Le Chateau Haut Koenigsbourg

See that castle way up there - thats where we are going - and what a view!

Chateau Haut Koenigsbourg is a castle located in France - however it was restored back in the 1900's by the Germans (due to at that time it was in Germany).

We really enjoyed this castle. We took the self-guided tour which allowed us to walk along at our own pace - but it guided us in the correct direction through the castle grounds.

This castle was complete with huge cannons - Silas could probably have fit in there!?! AND an artilary room - more swords and spears - a little boys dream come true!

A few more pictures from inside the castle. While climbing these stairs I told Shaylee that a princess once lived here - and played around on these steps! I don't know if it helped her go up faster or not?!?

Another neat feature of this castle were the several draw bridges - and look at that Gate - I sure wouldn't want that to drop on me! It was a very neat castle - and very well restored.

There is nothing quite like ice cream on a warm day! A nice way to end the day at the castle.

Colmar, France

Saturday, April 26 - we headed down to Colmar, France. This is a beautiful town in the part of France known as Alsace. For those history buffs - this is the area that both France and Germany have called their own at different times. Colmar has quaint narrow streets lined with 1/2 timbered buildings and a few canals. It was a gorgeous sunny day and we enjoy our stroll through the town.

We also enjoyed the Unterlinden Museum. It is housed in an old convent.

We saw works by Picasso, Matthias Grunewald's Isenheim altarpiece, old wine presses.

Armor, sheilds, knives, and swords belonging to knights, old weapons, guns, bow and arrows. It was very neat museum and the kids did very well too!


More of the town - a HUGE tree, some more buildings, and works by Bartholdi - who was the creator of the Statue of Liberty. Yes, that is a fountain of a little boy...I just had to take a picture!

Kids on the GO!

Over the past couple of days Silas has learned how to MOVE on his little red car. He can scoot forwards and backwards now. He thinks he is so cool that he can get around like his siblings. He also LOVES to be outside.

Go - Go - Go ....and here he's waving his arm like he's directing traffic....

He stands up and bounces a bit - here he's run into a road block - his sister's scooter.

Shaylee says goodbye to training wheels! Look at her go.

The kids were riding around this afternoon and daddy says to Shaylee - do you want me to take your training wheels off. And she says YES....so he did - and away she went. She didn't even want him to be close behind her....she just wanted to go on her own. She still needs a bit of help getting started - but otherwise she's off and on her own!

And what KID is this?? This would be daddy (Jer) - giving the scooter a whirl....he's still a big kid at heart! He was also riding Shane's bike earlier - trying to do some stunts - but I didn't capture that on camera. I must admit even I take the scooter for a ride sometimes...they are quite fun!

Sorry - No pictures

Yes the title is true -unfortunately I have no pictures this weekend....hopefully you will still read on...

Our weekend started out with a very nice day on Friday - the evening was perfect for a little BBQ we hosted for some American Collegues from Deere. During the BBQ our kids played out in the backyard and had a great time (it has been rainy here the past few weeks -and so anytime outside is very much appreciated).

Saturday was once again rainy -and we didn't do much. In between rain showers we did take a walk down to the local Eis Cafe to get an ice cream cone with the kids. They really enjoyed that - and now each time we pass any Eis Cafe they are wanting ice cream! However the rain didn't hold off long enough and we walked home getting a bit wet.

Sunday -the SUN IS SHINING! After church we decided to go to Bruchsal and check it out. Their is a small schloss there with a little garden in back. The exterior of this schloss is very unique as all the detail is painted on. It would have made for some great photos - however Kimber forgot to pack along the camera!!!!! Sorry. As we walked around and through the garden and through a canopy of trees just opening up their spring leaves - Jer made comments of "this would make a great picture." YES I KNOW...don't keep reminding me!!! So I apologize to all of you wanting to see what we saw today....I guess we just need to go back there. We very much enjoyed walking around Bruchsal and the pedestrian zone. (Here is where the kids are begging for Eis....but everyone and their neighbor was standing in line for Eis today - so we opted to get some from our own freezer upon arrival at home). It was just a great day to be outdoors! And speaking of outdoors - the kids are all riding bikes out front right now, and we are grilling for supper - so taking in some more of this wonderful sunshine the Lord has blesssed us with today!

Heppenheim - Starkenburg Ruins

On Saturday afternoon (March 12) the weather was beautiful and the sun was shining! We drove to the town of Heppenheim which has a quaint Altstadt with all sorts of old half-timbered buildings. The square was neat. You just wanted to sit down at a cafe and enjoy a cup of coffee.

Note the castle ruins up on the hill (on the last picture). We are heading there next!

We drove most of the way up the hill, but then had to walk/hike up the rest of the way. The view of the town - and the Church of St. Peter. The kids infront of the Starkenburg Ruins.

Shane protecting his castle from invaders. Looking down on the tower that Shane was in.

The taller tower had an amazing view. A quaint village in the hills to the east - and to the west the Rhine River Valley. I don't think I will ever get tired of being able to see for miles and miles (kilometers and kilometers).

Part of these castle ruins have been turned into a Youth Hostel. Oh to have backpacked across Europe and slept in castles in our younger years....I prefer my own bed these days...that must be due to having 4 kids!

Shaylee and Sydney climbing up the steps in one of the towers - Shane and Sydney at the top.


THE HUGGING TREE -

On our way back down - we came across this tree that had two limbs from the back circling around the main trunk as if it were hugging itself. It was really odd - but very neat. I just had to take a picture to share a hug with each of you! And here is a typical picture of us strolling around. Daddy just happened to let go of the stroller briefly - Shane and Syd quickly grab on - as they don't want their siblings to go too fast down the hill. Meanwhile Shaylee in the stroller is laughing and saying "again daddy, again"!