one of the main things i love about europe is the fact that within a short amount of time you can be in a whole new country !!!!! it is such a blessing for me that i have family that currently lives in germany and is only 2 1/2 hrs away (by car). they graciously extended the offer for me to visit and my uncle even drove all friday night just to come pick me up + take me to germany (thanks again michael, you're the best) !!
AND get this....we went through three countries: switzerland, austria, and germany. (: what a road trip, right?!
it was so fun to see my uncle and his beautiful family + to visit a place i have never been to before! there was snow all over and driving on the highways was like being in a winter wonderland. (:
we went exploring a bit on saturday visiting the famous ritter sport chocolate factory + one of the military bases by their home. my uncle spoiled me rotten with all sorts of delicious chocolate (; + then again on base when we had lunch together with the girls.
***side note/dramatic note*** when we got on base I almost started crying because there were so many americans + they were all speaking english + I love military people beyond words!!!!
don't worry though, my uncle definitely teased me for that silly moment of mine.
but people, the struggle is real! (; (;
saturday night was a real treat (thank you to heather for allowing me to bombard the plans!)
we got to go and have dinner with one of my aunt heathers coworkers + her bf. they were the best host + hostess ever and they really knew how to throw a party with great food + great company. i was especially impressed by the four course meal:
german soup (it was like a chicken broth with homemade crepe noodles + meat filled noodle pouch things, haha)
salad (made by heather; so dang good! spinach leafs, chopped almonds, + poppy seed dressing)
a german dish that included steak and this really delicious noodle type thing (you guys, i should have taken pics but i didn't even think to bring my phone that night. dangit)
dessert, the fave always, was an incredible apple dish. they fried apples in a crepe like batter with cinnamon + sugar, put ice cream + whipped cream on top, and wahhhhlaahhhhh SO DANG GOOD.
sunday was a very relaxing day. they don't have church until 1 so we all took our time getting ready + out the door. their ward is a military ward which was so fun to be a part of. i thoroughly enjoyed listening to all three blocks in english (: and then being able to chat with many different people throughout. it still amazes me at how welcoming everyone has been both in the chur branch and now this ward in germany. the church is true no matter where you go, right?! (;
(right!)
to top things off, heather had a wonderful homemade meal waiting for us at home. GERMAN PANCAKES IN GERMANY you guys!!!!! and i know, they aren't really german but who even cares? i was once again so happy that i thought i would cry, haha. #emotional and not only german pancakes (which i grew up calling them oven pancakes..in case you don't know what i'm talking about) but she also had bacon, hash browns, strawberries + a green smoothie!! heaven on earth. (:
thank you again heather !!!!
mmmmmmmm nothing like a home cooked meal, all american (;, on a sunday evening, with family.
my heart was definitely full.
cherry on top, you might ask? i got to stay up and talk with my uncle late sunday night instead of going back home to switzerland. patrick + maren offered to have me stay until monday and then just ride home with patrick once he was done working monday evening (he commutes to germany every day!) it allowed for more bonding time, you're welcome michael (;, and it was also very nice to have that extra day to explore in germany.
as you can see below (in the pictures) + read above..my weekend in germany has filled my cup!
i am very blessed that michael + heather allowed me to visit +took me all over + brightened my sprits with their familiar faces, their love, their kindness, and their support.
family is the best + biggest blessing.
see you soon germany!
xoxo
AND get this....we went through three countries: switzerland, austria, and germany. (: what a road trip, right?!
it was so fun to see my uncle and his beautiful family + to visit a place i have never been to before! there was snow all over and driving on the highways was like being in a winter wonderland. (:
we went exploring a bit on saturday visiting the famous ritter sport chocolate factory + one of the military bases by their home. my uncle spoiled me rotten with all sorts of delicious chocolate (; + then again on base when we had lunch together with the girls.
***side note/dramatic note*** when we got on base I almost started crying because there were so many americans + they were all speaking english + I love military people beyond words!!!!
don't worry though, my uncle definitely teased me for that silly moment of mine.
but people, the struggle is real! (; (;
saturday night was a real treat (thank you to heather for allowing me to bombard the plans!)
we got to go and have dinner with one of my aunt heathers coworkers + her bf. they were the best host + hostess ever and they really knew how to throw a party with great food + great company. i was especially impressed by the four course meal:
german soup (it was like a chicken broth with homemade crepe noodles + meat filled noodle pouch things, haha)
salad (made by heather; so dang good! spinach leafs, chopped almonds, + poppy seed dressing)
a german dish that included steak and this really delicious noodle type thing (you guys, i should have taken pics but i didn't even think to bring my phone that night. dangit)
dessert, the fave always, was an incredible apple dish. they fried apples in a crepe like batter with cinnamon + sugar, put ice cream + whipped cream on top, and wahhhhlaahhhhh SO DANG GOOD.
sunday was a very relaxing day. they don't have church until 1 so we all took our time getting ready + out the door. their ward is a military ward which was so fun to be a part of. i thoroughly enjoyed listening to all three blocks in english (: and then being able to chat with many different people throughout. it still amazes me at how welcoming everyone has been both in the chur branch and now this ward in germany. the church is true no matter where you go, right?! (;
(right!)
to top things off, heather had a wonderful homemade meal waiting for us at home. GERMAN PANCAKES IN GERMANY you guys!!!!! and i know, they aren't really german but who even cares? i was once again so happy that i thought i would cry, haha. #emotional and not only german pancakes (which i grew up calling them oven pancakes..in case you don't know what i'm talking about) but she also had bacon, hash browns, strawberries + a green smoothie!! heaven on earth. (:
thank you again heather !!!!
mmmmmmmm nothing like a home cooked meal, all american (;, on a sunday evening, with family.
my heart was definitely full.
cherry on top, you might ask? i got to stay up and talk with my uncle late sunday night instead of going back home to switzerland. patrick + maren offered to have me stay until monday and then just ride home with patrick once he was done working monday evening (he commutes to germany every day!) it allowed for more bonding time, you're welcome michael (;, and it was also very nice to have that extra day to explore in germany.
as you can see below (in the pictures) + read above..my weekend in germany has filled my cup!
i am very blessed that michael + heather allowed me to visit +took me all over + brightened my sprits with their familiar faces, their love, their kindness, and their support.
family is the best + biggest blessing.
see you soon germany!
xoxo