Fall Break!
Fall Break was an absolute BLAST! Ryan did a fantastic job planning our trip. He is the BEST tour guide and always packs a lot into every moment we have. The girls LOVED the trip. We had a lot of driving, but Ryan was sure to break it up with beautiful stops along the way. We started in Belgium and drove through Germany, Austria, France, then back home in Belgium.
The girls really enjoyed Germany and were adopted by a wonderful woman we now call our "German Nana." They loved the tour with the night watchman and walking through the city of Rothenburg. We also visited a few castles. The girls loved the Neuschwanstein Castle and Burg Eltz castles. The castles were amazing and very different. The grounds surrounding the castles is simply gorgeous.
On our way to Austria we drove through the black forest and went to many cuckoo shops. Ryan had his idea of what he wanted, I had a very different opinion. It is safe to say I do not share his enthusiasm for cuckoo clocks. Especially the ones with dead animals be portrayed and guns along the side. (Don't get me wrong, I am not against hunting, I just don't necessarily want it displayed where I have to see it on a daily basis). However, this was something Ryan had always wanted, so I told him he could choose what he liked. (aren't I a great wife?) He found one and as soon as I saw it, I fell in love. It was WAY more than we had intended on spending, but it is very unique and unlike any we have ever seen. We purchased the clock then held our breath over every bump and the packing and unpacking of the car the rest of the trip. The lady who sold us the clock was also kind to the girls and let them pick out their own cuckoo whistle. I just can't thank her enough for giving my children a loud whistle.
On our way to Austria we drove through the black forest and went to many cuckoo shops. Ryan had his idea of what he wanted, I had a very different opinion. It is safe to say I do not share his enthusiasm for cuckoo clocks. Especially the ones with dead animals be portrayed and guns along the side. (Don't get me wrong, I am not against hunting, I just don't necessarily want it displayed where I have to see it on a daily basis). However, this was something Ryan had always wanted, so I told him he could choose what he liked. (aren't I a great wife?) He found one and as soon as I saw it, I fell in love. It was WAY more than we had intended on spending, but it is very unique and unlike any we have ever seen. We purchased the clock then held our breath over every bump and the packing and unpacking of the car the rest of the trip. The lady who sold us the clock was also kind to the girls and let them pick out their own cuckoo whistle. I just can't thank her enough for giving my children a loud whistle.
My favorite was Austria. We stayed in Hallstatt. The views were more than breathtaking. I could live here forever. The enormous lake is situated between impressive green mountains. The sounds of the waterfall running through town and the swan's wings hitting the top of the lake were soothing. At night, the sky was lit up by a million stars. The sky was so clear I felt I could just reach up and touch a star. Ryan took Rylee and Gwen to the salt mine. This was another favorite of Rylee and Gwen. They toured the mine and even rode down the slides the workers used to get deeper into the mine. Ryan said this was a little intimidating, but the girls were not scared at all!
France was absolutely beautiful. We were in wine region of Alsace and Colmar. The food was delicious and we really enjoyed walking around these old cities. Some cities still had their old city wall and the houses were unlike any we had seen. We even got to see the Statue of Liberty on our way out of town.
The trip was full of history, memory making, and laughter. Our girls did a FABULOUS job traveling the long distances in the car. I am so thankful we have had an opportunity to not only experience the places, but spend this time together. Our children are growing way too quickly, these moments we are getting will one day disappear. How blessed I am to have this time with them.
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