From the VAN ESSENS!
Cologne
On Saturday we headed to Koln (Cologne). It was a 2 hour drive - but we left early to insure we didn't run into traffic problems. When we arrived we found a parking garage and walked to the Cathedral. When we arrived there were just a few other people wandering about.
We went into the cathedral - WOW! The ceilings are SOOOO tall - it was amazing - (sorry I don't have a picture of the inside - you just couldn't capture it). I'm not sure how they built these cathedrals and churches and castles. This cathedral was started in 1248...however the cathedral went unfinished for centuries. Finally in 1842 building work resumed. After 632 years the cathedral was finally completed. Some of the stained glass windows in the cathedral date back to the 1300's. The cathedral amazingly survived WWII with only minor damage.
When we came out of the cathedral (about an hour later) there were people EVERYWHERE! It was like a sea of people. The Christmas Markets were about to open, and the main train station is also right next to the cathedral - so just people, people, people.
Here we are on a bridge over the Rhine River. The Cologne Cathedral and church Gross St. Martin are in the background.
In front of the Cologne Gothic Cathedral. It is so tall, Jer couldn't get us as well as the entire cathedral on the picture.
Christmas market with the cathedral in the background.
Gross St. Martin church. This church was almost completely distroyed during WWII. Inside they showed before, during, and after pictures. Its pretty amazing how they restored the old buildings back to their former glory after the war.
We went into the cathedral - WOW! The ceilings are SOOOO tall - it was amazing - (sorry I don't have a picture of the inside - you just couldn't capture it). I'm not sure how they built these cathedrals and churches and castles. This cathedral was started in 1248...however the cathedral went unfinished for centuries. Finally in 1842 building work resumed. After 632 years the cathedral was finally completed. Some of the stained glass windows in the cathedral date back to the 1300's. The cathedral amazingly survived WWII with only minor damage.
When we came out of the cathedral (about an hour later) there were people EVERYWHERE! It was like a sea of people. The Christmas Markets were about to open, and the main train station is also right next to the cathedral - so just people, people, people.
Here we are on a bridge over the Rhine River. The Cologne Cathedral and church Gross St. Martin are in the background.
In front of the Cologne Gothic Cathedral. It is so tall, Jer couldn't get us as well as the entire cathedral on the picture.
Christmas market with the cathedral in the background.
Gross St. Martin church. This church was almost completely distroyed during WWII. Inside they showed before, during, and after pictures. Its pretty amazing how they restored the old buildings back to their former glory after the war.Family Pictures
We headed into Heidelberg on Saturday to try and get a family picture for our Christmas card. We took the tripod and took some photos with the automatic timer - I'd say they turned out quite well....
The castle in the background is the famous Heidelberg Schloss.
We then walked to the Christmas Markets were are held in the old city right under the castle. We got a bite to eat, did some shopping and just walked around. It was a bit crowded, but that is how it is this time of year with the Christmas Markets... Earlier this week we went at night - the kids watched people ice skating - and really wanted to go- so we plan to go back again sometime this coming week to let them try out skating.
Let it SNOW, Let it SNOW, Let it SNOW!
On our way home from France - we took a scenic drive through part of the Black Forest. It just happened to have snowed the night before - and it was absolutely GORGEOUS - with the snow hanging on all the trees. It was definately a highlight for Jer! We stopped along the road and took some quick photos - here is one of the 2 of us. Unfortunately the kids didn't get to play in the snow - because they were all SLEEPING.
A beautiful drive...
A beautiful drive...Let's go to FRANCE!
We wanted to do something a bit different one Saturday - so we decided to head to Strasbourg, France. This town is right on the boarder with Germany.
These two pictures are of the Cathedral. They do not do it justice - as this cathedral use to be the tallest building in the world back in the 1890's.
It was a very neat place - It was fun to walk the streets and look around. We've decided that with 4 kids - we do a lot of walking and looking - because going INTO a museum or the like - is just a bit overwhelming - Luckily in Europe there is plenty to see from the outside!
More pictures from Strasbourg
Silas
Silas - he's such a happy guy! He loves to laugh!
He is adorable no matter what he's doing - here I caught him napping....so sweet!
Silas 6 months old
Mommy and her little guy!
Too cute! Or so we think...
He is adorable no matter what he's doing - here I caught him napping....so sweet!
Silas 6 months old
Mommy and her little guy!
Too cute! Or so we think...
Happy Birthday Sydney!
Sydney is 5! She really liked her Barbie cake - it was a lot of work for mommy to make - but worth it! 
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
