Van Essen Adventures

Cheese Festival

Up in the mountains, we were fortunate to get to enjoy the annual Cheese Festival. We attended this same festival with Marv and Joyce 2 years ago, in the fog. It was great to experience it in the sunshine this time! It was such a gorgeous day, that we even got a little sun on our cheeks. I had brought along hats for everyone thinking they would help keep our heads warm - instead they helped keep the sun out of our eyes!

Jer and Silas at the Cheese Festival. I can't remember the actual name now, but Jer tried this cheese that is melted and then put on bread. He had tried it 2 years ago as well. He said that he enjoyed it much more this time. I think our tastes have changed over the 3 years we've lived in Germany. We are use to the authentic, local foods here now, and actually like them!

Jer enjoying his cheese bread - and Joyce getting some cuddle time in with Shelby!

During the festival there is live music and dancing. One of the things we enjoyed most was listening to the Alpine horns. They performed on the stage, and then a little bit later in the meadow. I love the second shot with the old men in the background. They sat by their own little table, off in the meadow, just enjoying the day. Oh, to sit around and enjoy life like that with friends! I'm sure wondering what they are thinking, or talking about....maybe reminising about days gone by when they were little chaps running through the meadows of Switzerland!

Switzerland in the Sunshine!

On Saturday, September 11 we drove down to Switzerland to spend the day with Marv and Joyce. The weather turned out beautiful, with clear blue skies (much different from the never-ending rain we had the last time we were in Switzerland in June). It was a perfect day to spend hiking in the mountains!

Going up in the lift. Fortunately the lifts are big enough to hold our family of 7! Sydney was checking out her map, finding where we were, and where we were going.

Along the route - I'm not sure if Shaylee was pointing at the cows or the mountains in the distance - but it made for a cute picture. She was busy telling Joyce something!

Can you say beautiful?? The snow covered mountains were amazing to look at (and take pictures of)!

Our family and Marv and Joyce.

Just a few more awesome photos. We love Switzerland when the sun is shining!!!!

Taking a little break along the way - Silas, Marv, and Sydney.

Then and Now

September marks 3 years ago that we moved to Germany. We are starting on our 4th year here. WOW! Looking back, part of me never would have believed we'd make it this far! We went to Heidelberg and took photos on the bridge below the castle. Things have changed just a bit from then til now. We've been blessed with another child - Shelby is now the same age as Silas was when we moved here! The kids have all grown up so much. I remember that first day in Heidelberg like it was yesterday - not knowing a lick of German and being a bit nervous thinking EVERYONE was looking at US. Now we know that everyone IS looking at us and counting our FIVE kids! But it doesn't bother me now, like it did then. I just smile and think of how far we've come! We understand and speak enough German now that we sort of feel like locals...sort of!

God is good - and He has blessed us here in Germany. As the verse on the top of our blog states: Be strong and courageous...for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9. He has been with us from day one, and will continue to be with us here this year, and wherever we go from here!

A few more photos...

Icecream was the perfect ending to a fun day in Heidelberg!

Weinwanderweg

It was such a beautiful day on Sunday that we decided we needed to go up to the vineyards again along the Weinwanderweg. We loved seeing all the grapes hanging on the vines. The kids had fun running off some of their (never-ending) energy. We actually got a few good pictures with the kids too (when we could convince them to stop and pose for a quick photo).

4 Months Old

I can hardly believe that Shelby is already 4 months old. The past months have just flown by! She is such a content and happy baby. She continues to grow and change right before my eyes. She recently has started sucking on her tongue (just like her older sister did and still does). She also rolled over (from her tummy to her back) twice the other day - but hasn't done it again since. She just doesn't like tummy time apparently. She is usually full of smiles and giggles now too. I love to tickle her back to make her laugh. When she does, her entire face lights up! She is just so precious to us! Here are her 3 month and 4 month pictures with her doll.

Shelby - 3 months - August 2010

Shelby - 4 months -September 2010

Wurzburg

Saturday, September 4, 2010 - After our visit to Wartburg Castle we drove to a city called Wurzburg. We began at the Residenz (which had a great parking lot right in front) and from there took a walking tour of Wurzburg.

The Residenz has beautifully manicured gardens, but unfortunately we didn't have time to stroll through them...maybe we will come back again someday. For now we just took a quick peek along with a quick picture.

In the heart of Wurzburg there was a little wine fest going on - so we stopped and enjoyed some wine, along with some wurst and kartoffeln; as it was already supper time, and one can hardly pass up a chance to eat more wurst :)

Then we headed on to the Old Main Bridge (bridge over the Main River) which dates from 1133 and is the second-oldest in Germany. There are 12 statues lining the bridge - which give it a unique appearance.

Standing on the bridge - overlooking the river, with the vineyards in the background, and the Marienberg Fortress up on the hill. Unfortunately we also didn't have time to hike up to the fortress, but I'm sure from up there, there would have also been a great view looking down on Wurzburg.

While we were walking along the bridge a guy was playing the bagpipes. It was awesome to stand and listen to him play. We just hung around and enjoyed the music since it was just a gorgeous evening!

More photos of the sites in Wurzburg.

I took this photo of the pink building because of all the flower boxes on the windows. I love this time of year when all the flowers are blooming and they decorate the buildings so beautifully.

Also, a few photos of the churches we saw. I don't think I could ever tire of seeing the spires! That is one thing I will miss when we leave Germany - all those church spires!