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!

Brockways!

Mark and Suzanne stopped by for a quick visit on their way to Italy. It was fabulous to see them again. Steve and Mark have been friends since Steve's first job out of college. We had so much fun and just laughed and laughed and laughed.

The weather was awful when they arrived and the trains were not running correctly so we had a coffee and a short walk by Starnbergersee. That night we had a traditional German dinner at our favorite local spot with the girls.

Mark and Suzanne rented a car the next day and headed off to Neuschwanstein while Steve worked (someone has to) and I volunteered at Rachel's track meet. (She won shot put!) Then we had a lovely dinner at our favorite Italian restaurant before they headed to Italy the next day!

Lisa & Jon

This was Jon and Lisa's second and third visit! They started their European adventure with us and a trip to Frühlingsfest, then headed to Prague and then back to us.

While they were here we tried Mike's Bike Tour in Munich and it was fantastic. The young man who did a tour had a great knowledge of the history of the city and was also hilarious. The tour was extensive and entertaining.

Lisa & Jon - ready to go!

Missy, Lisa & Jon at the Englischergarten

It was a gorgeous day so while we were in the city we also climbed St Peter's Tower. This is the first church that was built in Munich and the view from the top is amazing!

The following day we visited Nymphenburger Castle. This castle is located in Munich and is really only worth visiting in the spring, summer and fall when the gardens are open. The tour of the castle's apartments is interesting but the garden is the real star. They are several different building to visit including a hunting lodge, a bath house and an amazing chapel deccrated completely with shells. There is also a carriage museum and a porcelain museum. You could easily spend the whole day in the garden. We even took a gondola ride in the palace lake!

Jon & Lisa - the castle is behind them

When they returned to Germany we took a walk to Ludwig's Chapel This marks the spot on Starbergersee where King Ludwig suspiciously drowned, in about six inches of water. It's a pretty spot and it was a pretty day. Also, you park right next to a lovely biergarten on the lake. A great way to spend an afternoon.

Where King Ludwig was found...

We also celebrated May Day with Lisa and Jon, read all about that here!

Fruhlingsfest

And it's time for another bierfest, this time of year it's Frühlingsfest, a smaller version of Oktoberfest. Our friends Lisa and Jon were visiting so we dressed them in trachten for the full experience!

It was a bit of rainy cold day so we only did minimal exploring of the grounds and then stopped a for a shot and a bier on the "bierosel" outside the tents. Fun to slowly circle around and watch all the people while having a drink.

We of course met some friends and danced and danced and danced. 

Such a cute bavarian couple!

Prost!

Happy Easter!

Happy Easter from our house to yours! Once again it was cold on Easter here but at least it didn't snow this year!  Steve stumped the girls with a tricky Easter egg hunt, I finally found a lamb cake recipe that worked and we enjoyed the orchestra that played at Mass!