My absence on the blog should be an indicator of how busy December has been! After Thanksgiving, our big boys international soccer tournament fell at the beginning of the month, so I was crazy at work getting everything finalized and ready. Then, once that was over, our weeks were filled with pre-Christmas school events, shopping, planning, and packing! I couldn't believe how fast December 20th came upon us and we were on our way to Germany.
I was a bit of a nervous-anxiety ridden wreck the night before. While I have packed for big trips before, this was the first time I was packing for a very-active 8-month old on top of everything else. And she wanted to be a part of the action that night! I had packed much of the girls' and my own things the few days before, but the final packing about put me over the edge. Luckily, once Emalyn was in bed and out of our hairs, I could think more clearly (had a glass of wine) and got everything finished.
Our plane left at 3:45 AM (weren't we lucky?) and we got up at 12:30 to leave at 1:00. Our neighbors, the Rauks and Hoffmans, were on the same flight as us to Munich (headed to a different city than us from there) so we all pitched in and got a small bus to take us and our numerous suitcases to the airport. Since it was so early in the morning, the airport was relatively quite and we breezed through security, check in, and customs. Once on the plane, the kids finally got back to sleep (although not for as long as we would've liked) and we were on our way!
We stopped for a flight change in Istanbul and I'll say that the airport there is not worth coming to, nor enjoyable. We had a terrible restaurant experience, it isn't very clean, and it's very busy. If you can, avoid it. Or be there with friends! Or have this sweet face to look at :-)
After a 4 hour ride, we were finally in Munich and got downstairs to find my parents waiting for us. Bless their hearts, they had already scoped out the train to Garmish-Partenkirchen (called GaPa for short) and were booked it to the train station outside the airport. Our poor girls (and us) were exhausted, but they rallied and we got there just in the nick of time to make it. Unfortunately, it was getting dark outside so we didn't get to enjoy the beautiful scenery, but we were just happy to be boarded and on our way to our final destination.
Our rental was the upstairs of a traditional German house run by a wonderful family. We had a three-bedroom place with a small living room, combined kitchen/dining, two patios, and two baths. It was still tight, but it was cozy and lovely. And the view out the window to the Zugspitz and surrounding mountains was phenomenal!
The rest of our trip was a whirlwind! We saw some amazing and beautiful sights, and we ate and drank wonderful traditional food and beer/wine. Aberly loved it too, and had a lot of fun. She was thrilled to spend time with her Nana, Papa, and Andrew.
Emalyn, unfortunately, did not fare so well and had a rough go of the trip. She and I both caught a small tummy bug the first few days which threw her for a loop, and even after it was gone, she still struggled to settle. She slept poorly night and day, and became fussy/sensitive most of the time. I will give her credit, she TRIED to have a good time. She played, explored, etc..., but being tired and worn out, she crumbled quickly and wanted no one but mom and dad. And mom and dad were exhausted by her! We didn't sleep well either and it made things tough for us many days. I had one major breakdown on Christmas night (of course) when she finally went down for a nap she desperately needed, but it was right before we were supposed to go out for our Christmas dinner. My dear mom stayed with me and listened as I cried and vented. Thank God for her! She was a great listener, empathizer, and encourager.
So besides that, the trip was great and I'll wrap up the blog with some photos from our key moments with brief descriptions. Enjoy!
I was a bit of a nervous-anxiety ridden wreck the night before. While I have packed for big trips before, this was the first time I was packing for a very-active 8-month old on top of everything else. And she wanted to be a part of the action that night! I had packed much of the girls' and my own things the few days before, but the final packing about put me over the edge. Luckily, once Emalyn was in bed and out of our hairs, I could think more clearly (had a glass of wine) and got everything finished.
Our plane left at 3:45 AM (weren't we lucky?) and we got up at 12:30 to leave at 1:00. Our neighbors, the Rauks and Hoffmans, were on the same flight as us to Munich (headed to a different city than us from there) so we all pitched in and got a small bus to take us and our numerous suitcases to the airport. Since it was so early in the morning, the airport was relatively quite and we breezed through security, check in, and customs. Once on the plane, the kids finally got back to sleep (although not for as long as we would've liked) and we were on our way!
We stopped for a flight change in Istanbul and I'll say that the airport there is not worth coming to, nor enjoyable. We had a terrible restaurant experience, it isn't very clean, and it's very busy. If you can, avoid it. Or be there with friends! Or have this sweet face to look at :-)
After a 4 hour ride, we were finally in Munich and got downstairs to find my parents waiting for us. Bless their hearts, they had already scoped out the train to Garmish-Partenkirchen (called GaPa for short) and were booked it to the train station outside the airport. Our poor girls (and us) were exhausted, but they rallied and we got there just in the nick of time to make it. Unfortunately, it was getting dark outside so we didn't get to enjoy the beautiful scenery, but we were just happy to be boarded and on our way to our final destination.
Our rental was the upstairs of a traditional German house run by a wonderful family. We had a three-bedroom place with a small living room, combined kitchen/dining, two patios, and two baths. It was still tight, but it was cozy and lovely. And the view out the window to the Zugspitz and surrounding mountains was phenomenal!
The rest of our trip was a whirlwind! We saw some amazing and beautiful sights, and we ate and drank wonderful traditional food and beer/wine. Aberly loved it too, and had a lot of fun. She was thrilled to spend time with her Nana, Papa, and Andrew.
Emalyn, unfortunately, did not fare so well and had a rough go of the trip. She and I both caught a small tummy bug the first few days which threw her for a loop, and even after it was gone, she still struggled to settle. She slept poorly night and day, and became fussy/sensitive most of the time. I will give her credit, she TRIED to have a good time. She played, explored, etc..., but being tired and worn out, she crumbled quickly and wanted no one but mom and dad. And mom and dad were exhausted by her! We didn't sleep well either and it made things tough for us many days. I had one major breakdown on Christmas night (of course) when she finally went down for a nap she desperately needed, but it was right before we were supposed to go out for our Christmas dinner. My dear mom stayed with me and listened as I cried and vented. Thank God for her! She was a great listener, empathizer, and encourager.
So besides that, the trip was great and I'll wrap up the blog with some photos from our key moments with brief descriptions. Enjoy!
Abery loved riding the merry go round at the GaPa Christmas Market.
At the Christmas Market, we got offered a free sleigh ride! No snow, but wheels got us around. Abs was thrilled!
Colin enjoys his traditional Brat at the Market.
We hiked up the hill behind our rental on the "Philosophers Trail" and went to the lovely church at the top.
Happy Girls in the morning. Nana and Papa's favorite time of the day.
Merry Christmas!
Waiting to ride the cable car to the top of the Zugspitz on Christmas Day!
Emalyn sporting a smile! It was super cold at the top but we kept her bundled and warm.
We had Christmas lunch at the Zugspitz restaurant. We enjoyed great food, drinks, and views.
Going down! The ride up and down the mountain was pretty outstanding and scary. I mean, really, would those cables hold us? How many times had they been used??? And it was steep.... Thanks to my mom for posing this awesome shot with Aberly (she wasn't actually scared).
A visit to Nueschwanstein Castle an hour and a half away from GaPa. We had to hike up and down, but it was well worth it! It truly is the "Sleeping Beauty" castle and amazing inside and out.
The inside of a monastery chapel in Ettal. Totally non-assuming on the outside, amazing inside! We would quickly learn that many churches in Germany would blow us away.
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The rest of our trip was spent in Munich before heading home.
The Schwartz/Prices have landed!
Viewing the 360 of the city after climbing to the top of St. Peter's church clocktower. The climb itself was amazing up hundreds of stairs in the tower.
Marienplatz New Town Hall
This living Gold Statue was more fun than the Mary's Column gold statue.
Amazing church...
...after amazing church...
...after amazing church!
Cheers from Aberly from the original Haufbrohaus!
And cheers from Emalyn!
Cheers and Merry Christmas from all of us!
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