Luxembourg City

After visiting the American and German WWII cemeteries, we stopped through Luxembourg City to see the old part of town. Luxembourg City is actually pretty small with a population of less than 100,000. The view of the old city was incredible as it was traversed by a river and edged by some cliffs. Military fortifications, called casemates, were built into the cliffs during the 17th century. There were dozens of kilometers of tunnels built within the stone cliffs that were used for defensive purposes, making Luxembourg a highly fortified city and earning it the reputation as the "Gibraltar of the North."

(Above) Inside the casemates

Luxembourg WWII Cemeteries

After visiting Burg Eltz and Trier, we traveled across the border to Luxembourg. Within 30 minutes of leaving Trier, we were at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial, which is the final resting place for thousands of American service members who died during World War Two. The cemetery, like all American war cemeteries I've been to, was a somber and peaceful place that makes you appreciative for the sacrifices of those who have fought for our country.

(Above) Lucas and Jack were happy to have a chance to be outside and away from their car seats.

(Above) The Luxembourg American Cemetery is the final resting place for General Patton and two medal of honor recipients.

A mile or so down the road from the American cemetery was a cemetery for German soldiers killed during WWII. It was quite an interesting contrast to compare the two. The German headstones were darker and low to the ground. The cemetery grounds were not well kept, and there were two names marked on each gravestone. A sign outside of the cemetery noted that "the dead of this cemetery admonish to peace." One of the pictures below has the complete description regarding the establishment of this German cemetery, which was the first of its kind constructed outside of Germany after WWII.

Burg Eltz

Harmony is busy with a class and has been boycotting blogging so I'm putting these up for posterity! Harmony's mother, her brother Jaxon, and his wife Brittany traveled to Germany for a visit at the end of March. During their time here, we made a few trips, the last of which was to Burg Eltz, Trier, and Luxembourg. We've relied a lot on Rick Steves' Europe tour books during our 3-year stay in Germany. Rick Steves recommended Burg Eltz, which is located near the Rhine River, as his favorite castle in all of Europe. Since the castle is only about an hour and a half drive from our house, we had to make a visit. Unfortunately, one side of the castle was covered with scaffolding when we went because the castle is undergoing major restorations, so we did not experience the breath-taking view that is shown in postcards of Burg Eltz. I'll add Trier and Luxembourg in separate posts.

(Above) One of the bedroom chambers

We had a tour of portions of the castle's interior. Burg Eltz is one of Europe's best-preserved castles because it was never destroyed by invading armies. The interior still has the furnishings of many centuries past. Unfortunately, the staff would not allow us to bring the toddler backpack inside so we had to carry Lucas. Lucas has officially entered his 'terrible twos' early and did his best to prevent Harmony and I from listening to the tour guide. Fortunately, most of the people in the group were Americans with small children so we were not the only ones with noisy kids!

My Family Visits Germany

Hi everyone! Somehow blogging has become very low on my priority list with school and the move coming up. I can't believe how busy our life in Germany has been. We pack-out and fly at the end of May. We're really looking forward to spending a good amount of time with family this summer (and in the glorious land of convenience!)

Recently my mom, brother Jaxon, and sis-in-law Brittany came to Germany for a visit. We did a lot while they were here, including Rothenburg, Nuremberg, Cologne, Trier, Luxemburg, several castles, and a Rhine River cruise. You can view a few of the photos HERE.

Paris Girls Trip

I was lucky enough to go with some girlfriends on a short trip to Paris in January while the dads stayed home with the kids. Even though it was very cold, it was a wonderful trip! I loved Paris. We saw all the main attractions and ate some really good French food. And it was freeing to be on a trip and not have to carry a heavy stroller up every flight of stairs, be able to stay out late, and pack just for myself!

Click on this box to see the photos.

Paris

Videos of Lucas

Riding Jack's tricycle (motion sickness warning)


All toys are riding toys


"MOVIE!"

Aaron's 2-Day Trip to Rome

(Aaron wrote today's posts)
I caught a cheap Ryanair flight to Rome to meet my Dad to do some sight-seeing last week. Europe has several discount airlines that offer extremely cheap airfares. I booked this flight less than 2 weeks in advance and it still cost only about 50 euros (roughly $70). Rome is my favorite city so I was happy to find an excuse to go back.

(Ab0ve) Saint Peter's Basilica, the largest cathedral in the world. For 7 euros, we took an elevator up to the level of the statues of the saints. Then we had to climb 320 steps to the cupola at the top. It was the narrowest staircase I've ever climbed! Definitely not an activity for anyone who is claustrophobic.

(Above) Piazza Navona- a beautiful square where all sorts of artists were selling their paintings. I ended up buying a couple of them.

(Above) One of my favorite sites in Rome, the Colosseum. I couldn't resist doing the tour again.

(Ab0ve) Anyone who has watched Angels and Demons should recognize these two sites. On the left is Castel Sant'Angelo. On the right is Piazza del Popolo.

(Above) The Spanish Steps

(L) The Trevi Fountain- only a 5-minute walk from my hotel, Hotel Giardino. I definitely recommend this hotel since it's cheap and located within walking distance of most of Rome's famous sites. (R) Monument to Vittorio Emanuele II

Grandpa Bill's Visit

Last week, Grandpa Bill came to Germany for a brief visit before his conference in Rome.

(L) Jack asked Grandpa to read him his favorite bedtime story, Disney's The Haunted House. (R) Jack sound asleep in bed with the new toy Italian police car Grandpa brought him.

(Above) Wandering around the old part of Heidelberg.

(L) Aaron running after Lucas on the famous bridge in Heidelberg. Lucas did not want to stay with the rest of us and kept insisting on running towards the gate. (R) The main square in the old part of Heidelberg next to an old church. These boys did not want to stay in the stroller.

(Above) Jack and Mom in the stocks at Auerbach Castle.

(Above) Jack has finally started to pose for pictures! Nice cheesy smiles. (Below) More photos of Castle Auerbach.

(R) Jack and Aaron looking down a deep well. Jack enjoyed throwing chunks of wood down the well and waiting a few seconds to hear the "thump" sound.