Meeting more Family

10 May - Holger's sister Meike, Avilio and their daughter Merle came to visit!  This was the last of the family Ella was longing to meet.  They stopped over for a quick visit and we had a blast.  Ella & Merle had a great time too!  They even brought birthday presents for Ella, They are always so very thoughtful.

We took them to the Deutsches Eck in Koblenz and they were amazed with all the beauty and fun we have here.  They loved my American Apple Pie and we just enjoyed visiting together.  Can't wait for more fun!

Die Beste und Erste Muttertag = The Best & 1st Mother's Day

Holger playing Romeo

Holger has always been so good about Mother's day for me, even before we had Ella, but he continues to make it special for me.  He made a delicious Mother's day lunch we enjoyed while Ella was sleeping and I didn't even have to step into the kitchen, he cleaned up too!

We took a lovely outing to Schloss Stolzenfels = Castle Pride Rock/Cliff, I think my new favorite around here, the surrounding area is incredible!  We loved being pretty much the only ones there as well, but learned as we got there after it was closed that they had 2,000 visitors that day as they gave free tours of the castle.  Sure wish we had known about that, but we enjoyed it without a tour inside.

It was originally built in 1242, was destroyed and then with noteable architects built for King Friedrich Wilhelm IV in 1836.  This wasn't just one of the toll type castles which are the majority here along the Rhine, because of the major trade route, but a real residence!  So glamorous!  Even what looked like perhaps servants quarters looked fit for a king or queen.  There were streams, and the traumpfade = dream trails throughout the area, waterfalls and gorgeous forest.

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. 

I'll Stand for that

29th April - As you can see still catching up, if you read please comment, that should help keep me up to date, a great way to interact with you from far a way.

Almost the splits, so happy to be up from Napping!

I got some books to read to Ella and then had to do something and set them on the couch and Ella on the floor, I came back to find her standing for the first time by herself, she loves her books.  It was so cute, I had to search for the camera and caught it.  She seems to just stand for things that are interesting enough - like TV remotes, the computer, cables, phones or other things she really shouldn't have.

30th April - She loves her Tante Miriam too who just came for a visit yesterday (23 May) but this was her last visit.  She travels a lot for work, the headquarters being in Belgium and we just happen to be on the way, perfect for us so we are so blessed to get to see her, even if it is just for one night!

We went to the Pfal = Stake Musical too and drove out to Franfurt area, it was really well done and was about searching for Truth and Heroes and Values we stand for.  It was totally worth going, even though we realized while we were there Ella had a fever.  She ended up being sick for 5 days, really bad.  It is amazing when your little one is sick how much a mother can rise to the challenge to care and give even more love and time when you already thought you couldn't give any more.  She was cuddly for the 1st time in her life really and napped on me multiple times in the day, which never has happened really.  It was sweet and heartbreaking at times, but a tiny bit of that cuddliness has remained.

Burg Eltz - 25th April

Luise wanting to play with Ella, but she is napping

 Monday with Holger's sister Inga, Markus, Moritz and Luise visiting - we did the Easter hunt for the kids, since it was late they got in on Sunday.  They even had candy for us and a cute stuffed Lamb & a spinning top just like Luise's for Ella.  With two little babies deciding not to nap at the same time we eventually managed to get both rested and to Burg Eltz.  Luise slept first and I rested since Ella wouldn't.  She had fun with the Wehrend's and Papa who took a walk along the Rhine here, they saw about 20 Swans, right here a few feet from our home and one even walked on the water, which I later learned Georg called out to him as Jesus!  Hillarious I think.

Luise so Happy Ella is awake & Ella happy she is here to play!

We enjoyed the hike down (not common for a castle, usually they are up) as Moritz stopped to take tons of photos with his camera, and as Burg Eltz is supposed to be the 2nd most incredible castle next to Neuschwanstein we were amazed, but a little disappointed to see that the more than 800 year old castle was in process of a makeover for our photos.  Guess that has to happen sometime.  It was beautiful and we hope to return sometime and take the tour as well.  This castle has remained in the Eltz family for generations and was built in 1157.

Cute Pregnant Inga, Laura & Ella - Burg Eltz

Markus & Ella

My battery died before I got a photo of
Ella & Luise, have to get it from Inga

We had a great time playing cards till late with Inga & Markus, lot's of fun memories while the kids slept.  The next morning Inga & I went to the beach just from our house, with Luise & Ella & they played in the sand together.  We saw 19 Swans all on the Rhine & I saw the Jesus swan too :)  We thoroughly enjoyed their visit!