First day of school

Today Joey and Bailey started school. They were so excited! 

It was a little shocking to go outside this morning. It was really, really cold. I probably should have sent the kids in warmer coats along with hats and mittens (my hands were freezing). But it just didn't seem right to bundle kids up that warmly in August. Hopefully it will warm up as the day progresses...

We live in such a great area. There are a lot of kids the same age that live in our neighborhood. Here are a few of our neighborhood friends waiting at the bus stop:

The kids boarded their "school" bus (it's actually a fairly nice chartered bus - my kids are pretty spoiled. They are going to be sadly disappointed when we move back to the States and they have to ride in an actual school bus with stiff plastic seats). 

When the bus drove away, TJ ran along side it for a while waving to the kids. He was a little disappointed that he didn't get to start school the same day as the girls. He will go back to his German preschool beginning Wednesday:

David came along in a cozy stroller. He didn't seem too concerned that his best babysitters were leaving him for the day:

I am super excited for the girls to be back in school. They have both been put into great classes with great teachers. I know they will have a fabulous year!

Last random photos with Erin

I love, love, love, love, love my sister! I'm so glad she came out to help me after David was born. She was such a lifesaver! I will miss her so much! Here's a few last random photos from her visit. Come visit again soon Erin! But next time come when I am well enough to really show you around.

Linderhof with Erin

While we were in Garmisch, we went to King Ludwig's forest palace, Linderhof. I found a nice bench to sit on with baby David, while Erick took the kids all over the grounds and photographed them. Erin kept me company most of the time. I just love having her here with me!

Neuschwanstein with Erin

Erick had the weekend off, so he decided to take us all down to Garmisch. On the way, we stopped at Neuschwanstein.

A day trip with Erin

As most of you know, my sister Erin came to Germany to help me after David was born.  She was such a lifesaver! She spent her days cleaning my house, and caring for the kids. She helped me get to doctors appointments and taught me how to care for myself after a c-section (she is, after all, an expert after three of her own). 

Erin assured me over and over that she was not here to see sights. She was here to help take care me and the family. Looking back, I have no idea how I would have gotten through those two weeks without her. Thanks Erin! And thanks to the members of my amazing family who sent her to me. I love you!

Erin did not intend to see sights while she was here, but I don't think she realized that we don't have to go far from home to see something fun. One afternoon, Erick took us all to Flossenberg. It's a city with castle ruins and a concentration camp. It is less than 20 minutes away from our house.

I stayed in the car. I wasn't up to walking up the mountain to the ruins, no matter how short the walk. :) 

Here are the kids:

Here is Erin walking up to the ruins:

Isn't it a beautiful area? I love all the trees.

And here is Erin at the top of the castle:

Bailey, Erin, and David at the entrance of Flossenberg concentration camp:

Erin convinced me to get out of the car and come with them this time. Everything was flat, and she said the walk would do me some good. She carried Baby David for me. 

I did hold him long enough for Erin to take a picture of our family:

On the way home, we passed this amazing old cemetery:

Unfortunately, the cemetery was locked, but we took some pictures over the wall:

Erin decided to unearth a giant nest of spiders that was living in the wall. She is a girl who loves adventure. :)

Near the end of her stay, when I was feeling a lot better, I took Erin to see the center of my cute little city, Weiden. Here she is in front of the historic Rathaus (city hall):

The maypole and some fun buildings: