Almost a year and now... Erste Mai = 1st of May

We bought a bottle while Ella was sick, and she took it for the first time EVER.  She still doesn't really entertain it too much but she will drink a little here and there from it.  I don't know if it is the German bottle nipples or her age, but she took it.  She still loves that banana.

 7th May - Ward Wanderung - Hike Here in the State of Rheinland Pfalz on the 1st of May or Sunday everyone goes hiking  and enjoying the beauty.  With Ella sick we didn't make it out, but our Ward did a special hike on the 7th and we had a great time.  We got lost, but managed I know with the Lord's help to miraculously find them in the middle of the forest.  We had a great time and Ella's admirer Tom, 14 you can see pushing her in the stroller, actually being the only little baby girl and as fun as she is, she has a number of admirers in the Ward.  It turns out the hike took us to the location where Germany was reorganized after World War 2 and where the documents were signed.  A fun treat to learn, that is here just 15 minutes from our home.

We went out to eat at a restaurant here on our island & had some Spargel & Schnitzel- thanks to Mama and Papa.  Yes, Spargel it sounds like some magical word or something, but really it is Asparagus and they grow it right here.  In Germany they have white = weiß asparagus more commonly.  I prefer mine with a crunch to it, but most of these are soft, so Ella and I shared the potatoes and some schnitzel.  She was really amazing, just wanted to keep being fed, so I guess restaurants get better when they can enjoy the food too, instead of just having to sit there and be good.  We took a walk to Vallendar over the bridge and got some Italian Eis, and yes Ella stood for that too in her stroller = kinderwagon, crazy she recognized what it was and would not let us get away without sharing a little with her.  We caught a photo of the tree, they put up on Niederwerth May 1st, here's a little background why.  It's not the one with ribbons right here, but neat none the less.

Niederwerth Maibaum = May Pole

Sunset from our Bridge to Niederwerth over the Rhine River

Der Maibaum
In Austria and many parts of Germany, especially in Bavaria, the tradition of raising a Maypole (Maibaum) on May 1 still serves to welcome spring—as it has since ancient times. Similar Maypole festivities also can be found in England, Finland, Sweden, and the Czech Republic.

A Maypole is a tall wooden pole made from a tree trunk (pine or birch), with colorful ribbons, flowers, carved figures, and various other decorations adorning it, depending on the location. In Germany the name Maibaum ("May tree") reflects the custom of placing a small pine tree atop the Maypole, which is usually set up in a town's public square or village green. Traditional dances, music, and folk customs are often associated with the Maypole. In small towns virtually the entire polulation turns out for the ceremonial raising of the Maypole and the festivities that follow, with Bier und Wurst of course. In Munich a permanent Maibaum stands at the Viktualienmarkt.