End of our Germany Trip

So, here are the pictures from the last couple days of our trip mixed of all the pictures that I left out of the other posts. There were so many pictures that things sure did get  confusing!

Towards the end of the week Manuel's mom took us to a restaurant that was from the 1300's. That's how old it was. It was schnitzel  night and my schnitzel was bigger than the dinner plate. There was a cobble stone courtyard outside and a beer garden where they had a bunch of cars and bikes for the children to play on.That was the spot where in unison our kids had the mother of all tantrums and we all left with red faces.

On the last day we went to dinner with Manuel's dad at a castle in his hometown of Gattendorf.  It was a very fancy restaurant with fancy dishes and romantic atmosphere. It was the best German food I ever had (my favorite kind). What a treat for the kids! There were animals that lived out in the courtyard and would just walk up to you. There was also a playground. We made friends with a lonely horse that was the biggest horse I had ever seen. Then we got to take a tour after dinner of the old remains behind the castle. It reminded me of a run down version of the Secret Garden. There was still a wall and a moat. To read the story of the noble family and history behind this castle click here. I read that the family is now extinct but there are possible genetic connections to the United States.

We then went and saw Manuel's grandpa's grave. We had never seen it before and I begged his mom to take us. We loaded up at the store the day before with all the goodies we wanted to take home and we had to buy an additional suitcase just to take it all back home. The kids were surprised to learn that shopping carts cost money but you get your money back when you return the shopping cart and...there are no grocery bags. Everyone brings a wicker basket or laundry basket to haul their groceries to their car. We had to use the suitcase.

It was sad to see the trip come to an end...but we'll return again as soon as we can.

Daniela and Cambrey

Chillin' with sleepy Oma

These snails are everywhere!

Gabe and Opa's last night together.

Manuel's uncle and Grandpa's grave

Oma Anni and Cambrey

The house that Opa grew up in.

Oma Anni's balcony

In front of the Hof Cathedral

His and hers chocolate

A yummy fast food sea food place. Red Herring salad, crispy fried shrimp and.....

Fish Jell-O!

The lake in Hof

The lake in Hof

These Popsicles have a whistle water squirt thing for the stick.

Pig feet! The pork on those bones was succulent and full of flavor!

Oma's backyard

These big slimy things are all over the sidewalks.

What we did most of the time

Gabe, Daniela and Paisley

At the town pool

This is the kiddie pool. It has a metal floor.

Wee!!

Wee again!

Yes,this ice cream treat is called a "bum bum".

The kids eating their "bum bums"

The terrace above the pool.

At the top of the terrace is where the snack stand is.

Cousin Nalani and Paisley coloring

Oma and Cambrey sleeping

Hunting for snails

Easter decorations still in the yard.

Oma's homemade coconut ice cream

Gabe's snail colony.

Chalk drawings

Cambrey fast asleep

Little kola bear cookie things stuffed with chocolate.

Oma has lots of raspberry bushes in her yard.

black currant berries

a cute Rapunzel cup

Paisley and Nalani

You don't want to run into her in a dark alley

The castle restaurant courtyard

Cambrey

A big goose

Walking into the restaurant

Look how lovely!

Fancy schmancy!

Oh the ambiance

Looking through a window into another dining room

My black currant juice

a yummy sparkling white grape or pear juice.

We got our own little pitchers

Black currant juice

My super tasty salad

Gabe's dinner. I think those are anchovies

Paisley's dinner

Ah heck, why waste time pouring it in a glass?

Cambrey's dinner - tomato soup

My dinner! Creamy mushroom sauce and rice.

Radishes shaped like little animals.

The playground in the courtyard

Instead of crayons  most restaurants have a basket of toys.

The wandering goose!

The lonely stallion.

Behind the castle

Touring the castle ruins.

A part of the old castle

Creepy statue

The old wall

An old table

Where the moat was.

I love yogurt dressing!