Ludwig's castle

I love road trips. However, a road trip in Europe is something special! We went to 3 of King Ludwig's 4 castles. First we drove to Fuessen/Schwangau where Schloss Neuschwanstein and Schloss Hohenschwangau are located. Hohenschwangau was King Ludwig's childhood home. Neuschwanstein his fantasy! He had it build in the Neo-Gothic style. Much of it was inspired by Richard Wagner's operas which were based on Germanic legends. The castle was never finished and was opened to the public a couple of months after the mysterious death of the king. The castle is amazing. One feels transported back into the time of the knights. The boys loved it and let their imagination run wild! The patron saint of the Kings of Bavaria was the dragon-slaying St. George. The boys were fascinated by the story behind this as well. Hohenschwangau was a bit less extravagant, yet still very beautiful. The castle exhibits included many photographs and bust of the royal family. Unlike Neuschwanstein it also included a small garden. Finally, the castle in Linderhof is set in a huge, beautiful park setting which includes several different buildings. They include a hunting lodge, a Moroccan House and a man-build Grotto. The castle is the only of Ludwig's that was finished. Its mirror room is amazing and one gets a sense of the eternities when standing in it. The castle was built in the Rococo style and is rather opulent. The dining room includes a table that can be lowered into the kitchen, filled with goodies and pulled back up. Wouldn't that be lovely.....

Castle Trip

Photo album created with Smilebox

Grun 80

This scrapbook generated with Smilebox

Schwarzsee Smilebox

Make a free scrapbooking design

Family Time

This free scrapbook design personalized with Smilebox

Konsum Zooli Dag

Growing up we went to the zoo ever so often. Our favorite time to go was during Konsum (Coop) Zooli Dag. One of the two big grocery store always sponsored the zoo for 2 days each year. We would go to the local grocery store Konsum (Offical name is Coop) and get free kids tickets. We would go and have a great time, not only was it free, we also got a free goodie bag and drinks. It was great! Today was Konsum Zooli Dag and we decided to take advantage of it. Brian got in for free and Aaron and I got in at a discount price. Even at full price the zoo in Basel is well worth it. It is set in a gorgeous park with lots of trees. It includes an aquarium with rather funny penguins. We saw many wonderful and playful animals today. Unlike with many zoos in the States, there aren't souvenir shops everywhere, just one rather small one.

I have always loved the Basel zoo, today didn't disappoint. Although there wasn't a goodie bag, the kids still got a drink and a small animal magnet. We had a blast and it was a welcome trip back memory lane.

Church Bells

I have always loved the sound of church bells. They ring on the hour with a little glockenspiel followed by the ringing of the hour. At 6 am and 6 pm as well as noon the bells ring a little longer announcing the beginning and ending of the workday, as well as the lunch hour. We are so used to having watches and cellphones that show us the time. In the olden days people, especially the farmer,s depended on the ringing of the church bells. On special days such as Christmas and New Years as well as Easter the chuch bells are being rung a little more as well. Weddings and funerals are announced by church bells as well. What a lovely custome, having your life celebrated with church bells. It is such a peaceful sound. I quite miss it. I used to lay in bed and listen for them. Almost every village has at least one church with bells that echo through it in this wonderful custom.

Fly Away.....

I hate to fly. Period. Now, I know hate is a rather strong word...but I can't help it.... sorry.
I didn't always use to hate it. In fact I was rather young when I flew for the first time. I think I was the first person in my immediate family to ever fly. I flew from Hamburg where I was visiting my grandparents to Frankfurt, a mere 45 minute flight. I think I was 7 or 8. I kept that plane ticket for years. I was the darling of the flight, flying all by myself. Back then you got great goodie bags. And of course everyone gave me their treats, chocolates etc. Yep, I left it on the plane and I was mad at myself for years! I flew again at 17- once again by myself- this time to New York. At one point I considered being a flight attendant because I loved how the plane would get me where I wanted to go in a hurry. But alas, about 12 years ago I was on a rather turbulent flight. I was a mess. It was a real roller coaster ride. People were hollering as if on a ride at Magic Mountain. Now, I wasn't the only one alarmed, however, I was the only one that was taken to talk to the pilot- who was on a coffee break while all of this was going on. If he wasn't concerned then neither should I have been. Well, unfortunately I am still concerned. Imagine your worst fear and try living it for 14-16 hours. However, there is only one way to get to Europe and it ain't driving....oh I know I could take a ship...but that would be 10 days worth of horror, 15 hours is much less. Will my anxieties ever go away, I doubt it. However, I will not let my anxieties get the better of me. I am proud each time I get of a plane (after I kiss the ground), because I once again know that I have done it! I may not have conquered my fears but I once again won't let them stop me from living my life!

My dad!


We don't celebrate Father's Day in Europe. Well, not in the same sense we do here in the United States. There is a special day when Father's get to go on a hike and get drunk, but I really don't think that compares..... My dad is such a special man! We have so many things in common. We still go on daddy-daughter dates. Every time he comes to Utah we go to Las Vegas for a night. We always have such a blast! My dad is one of the hardest working people I know. My dad has always been willing to lend a helping hand. As a retiree he has discovered the joy in cooking and baking. He is quite the chef, always looking for new recipes. He is a nature lover. As a child we would have to go on Sunday walks...how I hated them- most of the time. But now, they are cherished memories. We still go on hikes. There is such a sense of achievement when you make it and you stand on the peak of a mountain. You truly feel like you are on top of the world. Dancing- my dad has always been my most favorite dancing partner. Our daddy-daughter dance at my wedding was a to a fast rock-n-roll. We have always been in sinc. I danced with him at Disneyland last year, just down Main Street. What a blast! We are both travelers, love to try new things, and simply love life. Growing up we would go on 2-3 week vacations together. He left for work extra early so he could be home at 4:30 every day. I don't think we knew how lucky we were. I feel so blessed to call him my dad! Papi, ich ha Di lieb! Und vermiss Di so!

Thursday Dinners

We have been taking dinner to Grandma Olson for years. I remember caring Aaron and then Brian in their car seats to her house. The only times we took a break were when we were out of town and while I was on bedrest. These dinners have become a cherished tradition. We love this wonderful and sweet lady more than words can say. Aaron and Brian are very close to her. They know and love her so! For the last 5 months we have been bringing her dinner weekly. She calls Thursday nights her favorite because she enjoys her time with us so. It isn't an easy task. I go to school full-time and work part time. I try to be a good mom and wife and sometimes it can all get so overwhelming. On "bad" traffic days it can take us up to 45 minutes to get to her house. One night about 5 weeks ago I was so very tired and just couldn't imagine to do this even one more week. I was grumpy and generally unhappy. When she saw me Grandma Olson said, " You know when I woke up this morning I didn't know what day of the week it was. Then someone reminded me and once I knew that it was Thursday I got real happy. You know Thursday nights are my favorite. They are my special nights because I know you are coming". I cried all the way home. The day will come when Grandma Olson will no longer be here, when we will no longer take dinner over to her house every Thursday. How I will miss this sweet and kind lady then! We have one dinner left with her before we go to Europe. We will be gone for a month and will rejoice when we once again will sit down and share a meal with her.