Germany - Frankfurt & Flying Home

Day 15

In the morning we finished packing our things and left our vacation home in Berghaupten. We stopped for lunch and play time at Sabine's house. Once my aunt Rosi was done work, she met up with us and helped us load up our luggage (in her car and ours). She and Oma drove with us to our hotel at the Frankfurt airport. We got settled in our hotel room, had supper, and said farewell to Rosi and Oma.

Hanging out in the hotel lobby

Day 16

We woke up at 6am to catch our 10am flight. It was a long day, but everything went smoothly! We landed in Montreal around 12:30pm (6:30pm Germany time), got our luggage and cars, and headed for home.

All set to head to the airport

Playing stickers while waiting to board

Lorelei had a much better flight this time around. She actually fell asleep for a nap before the plane even took off! Her favourite stuffy, Damien, even got a seat on the plane.

Jessi and I watched movies, had lots of snacks, did some colouring, playing, and walked up and down the aisles multiple times. At the end of the 8-hour flight, Jessica declared that she loved the plane and didn't want to get out (sorry Jessi, let's go home!).

We found our cars! Hooray!

We finally arrived home at 5pm (11pm in Germany). It felt beyond wonderful to see Steve and Emily and be back in my home. Emily and Jessica were so happy to see each other and have been inseparable since. 

There's no place like home

Germany - Rosi's House & Swiss Relatives

Day 13
(continued)

After visiting the Hohengeroldseck Ruins, we took a quick break before heading to Schutterwald to have dinner at Rosi and Thomas's house. We had special visitors joining us too: our relatives from Switzerland (two of my cousins and their spouses). The kids did a lot of colouring, snacking, and walking while we ate and visited with everyone. It was a nice evening!

Rosi and my mom working in the kitchen

Jessica and I officially finished drawing/colouring in her book that night!

Day 14

May 14th was a special day in Germany: Father's Day and Ascension Day (a federal holiday). We celebrated with our German and Swiss relatives by going to a traditional pork cookout (can't remember the exact name). There was spit-roasted pork, sausages, beer, fries, and potato salad. Yum!

The kids had a blast running around a tent post

The cook and pork

Feeding swans by the pond

In the afternoon the grownups went for a walk while the kids (and my sister and I) stayed home and watched Frozen in German. Then we all went out for a nice dinner out at Restaurant Zur Linde.

.Die Eiskönigin

Prost!

I would say the theme of our trip (food-wise) was salads. We had so many traditional German salads with our meals, each one as good as the last. Their dressings were fantastic and there was always a variety of salads on your plate, from greens to carrots to cabbage to radishes to potato. I loved it!

Jessi always had fries, chicken nuggets, or pizza :) 

Wild boar gulasch

That was our last full day staying in Berghaupten! 

Today (Day 15) we packed up our things, drove to the Frankfurt Airport, and are staying in a hotel overnight to catch our morning flight back to Montreal. We're on our way home!

Germany - Tina's House & Hohengeroldseck Ruins

Day 12

We had a quiet start to the day just relaxing at home and taking our time getting ready. Our only plan for the day was visiting my aunt Tina's house in Offenburg for supper. It was an evening of food, family, and fun!

Arriving at Tina & Marcel's house

Jessi's new dog stuffy from Tina

Dancing in Marcel's room after supper

Dessert was good :)

We took an evening walk to a park where Jessi and I built a sand castle for ants (she was very proud of it!).

Jessica also enjoyed helping Tina water her garden. They went to the neighbourhood water fountain several times to refill the watering can. It was really sweet!

Day 13

We took advantage of the beautiful weather on Wednesday and visited the ruins of the Hohengeroldseck Castle. The castle was built in the mid-13th century and destroyed by the French in the 17th century. It's a free tourist attraction and only about 20 minutes away from where we're staying in Berghaupten. The kids enjoyed roaming through the castle and climbing the 80 steps to the top!

Grand-Papa down below

Eating a snack at the top of the castle!

Climbing down the spiral staircase

This was actually my second time visiting the Hohengeroldseck ruins; my parents, Emily, and I were here on our Germany trip five years ago. Here is a comparison shot of us at the castle's entrance:

2010      vs      2015

On Wednesday evening we had supper at my aunt Rosi's house; pictures to follow in my next blog post!