Musikfest 7/3-4/2011

Melanie and Martin invited us to go to a music parade that Martin was playing in. It was a big parade and festival that many of the music groups from the area participated in. The bands also played to be judged before the parade.

 At the parade.

 Traditional dress for boys.

 This is the Gaisbeuren band. Mr. Rebmann is the far right one.

 The kids taking a ride on the carousel.

 Headed towards the big tent after the parade.

 Inside the big tent the next night when we went back to listen to music and eat supper. We joked with Martin and Melanie that it was sure nice of everyone to have a big celebration for us on the 4th of July, no fireworks but there will be at the end of July. Although it was a fun way to spend the 4th of July anyway.

 We bought some warm nuts before we left. Elise was good at sharing but very possessive of "her nuts".

 Max and Elise with their nuts.

Good advertising for the nut stand. They were so good the kids had to sit down and eat them right there.

Friedrichshafen 6/29/2011

Every time we plan on going to Friedrichshafen and the Bodensee it always rains but today we had planned on going an it looked really nice so we finally went. Although we hadn't been there very long when it started getting more windy and cool. So we saw most of what we wanted to in Friedrichshafen but playing in the Bodensee will have to be yet another trip.

 Elise enjoying her time at the playground.

 A piece of art work in the edge of the Bodensee.

 A small Zeppelin play area.

 An interesting fountain in the center of town.

 Elise liked the statues that had water coming out so she could more easily play in the water.

 The Bodensee and the Moleturm (look out tower). Although the wind brought fog in and so we will have to wait until the next time to climb the tower. It is supposed to have a really good view of the lake and Switzerland on the opposite bank.

 Elise found a new way to hide from the wind. She was tired too and before long she was sound asleep in her little cocoon.

 Two swans had their babies on the beach. I'm not sure if I have ever seen baby swans before. If so it has been a while.

 A walkway off the gardens of an abbey. Unfortunately you can't go in the gardens or out on this walk.

 Part of the abbey garden.

 In the abbey garden but I think this looks like a very good climbing tree. Imagine how much fun kids could have in this tree.

 The train station in Friedrichshafen.

Another fountain that reminds me of dandelion heads right before the seeds are ready to blow off.

Boat ride in Bad Waldsee 6/28/2011

So we had seen the boats on the city lake in Bad Waldsee and today we finally made it on a good day for a ride. We decided we need a boat like that at home. It is fun to go out on the lake and just paddle around but it is wider than a canoe so there wasn't the risk of tipping over so easy.

Elise loved thinking that she was driving or at least helping.

Elise "barefoot" skiing. She loved this and couldn't understand why dad couldn't hold her over the edge the whole time.

Such a big girl!

Visit to Ravensburg with Melanie's Family 6/25/2011

So today we went to Ravensburg with Melanie's family. It was really fun. We started by going out to eat breakfast and then we went up in two of Ravensburg towers and visited the Ravensburger Games Museum.

Max helping Elise or Elise helping Max, whichever the case may be.

 The kids making sure their daddies didn't get lost :)

 On top of the Blaserturm Tower.

 Looking out over Ravensburg.

 The Blaserturm Tower.

 Spencer and Elise enjoying the walk to the Mehlsack Tower.

 The tower steps.

 View out over Ravensburg.

 Elise had too much fun and fell asleep while we were on the top of the Mehlsack Tower.

 The Mehlsack Tower.

The Ravensburger game museum. It shows a history of the games but also has games set up that you can play and different games and toys that kids can play with. It is really set up like a children's museum where the kids can touch anything.  Elise loved the little chairs, as usual.

 Spencer and his buddy. There were four different statues in this room that were open in the back so the kids could play in them and there was a short movie that played in each.

 A younger child's area that was all soft with tunnels and as the kids found, good places to hide.

 The reading room. You can sit and read a book on the benches or have it read one to you.

 Elise loved the slide.

 The doors were hidden in the wall pictures so you had to look a little closer to figure out how to get out of this area. Elise loved this peek-a-boo area.

 Elise and Spencer talking to each other on their "phones".

 Spencer enjoying the big library and the big book. Actually we all were but he got caught in the act :)