Grab Your Jacket! Go To Germany!

 

The day after Christmas we decided that we would take a trip to Europe! We did not want to celebrate Christmas in a hotel like we did the year before, so we waited to leave until the next day. It was perfect! 

Our first of many stops,  and countries, was in Saudi Arabia. We had breakfast and watched the sunrise over the desert mountains. It was cool to be so close to Mecca and to see all the of the people either going to or returning from their religious pilgrimage. Then we were off to Germany! 

We have some family that are also expats and stationed in Frankfurt, so we decided it would be good to have our kids and their kids have cousins to play with. The closest cousins in proximity. And we were glad we did it. All of the kids had so much fun! They enjoyed every moment that we had together. 

These two wanted bacon cheese burgers from Smash Burger, even if it was early in the morning. 

Lucky Dragon brought along his village of stuffies! 

They have monitors around the airport that would play live feed of Mecca instead of the news. Each plan ride and meal on the plane started with a prayer too. Kind of cool experience

As we drove away from the Frankfurt airport we realized that we had not driven in over 8 months! We have been passengers in all kinds of vehicles--boats, trains, cars, trucks, planes, helicopters, taxis, vans and cars. But never driven ourselves! FREEDOOOOMM!!

At first the kids were a bit hesitant to meet, but that all ended a few moments later with the PieFace came out to enjoy!

We had several game nights laughed so hard as we played. We played the "name game" and realized that we a family of competitive people! HAHA. We played "Wolf" (a modified version of Mafia). We played the "couch game" which is kind of like musical chairs. It was a work out!  

In true Lady Hiva fashion, we stopped at every bakery she could find and each night I would unpack several bags of bread in all varieties out of the car! 

One of our first places to explore in Germany was Baden-Baden. Just a few miles southwest of Frankfurt, it is beautiful. It is starting into the Black Forest and along the French and Swiss borders so there is a mix of cultural influence in the food, the architecture, and the language. 

So many walking trails and villas to see. You could spend a week just exploring a different trail every day. We were in amazement as we drove down windy streets and saw the different styles of homes. 

The reason we went is for the Baden-Baden Christmas Market. It did not let us down! There was good food, entertainment and plenty of places to shop. 

The two Muggles were so happy to see that they had the chocolate tools. Lucky Dragon fell in love with these in Belgium several years ago and was excited to see they could buy them now. Lucky Dragon bought himself a saw blade and Koala Bear bought a lock and key. 

When we would all roll up to a store front, the place looked PACKED! 

We loved trying the flame grills bratwurst at each of the Christmas Markets. That was a staple of our trip--that and candied almonds and hot cocoa. 

I had to buy a scarf because my new nose does NOT like the cold. It would hurt so bad! Note to self, next nose job, stay in the tropical weather! 

They had a portico with a creche exhibit! We loved seeing all of the different artist renditions of the Luke 2 Christmas Story. It was a perfect way to find a creche from all the countries we visited! 

There was a large tree that was powered by energy you created riding a stationary bike. It was fun to watch everyone try. The crowd would cheer when the lights came on. 

We were so close to the Black Forest, we decided to take a tour in! We headed from Baden Baden to Mummelsee on a really scenic drive. The small cottage strewn green hills backed by larger mountains were picturesque. Photos just don't do  it justice. 

Lady Hiva brought home a true Black Forest Cuckoo clock!

She was also excited to try black forest gateau. Although did not like it at all. The liquor soaked cherries gave it a flavor that she hated. 

We also toured near by towns in Frankfurt. One of those was Mainz. We loved taking the kids to Mainz Dom and basking in the beauty of the architecture. 

They had a farmer's market in the cathedral square. It was delicious to see and to eat! We bought some fruit and just ate it right there. We didn't have to worry about washing them before we ate! 

We drove down the Rhine and stopped at some castles and palaces along the way. 

We had to get them away from the water...it was only a matter of mintues before someone was going to end up IN the river. 

We went to Eltville. It was such a cute little town. The iconic timber homes surrounding a small chapel and cobblestone streets. It was a peaceful place to walk. 

I held cooking lessons while Lady Hiva dipped strawberries for dessert! It was fun to work with this kids. 

Germany is amazing and this was just the start of the trip! So much to eat. So much to see. So much to experience! 

2022 Year In Review

 

It had been a whirlwind year! We have done so much, met so many new friends, had memorable adventures, and saw some amazing places. During this year we visited 13 different States of the United States. We lived in two different countries. Our adventures took us to 11 countries (France, India, United States, Germany, Malaysia, Nepal, Maldives, Singapore, Luxembourg, Saudi Arabia, and Thailand). Dust changed jobs and the kids went to five different schools between them both. 

As a family we celebrated birthdays and milestones, we braved new jobs and schools, we made new friends, we faced cancer and other medical situations, we climbed up to Mount Everest, we swam with sharks, we rode in a helicopter, we raced dolphins, we fed elephants, we tried new things, ate different food, we had cooking classes, we went to Disney World twice, been to Disneyland Paris, had leeches on us, danced in large performances, learned new instruments, survived an earthquake, we prayed with monks in monsateries, at Sikh and Hindu temples and in cathedrals, and made many, many memories.  

We ate New York Pizza and cheesecake in New York City. We had baguettes and macarons in Paris. We had mango sticky rice, curry, and Pad Thai in Thailand. We had pancakes and fresh maple syrup in Vermont. We had breakfast with Mickey and Minnie, lunch with Cinderella, and dinner with the Evil Queen and the Seven Dwarves in Florida. We sipped Pina Coladas (virgin) on the beach in Maldives. We ate potatoes in many forms in Nepal. We eat butter chicken and dal as much as possible in India. We had brats in German Christmas Markets and tried Black Forest Gateau at the Black Forest. We had dumplings and ramen in Singapore.

We have so much to be thankful for. It was a year to remember and makes us happy that we are all together. 

We are excited for the adventures that this new year will bring!

A review by month:

JANUARY 

- Started the year in Florida at one of our favorite places--Disney World!

- Moved to Washington DC 

- Started a new job.

- Started new schools. 

- Celebrated Koala Bear!

FEBRUARY 

- Explored Washington DC and all it has to offer.

- Work announced we are moving to India in a few months!

- A quick trip to Hawaii to renew driver's licenses and see family.

MARCH

- Lady Hiva wanted to celebrate her birthday in Walt Disney World. So we went back for a quick weekend.  

- Enjoyed the Spring flowers and Cherry Blossoms. 

- Saw and experienced more history of the DC area. 

APRIL 

- Tried to go to Hawaii, but flights were canceled. So we went on a surprise trip around the US Northeast.  

- Ate chocolate at Hersey Pennsylvania.

- Saw New York City, Boston, and Philadelphia. 

- Saw Niagra Falls.

- Went to Church historic sites in New York State. 

- Took the kids back to see parts of my mission. 

MAY

- Papa and Pluba came to visit! 

- Stopped in Paris for our trip to India.

- Did Paris Disneyland. 

- Moved to Mumbai

- Started new work and new schools. 

JUNE

- Lived in a hotel for a month and finally moved into our new house.  

- Saw Elephanta caves and several other iconic places in Mumbai. 

- Went with friends to Gujarat and saw ancient temples.

- Visited the largest statue in the world. 

JULY

- Celebrated the Birth of our Nation! 

- Saw a large Pagoda dedicated to peace and mindfulness. 

- Went with work friends to a nature retreat a two hour train ride from Mumbai. 

- Climbed up to Mount Everest. 

- Celebrated Lucky Dragon's birthday at 12,000 feet in elevation. 

- Survived and earthquake and had to be helicoptered off the mountain.  

AUGUST 

- Took tour of slums in Mumbai and were so thankful for all we have. 

- Participated in Indian Independence day and religious celebrations.  

- Celebrated 14 years of being a family!

- Celebrated Dust's birthday. 

SEPTEMBER 

- Made a beach trip to Thailand.

- Swam with Elephants.

- Did a family cooking class. 

OCTOBER 

- Went to Maldives!

- Swam with sharks, snorkled, and ate delicious food.

- Finally...after a year of not having it and it being lost twice, we received our stuff!

- Celebrated Diwali.

- Went all out for Halloween! 

NOVEMBER 

- Koala Bear danced on stage in Incredible India.

- Dressed up in sparkles for the Marine Ball.

- Had two different Thanksgiving meals with some wonderful friends. 

- Dust gets shingles (0/10 stars --DO NOT RECOMMEND! )

DECEMBER 

- Trip to Singapore for treatment for Dust's skin cancer.

- Universal Studios Singapore. 

- Adventures and food in Singapore. 

- Christmas in Mumbai!

- Trip to Germany via Saudi Arabia.

- Christmas Markets in Germany and Luxembourg. 

- New Years with Cousins in Germany!