Joseph and Amanda VISIT!

 

FIELD DAY

 Cael ran in the mile during field day at school. He was the only 3rd grader and finished 10th with a time of 7.09. I couldn't believe it! He has improved almost a whole minute from just a few weeks ago. I can't keep up with that kid, so much energy and determination. While in the "Run Club" he also wanted to make sure he had the most blocks filled in on his chart and so he ran an extra 3 miles everyday after school. I would either following along on my bike or make the tally marks as he would run by. He wasn't running fast, but he had a good pace and stride. Now we just have to buy him some new running shoes. The ones he is wearing now are all torn up.

 

NUREMBERG

 We have had some family come to visit, Joseph on his way home from Singapore and Amanda from the states. Right after getting picked up from the airport Ben took them to Paris for a few days and then we had them here at home to explore some of the sights nearby. Of course we went to Nuremberg for an evening stroll and up to the castle, the main center of town and up to the Imperial Castle. We tried to catch the Dokumentationzentrum (a museum about how the National Socialist rose to power) but we got there an hour before closing and they said it was "impossible" to go inside. Next time...

 We bought cherries from the last fruit stand open in the main platz before we left for home. I just love how he looks like a gnome with that paper sack on his head. He even gave the boys a double-cherry for an earring and we all enjoyed the sweet fruit on our stroll.

 This guy had a sweet set up of buckets and bubble solution. The breeze up the street was just enough to make the bubbles fly. Ben kept saying that this guy was a genius- set up a jar for "donations" and let people have at it for as long as they want. Could be a nice little side job someday....

 Brielle just wasn't happy with the bubbles in her face so our bubble friend came over to make her a balloon doggie. She would cry out with that sad face and we just laughed because she was being so funny!

 

 Look at that family and cherry faces!

 OF course we needed to go to the Sommerrodelbahn.... Cael insisted it was well worth our time.

 

ROTHENBURG ob de TAUBER

 We had never been here yet and it is so close. This little town is adorable, walled, and medieval-- completely charming. We walked around...

 Took some pictures

 Joseph and I are making a U and W for the best university in the world!

 Connor was still flexing from a previous picture. Love have our Aunt and Uncle here with us!

 And found the famous street! I insisted we find this place before we started on the Night watchman's tour- FUNNY and a good little walk around the town. We had divided out the children so each adult had one child to watch over. Somehow by the middle Ben actually had the 3 little ones while Cael and Joseph had each other.

So happy we made it to Rothenburg and enjoyed the night life and city with our family and visitors too! Can't believe we haven't been there more times! It is well worth it!