Dad and I were just reading your new Sunday update, right after it appeared. We can't stop smiling and crying at the wonderful experiences you are having. AK overlooking the olympic size pool is outstanding!
I love that you were able to make it to church. We did not go to church in Germany, but we did in Norway. You are right, you may not understand a word, but you can understand the spirit. So wonderful!
I absolutely love hearing about your trip! Thanks so much for sharing this with us. Glad that you got to go visit an LDS church service...how fun for Annie Kate to see the Olympic size pool. Can't wait to hear all about Switzerland.
Kristi - you can buy the straws in the United States, our groceries carry them in banana, strawberry, and chocolate! (I use Winn Dixie or Sav A Center, others probably have them too.) So cool that you are able to keep blogging and giving us glimpses of your trip from abroad.
It's so cool that you went to church in Germany, and even cooler that Annie Kate didn't want to leave!
I love all the self-portraits you take, so keep them coming. You definitely need to be present in the pictures from this amazing trip. You should have Annie Kate take lots of you and Jeff too, especially on your anniversary. How cool is it that you'll be spending it in Switzerland?!
Love the photo of your family in front of the church. I love attending wards on our vacations, doesn't feel comforting to walk into a church building. All the photos are really neat and you are so awesome to be sharing this with us.
Do you speak any German? I'm sure it would make it easier to get around.
7:41 PM
Anonymous said...
So much fun to see your photos. What a wonderful trip for you!! I am sure it is challenging with little ones, but when all is said and done you are making some great family memories.
Just enjoy every second of your trip, Kristi. I LOVE that you did this with your girls-- they are beautiful and so blessed to have you for a Mom. Thank you for taking time out of your adventures to post, have really enjoyed your pictures. Have a wonderful European anniversary!
You are killing me with the pictures! I recognize so many of the places you photographed in Salzburg. My, oh, my! Oh, I MISS Austria!!! It is so fun to see how much you are enjoying your trip. So happy for you. Enjoy die Schweiz - what a great place to spend your anniversary. I've always wanted to go there. Someday .... You will get a kick out of the very sing-songy Swiss accent. It hardly even sounds like they are speaking German! Kristi, do you sort of feel like you are in paradise? Austria was paradise for me.
It's so weird to see pictures of you all with a European backdrop. Weird, but good!
I'm sure Sweden has some rule about McDonald's not being allowed to look 'too obviously like a McDonald's' - if you know what I mean. I went to one in Gothenburg or Stockholm (can't remember!) and they only had a flag outside to show it was a 'Maccy Dees'.
wow.. thanks for sharing your trip.. we can live it vicariously thru you... awesome to go to church in Germany.. what an experience.. I bet your kids will remember it! I am sure it is making an impression amid the usual melt downs.. you're great parents to keep on going.. what a trip!
Kristy, I love hearing about your trip! My husband traveled there after he graduated and I often look at the pictures of his trip and dream of a time I may get to visit there.
The Walgreens here has them but I just found that out by doing a search here http://www.jelsert.com/store_locator.asp after seeing them on your site and thinking "I want those too".
It's my dream to tour Europe. You are so brave to do it with your kids. My sister in law lives in Switzerland and just loves it (her husband served his mission there). You look so cute in your self portrait.
You've been rehearsing for this vacation all year with all your excursions in D.C. You seriously know how to see the sights with kids in tow. I love that you took a carriage ride rather than just packing it in when the girls got tired.
10:04 PM
Anonymous said...
What an amazing trip. How cool you guys were able to make it to church. They say it's the same everywhere you go. Love your self-portrait!
Hi Kristi--nearly all my blogging friends have links to you, so I've been over and visited a few times. I love your blog! (I admit--I was initially attracted by your title--I'm a pink lover too.) I've never been out of the country, and I'm really enjoying your updates! If you don't mind, I'm sure I'll be back. Thanks! wendi www.isaacsonfamily.blogspot.com
8:56 AM
Anonymous said...
Hi Kristi- My name is Sue Kelly I'm Kara Kelly's SIL. She told me to check out your blog. I have to admit I check it all the time. I think you are absolutley amazing!! I can't believe all the great things you do. I love the saying "Creativity is Intelligence having fun" I think your brilliant! Anyway, just an FYI, I actually picked up those little flavored straws at Walgrens of all places. I just got them a couple months ago. They come in a pack of 10 for $2. They are called "Sipahh" straws. The site on the box is www.wisdairy.com.
I'm loving all your posts from Europe!! I was there last summer... France, Switzerland, Austria and Germany... Europe is just so european!! Love it. Glad you are having such a marvelous and successful trip.
1:13 PM
Anonymous said...
Looks amazing! Lucky you! I love all those photos.
that straw sounds awesome! i've always been a big fan of mickey d's in foreign lands... it's always fun to see what is different. i can't wait to hear about switzerland.... i absolutely love that place. i could definitely more there if necessary! enjoy yourselves, and keep sharing the highlights!
I'm so glad to hear that you did make it over to Germany this summer! There is one HUGE problem with Europe though...you feel like everything is so close it's hard not to want to do everything. I mean, how can you pass on Venice when it's 6 hours away, or Paris 10 hours, or Luxumburg a few more??!! It's crazy....would we ever say, can't miss Tampa when we're so close, or boy...Chicago is a day's drive, let's go!! My advice....don't try to see everything the first trip, enjoy one town or city for a few days before moving on. You'll be back. BTW, pizza is the international favorite over there!! I swear it's on every menu!! (That and McD is a life saver when you can't read anything!) Have fun and call me when you get back. XOXO
How fun to go to church in Germany! It sounds like you're giving your family the experience of a lifetime!!
6:49 PM
[Image] Die Kirche We have been averaging about 4 churches a day in the cities that we have been visiting and today we went to one of our favorite ones. We went to a church service of our church. We were a little bit late because we ran across town to the Olympic stadium of the 1972 Summer Olympics.
The only seat was the second row. We sat next to a nice lady who knew a bit of English and helped entertain Caroline with very cool German coloring books. We didn't understand one word, but sure could feel the message of their talks.
I had hoped that I would have served my mission for my church in Germany or Austria and spent the first 6 months of my mission in North Dakota thinking I was in the wrong place (only later in the last month of my mission to meet the missionary who had taught my father 15 years earlier) so being here was just pretty awesome for me. We didn't stay the last two hours even though we had to drag out Annie Kate who wanted to stay. this was the first chruch we had to drag her out of all week.[Image] It was fun taking Annie Kate to the Olympic Pool after her swimming extravaganza this summer. The 1972 Olympics were memorable for many reasons. It was the year of the Munich Massacre, which I learned more about today. It was also the year Mark Spitz set a world record and won 7 Gold medals, so to see this pool was pretty awesome to see.[Image] We have had a hard time finding milk outside of the commissary. I guess it is ultra pasteurized here and so it does not need to be refrigerated, so it is warm. It looks like white water and my girls won't drink it. McDonalds has saved the day with their milk. Today we got the coolest straw with it. It is a plastic straw that has chocolate bead like things trapped in the top and the bottom. The milk filters through and then becomes chocolate milk. This way they carry white milk and then you only use the straw if you want chocolate milk. It is awesome. My girls loved it. I really need to stop by one before we leave and see if I can buy a bunch. They had a out door McCafe that had beautiful flower boxes and wrought iron tables and chairs. Europe can even make McDonald's look chic.
[Image]
Here I am in the Markplatz in Munich today. I am realizing I have about 6 photos documenting that I have made this trip and need to work on that for the next week. And all the photos are an arms length away (thanks Lelly for making Self Portraits cool)[Image] Jeff planning our next move thanks to Rick Steve's
It was a tiring day and I appreciated Michelle's comments about the fact my kids are doing a ton and that might explain the "quick to cry" behavior. Jeff and I even got pretty tired today and looked forward to relaxing back at the home front. All the stores were closed today, which squashed my dream of buying the $30 Birkenstocks in the store window.
Off to Switzerland tomorrow to an amazing part of the world that has no cars. We have to leave our car behind at the base of the mountains and take the train to the hotel. I think Jeff will find his heaven on earth there, as this will week will mark our 13th wedding anniversary, it will be a great place to be... even with the little ones along.
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30 Comments -
Dad and I were just reading your new Sunday update, right after it appeared. We can't stop smiling and crying at the wonderful experiences you are having. AK overlooking the olympic size pool is outstanding!
3:18 PM
I love that you were able to make it to church. We did not go to church in Germany, but we did in Norway. You are right, you may not understand a word, but you can understand the spirit. So wonderful!
4:08 PM
I absolutely love hearing about your trip!
Thanks so much for sharing this with us.
Glad that you got to go visit an LDS church service...how fun for Annie Kate to see the Olympic size pool. Can't wait to hear all about Switzerland.
4:09 PM
I am SOOO JEALOUS!!!! take me with you guys next time
4:49 PM
Kristi - you can buy the straws in the United States, our groceries carry them in banana, strawberry, and chocolate! (I use Winn Dixie or Sav A Center, others probably have them too.)
So cool that you are able to keep blogging and giving us glimpses of your trip from abroad.
5:17 PM
It's so cool that you went to church in Germany, and even cooler that Annie Kate didn't want to leave!
I love all the self-portraits you take, so keep them coming. You definitely need to be present in the pictures from this amazing trip. You should have Annie Kate take lots of you and Jeff too, especially on your anniversary. How cool is it that you'll be spending it in Switzerland?!
5:21 PM
You're right, Europe can do wonders even with McDonald's! And just so you know, I've seen those straws at my grocery store.
5:49 PM
What a fantastic trip! Interesting about the milk...yuck! Thank goodness for McDonald's!!! :)
6:46 PM
Love the photo of your family in front of the church. I love attending wards on our vacations, doesn't feel comforting to walk into a church building. All the photos are really neat and you are so awesome to be sharing this with us.
Do you speak any German? I'm sure it would make it easier to get around.
7:41 PM
So much fun to see your photos. What a wonderful trip for you!! I am sure it is challenging with little ones, but when all is said and done you are making some great family memories.
7:45 PM
Happy Anniversary- all week long and in Switzerland too!!! Very romantic! Have a blast. Loving the posts.
8:47 PM
Just enjoy every second of your trip, Kristi. I LOVE that you did this with your girls-- they are beautiful and so blessed to have you for a Mom. Thank you for taking time out of your adventures to post, have really enjoyed your pictures. Have a wonderful European anniversary!
11:25 PM
I did Munich in a day also. I love Rick Steves books.
11:53 PM
Incredible memories! Sounds like you are making the most of each day! Very cool. ciao
9:39 AM
You are killing me with the pictures! I recognize so many of the places you photographed in Salzburg. My, oh, my! Oh, I MISS Austria!!! It is so fun to see how much you are enjoying your trip. So happy for you. Enjoy die Schweiz - what a great place to spend your anniversary. I've always wanted to go there. Someday .... You will get a kick out of the very sing-songy Swiss accent. It hardly even sounds like they are speaking German! Kristi, do you sort of feel like you are in paradise? Austria was paradise for me.
1:43 PM
It's so weird to see pictures of you all with a European backdrop. Weird, but good!
I'm sure Sweden has some rule about McDonald's not being allowed to look 'too obviously like a McDonald's' - if you know what I mean. I went to one in Gothenburg or Stockholm (can't remember!) and they only had a flag outside to show it was a 'Maccy Dees'.
The milk sounds disgusting! What IS it???
4:48 PM
wow.. thanks for sharing your trip.. we can live it vicariously thru you... awesome to go to church in Germany.. what an experience.. I bet your kids will remember it! I am sure it is making an impression amid the usual melt downs.. you're great parents to keep on going.. what a trip!
11:14 PM
Kristy, I love hearing about your trip! My husband traveled there after he graduated and I often look at the pictures of his trip and dream of a time I may get to visit there.
8:03 AM
Straws that turn milk into choclate milk? That is like the Chocolate touch! Does it work with Diet Coke? (You know you tried it!)
Tell Lars I said hi, and the he needs to fix his deviated septum. I can hear his snoring all the way from Der Schwarzwald.
11:25 AM
The Walgreens here has them but I just found that out by doing a search here http://www.jelsert.com/store_locator.asp after seeing them on your site and thinking "I want those too".
12:58 PM
It's my dream to tour Europe. You are so brave to do it with your kids. My sister in law lives in Switzerland and just loves it (her husband served his mission there).
You look so cute in your self portrait.
3:54 PM
You've been rehearsing for this vacation all year with all your excursions in D.C. You seriously know how to see the sights with kids in tow. I love that you took a carriage ride rather than just packing it in when the girls got tired.
10:04 PM
What an amazing trip. How cool you guys were able to make it to church. They say it's the same everywhere you go. Love your self-portrait!
1:26 AM
Hi Kristi--nearly all my blogging friends have links to you, so I've been over and visited a few times. I love your blog! (I admit--I was initially attracted by your title--I'm a pink lover too.) I've never been out of the country, and I'm really enjoying your updates! If you don't mind, I'm sure I'll be back. Thanks! wendi
www.isaacsonfamily.blogspot.com
8:56 AM
Hi Kristi- My name is Sue Kelly I'm Kara Kelly's SIL. She told me to check out your blog. I have to admit I check it all the time. I think you are absolutley amazing!! I can't believe all the great things you do. I love the saying "Creativity is Intelligence having fun" I think your brilliant! Anyway, just an FYI, I actually picked up those little flavored straws at Walgrens of all places. I just got them a couple months ago. They come in a pack of 10 for $2. They are called "Sipahh" straws. The site on the box is www.wisdairy.com.
10:42 AM
I'm loving all your posts from Europe!! I was there last summer... France, Switzerland, Austria and Germany... Europe is just so european!! Love it. Glad you are having such a marvelous and successful trip.
1:13 PM
Looks amazing! Lucky you! I love all those photos.
1:57 PM
that straw sounds awesome! i've always been a big fan of mickey d's in foreign lands... it's always fun to see what is different. i can't wait to hear about switzerland.... i absolutely love that place. i could definitely more there if necessary! enjoy yourselves, and keep sharing the highlights!
1:36 PM
Kristi,
I'm so glad to hear that you did make it over to Germany this summer! There is one HUGE problem with Europe though...you feel like everything is so close it's hard not to want to do everything. I mean, how can you pass on Venice when it's 6 hours away, or Paris 10 hours, or Luxumburg a few more??!! It's crazy....would we ever say, can't miss Tampa when we're so close, or boy...Chicago is a day's drive, let's go!! My advice....don't try to see everything the first trip, enjoy one town or city for a few days before moving on. You'll be back. BTW, pizza is the international favorite over there!! I swear it's on every menu!! (That and McD is a life saver when you can't read anything!) Have fun and call me when you get back. XOXO
6:54 PM
How fun to go to church in Germany! It sounds like you're giving your family the experience of a lifetime!!
6:49 PM