The Adventures of the Black Forest

Relieved to finally have our own transportation, we are finally able to go where we want to, when we want to!

June is a great month, and with it comes lots to celebrate!  Last week, we celebrated my birthday with a cookout with some friends from the neighborhood.  In just a few days, we will honor our eight wedding anniversary.  And sandwiched in between is Father's Day.  Taking a brief break from life, we took a day trip to enjoy being together.

We got up early Saturday morning and headed  to the Black Forest.  We went to a town called Triberg, which is home to the highest waterfall in Germany.   It was about a two hour drive.  The further we drove, the more the temperature dropped.  As we emptied the car, we were greeted by some pretty chilly air.  We first stopped to look at the cuckoo clocks.  There is a large clock, about the size of a small house, and we got to watch it go off at the top of the hour.  Natalie was quite fascinated with the swinging pendulums of the clocks and the "cuckoo" sounds that they made.

Click here to see the video of the cuckoo clock

Next, we stopped for a picnic lunch.  We ate pretty fast, as it was pretty cold outside. Luckily, I brought Natalie and I a change of clothes.  Ben purchased a hoodie from one of the small shops for 30 E that said "Germany."  The dogs were even shaking.   We returned the dogs to the car to cuddle, and began our hike.  The hike to the waterfall was not too long, but it was very steep.  Ben was pretty patient with me, as I took about five steps and then paused to catch my breath :)  Once at the waterfall, the view was truly breathtaking.

 After the waterfall, we walked through town, going in and out of little shops.  Feeling hungry, Ben & I decided that we couldn't leave without a piece of black forest cake!  Much to our disappointment, it looked way better than it tasted.

On the way back home, we stopped in Ortenburg to see the castle there.  This castle seems to still be in use, so we were only able to see a part it, but it was still worthwhile.

We spent the remainder of the weekend getting the house in order and ready to receive our household goods shipment.  Ben painted the girls' room-  Natalie's pink and Avree's yellow.  As I type this, I am sitting here waiting for the movers to buzz us that they are here.  Finally, it's going to feel like home!

Just Another Day

I keep getting asked how I am liking Germany so far.  So far it is not too much different than anywhere else.  We just go through the week doing normal, routine things.  We have been getting caught up on appointments.  Ben is just now starting to go to work.  A typical day for Natalie and I is to wake up at 7:30, get ready and eat breakfast, maybe take the bus somewhere (appt, library, store), play at the park, eat lunch, nap from about 2-4, play, go for a walk, play on the playground, eat dinner, then get ready for bed.  I usually catch up on cleaning while she is down for a nap.  Between picking up after her and sweeping and mopping all of these floors, it keeps me pretty busy.
Naptime has been a source of frustration for all of us.  She started wanting to nap in my bed, then wanting me to lay down with her, and then wanting to get up and "go potty."  It seemed that I would try to lay her down shortly after noon, and then we would battle for about two hours until she finally gave in after two.  A few days of this, and I decided that maybe she wasn't ready for a nap that early in the day, that perhaps her little body is somewhat off schedule.  I switched to laying her down a little later in the afternoons and that seems to be working.  We are also fighting smaller battles, such as potty-training and sleeping through the night (she is waking and wanting to come into our bed).  Perhaps the move was a little harder on her than I thought it would be.  I feel like things will be a bit easier when she has "her" things and "her" room.  Until then, we are praying for patience and guidance, and welcome any advice on "raising a 2 year old!"
We try to take advantage of the weekends and at least go downtown.  This weekend, we went to the lighting of the castle.  Three times a year they re-enact the castle burning, in memory of the three times that the castle has caught on fire.  It was followed by a 15 min. firework display over the river.  We are anxious to get out and drive about.
Praying for patience,
Take care & God bless!