7 years!

July 25, marked 7 years as our time living in Germany. It is funny to think about how fast time has gone by. When we first moved here, Bailey was 9, Camden was 7, and Mia was only 3! We had no idea what we were getting in to, except for the fact that we knew if we didn't like it, we could stay one year and come right back. Now looking back, I can't imagine not having this experience over the last 7 years. Definitely so grateful for the opportunity to raise our family here! Here are some pictures from the weekend...

Although Mia still has school, she has been getting to go on lots of fun field trips. This day, she was all packed up for a river boat ride and swimming with her class:-)

We went to a lake about 25 minutes from our house and brought our kayak -  It was super windy, but it was still fun.

So pretty! 

Mia had fun playing on the small rocky beach

She made a little fairy hut :-)

Across the lake, they had the coolest water ski park. Definitely something to add to our list of things to do!

They had lots of jumps and obstacles - it was fun to watch!

They had a biergarten and kids swimming area too - you could make a whole day out of it! And so reasonably priced (I'm always amazed)!

really neat!

The next day, we took Bryan to Monte Kaolino (Bryan had never been) Where's Waldo?

This is the famous sand mountain for skiing - it is great exercise going up!

Feels good on your feet too!

Almost at the top!

Skiers heading down - such a neat idea!

We didn't ski, but instead Bryan and Camden had a race/run down the hill (Camden won :-))

They have all kinds of things there: a huge swimming area, a sommerrodelbahn, a ropes course, mini golf, Segway tours etc.

Camden and Mia did the Segway tour. They give you a little quick course on how to drive..

And then off you go...

They really enjoyed it... Careful not to hit the sports car - yikes! Again - gotta love the lack of liability :-)

A fun weekend!

The Metzgerei

Each corner has a butcher shop - This was the advertisement of one around the corner from us. Doesn't quite make my appetite improve - but quite funny!!!

Bamberg

Our love for Bamberg has not even slightly changed. We try to get back as often as possible. They have festivals here each weekend in the summer. There is always something to do and often there is so much to do that you have to pick and choose. Bailey is in the U.S. and Mia and Camden each went to a friends' house in Bamberg, so Friday night, Bryan and I were childless - a rarity for sure! One of the many festivals in Bamberg this weekend was "Bamberg Zaubert" which is a 3 day long free Magic Festival. We had a really nice time going out to eat and meandering around. The streets are bustling with all kinds of smaller acts and then they have the big main stage with the big acts. On Saturday, Camden and Mia came home and we all went together to our friends' birthday party (Germans celebrate Birthdays big every year). In the evening, we walked back to our apartment via another festival near our place. To walk in the city at night on a warm summer evening with the city bustling is truly my idea of heaven!  Such a great weekend!

On Friday night when we got there, the festivities were just getting started...

Bryan chose "Schlenkerla" to eat :-)

A very happy Bryan!!

and this is his idea of the perfect meal :-)

After dinner, the streets started to get busier...

I love the flower boxes in summer!

So pretty!

Every where you turned, there were little acts...

And our favorite Gelato shop :-). When we first arrived here, the scoops were .60 cent euro - now they are 1.20 euro (I do have to say though that the scoops have gotten bigger with inflation :-)

Shoes on the wire - made us laugh!

Lots of families and fun activities...

I love these old "kinderwagons"Can you imagine trying to use this in the U.S - you would need a huge empty cargo van just to transport it :-). It is so practical here though! 

The shows on the big stage ran all weekend...

We sat and watched for a while and enjoyed a beer and aperol spritz (my summer favorite :-))

The locks on "our" bridge are filling up  :-)

Such a pretty evening!

And this was the Kirwa festival on the way home on Saturday night (the rising of the tree is the Bavarian tradition) 

Fun Weekend

We had a fun weekend earlier in July. Most towns here have an outdoor swimming pool, called the"Freibad". Mia had been with her school a couple of times, but we had never been to the one here. It is just several big pools with high dives and simple slides. There are also huge areas of grass where people can lay out and play games and such. We ended up seeing some friends there too, so it was nice for the kids. It reminds me a bit like something you would see in the travel brochures from the 60's or 70's - we loved it :-).  The next day, we went to the "Fliegerfest" which is basically a small festival with all things flight related. They had planes, gliders, helicopters, and model jet planes too. It was really quite fun. Camden has a bit of an interest in flying one day and he was able to take a ride in a Helicopter. It was funny, because the only thing you had to sign, was that you were aware of the insurance policy that the airport had in case of injury - so funny. Literally all it had was three figures of what you would receive if something happened and a signature line - only in Germany :-)! I was a little nervous when they took off the door next to where Camden sat (just to make it a bit cooler) - Yikes. Nothing like looking down and truly knowing you could fall right out. It all was fine though and he had a great time. It was really neat watching all of the planes go by. A fun weekend!

The pools here still have the high high dives - it is crazy sometimes watching the various kids jump!

Even though the temperatures were boiling - The water was cold!!!

They have a little sport area with basketball, volleyball and such...

Camden in the Helicopter

Oh yes - the door comes right off - I guess it was too hot to keep it on - crazy!!!

And off he goes...

I was actually really surprised - because Camden is usually not so daring - especially with heights - I gave him my camera to take a few pictures...

The countryside is so pretty!

A typical German village (notice the solar panels on many of the houses and barns)

And the small group of paparzzi for the landing :-)

A Model Jet plane down at the air field - the runway is a grass runway...

They offered tours on this plane too - I'm glad Camden opted for the newer model Helicopter...

And it wouldn't be a German fest without Bratwurst, Beer

and families...

They have clubs here for everything - this is the local air club (who put put on the fest)

The ride home - the airport is in the middle of several beautiful fields - a really fun day!