Spring Break: French Cathedrals

We began our long road trip on the morning of Friday, April 6th.  The next 10 days we would be traveling in the van with our three boys, Oma and Aunt Andrea.  We loaded up the van and were on our way by 9:30 AM...not a bad start time when you have that many people traveling along.

After driving 7 hours we made our first stop in Reims, France.  You can bet the boys were ready to run around and get some wiggles out after such a long drive but instead we hopped on a train from our hotel and headed to the center of town to catch a peek at the Cathedral.  Construction started in 1211 AD and this church was the site of 26 coronations of French Kings and Queens.  I love Gothic architecture so this church was well worth the stop!

With so many people in the car this roof top carrier was a life-saver!

Guess who was super excited about the train ride?  No matter how tired and grumpy Julian could have been after sitting in the car all day, as soon as we told him we were going for a train ride he got all happy and excited:)

The boys getting a bit of energy out on the steps of the Cathedral.  At least they weren't running inside the church!

The rose window inside the church...my little camera does not do this justice

I loved this peaceful candle-lit altar 

Our little family outside the church

After a good nights sleep we headed off to Chartres, about 2 1/2 hours away.  We had heard there was an English tour guide that has been showing Chartres Cathedral to tourists for the last 50 years.  He gives a 75 minute tour and explains the history and the meaning behind each of the beautiful stained glass windows.  Because the boys don't do so well with tours I opted to hit the playground with a picnic lunch while Hyrum, Oma and Andrea went for the tour.  After we met back together again it turns out the guide wasn't doing tours that day so they just wandered around the church.  It was a bummer that we missed out on this tour but it was still a Cathedral worth seeing.  Hyrum and I walked around the Cathedral while Oma and Andrea took a turn with the kids.  Man, it was nice to have even a 30 minute break from the crazy kids:)

Chartres Cathedral

One of the decorated portals into the church

The windows are truly amazing

Andrea and Oma with the Cathedral in the background

When we were done in Chartres we packed back into the van and headed to Mount St. Michel, about 3 1/2 hours away...but we'll save that for another post:)

Happy Easter

I know it's a bit late with the Easter post but here goes...

We always begin the Easter season by decorating our tree next to the house with Easter eggs.  This is a German tradition that I intend on bringing home with me.  It sure makes the rainy days of Spring look brighter when you see all these colorful trees around the neighborhood.

This is the only branch on the tree that Julian could reach.  By the time he was done there were about 20 eggs on this spot.

Daddy lifted Emerson up so he could hang some eggs up high.

My boys in front of our decorated tree

Next up for the Easter season...the Easter egg hunt.  We had a few families from our ward over for dinner and the big hunt.  We hid about 150 eggs filled with candy around the yard.  There were 11 kids running around collecting eggs.  I think they all had a fun time. 

The kids lined up and ready to go!

Julian was so excited collecting eggs.  He was especially happy to find out there was candy inside:)

All the kiddos showing off their loot

We were in the middle of our long road trip for Spring break for the actual Easter Sunday.  It's a good thing the Easter Bunny found us, all the way in France.

They got a chocolate bunny and a giant kinder egg...

...I did mention it was a GIANT kinder egg, right?

Let the Traveling Begin

Hyrum's Mom and Sister, Andrea, arrived in Germany on March 29th.  We only let them rest for one day before we were off traveling.  Our first adventure: Freiberg, Germany.

Oma grew up in Freiberg and wanted to visit while she was here in Germany.  We walked around the old town and met up with some of her friends.  We had a great time but it was a bit chilly!

Oma in front of the Freiberg Dom (Cathedral)

Inside the Cathedral.  This organ was built by Gottfried Silbermann when he was only 28 years old.  He later became one of the best known organ builders in Germany and worked closely with Johann Sebastian Bach.  We were lucky to hear two pieces played on the organ while we toured the church.

Who ordered the snow?  It's supposed to be SPRING!!!

Julian at the playground in Freiberg.

Townsend and Emerson climbing in the trees at the playground.

Oma with her two good friends, Ilona and Luisa.

It just happened that the Sunday we were in Frieberg there was a steam train that came to the station from Dresden.  We got to the station in time to see one train leave and another one pull into the station.  Julian was super excited until he heard the steam whistle.  It scared him so bad he just wanted to leave the station right away.  I convinced him to stay but I had to stand far away from the train so he wouldn't get scared again if the whistle blew.

Aunt Andrea with the train

Ilona's husband has his own train set up in his garden shed.  Julian could have stayed there for hours watching the trains go around the tracks, and there were no loud whistles...perfect!

In my opinion no trip to East Germany is complete without a trip to Seiffen.  This is Aunt Andrea and Oma in front of the church in Seiffen that is famous because so many of the carved figures you can buy in this town have this church represented.  I bought an Advent Candle Holder to use next Christmas.  I LOVE Seiffen and all the shops!

Our travels are just beginning, stay tuned for more adventures:)

Life in General

I find that if I don't have specific events or travels to blog about then I don't update as often.  But life continues on as usual, even without stellar trips to write about.  So here are a few of the things I have been up to over the last month or so...

Every Wednesday morning since last October I have been going to a play group at our church.  We play with toys, sing songs, read a story and do an art project.  Julian loves it and I really like spending some creative time with my little man each week.

I hosted a baby shower for my friend Katie.  This is baby number one for her and she is so excited and will be a wonderful Mommy.

The process of de-junking and preparing for our move has begun.  Twice a year we can put large garbage out for pick up.  We got rid of a couch as well as a bunch of stuff that has been sitting in our basement for 4 years.

The boys and I participated in the Shamrock Shuffle that was hosted on the Army post here.  The twins ran a 400 meter dash with about 30 other kids.  Townsend came in 2nd place and Emerson was 6th place...yes, I'm a proud Mommy.  I ran the 5K and came in under 30 minutes, that's a record for me:)

We went bowling with the Platt's for family night.  Yes, Becky is about to have a baby in a few weeks and YES, she beat us all!  I believe she was channeling her "inner bowling ball"

There was no school last Friday so the boys had a play date with their twin friends, Aadi and Annadi.  The city had brought in a truck load of sand to use at the lake here in Pressath.  The boys loved playing all over the sand dunes!

So, even though I haven't gone anywhere fantastic the last few weeks, you can see I stay pretty busy.  I love life here in Germany.  I love my friends and I love my house and I love my little town.  I am going to enjoy these next few months as much as I can.  

Little Man Jules is 3 Years Old

Today was a great day.  For the past few weeks I have been talking to Julian about his birthday and telling him that when he turns three he will get to sleep in a big boy bed and wear big boy undies.  This morning he helped me take the crib out of his room and set up the toddler bed.  Then we got out the Lightning McQueen undies and the little potty chair I had bought for him and got right down to business with potty training.  After wearing undies for only about 1/2 hour he had an accident.  We talked about how he needs to sit on his little potty if he needs to go pee.  He was great the rest of the day.  He only had one more accident, later in the evening, but other than that he loved running up to use his little potty every time he had to pee.  I loved to see how proud of himself he was.  He got so excited about wearing the undies and using the potty.

We had Becky Platt and the boys over for some pizza and cupcakes.  It was super cute to see how excited Julian was over all the attention and having friends come over just for his birthday.

I was a little worried about how bedtime would go tonight because it was the first night in a toddler bed.  To my amazement he went right to bed.  He didn't get up out of his toddler bed even one time!  I am so proud of my grown up boy...love you little man Jules:)

Our New House

I spent the last 5 days in Oregon buying a house.  I am still a little fuzzy headed from jet lag but I'm glad to be home again.  Hyrum's sister Katrina spoiled me rotten while I was in Oregon.  We ate out almost every meal, we got pedicures, she took me furniture and car shopping.  It was a great break from the kids, I'm so glad Hyrum was able to stay at home with them while I was away.

4 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths, big bonus room, all wood floors on the main level.  The BEST part?  The boys school is only 2 blocks away and Katrina lives only 5 blocks away:)

Happy Valentines Day

I hope you all had a love filled day.  I was once again spoiled by my husband with fabulous food and beautiful flowers.  I love you Hyrum, thank you for everything.

Every morning Hyrum gets up at 5:30 to get ready for work.  He wakes me and the boys up around 6:30 so I can get them off to the bus.  I usually pour myself a bowl of  mini wheats with some skim milk for breakfast.  This morning, as I came into the kitchen, I saw that Hyrum had left this on the counter for me.  Fresh blueberries, homemade granola and yogurt.  What a wonderful way to start the day.  (H+E stands for Hano and Elle...in case you were wondering)

I am pretty sure the boys get more candy on Valentines than they do for Halloween!  They were pretty excited after school to get home and sort through all their treats.  They were even kind enough to share a few with Julian:)

What better way to end the day than with fresh tulips and a slice of chocolate cheesecake with raspberry sauce.  Sorry ladies...Hyrum is already taken:)