Other pics

another snow

celebrating Tommy's birthday

asleep in our bed

"I love you more than the sun and the moon and the stars in the sky."

Last big snow

Even with the massive snowfall, our Primary met up at the nursing home in Baumholder to sing.

The kids loved having a snow fight and building a snowman.

Frankfurt temple

We are happy that the Frankfurt temple is opened.  

Last night in Athens

We left the kids for an hour to be babysat by Netflix and we went out to eat a 1/2 block away. This wasn’t a touristy spot and full of Greeks. We got a salad with grilled vegetables, a salad with grains, pomegranate, and figs, chicken dish with peppers in mustard sauce, and fried zucchini and cheese balls. It was so good and there was no room for dessert (which is saying a lot for me). We walked to the lit up Acropolis and kissed and then got the kids and walked through the city with them in their jammas to buy Sam and Luke some playing cards.

We woke up at 7 to catch the bus (next to the grave of the unknown soldier) to the airport and made it home sweet home by 4 pm. The craziest thing was that when we got home, my keys were in the door and had been for a whole week! The postman came and went and maybe others but our home and belongings were completely safe. What a huge blessing! We loved our trip and love coming back to our sweet, safe and comfy home in Germany.

Hadrian's Library, Roman Agora, Greek Agora

Ryan got a crummy night sleep so we slept in before heading to Hadrian’s library, the Roman agora and the Greek Agora. The Greek agora was the city center back in the day where markets, theater, and worship occurred. The Hephaestus temple is the best kept temple in Greece because it was converted to churches with each conquer. The kids were great. Sam loved following the GPS and leading us. Luke said that Paul should have slid on Mars hill instead of preaching to the people. Tessa wouldn’t stop begging for an ice cream cone, even though she had a whole tub back at the apartment.

Hadrian's Library

created by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in AD 132.  Rolls of papyrus "books" were kept here with  reading rooms and lecture halls.  The library was seriously damaged by the invasion of 267 and repaired by the prefect Herculius in AD 407-412.  During Byzantine times, three churches were built at the site; the remains of which are preserved.

Roman Agora

Greek Agora

It was also known as Market Hill as it's initial use was for a commercial, assembly, or residential gathering place.

Temple of Haphaestus

Museum of Ancient Agora

Method of voting
I specifically remember this when Ryan and I came in 2008.

Walk around Athens

We made our way back to the apartment for lunch, movie and nap. Then we headed to the temple of Zeus, the 1896 Olympic stadium and the guards at the Tomb of the unknown soldier. I bought Tessa a Greek dress, not as cute as the one Poppy and Bumps bought me when they went to Greece, but still cute.

We had a chill evening at home eating more skewers and souvlaki.

Temple of Zeus

1896 Olympic Stadium

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 

Church

Mars Hill

Our favorite place was the hill right next to the Acropolis which was Mars hill. I loved it for its biblical reference in Acts 14 when Paul is telling the Athenians about who the unknown God is and that we are all children of God (very powerful information especially back then when you worshipped a demigod or king with godly parents). It is incredible to stand on this slick rock and know that Paul stood here 2000 years ago. The kids loved it because the slick rock quickly turned into a playground of slides, definitely becoming their favorite place in Greece.

Acropolis

Wednesday- We started with the Acropolis. Greece makes you pay for kids if you are not from the EU. We have really gotten used to Germany letting kids be free or giving a family fare, but I think Greece needs the revenue more. We can tell it is a poorer country from the stray animals, how they handle trash and having to throw toilet paper in the trash instead of the toilet. But Greece still has the very best food! Even Sam said so! The kids loved the skewers of chicken and pitas. I loved the Greek salads with the whole feta cheese block on top. It comes with no lettuce at all. Ryan eats the tomatoes and I eat the onions.

The Acropolis is situated on a rock above the city. It has the temple to Athena, the Parthenon, and the Erechtheion.