Battaglias

Steve, Brian, Rita, Rick, Stefanie, Missy, Rachel & AJ

Steve's sister Rita, her husband Rick and their son Brian are the latest family members to visit us in Germany. Our siblings and parents have now all visited at least once, pretty impressive! And it was a terrific visit!

It was a pretty day in Starnberg when they first arrived, so what else do you do when you live in a lake town? Visit the lake!  The four kids rented a little electric boat and drove around the lake while we had a lovely walk and and even lovelier cocktail while we waited. Steve arrived safe and sound back from the US and we ended the day with a yummy German dinner.

We spent the next day at Herzogstand. We love visiting this mountain with guests. There is bahn so everyone can get to the top but there are hiking options too and the views are incredible! And the lunches are super hiker sized and delicious!

Rita & Rick

Rita & Brian

AJ - always on the edge

We spent their last day touring Munich. We gave them our standard walking tour and then ended up in the Englischergarten for lunch. We met Sabrina and her husband in the Chinesicher Biergarten. Sabrina was their nanny when there sons were little. It's a small world!

Mother's Day AND Bruno Mars!

It was a terrific Mother's Day weekend! 

I was completely and totally spoiled or maybe, just appreciated. You choose. 

AJ was home for the summer from college, Steve and the kids surprised me with a new bike and I am psyched! We practically live on a bike trail so I'm excited to be out there on my bike more! They made me an awesome brunch, AJ watched Singing in the Rain with me (one of our favs) and we took a walk in town and had ice cream! And there is cake!

To end the day we went to the Bruno Mars concert. AJ got lucky and got to take an extra ticket but Stefanie and Rachel unfortunately had exams so no concert for them!

We went with a group of friends and we danced all night in our standing floor seats. So did Bruno, he does.not.stop.  So much fun!

Date Night...at the Opera!

One of my Christmas presents this year was a gift certificate to the opera in Munich. I was very excited because I've always wanted to go. Steve kindly agreed to be my date.

We went to see William Tell. The opera house was beautiful and the music and singing were wonderful. I really enjoyed going but this might be a girls night out kind of event in the future!

Maibaum

The weather turned much colder for May day but that of course didn't deter us from another fun day of celebrating Bavarian style. We spent the morning in Gauting watching them raise a new Maypole the traditional way. This takes about two hours as the men slowly inch the pole into the right place.

Enjoying the show!

 While we waited for them to begin (see part of the pole in the background?), Lisa and I tried out a bench made from the one that had been taken down. I thought they were going to be for sale but turns out they were part of an auction.  We didn't want one that badly...

Maibaum bench

Later we met up with friends for a late lunch and one more celebration before Lisa and Jon headed back to America!