First day of school

                       August 7th                                

Luke's first day in the Grund Schule  (1st grade) and 

Tessa's first day at Kindergarten without Luke (second year)

The school really celebrates the new 1st graders.  They invite all the new 1st graders and their parents to come a day after the rest of the school starts.  The 3rd graders put on a Welcome Program for them.  Then all of the 2-4th graders line up outside and wave streamers as the first graders walk from the gym to their new classrooms with their backpacks and schuletute.  It was very sweet.  I don't think Luke noticed because his schuletute was too heavy.  I didn't know what I was supposed to put in it. 

Luke's teacher is Frau Sehlinger

August 28th

Sam's first day of 3rd grade with Ms. Chebaro

 

Eltz Castle and Suspension Bridge

Eltz Castle

Suspension Bridge

Wedding pictures at the bridge

Ryan in Garmisch

Ryan stayed in Garmisch for a conference for the rest of the week while we went home.  He went on a suspension bridge and went on a hike through a gorge.  We hope we make it back here.  

Linderhof

Linderhof was another one of Ludwig II palaces.  He modeled this one after Versailles.  

 

Garmisch, Hohenschwangau and Neuschwanstein

 Ryan got to go to a conference in Garmisch and so we all got to tag along.  It is such a beautiful part of Bavaria with imposing Alps, blue lakes and luxurious castles.   I love the history of the castles that belonged to Ludwig II, King of Bavaria from 1864-1886.  He was shy, probably gay, dodged a marriage, built caves in and near his castles, spent a lot of money and was murdered.