Mothering in the Fatherland

Friday, April 13, 2012

Legoland

Legoland has been on the boys' list of places to visit. We decided to go during Spring Break. The boys were VERY excited! Legoland is an amusement park that has everything made of Legos. It was pretty impressive what they made using building bricks. There were rides for young and old. We took lots of pictures...hope you enjoy!

Me, Liam, Alex, Carter on the safari ride.

Carter and Alex - even the elephant is Lego.

Lego Monkey

Liam

Alex and Carter

Einstein

Carter and Liam - Lego instruments that played music and sprayed water

Liam, Alex, Kaleb, and I watching the musical fountains.

This was a favorite. The boys would get off and immediately run around to fly again!

Greg climbing out of a shark.

Carter - another favorite ride

Liam

Alex

Daddy and the big boys on an elevated pedal car.

Observation Tower

Liam and I

Alex and I

Alex and I using our arm strength!

Liam driving.

Earning his driver's license!

Alex doing his driver's test for his license.

Carter signalling a right turn.

Meeting at the intersection:)

Carter

On the Lego Express

Kaleb enjoyed the ride, too!

How Greg feels most of the time!:)

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Heidelberg

On our way to Legoland, we stopped at Heidelberg. Heidelberg is considered to be founded in 1196. On the Neckar River it is known for it's University (founded in 1386), the Protestant Reformation and being home to the German Romantic movement with many philosophers, composers and poets having used it for inspiration.

Old Bridge from 1786 - part of medieval Heidelberg's fortifications.

Schloss (Castle) built in the 15th, 16th and 17th centuries.

Across the Neckar River - above the town is known as Philosopher's Path, where many would wander.

We rode the funicular up to the castle and walked around the grounds.

Elisbethentor - built over night in the early 1600s as a birthday gift

Some of the castle garden.

Happy Kaleb:)

Hard to capture in photo...a piece of the tower fell over but didn't completely fall down

Some of the bricks are diagonal to the others due to the wall separating from the rest of the tower.

Pine tree growing on the castle ruins.

Castle gate

Liam, Alex, me, Kaleb, Carter

Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Rothenburg ob der Tauber is a medieval walled town in Bavaria, Germany. In German, its name means "red fortress above the Tauber River". It is a walled city that has preserved its 17th century state due to the Thirty Years War, the Black Plague, and loss of trade income. It was left poor and empty in 1634 and therefore stopped growing and remained in the 17th century. Rothenburg is now a popular tourist spot to experience the "most German of German towns".

During World War II the town was seized by the Nazis and would've been destroyed had it not been for the US Assistant Secretary of War and the German local Military Commander. They both recognized the significance of this quintessential "German Home Town". After one US bombing raid, the US Asst. Sec. of War ordered to use no more artillery to gain Rothenburg. The local German Commander ignored Hilter's direct orders and gave up the town peacefully, thereby saving Rothenburg from destruction. After the war, the town quickly rebuilt the few destroyed buildings and gave people the opportunity to support Rothenburg by buying a piece of the wall. As you walk the wall you can see commemorative plaques to those that have donated money.

Portion of the wall with stairs to access a walk along the wall.

View from the wall.

Walking along the wall.

We spent the night within the city walls so that we could go on the Night Watchman's Tour. While walking around the town, a man dressed as a medieval night watchman tells the history and stories about Rothenburg. We all enjoyed the tour. Liam was mesmerized by the watchman's lantern and weapon. He listened intently for a good portion of the hour long tour.

Walking the streets.

Rothenburg Marketplace

More of the Marketplace

City clock. The windows on each side of the clock open on the hour to show two statues.

Alex and I with the Night Watchman.

Church at sunset.

Kaleb enjoying the night. Daddy carried him for most of the tour.

Western gate into Rothenburg

Church with archway for the road.

Checking out the gate and "manhole".

The "New" door for the old gate...from 1555!

Manhole - used after the gates were closed in the evening for access to the town. One man could fit through for a fee.

The inner gate and outer gate of the wall.

Sunday, April 1, 2012

Alex and Carter's 8th Birthday

Carter and Alexander - 8 years old!

Alexander and Carter are 8 years old!!! We had a birthday party here at the house with some of their school friends. The boys had a great time helping plan and anticipating their Lego Party!