During the week of Thanksgiving my sister scheduled a trip to visit. It was rather last minute and we were trying to figure out what to do during her time here in Germany. Chad left to pick her up at the airport on Saturday morning and then when they arrived back at the flat he asked me to get the bag that he left in the hallway. I was a bit put out that he couldn't just get it himself and when I opened the door there was my brother Joe. SURPRISE! Now I needed to make another trip back to the grocery store for more food and beer. :)
Joe & Stacy before their trip up over 450 stairs to the top of the Dom!
IKEA
We took advantage of having Joe and Stacy and in town and took a trip to IKEA on their first day. Stacy said she now has a better appreciation for IKEA now that she has seen our flat and realized that in Germany you need to bring your own kitchen when you move. IKEA is nothing but crazy and of course we took them on the Saturday they arrived. Will wasn't enjoying the trip so Stacy was thinking and went an bought him an ice cream cone as we waited in the never ending line.
Will in the Check-out line
Travel Travel TravelAs both Stacy and Joe have been around Europe we wanted to make sure we showed them new places and made sure they took advantage of their time here. We spent a lot of time in the car! On Sunday we took a day trip to one of our favorite cites, Brussels! We got waffles, chocolate and Joey and Stacy will have to tell you the story of the Waffle Man. I can't stand it...but they seemed to be able to tell it over and over and over again while they were here. It included me running around the waffle shop trying to get Joey's credit card to be a nice sister.
Chad worked during the week so we took a day trip to the small town on the Mosel River of Cochem, Germany. There was a beautiful castle and some good wines. The town was very cute, but the rainy weather shortened our stay.
We also drove south to the Black Forrest region of Germany and visited the college town of Freiburg. We spent a couple of days and enjoyed a gondola ride up to see the views of the Black Forrest and realized that it was much cooler at the top of the 1286m trip. It was a relatively clear day and so we were able to see quite far and you can see the Swiss Alps. We also enjoyed the churches and visited the Weihnachtsmarkt (Christmas Markets) in Frieburg!
On our drive back to Cologne we stopped in Baden-Baden. This was a cute town and we spent some time walking around their Christmas Market, looking for a clock (we were unsuccessful) and had lunch to break up our trip. We decided to go with Joe's recommendation and had...you guessed it...no...wait for it...Chinese Buffet! Oh Joe...
Stacy and Kelly in the Gondola
Top of Schauinsland 1286m
Munster Church in Frieburg
Stacy and Joe enjoying Kolsch!
Quality Car time with the Sibs!
Brussels, Belgium: 4 hours
Cochem, Germany: 3 hours
Freiburg & Baden Baden, Germany: 9 hours
Happy Thanksgiving!
My family hasn't had a real traditional Thanksgiving in years so this year was no different! Joe and Chad enjoyed gyros from a stand near the hotel, Stacy and I got brats at the Weihnachtsmart and Will had a sausage while getting a piggy-back ride back to the hotel! Happy Thanksgiving! We were able to watch Football thanks to the internet and slingbox!
Will enjoying Thanksgiving Dinner!
Carousels...Will's new favorite!
While Stacy and Joe were here we visited lots of Christmas Markets and most had a carousel. There was only one we were able to avoid without Will seeing, clapping, smiling, and wiggling to get out of his pusher. He LOVES LOVES LOVES them (thanks Mom). He was very lucky that his uncle, aunt and dad were willing to go with him.
Stacy's Turn
This is a fast one Dad!
Joe doesn't fit quite as well!
We also were able to end the week having some people over to our new flat before Stacy and Joe left on Sunday. Anna and Rosi came over for the evening and Kate joined us from Dusseldorf. Kate just moved to Germany from Chicago and works for PWC too. They got to enjoy a night of crazy Joe and lots of chocolate dipped cookies and pretzels that Stacy made all day! Hopefully Kate wasn't that overwhelmed and will visit again. :)
It was nice to have them in town and the week went too fast. Will walked around the flat looking for Stac and Joe the morning that they left. I think he misses Stacy's phone (and music) and climbing all over Joe. Joe also taught him his new trick "shake it off." It is pretty funny because he shakes his head so fast I get a headache. :)
It was also nice that we were able to travel a bit before the holiday. The time went too fast. I also need to give a big shout out to my father who spent time in Wal-Mart on a scavenger hunt getting items like toothpaste, granola bars, stockings, Chex Cereal, Christmas candy, hot chocolate mix, mint extract, and cream of mushroom soup for me to fill their extra suitcase. I also was pleasantly surprised to get a bag of my Grandma Otto's homemade caramels! It will be a good Christmas!
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