Reasons...

I have never thought that I was that great at keeping up my blog anyway...but now I will be even worse :). Just be patient with me, updates will appear as I have time. NO, I am NOT pregnant...for those of you who are LDS, I have just been called as the Relief Society President.

There always seems to be a "surprise" around the corner in my life. Good times :)

Anniversaries gone by...

Shortly after arriving in Germany, Matt and I celebrated our 14th wedding anniversary. I still can't believe 14 years have gone by. We have covered a lot of roads in that time. Literally and figuratively. We decided to keep it fairly low key this year,

what with the move and some other travels we had been doing (due to Matt's job). We went out to dinner, alone!, which hasn't happened in a long time. So that was very, very nice. Even though we kept it low key this year, we are planning a very nice getaway weekend (just the two of us...NO KIDS) for our 15th anniversary.

Matt kept with tradition and bought some lovely roses. I do so love getting flowers!

Here is an "old" picture :)

I loved and still love my dress. It was a very classic style at the time, but my favorite was the bow. One night, after we had just gotten engaged, Matt and I were sitting on the couch at his Mom's house going over bridal magazines. So much fun for a guy, I am sure. But it was an exciting time, we were getting married!! So I am sure he humored me. Anyway, I asked him what sort of wedding dresses he liked. We looked at lots of different designs, and he finally told me that he wasn't that picky...but he WOULD like a huge bow in the back. I am not sure why, even to this day. Whenever I ask him, he just says that he liked women who wore bows...they are feminine. Well, soon after I canvased the bridal shops with friends, trying on all sorts of dresses. I just could never find the "one". Or I would find one, but it wouldn't have a bow...or it wouldn't look right on my body type. So eventually my Aunt Alice (whom I love so dearly) got involved. She is an amazing seamstress, and had sewn several ball gowns for daughter's in-laws. She mentioned that she would be willing to make my wedding dress. Within a couple of hours together, we had found a pattern I liked in a style that I knew was flattering (AND it had a bow!), we found a beautiful, delustered satin, Lace for the overlay and special ordered some lace that matched the overlay for the edges. After a summer of sewing countless hours, my dress was ready. It is still one of the most beautiful dresses I have seen, to me. I love it, I love all the memories it brings back when I see it and touch it, I love the LOVE that was put in to making it. I am and will always be so grateful to my Aunt for playing such a huge part in making my wedding day so special. She did an amazing job, and I ended up with the perfect dress!

When ever we move, I take out my dress and make sure no damage has been done and that it is still holding up in storage well. This year, I happened to take it out while the girls were around, and they all wanted to try it on. I remember trying my mom's wedding dress on when I was a young girl. I felt like a princess in that long, flowing dress. So when my girls said they wanted to try on my dress, I excitedly agreed.

Above is Anya and below are Hannah and Cora

Just Because...

Weiss Kirche

I think this is probably one of the more popular churches in the bavarian region for tourists. But we wanted to see it anyway. On our last day in Garmisch, we drove out to see the famed WeissKirche

The White Church is a pilgramidge church. Many come to offer prayers here and travel far. The interesting thing about this church, is that it is built in the country. It sits out in the middle of a couple cow pastures. Once you step inside you think that this grandeur is very out of place in a cow pasture. That is what I love about Europe...the unexpected grandeur.

These next couple of shots are of the inside and ceiling. This building is a classic example of the Rococo Style that was popular when it was built.

My girls have developed a great love for lighting candles and saying little prayers.

Very Catholic of them!

Jack was determined to find his way into the donation and Tithe box.

Linderhof

Our next palace of the day was Linderhof Palace. This is one of the palaces that Ludwig ll built and the one that he mainly resided in. I was surprised by how small it was, compared to other palaces we have seen. While surprised, I was also impressed with how much gold and gilt he was able to pack into this palace. It did have some of the most beautiful grounds I have seen.

Cora loved these swans. All day she kept bugging us to go back to the pond and see the swans. So we finally made, and it was before dark to. Bonus! These were not shy little swans, upon the discovery that we had no treats for them, they started nibbling at our shoes.

They were very offended!

Neuschwanstein Castle

Garmisch is an excellent jumping off point for a lot of fun adventures. One of them is visiting some of Germany's most famous castles. King Ludwig ll and his father both had castles built in this area of Fussen. It is only about 1 1/2 hours from our lodge, so we decided to go visit.

King Maximillian's , Ludwig's father, castle

Houwanschwangau (botched the spelling I think)

We didn't tour this castle, we figured we would have ample time to see it. Most of those that come visit us will want to see these castles, so we left something new to be discovered.

Neuschwanstein Castle

or the "Disney" castle.

It is about a 20 minute walk all up hill to the castle from the village. It is not so bad, but how can resist the ambiance of riding in a horse drawn carriage up to a fantastical castle. We couldn't resist the imagery, so off we went in our carriage.

Saying "thank you" to the two lovely ladies who pulled us up the hill.

I am trying to be better about posting pictures of me, but I am usually the one taking pictures, so I just don't have that many. The ones I do have aren't usually that flattering...however I will post them anyway. Here I am, outside the courtyard of Neuschwanstein.

We were not allowed to take pictures in most parts of the castle. This one I took in the entry way, or grand Foyer I guess. Look how ornate even this room was, all the other rooms were 10 times more ornated with gilding and painting and carving. Amazing.

King Ludwig had an obsession with swans. I guess it is one of the symbol's of this region. That is why he named his castle "Neuschwanstein" or "new swan stone". So, all through out the castle you find swans. Hannah loves swans, and this tid bit of knowledge thrilled her. We thought it cool that even in the kitchen's (one of the few rooms pictures are allowed) swans can be found. This one is a faucet.

This bridge spans a gorge that is across from the Castle. It is so high up, I didn't think I could make it out there. We were told it was not for the faint hearted. However, it is supposed to give you an amazing view and picture opt of the castles. Next time I think I want to try to brave this bridge!

Since we rode up to the castle, we decided to walk down. It worked out amazingly well, and I would highly recommend it. I liked this picture of Matt with all his Princesses in front of a castle.

I took this one of Cora while we down in the village shopping after our tour. It looks so casual, her playing in on a curb waiting for us to finish...but wait, there is an amazing view above!

It was a fun day. I never tire of seeing or touring castles. Such an amazing time in our world history!

Partnachklamm

Just outside the town of Garmisch is an amazing Gorge (Klamm) that you can walk too. It is about a 20 minute walk, but very picturesque. We walked past some sheep and cow fields. I love these fields that are close to Austria. Most of the sheep and cows have bells around their necks, so as you drive or walk past you hear the tinkling of bells. So unique...if I ever have a cows in a pasture, I am going to put cow bells on each and every one! In fact, while we were here I even bought a cow bell. It is on my gate to the back yard.

Partnachklamm

Matt with Jack pointing at all the big rocks!

It was pretty neat walking thru the gorge. We went at dusk, so we didn't get too many pictures that turned out well. Some parts, as we walked thru tunnels, were pitch dark. At the end Matt and I found a nice bench to sit and rest, while the girls went down to the river and built their stone monument or towers. They have left one at Yosemite, Kings canyon, Arches and now Partnachklamm

Look how clear that water is.

It comes straight off the mountain, and is safe to drink. We didn't drink it, but we have heard it is very sweet and refreshing. It is crystal clear, I have never seen water running that clear before in nature!

German Alps

I am woefully behind in my updates. It seems like whenever I think I have time to update, something happens to fill in that time. Today I don't really have the "time", but I decided to "make" it anyway. Awhile back we went on a trip with Matt. He had to go down to Garmisch for a conference, and we decided to join him. Garmisch is down by the Austrian border in the German Alps. Absolutely breathtaking!

This is the view from the balcony of our lodge

Another pretty view of the Alps

Those are not power lines going up the side of the mountain!

If you look close you can see them going straight up!!

One of the things we did is ride this up the mountain. They call it a cable car, for all you "utahns", it reminds me of the lift they used to have up Provo Canyon. The one that used to take you to the mountain top resturant at the top of Bridal veil falls.

Another view of the cables...look close and follow them up the mountain.

We made it up safe and sound. However, Hannah and I were very nervous about going back down. A couple of times we were swinging like a clock pendulum...yikes!

Jack likes to find rocks...

The Alps mountain range

Matt climbing down from the top of the world...

Matt on top of the world...well Germany at least.

The major draw for the cable rides and making this journey was this...Zugspitze, the highest point in the German Alps.

It was too dangerous for the little ones to climb over and up, so we stayed safe on the other side. But Matt went over and braved the climb.

It was a fun adventure, and not something you do every day!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN

This is Halloween, Halloween, Halloween...

True to the past, Anya has picked another obscure character to be for Halloween. She is always my one that picks something that leaves me going " huh...how am I going to pull this one off this time?". I can never just buy her costumes. This year she picked the Character, No Face, from the movie " Spirited Away". It didn't turn out to be a perfect match, but I think it turned out pretty good. Anya was pleased.

Hannah and Cora went easy on me this year. Hannah wanted to be Pikachu again. A costume that I had made for Anya years ago, which Hannah has used twice now. After Anya's request for No Face, I was thrilled that Hannah wanted to reuse a costume!

Cora wanted to be Belle this year. Also a "reuse", Hannah was Belle years ago, so we were able to raid the dress-up. She looked Lovely as Belle!

I couldn't resist reusing the boy's costumes from last year either. They reprised their roles as Thing 1 and Thing 2. They love it, I think. I love that they keep their hats on the whole time, and they had worn their costume's three times this season for various parties. Kept their hats on each time. Amazing!

And they're off...

Some pre-halloween silliness

The crew right before tricks and treats.

I can now say that I have made two award winning costumes. At the ward Trunk-or- Treat activity for Church, Anya won the award for "Scariest Costume". The Bishop thought she was creepy...perfect for Halloween :0 The boys won the award for over all best costume...Go Boys!! They got a lovely bouquet of fall flowers, which I have justly enjoyed displaying.

It was a fun Halloween, our first in Germany, and the kids were not lacking in Candy!

Carve them up!

Now that we have some pumpkins, it is time to carve them up!

The girls are so serious about their pumpkins, they have been sketching their designs for weeks. It was awesome to see them turn out how the girls envisioned.

The boys wanted to help everyone out so bad.

We finally just let them go at it, but mostly they wanted to play in the pumpkin goop.

Occasionally they were helpful...

I have a thing for pumpkins with "hair".

Every year we try to find one with awesome hair. Last year our pumpkin's hair fell off...but this year we were able to keep it in tact and on :)

Doesn't our friend look awesome?!

The crew with their Jack-o-Laterns all all aglow

I decided not to carve up my pumpkin for display. Instead we cleaned it out, and cooked a pumpkin stew inside. It was so yummy, although some of the kids weren't convinced. I thought it was very festive and fun!