2 Weeks in October (part 2)

Here it comes...Rowe Trip to Europe Day 3 (or 4 I'm not sure anymore). 

So Jess and Andrew loaded all of their kids, plus Truman and I, plus a lot of luggage in their van and we headed off to Munich to meet Jack. Then we toured around and made Jack act as our guide and translator.

 Currywurst on the street. It actually tastes good but Jack is not capable of showing a normal face in a picture.

 Lederhosen anyone?

I was surprised by how often we saw people wearing traditional clothing. And there were lots of shops selling the clothes as well. And not just to tourists like I expected. 

 Glockenspiel, Neues Rathaus

 

Walking along Kaufingerstrasse or Neuhauserstrasse.

 As you know Jessica and I are really close. But did you know that Andrew and Jack are as well?

 Maybe too close...

 Englischer Garten (just try to translate that!)

 Typical moment: Jess & I trying to get a picture, Jack pulling a face and Trum and Sam wrestling.

 St. Peter's

 Marienplatz

Boys having fun outside the Hafbrauhaus.

2 Weeks in October (part 1)

Well, we went on a trip. Jack had a conference in Germany and my friend Jessica had just moved to Switzerland, and Jack thought it was a great time for us to go. So we went. Why didn't we tell anyone that we were going? Well, mostly because we are just weird that way. But also because at first I was worried that something might happen to prevent us from going. Then we thought it would be fun to surprise our families by sending them postcards from Switzerland the first day we were there. But the night before I left I realized I didn't have anyone's address anymore since our hard drive crashed a few months back. So that was out. So really there was no good reason for us not to tell people about the trip. See, we are just weird that way.
Anyway Jack went to his conference and a few days later Trum and I flew to Switzerland to visit Jess and her family.

First Day: Basel Switzerland

 Ruined Castle near Basel. Trum's friend Sam can see this castle from his school, isn't that awesome! The boys had a blast exploring this place together!

 Look at me. Do I look jet lagged? Because I was. Oh, boy, soooo jet lagged.

 You can't tell from the picture because of the flash but Jess took this picture from the inside of a pitch black tunnel. The boys ran right through it while Jess and I freaked out and thought we would die (or at least fall down) at any moment.

Second Day: Colmar France

 Jess drove us to Colmar for the day. It was so absolutely beautiful! We just kept saying, "Look at this place! I can't believe how beautiful and charming it is!" I felt like I was in a Disneyland town, but it was real.

 Colmar is called "Le Petite Venice" because of this beautiful canal.

 Not everything was wonderful, the boys were getting a little wild. And we were tired of yelling at them and looking like "Crazy Americans" so this is them in time-out.

 Mmmm, food.

Aww, BFF's.

Don't worry there is much more to come. Or do worry there is much more to come.

When Grandmas Come to Visit.

Just so you know. If you come to our house looking for a vacation, you will actually..

Be forced to cheer for our kid, at a soccer game, in the cold.

 Eat at restaurants of our choosing.

 Attend a church Trunk-or-Treat. In costume!

 Let me practice my face painting skills on your face.

 Walk all over town until you're beat and then ride home on a crowded metro train.

(The DC sweatshirts and bags are optional, however.)

 Make some homemade caramel and leave some in a jar for me to enjoy at my leisure.

 Have a child enjoy your company so much that he draws this at your leaving.

What the Hey-Haw?

 So maybe you have been expecting to see some pictures from our European Adventure on here. Of course maybe you could care less (that is most likely to be the case).  Either way, I am planning to post some photos and tales and what-not. I just haven't had time to do it yet. Instead I have been...

Preparing & Presenting a Primary Program.

Planning a Halloween party for this 1st Grade Class.

Watching this kid practice and play Soccer.

Making this halloween costume.

Giving these ladies a DC tour.

And various other fun stuff like going to The Doctor, getting and fixing a flat tire, attending some of the church meetings I was supposed to and basically trying to stay sane.

Money Problems

So Truman spent 2 weeks hearing Jack and Jess and Andrew and I ask each other, " Do you have any Francs?", "Do you have any Euros?". Or saying, "I'm out of Swiss Money!" or "Can you get that? I don't have any Euros." And as we wait to pass through customs yesterday he asks, "Mom, do you have some American money?" Yes son, all of our money is American money.
It is good to be home.

Memories of London

Sorry the video is sideways. I was trying to be sneaky.

Merry's Day Out

Friday night we were all sitting around watching the first of MANY old, "scary",  black and white movies that will be watched in our home before October 31st, when I made an announcement. "I won't be able to go to Trum's soccer game tomorrow because I am going to go to the book festival."
There was no reaction from the audience.
So later that night I reminded Jack that I would need a ride to the metro in the morning. He then said, "Really? I thought you were kidding." Oh, no my friends I was very serious. Apparently he thought it would be "weird" for me to go by myself. But how wrong he was. It was soooo AWESOME!!! I had a great time. In fact I saw lots of other women there alone and we gave each other knowing looks of satisfaction. I got to hear from whichever authors I wanted and I didn't have to compromise or hurry or feed anyone.
Here is who I listened to...

 Lidia Bastianich

I love her and her show on PBS. She was like a rock star. People were very excited to see her.

 Michael Buckley

He was probably my favorite to listen to because he is so funny. He writes The Sisters Grimm series which is great and he used to be a comedian and writer for TV.

 Suzanne Collins

She talked about why her books deal with war, it was really interesting. Of course you know about The Huger Games series but have you read the Gregor the Overlander series?

 Bruce Feiler

He wrote Walking the Bible, and spoke about his new book Counsel of Dads. Now I want to read both.

 Craig Robinson

Sort of accidentally heard him, but I am glad I did. His sister lives at The White House.

 Ree Drummond

And of course I couldn't miss PW.

I had some time when there wasn't anyone I was particularly itching to hear so I went across the street, up these steps and into the NGA. Where I promptly refilled my water bottle, used the air conditioned facilities and shed a layer of clothing in said facilities. 

I also took some time to see this exhibit...

http://www.nga.gov/press/exh/3088/index.shtm

It was beautiful and motivating for me.

When I was tired I went home and that night I watched women's conference on my computer with my feet up. All together it was a great day!

Jealous?