Family Visit

I am very lucky to have my parents fly out to visit my family.  It is very expensive to fly to Germany in August and they booked a flight last minute.  I love them. Bryan loves them. And Kate loves them. 

 We went to the Parsberg pool.  My dad walked to the bakeries and brought home breakfast.  We stopped by the ice cream shop.  We completed a rope course in the trees.  We tried to stay cool in a house without air conditioning in 90 degree weather.  We played games at night and talked about life.  We enjoyed every minute together.

Everyone in the car is asleep except mom and me (we are parked or at a stoplight).

Switzerland

My parents and I took a vacation without Bryan because he couldn't take too many days off of work.  They really wanted to visit Switzerland, especially Zermatt, but I wasn't ready to travel with two children for 8+ hours in the car.  So, we did locations that were a little more doable.  

 On the border of Germany/Switzerland is the widest waterfall in Europe called Rhinefalls.  It is beautiful and picturesque.  

 This is at the top of the falls.  I really like this picture of my dad.  

 We visited the city Lucerne and the famous Church Bridge.  So gorgeous!

 The Dying Lion of Lucerne.  A memorial to all the mercenaries killed in the French Revolution. It is really large, but hard to compare in the picture.  

 The next city we visited was Lauterbrunnen.  This area has over 70 waterfalls in a 2 mile radius. I wish the weather was more cooperative and we could see all of the Swiss Alps.  It is hard to travel/water with kids in the rain.  This area is by far the most beautiful place in Switzerland. 

Our last city visit was Berne.  The river makes a peninsula around the city.  The name Berne means bear and the city has caged bears in a pit. But unfortunately, the bears were gone until the autumn. Boo!

Berchtesgaden

This is probably my favorite place.  I love this area of Germany.  I would be more than happy to come here every summer and spend a couple days.  My mom and dad were able to enjoy Berchtesgaden as well when they came to visit. 

 Our first adventure was the Eagles Nest.  This was Hitler's summer house during his reign.  Such a great view of the area.  You have to take a bus or hike up to this tunnel and then take a golden elevator to the top of the mountain.

 Kate and Bryan

 Rebekah and Jane

 We went to Salzburg the next day.  This is a view from the Hellbrunn Palace and the trick water fountains.  So much fun for Kate.

 The next day, we ventured to Jenner mountain.  We had to take the ski lift to the top of the mountain and hiked down.  The view on top was amazing because of Lake Konigssee.  The hike was hard on our knees and legs on the way down.  In fact, I got a little heat exhaustion afterwards being 3 weeks postpartum and breastfeeding.  I didn't drink nearly enough water.  

My dad and I at the top of Mt. Jenner.

 Spotted a few cows on the way down the hike.  

 Dipping into Lake Konigssee after the long hike. 

 We celebrated my moms 66th birthday.  We definitely surprised her as we were actually a day early and didn't even realize it.   

Jane at One Month

Our sweet little Jane is already one month.  To me, she doesn't look anything like a newborn.  She has fat rolls and a big tummy.  She wakes every 3-4 hours at night to nurse, and boy is she good at eating.  She is able to hold her head up for long periods of time and is beginning to stand on her legs.  Jane is trying to keep up with her big sisters athletic abilities.  She has discovered her hands and takes a pacifier to help calm her down.  She has already visited 2 other countries outside of Germany- Austria and Switzerland.  We sure have enjoyed our time with this sweet girl and already want her to stop growing!

 Kate has already become a great big sister; protective and concerned about Jane and her whereabouts.  

 Jane and her little boyfriend Eddy.  

 We were able to bless Jane while my parents came to visit.  I need to get better pictures of Jane in her blessing dress before she outgrows it.  She slept through the whole blessing.  Such a good little baby.