My Travels with the in-laws

    Tyler's parents were just here. It was a nice almost two week visit. They arrived Thursday evening, and we left for Munich Friday early afternoon. You can read more about our Oktoberfest adventures here. In short...Oktoberfest is intense, epic and drunken. We went on opening day, so we saw the parade, and were in the tent where the keg gets tapped. I saw the mayor of Munich and apparently I saw major German celebs...who knew? We had the luxury of has a reserved table and tickets for a tent. Most people who go just walk around and try to get in a tent...but we were VIPS! It was all thanks to Tyler's parents friends who live in Munich. Thank goodness for them.

So many people!

Beer is served!

Our first beer! Excuse my crazy eye haha.

Inside the tent

The whole group!

Doing the YMCA...not kidding, they played it

     During the week, Tyler had work, so Tyler's parents had I traveled around the area. The next weekend, we went to Berlin. I LOVED Berlin. It's like a combo of SO many major European cities...it's amazing. I stood where Hitler was burned after he shot himself...I saw the wall...I saw Frederick the Great's Sanssouci...I saw the hotel Michael Jackson dangled Blanket out of (lol). The only downside, it smells like sewage when it's warm because it's built on a swamp.

Brandenburg Gate

At the wall...well, what's left of the outer wall anyway.

Memorial to the murdered Jews.

    While there, we took a walking tour of the city and had the BEST tour guide, Barnaby.  All the history, the cool buildings...oh man...love Berlin! On Sunday, when we wanted to go to Sanssouci. One problem, there was a HUGE marathon going around Berlin. Ok, so, the hotel we were in was in what used to be East Berlin, so it was like we couldn't get out of East Berlin. haha...kinda cool. At 10:45, there was a gap in the race and we could get out! woohoo! Sansouci was EPIC and AMAZING. It's a must see. Below, are pictures from different parts of the Sansouci grounds.

     His parents left on Tuesday and I hope had a great time. I know Tyler and I had fun.
   Other than that, I've been cleaning, job/apartment hunting for our move back to California and working on my cooking. Thrilling huh? Hope everyone is having a very happy Friday!

Oktoberfest and Fall!

    Last I left you, I was preparing for Tyler's parents arrival. Well, they're here! In fact, they got here on Thursday night. Friday, we went to Munich to visit their friends who live there and go to Oktoberfest. After terrible traffic and getting re-routing by the gps...meaning, we went a crazy and long way...we finally arrived in Munich. We had a lovely evening with one of their friends, drinking beer (ugh already), catching up, etc. Saturday, we got up bright and early to go to Oktoberfest. We were all dressed in our dirndls and lederhosen and had tickets to a tent. That's right friends...we had a reserved table in a tent. In fact, we were in the one where the beer was tapped! It was really cool to see. Beer was served right after the tapping at 12 (not allowed to serve before that on the first day) and thus the festivities begun! It was INSANE, fun, but INSANE...side note, Tyler drank a bit too much, haha, happens to the best of us. So, we left earlier then planned. I was a little upset because I wanted to walk around more to see all the different tents and festivities. Ah well. Guess that just means I need to go back yeah? haha.
    Sunday, we had a relaxing day walking around Munich, watching tv, eating...ya know. Today, we had a relaxing morning, then drove back to our apartment. We've just been watching TV, made a wonderful steak dinner, then had some wine and ice cream. Now, we're just relaxing and watching a movie. Sounds like a good night to me!

    In other news, who's excited about fall!? This girl. I LOVE fall. Especially all the pumpkins and boots! LOVE THEM! I've already started to decorate the apartment with pumpkins, falls candles, other fall things and even some Halloween things. I can't wait to get more boots and fall clothes. :) hehe. Is anyone else as excited about fall as me?? :p

    As always, the pictures are coming...happy Monday friends!

Pictures, travels and life

Well, my mom finally put the pictures up from their trip to Germany! If you'd like to read about their trip, you can do so here. There will also be a recap under the photos...enjoy :)

Bamberg. LOVED this city. :) It was a nice fun day with the parents and Tyler.

Buchenwald Concentration Camp. So cool, intense and emotional. They also had a very interesting, cool and pretty memorial. Unfortunately, Tyler had to leave earlier that day, so the rest of our travels were just my parents and I.

On Monday, we drove to Munich. First stop BMW Weld (world) and Olympic Park. Isn't this motorcycle cute? I would never ever buy one, but i couldn't resist getting on haha. Unfortunately Munich was really hot and humid. Ah well. Still a great trip.

at the Haufbrauhaus drinking some beer.

clock where the glockenspiel is

On Wednesday, after two days in Munich, we made out way to Heidelberg! Such a beautiful city. I'm standing under the Elizabeth Gate at Castle Heidelberg. Very appropriate I think :p

HUGE Wine barrel. And guess what? There's an EVEN BIGGER one. It's insane.

view of the castle from our river tour Thursday morning.

Friday we relaxed at my apartment, and then Saturday, we went to Wurzburg. I love going to Wurzburg. In this picture, my parents are standing in front of the Wurzburg Residenz. LOVE it there. 

back of the Residenz in the gardens. So pretty

The gardens :) (Yes I am wearing my Dirk Nowitzkishirt...had to...)

Sunday we had a late breakfast downtown with my neighbor and her precious little girl. :) Aren't we just a happy family haha. 

   Sunday night, we went to a German restaurant for their last meal here. I noticed my back was hurting a little but really thought nothing of it. Monday EARLY morning, my parents and I headed to Frankfurt Airport. My dad drove there, so he could get his last little bit of driving on the autobahn, and I drove back. That's the longest I've driven in Germany! woohoo! My leg kinda hurt when I got back, but again, thought nothing of it because my back wasn't bothering me anymore. Tuesday, my back was KILLING me. What?! How random. I was like, well, we did drive a lot, walk a lot, eat a lot, I wasn't doing my normal workouts (think I've also gained weight back ugh), and Wednesday night I slept on the floor of the hotel...I think my back had had enough. Wednesday it was feeling a bit better, but Thursday, it was getting worse, and in the evening my butt and legs started to tingle...uh oh. In fact, later that night I called Tyler crying. It was some of the worst pain of my life. Friday morning I got up early to call the clinic when they first opened to see if they could squeeze me in. I called a minute or two after 7, and they could see me at 8! Sweet. Thank goodness my neighbor Casey was awake and could take me...I had no idea what kind of tests they would want to do. Well, I went in and she did all sorts of poking, moving my legs around, asking questions...I had strained a lower back muscle and it was pushing on a nerve. Ugh...great. I am now on muscle relaxer and prescription strength ibuprofen. wooo? I feel all sorts of loopy and tired. But hey, I think its working!
   Unfortunately, Friday night was our neighbor get together (just the girls since our hubbies are gone), and I couldn't even drink with them. I also kept zoning out and almost fell asleep at one point...about the same as being drunk right? haha. Still had a great time though:). Today I've been such a sloth, slept in, took a nap, been on the computer....that's basically it. It was so nice and warm today too, but I could not concentrate enough to go outside or do things. Ah well. I blame the meds. haha. Oh yeah, and for dinner, I made green beans, and as I went to drain them, I burnt myself with the boiling water. Ugh, of course I did. it got the side of my palm and some of my arm. I'm ok though. Oh me.
   How's everyone else doing?? Have a great Saturday! Hopefully you're more productive, and less medicated then me! haha

Time to Review

   Ok, last I left you it was last Saturday and I ad just gone to Bamberg. Last Sunday, Tyler had to leave for another couple weeks of training, and my parents and I went to Buchenwald Concentration Camp. Concentration camps are always interesting to me...sad and emotional, but very interesting. This one was also in a beautiful area of Germany.
   Monday, my parents and I were off to Munich. Now, I've been to Munich twice already, but I feel like there's always something new to do there. We stayed and had adventures in Munich until Wednesday, and then made our way to Heidelberg. LOVED Heidelberg. The castle ruin was SO cool, and its a small town feel with being a bigger city. Warning, it is pretty touristy. We had some nice walks around the city and river...even took a river cruise! Coming back home on Thursday was an adventure! My GPS likes to take you on the most direct route, so we ended up on this small, scary, crazy one lane mountain road with two way traffic. Ugh. Thank God my dad was driving.
   Friday, we relaxed, my parents did laundry, my dad and I did yard work hehe. Good day.
   Saturday, we went to Wuerzburg. I've done basically everything there, but I still love it. So pretty.
   Today, we're going to go eat breakfast and walk around our little city. Even though basically everything is closed on Sundays, its still fun to walk around.
   I'll update again soon and talk about our travels more once I have pictures (hurry up mom) haha. Have a blessed and happy Sunday!

Trip to Bamberg

   Well folks, I finally made it to Bamberg. I've been trying to go since February when my SNAPS Class was supposed to go, but we ended up going to Wuerzburg instead. I LOVED Bamberg! Makes me wish Tyler was stationed there...it's so pretty. That, and it's a much bigger city then where we are haha. We explored the city by walking around and just going in to different places like churches. My dad had never seen old European churches like that, so he was excited. One of the churches we went in to was having an organ recital, which was cool and my mom LOVED. We had a big, delicious lunch at some restaurant near the river. It was a nice, fun and full day. Pictures to come (my parents took them hehe).
Happy Saturday!

Parents are coming!

   Well, as the title says, my parents are coming for a visit tomorrow! This is my dad's first time to Europe...I was going to say out of the country, but I think he's been to Canada (lol). I'm pretty excited. :)
I got the spare room all nice and ready for them. I can't wait to start traveling all over Germany with them...should be a good time.
   In other news, Tyler has to leave to go to the field for training in a few days. Bummer; But at least my parents will be here for some of it.

   Also, I want to apologize for my accidental blog hiatus. I just, well, I've been getting things ready, and honestly haven't been that inspired to write. Not sure why, I just haven't. It happens to us all I guess. Hmm...maybe we could call this unforeseen hiatus writer's block...haha. Well, whatever it is, I hope I kick it soon. I miss writing. I guess I just need to get inspired!

   Safe travels parents...see you in the morning! :) Happy Hump day everyone.

long weekend

Sorry for neglecting this, but Tyler had a four day weekend, and I just wanted to enjoy it. :)
   Thursday, he had staff duty. Basically, you’re watching headquarters for 24 hours. There is also CQ, which is watching the barracks for 24 hours. Yikes. He’s been doing it a lot these past 2 months too. Ah well, such is life I guess. For some reason, I was a little more bored and lonely then usual; one of those days I guess. Sometimes I really enjoy my nights alone and take advantage of them. Thursday was not one of those nights. I watched some TV on my computer (yes, we still don’t have a TV, so we watch everything of the computer. But it’s cool. I would rather travel than get a TV anyway.) and just relaxed.
   Tyler slept a lot of Friday to recover from being awake so long, haha. I got a good workout in and some cleaning. I even took a nap with him. Then, I woke him up he could actually go to sleep that night. He also started to work on our family tree. Needless to say, he was up VERY late...dare I say up early?
   Saturday we went to Kreuzberg in the Rhön Mountains with our neighbors.  It is a monastery that makes beer. It's so pretty there, and the beer was delicious! And this is coming from a person who doesn't even really like beer! The food is also pretty good and cheap! I recommend going.There are also some really neat places to hike, camp, etc. around there.

   Sunday, we went over to a friends for an early Memorial Day BBQ. We had some margaritas, delicious food and fun with friends. Unfortunately, Tyler's allergies got the best of him in the evening. He couldn't stop rubbing his eyes. He finally had to take his contacts out. Then, he came up to me and was like, "you're going to have drive home. I just had to take my contacts out, and I don't have my glasses with me." Luckily, I hadn't drank TOO much (also ate with it and had water), and we could sit around and chat for awhile just in case. Tyler's allergies have been SOOO bad lately! Hopefully they get better soon. 

   Monday, memorial day, we just relaxed. Good way to spend it I think. :)  Before I end this post, I just want to say this: Thank you to all who serve/have served in the military, especially those who have lost their lives. We thank you and will never forget what you have done for us :)

How was everyone else's weekend/memorial day? Do anything fun?

Day 20: Travel

Day 20 - A picture of somewhere you'd love to travel

  In my 23 years, the only two countries I have been to are India, Germany and Italy (just Rome though). 


   India was actually my FIRST experience out of the country (go big or go home). I absolutely loved it there! We went all over that country. Sure on my way to India I had emergency layover in Osaka, Japan and both on the way there and way back we had layovers in Taipei, Taiwan and Kuala Lumpur Malaysia (on the way back it was a 10 hour layover in Kuala Lumpur so I actually saw some of the city), but do those really count? ehhh.  

Now, I live in Germany and have been to several cities in the southern part. Still got to get to Northern Germany though.  The first time I came to Germany was in April 2009  (see picture left) to visit Tyler...who knew then that someday I would be living here? 
























In January of this year, Tyler and I went to Rome.  It's honestly one of the most beautiful and interesting cities I have ever been to in my life.

Anyway, there are many places that I want to visit...Prague (we're going THIS weekend...stoked!), Paris and other places in France, London, more places in Italy like Venice and Florence, more places in Germany like Berlin, Austria, Greece, China, Japan...the list could go on for days. I pretty much want to go everywhere. Right now, Tyler and I are working on tackling Europe...next stop, PRAGUE! 

via site

German Travels

  This past week, Tyler and I went on a marriage retreat, which took place in Garmisch. Garmisch is located right by the Alps. If you're a skier or snowboarder, this is really the place for you! (Too bad Tyler and I aren't haha).
  The retreat itself was ok. I mean, I did get to meet new people/make new friends and spend some quality time with my hubby, but other than that, it really wasn't for us. It was designed for people basically on the brink of divorce. Now, it's always a good idea to work on your marriage and I'm not saying I didn't get anything out of the retreat, it just got a little preachy. Plus, we had to watch the movie Fireproof starring Kirk Cameron. Gross.  But hey, lodging was free, most of our meals were free and Tyler treated me to a massage. :)
   Thursday afternoon, once the retreat was over, we headed to the city of Regensburg. Like most of you reading this post, I had never heard of the city. I found out that it is located right on the Danube River, that it was the furtherst point north of the Roman Empire and the old stone bridge that crosses the Danube was used in the Crusades. How cool is this city!? It is also a very diverse city that is open to all sorts of people and religions. So we spent the night and went exploring more on Friday. Oh, I forgot to mention, right before we left Regensburg, we drove to the Walhalla, which is a replica of the Pantheon. We got there 20 minutes after it was closed, but it was still neat to look at.
   Friday we then drove to Munich to visit our family friends there. They are always the most hospitable people. We had lots of wine, lots of food and a very relaxing weekend with them and their dogs. Monday morning, it was back to reality. Sigh.
   Thus I digress...that's all I have about our past week's travels. Pictures soon! Have a great day :)