Germany: The best vacation ever!

Have you ever really built something up so much you think there's no way reality can live up to the dream? I thought our recent vacation to Germany would be just that. I mean how can reality ever live up to the fantasy you've built up in your mind? Well folks, I'm here to tell you reality can be even better then what you've concocted in your dreams! Germany was a fairytale in living color. And, thanks to our terrific tour guides, Dunn&Harris, we were able to truly relish the experience. We learned histories, went on fabulous walking tours, and dined on the delicious and comforting Germanic dishes. Seriously you can't go wrong with meat and potatoes!

Our journey really began at the Las Vegas airport. By the time we made it to the Paris airport where we found these super awesome pea green seats we were exhausted but still psyched to see Paul and Heidi even if we did miss our connecting flight and had to wait another 3 hours.

Dad and Spencer taking a snooze at the Paris airport. It's nice to be able to lay down after being scrunched on the plane. 

By the time we arrived in Germany it was 2 in the morning their time.

We slept for about 8 hours and then Paul said it was time to get up and start exploring. Here Jared has stormed the playground castle and was victorious.

Jared had to try out this super cool swing. Talmadge would have loved it!

We are walking down one of the main streets in Rostock, one of the city gate guard towers are directly behind us. Everything was so medievally marvelous!

Jared and I in front of the Fountain of Happiness. If you can't tell the statues are naked. We figured the fountain was appropriately named. How could you not be happy being naked and playing in water!
Also, the building behind us is the oldest University in northern Europe. It had been around since around 1200.

This is the town hall in Rostock. In German it's called a Rathaus. Does anyone else find this as funny as I do? The politicians in the Rat house? He He.

Paul and Heidi had planned fantastic day adventures that we took the trains to get to. It was fantastic having someone who spoke the language and could tell us when to get off the train and how much things cost. Once again, Yeah for Paul and Heidi!

These white cliffs are the German equivalent of the White cliffs of Dover. They were actually named after Queen Victoria who was Kaiser Wilhelm's aunt or something like that. Paul could tell you precisely. I was just loving the scenery and the hike.

So, you could choose to take a mammoth staircase down from the cliffs to the sea shore. We, of course, had to do this. However, I don't think we really considered how grueling it would be to get back up the 20,000 (that might be a slight exaggeration) stairs. My calves have never been so sore in my entire life as they were the day after I scaled that staircase.

Can you guess who that is in the old fashioned scuba gear? Jared! One of the days we went to a seaside aquarium. We all loved it, Spencer especially. He spoke about for days afterward.

What do you mean there's a large man eating polar bear behind me?

That's us watching the fish in the grand finale aquarium. It was thoroughly mesmerizing. There was a really scary looking shark that kept circling around and around.

Is this not gorgeous scenery?! Every city we toured was so charming and had such fantastic character.

Those towers and gate behind us are the original gates of the city Lubeck. It was a very rich merchant city. This city had seven spires ( a lot of cathedrals ).  Northern Germany originally built their cathedrals as Catholic but then switched to Lutheran. They have paintings in them depicting Martin Luther as a Swan.

These buildings are the old warehouses.  Lubeck has a canal that extends around the entire city, convenient and excellent deterrent for invaders.

... And that is just part of our trip. Stay posted there are more germanic adventures to come.

Spring!

Hello All! It's been a while. The lull after Christmas inspired no posts. In fact the dreariness of winter makes me want to... Well, I think this first picture of Jared explains it best.

But, not of all of us felt this way. The youngest of the Thomas clan found something joyful about winter, throwing snowballs at Daddy.

When we all finally decided to come out of hibernation it was because spring had finally returned to our beautiful corner of the earth, and a special furry visitor came bearing gifts of sugar. Sugar by the truckloads.

This year Talmadge really got the concept of Easter egg hunts. He was loving it!

Uncle Spencer was having a ruff time about something and Talmadge is offering a candy to sooth his wounded soul. Nothing a little candy can't fix.

Next up we a very special day that had been long awaited. Talmadge's Birthday Party.
Why does he look so very forlorn? It's his party and he cried because he wanted to. It also didn't help that the munchkin had skipped a nap that day.

But, that mopey face couldn't last long with Nana directing the games. Before long the birthday boy had turned that frown upside down.

Back in the action!

Look at those manly men grillin' up some burgers for the party goers.

No sad faces here. It's present time and all the children gathered in a tight circle around Talmadge to see what amazing delights would be unwrapped.

Nana hit the jackpot with this super hero combo. Talmadge loves it!

This last photo is Prince Charming taking a snooze. His crazy mother had to get out in the sunshine and run around because she was loving the weather so much! Working out is exhausting.