Happy Birthday Reed!

Happy Birthday Reed! 

Keep working on those muscles. 

But remember your sisters are always right behind you 

if you need a little extra push. 

Love you lots! 

Have a fun day! 

Berlin

Berlin Wall 

TV tower

Cool fountain near the TV tower

blowing bubbles in a big park

a huge monument at the center of the park

AMAZING guacamole!

After falling in love with Munich and feeling so at home there I was very excited to return to Germany and see Berlin. Looking back, I have a lot of great memories, from Berlin, but I just didn't love it the way I loved many of the other cites we have visited this year. Berlin is rich with history. While there we saw where the Berlin Wall was, Check Point Charlie, The Holocaust Memorial and Museum, and an interesting communist time museum. 

The most impact-full part of the visit was walking through the Holocaust Memorial. It is pictured above. The large cement blocks start flush with the ground and quickly grow taller and taller. From the outside they don't look that big, but once you walk in they engulf you and you soon wonder how to get out.  

I think it represents intolerance well. It starts off small a joke or a snide comment and quickly it grows and becomes so big you don't know how you will ever end it. Kudos to the designer of this unforgettable memorial. 

Visiting the Lewerenz Family

 Genna's brother is in Ecuador on exchange for the year. His best friend in Ecuador is Jan. Jan is from Hemer, Germany. When Jan heard we were going to be back in Germany he invited us to visit his family. It worked out great because we went there on Tuesday night and Wednesday was Labor day so they had a free day. 

 Jan's little sister is adorable! 

We spent the day at a huge park in Hemer. We also went to a cool cave. The weather was great, but the food was better! The Lewerenz's were amazing. We loved our day in Hemer! 

A HUGE thank you to Frank and Tanja! 

10 reasons Amsterdam is GREAT!

10. Pesto Cheese

This cheese was amazing!

It had the great Pesto flavor without being greasy. Genna and I came up with at least 100 ways to eat it. We went back to buy some on our last day and the store was closed. 

Biggest disappointment in Amsterdam. 

9. Trams and their helpful operators

We took the Tram everywhere in Amsterdam. 

The people working on the Trams were exceptionally helpful and friendly. They didn't even roll their eyes when we asked stupid questions or didn't have our money ready to buy our tickets.

8. Queen's Day

 Much to our surprise, Holland crowned their new king (on "Queen's Day") while we were in Amsterdam. The city was full of balloons, enormous crowns, and flags. It made Amsterdam even more memorable. 

7. Urinals

In celebration of the new King the city was in full "Party" mode. All over the city there were these large plastic urinals. They weren't tucked away either. My favorite was a row in front of the Central Station. However, very few port -a- pottys could be found. 

6. Bikes

Bikes, bikes bikes!

Everywhere there were bikes. I was most impressed by parents ability to push/ pull up to 4 kids on one bike! 

5. Canals

Canals are just as much a part of the city as bikes. 

For me, the best part was how everything reflected off the water. It made the city very picturesque.

4. The Heineken Experience

The Heineken Experience was a lot of fun! Very interactive and interesting. 

Oh yeah, and there was beer too!

3. Anne Frank House 

Never before have I felt "History Come Alive" like I did at the Anne Frank House. Walking through the rooms and imagining life in hiding was a powerful experience. I wish everyone could have the opportunity to go there while studying WWII. 

2. Awesome Architecture

I loved the narrow buildings all right on the water. 

So different from all the other cities I've been to so far. 

1. Dutch Tulips! 

The tulips were amazing. 

It is something I recommend to everyone who visits Europe in the spring! 

Looking back at the pictures I realized I was completely exhausted when we were at the tulip gardens, but I didn't even notice at the time. I was so mesmerized by all the flowers. 

Amsterdam is wonderful! 

I could not have had a better time! 

Oh Happy Day!

Happy Birthday and Mother's Day Mom! 

Enjoy your very special day! 

"All that I am, 

or hope to be, 

I owe to my Mother." 

Abraham Lincoln 

Thanks Mom! 

Love you lots!