When I asked Nathan what he wanted to do for his 30th birthday, he quickly replied "Oktoberfest"! So we started planning and met Janet and Guy in Frankfurt, Germany a few months later. Our trip ended up coinciding with Nathan's Aunt Miriam and Uncle Alton who were heading to Rome. They joined us for a several days in Germany before continuing on their way. We took the train to meet up with Julia, Anita and Wolfgang Schnaiter (our German cousins on Janet's Dad's side). We hit the ground running staying very busy!
We took a tour around Broggengin, Germany where Janet's ancestors are from. Owen thought it was hilarious and quite clever to pose like the soldier fountain. And if big brother did it, well... little sister is quick to follow (with a little help from her Jido!)
There are tons of orchards of various fruits and fields of vegetables. The locals were currently harvesting apples and grapes, both of which we got to help with. Owen and Riley really loved seeing the chickens and horses we walked by. We stopped to feed the chickens through the fence.
The vinyards were all over with beautiful grapes ready to be picked!
Riley's 1st apple picked straight off the tree!
Our cutie Riley-bug. Anita and Julia in their traditional dirndl and Wolfgang in his lederhosen.
Chacha, Riley, Europa Park Mouse, Owen and me ready for the Oktoberfest at Europa Park. Nathan was so excited!
Nathan and me at Europa Park Oktoberfest. Here is Nathan's 1st bier in Germany!
Let the birthday celebrations begin!
Nathan with his babies and of course a Black Forest hat!
We decided to cross the border into France and check out one of the castles, Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg. Amazing!
Owen taking our picture.
We took the "short cut" up to the castle and got to hike through the forest a bit. Super fun! This 6 month pregnant momma made it just fine! Nathan was jumping for joy he didn't have to carry me!
My sweet Owen is becoming quite a poser when he's in the mood. It's making for some fabulous pictures.
He was telling me all about the weapons. The picture on the right is of the beautiful country side from high atop the castle.
Family picture by a huge cannon!
Owen and Riley selected their weapons. Owen chose a traditional knight role with a sword and shield. And what's a girl to pick? A mace of course! Right on sister!
There was a festival going on at the castle and they were holding a bunch of activities in the courtyard. Owen wanted to walk across the tight rope holding the box. Then he got to add it to the box castle everyone was making. The French guys working got Julia to walk across too calling her a princess. :)
Check out this little peep hole!
Owen hammering in a steel nail to a log. Posing as Owen the Knight, Defender of the Castle!
Riley caught a ride down from the castle and Owen helped Jido steer clear of the rocks.
Then we were off to Oktoberfest in Munchen!
An apple juice to toast with Jido
At Oktoberfest
Stopped for Burger King. The kids loved the crowns! Owen passed out after he ate still wearing his. Super cute!
In one of the bier gardens
Nathan's 1st real Oktoberfest bier!! Later that night he hacked my Facebook account saying he was wasted as many of my friends know. I wanted to feel apart of the group with all the bier drinking so I posed with one of the giant steins.
Eins zwei g'suffa!!
Owen prosting with Julia and Marina, our Germans! He loved it as you can tell by his massive smile!
Nathan and Julia
We adventured around Munchen the next day. Riley was really good a catching a ride on Daddy's shoulders.
Owen posing again with "Pumbaa". Haha! Nathan and the kids on the train.
Oktoberfest fun!
Three generations at lunch. Chacha walking with Riley.
Nathan and Owen at the Hofbrauhaus - I snapped the picture just as Nathan got slapped... :/ Miss Riley on a mission to shop!
Playing in the Munchen market
Back in Broggengin we saw some of Anita and Wolfgang's neighbors harvesting their grapes.
Meeting Emil the duck. Riley thought he was really cool! Later at the wine festival, she was conked out! Too much German fun!
Anita found me some alcohol free bier! I tasted just like the real thing!
Owen and Nathan throwing up their horns at the wine festival overlooking the amazing German countryside.
Janet and me at the wine festival.
In Freiburg we got Owen a little boat to pull in the water canals. There were street performers all over the city. Nathan gave Riley a coin to give one of the guys painted all in silver. There was no way she was getting close or giving him her coin!
Super cool! This machine separates the grapes from the stems!
We went on a wine tour in Kiechlinsberger. It was awesome to see how they make wine. Plus a little tasting never hurts!
The building behind Nathan and me was once a castle in the area. The gentlemen pouring Nathan some wine is the CEO of the wine company being our tour guide. Wolfgang really hooked us up on this tour!
Red wine barrels - yum!
Julia, Anita, Wolfgang and Guy took Riley and Owen to their apple orchard. Owen and Riley worked hard harvesting apples. Owen was so proud to pick a special apple just for me! Nathan, Janet and I snuck out to do a bit of shopping in Herbolzheim.
Owen was incredibly fascinated by Wolfgang's motorcycle. We geared him up and Wolfgang took him on a slow ride around Broggengin. Talk about smiling from ear to ear!
Not trip to Broggengin is complete without a few games of boule ball! The kids found a little playground and had lots of fun while the adults competed on the official boule ball court in the town.
Anita and Julia in action!
We had an amazing trip! Wolfgang, Anita and Julia were fantastic hosts and we loved spending time with them. Guy headed to Denmark for a little business then back to Texas. We got to bring Chacha back to Angola with us!!! We are so excited to have her visit!!
Ciao!
Looks like a super fun trip!
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