Fun with Friends in Germany

In Germany, we stayed in a house in the mountains that had an apartment upstairs and downstairs.  We met our friends who live in Austria about halfway... about a six hour drive for both of us.  It was so fun to see them and meet their little James for the first time!  They stayed in the apartment upstairs and we stayed downstairs.  The kids had a blast together running around the yard and playing on the play grounds... not to mention the exploring they did, and the random doughnuts that somehow just "appeared" after an afternoon of exploring. :)  We had a fun week.  Here are some snapshots:

Mr Mike and Wes and the kids played UNO on a daily basis!

We didn't want to carry the pack-n-play... just one more thing to lug around... so we decided to try Carolina in a bed!  She did really well, except this one time when she somehow found Mommy's lipstick and decided it was just the right color for her.  The thing is, we didn't even know she'd gotten out of bed until we found her later... just like this.  Needless to say, my lipstick is no good anymore, BUT she didn't get it on anything but her lips!  I was grateful for that!

We found a park nearby... the kids LOVED to pull themselves across the water on this dock.  Carrie and I just about had heart attacks until we realized that the water only really came to Carolina's waist. :)  It does look scary, though, doesn't it?  For a 2 year old to be on without an adult? :)

The nearby creek that the boys (all of them...) played in every day.  There was a beautiful lake, too, but the creek won out every time.  They built walls and dams and pools with rocks.  It was a blast for them!!

I think they are deciding which rock to tackle next... who knows.  :)

The view from our cabin... and the yard out back.

Mike making hamburgers!!... They were incredible.

Boys and fire... not always the best combination.  Well, no one got hurt, but it always makes me sooooo nervous.

Carrie brought all the makings for smores, so we all roasted marshmallows!  The kids had a blast!!!!! Yummmm....

Carolina's first smore ever.

Mr. Mike and Carolina... Mr. Mike has become a favorite with ALL my kids!

Mike, Carrie, James, and Samantha... we are missing William, somewhere... :)

Carolina LOVED playing with Samantha!

Jonathan and Samantha riding the go-carts.

This face says it all... this was a ride that pulled them high into the air and then let them fall.  All the kids loved it, but Jonathan just had the best faces. :)  Does that say "thrill" or what. :) I wish you could've seen his eyes...

We sure did have a blast together!  We were thankful for the fellowship and the sweetness of the kids being able to play together.  God has blessed us with good friends! :)