Visiting Germany.....FINALLY

 I can't believe the last time I blogged was January 10th.  What happened?  Not sure if I will catch up at some point, but for today I am going to blog about our family trip to Germany last week.  We were finally able to go after almost 3 years!  We were all very excited to make the trip across the pond for Spring Break.  We made it to Germany with no issues (I don't take that for granted anymore) and arrived on time. We flew into Frankfurt and took the train to Cologne where my mom and brother greeted us.  We got to Cologne at 7:30am, so we had the entire day ahead of us.  The kids were so excited that they did not want to nap.  We tried to get a 2 hour nap in before heading to a soccer game in the afternoon.

The kids bonded with their cousins right away.  It was really fun to see how they just picked up where they left almost 3 years ago.  Even with the language barrier they all had so much fun together.  Hannah is able to translate, but even when she wasn't around the rest of them got along great and communicated just fine.  

We went to see Fortuna Koeln play and had a fun afternoon.  I just realized that I didn't take a single picture at the game.  

We rented a VRBO in the city for me and Scott and one kid to stay at.  The girls wanted to sleep at my moms house and Evan stayed with us for a few nights, but then decided to stay with my mom as well.  The apartment was a short train ride from my moms house (and then a nice walk from the train station).  We were able to get ready, walk to the bakery every morning and then make our way to her house......it was fun to experience "city living" for a week.

On our first day there we met my mom and my brothers family for breakfast at a restaurant.  Then we decided to take the train into the city to ride the big Ferris wheel.  Nora saw the Ferris wheel from the train the day before and wanted to go there.  My niece said that she had wanted to go there for a long time, but hasn't had the time yet.  So, we made it a family trip.  That day was a little chilly and overcast, but we had amazing weather the rest of the trip.

Walking to the train station 

Evan loved to study the train/subway map and figure out every route possible on how to get places.  It was really funny and quite impressive.....he came up with multiple routes every time

We had to split up into two cabins.  The cabins were not fully enclosed and the wind was really cold once we got to the top.  We were wondering if we only get to go around one time.  Well, after one round the wheel didn't stop and we kept going......the kids were all squealing with delight (except for maybe Hannah because she doesn't like heights that much).  Then we went around again and again and again and again and again.  Ha!  Every time we didn't stop our kids were all cheering.  I think the adults were about done after 3, maybe 4 rounds.  We went 7 rounds.  We got our moneys worth.  

My brother waited down below with Sophia

We had great views of the Rhein river and the city

That night Scott and Evan went to the 1st League (Bundesliga) soccer game.  It was 1. FC Koeln against Dortmund. Koeln fans are very loyal to their team.  They tied the game 1:1 and fans were very happy with that result.  This was the first game they allowed a full stadium.  For two years it was either no fans or very limited number of fans.  They adjusted the amount of people that were allowed in two days before the game.....

I am so glad Evan got to experience a 1. FC Koeln game.  He had a great time.  There was a little bit of confusion at the gate.....we thought you only needed your vaccine record, but everybody else also had a negative test and they asked Scott and Evan for the negative test, which they didn't have.  They let the, in eventually, but we are still not sure if they needed the test or of it was just a language barrier.

The opposing teams section......

Meanwhile we had a nice dinner at my brothers house and then walked to the local church for a candlelight vigil for the people of the Ukraine.  It was all outside and lots of candles were lit.  Some were arranged in a peace symbol.  They had a piano outside and somebody singing.  It was a beautiful and somber setting.

The next day we drove (less than an hour) to the point where Germany, Netherlands and Belgium meet. The kids thought it was really fun to jump from country to country.....we tried to have both feet and one hand in a different country....

We walked up the observation tower for some pretty views.

Can you tell the difference between the countries???? Ha!

Family selfie

Then somebody asked if they can take a picture of us.....

Hannah doing a leg hold with Belgium in the background

They had a maze there as well, which we did and then sat down for lunch.  The two little ones played on the playground the entire time

We left each kid in a different country:)

Lots more pictures coming next time.