Palmengarten (Frankfurt Botanical Gardens)

We spent a lovely afternoon together at the botanical gardens (Palmengarten).  There really was too much to see for one afternoon.  We plan to go back in the spring when plants will be starting to bloom.  (I must say, though, how nice it was to be there with fewer people and we even got to see a beautiful bride!)

beginning our tour of the gardens

Bright and Beautiful

Roots attached to a rock

Look out! Those yellow plants are carnivorous!

...the last rose of summer...

This is the rose garden area, but, sadly,
no roses (not in winter anyway)

A large lake where you can ride boats.
 (when? in the summer, of course!)

Dynamic Duo....he he he

Fun water play area at the children's playground in the gardens, but, sadly, no water (not until summertime and I'm sure it will be packed with happy, dripping wet children everywhere!).

Testing the slide...make sure it's safe

Awesome Playground!

pensive moment

fun mobile hanging from a tree

Have you ever seen garden ghosts?

Don't mess with Ivan!

The mushrooms behind them are lights for the nighttime tour.

taking time to smell the roses

Time to go...

and we see a beautiful bride as we stroll out of the gardens.

Christmas in Germany is a Blast!

The Christmas season has come and gone, but the memories of it will remain.  The Christmas markets are beyond words.  There is food, fun, unique "stuff" to look at (and sometimes buy...:o) and an overall giddy feeling for the spirit of Christmas.

This is not the only Christmas market.  Many cities in Germany will have a Christmas market and each one is unique.  Each one is a Christmas wonderland.

Here we are beginning a new adventure.
It is our first look at a Christmas market in Frankfurt, Germany.

Even Santa comes to the Christmas markets.

Sampling the fine cuisine...

Here we are eating fried potato pancakes with
a big scoop of applesauce to dip it in.  It is so yummy.

Everything is dipped in chocolate in this wonderland.  Here is a skewer with fresh raspberries covered in chocolate.  Oh yum.

Get a look at that pretzel!!  Have you ever seen anything like it? 

We are warming-up with a cup of warm"kinder punch"
(children's punch).  It has the same spices as wassail or
apple cider, but instead of apples, grape juice is used.

My favorite...the Christmas stars.

At Christmas time people hang these stars
 in the windows of their homes or
 on the top of Christmas trees.

It wouldn't be a Christmas market without ornaments for the tree.

Eye candy

Here it is...gingerbread...this makes the journey complete :o)

Can't wait until next year so we can do it all over again!!

Dr. Who Mania

We had the opportunity to go see the Dr. Who special in the movie theater in Frankfurt.  It was definitely a cultural experience.

A picture is worth a thousand words....

After riding the train - this is our stop.  We are walking through
the train station on the way to the theater.

On the way we meet many Dr. Who fans
heading in the same direction...
and, yes, the dresses are bigger on the inside.

Just having fun waiting in the lobby.

Wearing the "special" glasses.
(Only cool people wear those.)

After the movie...the plot no longer a mystery...or is it?

Never leave home without it.  What is it?
Your sonic screwdriver, of course!

Ivan Becomes a Deacon - Wooo Hooo!!!!!

The day has finally arrived...hard to believe, but Ivan can pass the sacrament now!  He was ordained a deacon in our ward.  It was so great to see him passing the sacrament.  Jay was asked to pass the sacrament with him.  My two favorite guys, so awesome.

In case you didn't know, the sacrament is always passed to the bishop of the ward first.  So, the one that passes to the bishop has to begin it all and go in front of the whole congregation.  Yes, you guessed it.  They had Ivan do that.  He did a great job.  I'm so proud of him. 

Of course, I can't take a picture during the sacred time of partaking the sacrament, but I did get a family picture outside on the day he first passed it so I'll share that with you.  

Night at the Grammys

I have a whole lot of catching up to do....so, I'll begin with Grammy Night for Young Women and Men in our Frankfurt Stake.  All I can say is: "Wow!"  The leaders really outdid themselves with this evening.  They really wanted the youth to feel special and ... I'm sure it worked ;o)

It was a special night for the youth.  The parents and family came as sideline observers while the youth were the "celebrities!"  They were served a wonderful gourmet meal on beautifully decorated tables.  They were served by adults dressed as waiters.

A couple months before this event, each ward's youth group wrote a movie "short" and recorded it.  At the Grammys we got to watch all the movies.  I must say that it was great fun to see what each group came up with.  They got to choose their own themes - you can imagine the variety.

Emily's group wrote a news report that involved various incidences.  Emily acted the role of being interviewed during an investigation of someone stealing a bucket of Kentucky Fried Chicken (long story, but cute ending).

In case you are wondering, yes, each group won a Grammy!! (or - a plastic look-a-like :o)  Emily's group won for being the best edited.

Without further ado, here are the sparse and perhaps not so great pictures I took of the evening.  Can you believe I didn't get a single picture of Emily?  So disappointing.

The cutest boy at the Grammys!!