Germany Day 3 - Travel Day towards Traben-Trarbach

Before picking up our car, we head out to the train station.  B has got to see some trains.

We found a nice one.  ICE.  I wonder where it was going....

 

Here's our car.  Its a Ford. Dad was hoping to get a VW, but we got a Ford.  It worked out because the Galaxy was much bigger and we really needed the room.  We had quite a bit of luggage.

On the road, we see how cars are towed.  Pretty cool.

This car was just for me.

We drove to Trier first.  Mom and Dad came here years and years ago and liked it so much they had to bring us there too.  That's the Ponte Nigra - the black gate.  It's really black.

Waiting for our lunch to arrive in the Ratskellar, Brendan works on his Scavenger hunt book.  

Our campsite.  Our tent looks so little next to our big car.  Only one other tent that first night...most folks had campers.  

Walking in Traben-Trarbach looking for dinner.

Found this cute little restaurant, Historische Stadt-Muehle.  

They had a fishing pond...and they caught fish to serve.  We didn't order the fish, but they served several fish that night.  They're pretty hard to catch!

Brendan sipping Mom's drink....

Back at the campingplatz, Brendan and I really enjoyed riding this little buggies around.  Not really any other kids at this site, so we pretty much had them to ourselves.

They also had this great trampoline!  We had so much fun on it!

Here is the rest of the campingplatz.  Most people have campers....which would have been really nice because it rained like cats and dogs on our first night.  It was a little crazy and woke us up it was so loud.  Eventually, we all fell back asleep.  What a night!

Germany Day 1 - Travel Day and Frankfurt

We were so excited about our flight to Frankfurt.   On an Airbus A380.  

Having a moment with our airplane before we leave home.

At the airport, Mom gives us the scavenger hunt books she made us for this trip.  We love doing them, even though we don't always finish them.  

Checking out the cockpit after arrival in Frankfurt.

After checking in to our apartment at #6 An Der Staufenmauer, we head over to the Kleinmarkthalle.   It's an indoor market hall quite close to where we are staying.  We're a little jetlagged and can't figure out what to buy or where to eat....

So, we walk down the Zeil - a pedestrian only shopping street and find Karstadt.  It's a German department store and Mom and Dad know there's food upstairs.  I'm having my first Schnitzel....one of many....maybe too many.

After a little rest back at the apartment, we venture out yet again.  We're crazy tired, but Mom insists we try to adjust and make ourselves walk in search of dinner. 

Someone put soap in this nice fountain...and now there's bubbles everywhere!!!

Hiiiii Yaaaa!  Take that bubble!

Now we're at Kaufhof...another department store.  We're on the rooftop cafe and it's rather nice up here.

The view is nice.  

This is funny.  This guy is his own bratwurst stand.  Crazy, right?

We were able to stay up until about 8pm.  It was hard to do...but we were so tired.  Brendan was falling asleep while playing on the iPod.  Even though it was still light out...we went to bed.

My Last Dance Recital....at this studio....

I had my final dance recital with the Dance Zone.  It was the same deal as last year.  3 shows in one day.  It was long, but I had fun with my friends.  

Before we hit the stage.

Waiting in the wings with my team.

Mom set up this changing area in the hallway.  It worked out well.  But Dad had to bring in some fans to help cool us off.  It was a hot day.

Another costume change and then waiting off stage.

What?

With teammate Ashley.

Mom is trying to cool me off....

With teammate and classmate Kylie.

With Emily.

She was trying to make my arms float up...

I didn't work.

Time for Hip Hop.  With Emily and Tulia.

Brendan watching me from off stage.

The bow.

My first Garage Sale

We had a garage sale this weekend.  It was mostly our toys and random things we had up in the attic.  I was allowed to keep the money that we made...except for the things that were big, or belonged to Uncle Chris or anyone else.  We asked friends and neighbors if they had anything to sell and we tried to sell it for them.  Also, Emily and Christina (with Christina's Mom) came and they sold some of their toys and clothes.  It was really fun to have my friends over.  Then at the end, Larkin, Joie, Ella and Cady came for a visit.  We just had so much fun.  And I was completely exhausted!  Not counting other people's goods, we made $177!  I gave Mom and Dad 20% for helping set up and monitor everything.  And then I gave Brendan some...he didn't really do anything, but I guess I can't expect him to do much..you know, he's only 6.  

Then....the next day, we went to Target....to get more toys!