a small, peaceful village some of its energy seemed to be gone. I guess it is because those that we love are no longer there. And all the Americans are gone too.

Here is our house. It was strange to see it again and think that some else is living in our apartment. That place that is filled with so many wonderful memories. My time in the house was the most carefree time of my life.

Mandi and I are making pouty faces because this is the sign for the army base that we lived next to and that our dad worked at. I worked at the tiny flower shop and then the daycare here. So many precious memories of this place. I would walk across the fields by myself and with my sisters. We would sing songs together as we walked. I also would walk with my dad and we would spend so long not talking and each just enjoying the companionship.

Now it has been closed and you see how everything is just abandoned and the plants are taking over. It has a feeling of sheer loneliness and neglect. So sad. It has meant so much to so many people. Not just me and my family.

We even got a chance to see and touch some horses, while Ben and Mandi went for a little walk together.

Couples Night Out

This is actually an old even. It is from March. We have a group of couples from the stake who we are friends with. We all got married within a couple years of each other and all now have kids. We like to get all of us together a couple of times during the year.

Our last get-together was to go play Kegeln (not sure how it is spelt). It is very similar to Bowling, but I can actually score in this game. Either it inspired bowling, or bowling inspired it. A lot of the restaraunts here have a couple lanes in the basement.
Katie came with Jared and I. The boys that belonged to the other couples sure did love her. I think we should start taking bids on which of the parents wants her as a daughter-in-law the most.

I knew I was lousy at bowling and now I know I am lousy at this also. My granny ball was the best way for me to make points.

This tactic had some success too.

Jared and his friend, Christopher, spent some time trying to figure out the machine. Don't you just love the vintage feel of the machine and its color scheme. They need a make over.

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.

Stake Dance

This weekend our stake had a dance. I am not a big fan of dances, but this one was kind of fun. I even got several chances to dance with the main man in my life. We haven't been able to do that in so long without me being pregnant. He is a great dance and I am a lousy follower, but we managed and had fun anyway.

My girls even got a chance to dance with their dad and Grandpa. They had the time of their lives.