Janet visits for Oktoberfest

Janet & Missy

Fun, FUN visit with my high school friend Janet this weekend. She moved to Geneva last year so we have been trying to find a weekend for her to visit Munich. Oktoberfest seemed like the perfect time!

We spent Friday doing my Bavarian trifecta of Oberammergau, Linderhof Palace, and Ettal Monastery. Janet was properly impressed. We also dirndl shopped and Janet came away with a beautiful dirndl that totally brings out her eyes, everyone told her so!

Saturday was Oktoberfest day. We saw the grounds and had tickets for tent with some friends which was such a great time. Janet even worked out that she and my friend Christina went to middle school together in Chicago, such a small, small world.

Missy, Janet & Christina

We had a great time at Oktoberfest, singing, dancing, drinking, eating. Basically doing all the things you do at Oktoberfest.

Sunday we visited Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles. They are such impressive castles. Bonus of this visit, the lake between the castles was an incredible turquoise color, I've never seen it look so beautiful.

We had a busy and fun weekend! Can't wait to do it again!

Half Marathon PR at the Tegernseelauf

Heading to the finish line

I ran a half marathon today around the Tegernsee (Tegern Lake). I spent most of the summer training for this race and my hard work was rewarded. I ran my fastest half marathon ever - 1:51:11 and I ran fairly consistently throughout the race.

It looks like I'm leading the race, but I'm not!

While it was not a beautiful day, it was a little chilly and it rained during part of the race, it was good conditions for running 13.1 miles.

The location was beautiful, the race went through 3 or 4 idyllic Bavarian towns and around the lake. The less than perfect parts were the two long hills. One about a mile long at mile 10 and another about 3/4 of a mile long at mile 12. Tough at the end of the race.  Luckily the finish was all downhill.

Steve was my awesome support crew. Driving me there, taking photos and taking me home. So very, very nice.

Oktoberfest Opening Day

It's that time of year again, Oktoberfest! Today was opening day and a beautiful day it was too. Stefanie and Rachel were away at sports tournaments so Steve and I decided to go see the parade.

The parade was of course fun to see.  Lots and lots and lots of bier wagons with people dressed in traditional trachten - lederhosen and dirndls and of course several traditional german bands! The wagons are beautiful decorated with flowers and it is a huge production with people lining the streets to watch.

We had lunch at a favorite biergarten in the city and then walked over to the Oktoberfest grounds to see what the first day looks like. WOW. There were crazy, insane numbers of people. At 3pm all of the tents were completely cordoned off, no one else was getting in until the next entry time that evening.

Next to the grounds is St Paul's Church, a beautiful old church that creates a fun juxtaposition with the flying swing ride that sits in front of it during Oktoberfest. We had never been inside but I had heard if you climbed the tower there was a terrific view of Oktoberfest so we decided to make the climb.

Missy

Steve - the photographer at work

We were not disappointed. The view is amazing and definitely worth the climb. They only let 20 people up at a time so you have to wait to go up until there is space and we are glad we did. What a great way to see the "Wiesn". Next year we will have to try to climb up at night.

MIS Golf Tournament

What fun Steve and I had at the Munich International School Golf Tournament. We golfed on separate teams and were lucky enough to have a little success.

Best Team Selfie Ever

Lunch break!

It was an absolutely beautiful day to be out on the course. We truly value this because that is not guaranteed in September in Germany!

Steve's team came in third overall and Steve won longest drive. My team didn't fair so well but individually we accounted for longest drive, closest to the line and by a very long way I won closest to the pin.

After the golf outing we attended a fun dinner with all of the golfers. A fun, fun way to spend the day!

Stefanie is SEVENTEEN!

17!

Stefanie is now SEVENTEEN!

We started celebrating last night with a party with her closest friends at our house. They had fun hanging out and celebrating.

Caroline, Stefanie & Tasha

Stefanie had special plans with her boyfriend Joe on her birthday so Steve and I signed up for a golf outing and we celebrated with birthday breakfast and chocolate silk pie - Stefanie's birthday "cake" of choice.

Rachel & Stefanie - beautiful all seasons painting by Rachel 

Of course there were presents and Rachel and AJ contributed two of the favorites!

Duck slippers from AJ

Stef and Joe had a special dinner out in Murnau. Joe had won a 3 course dinner at a beautiful hotel in a golf tournament so he of course took his best girl.

Stefanie & Joe

22 Years!

Steve and I celebrated 22 years of being married today!  Woohoo! We both agree we couldn't have ever imagined/predicted where we would be right now but we are so happy we got to do it together! We celebrated with drinks and dinner in Munich, it's fun having a big city right on our doorstep!