Bad Durkheim Wine Fest

One of the good things about living in Germany is the fests they have! I've heard about Bad Durkheim wine fest. The fest is the world largest wine fest. It is 593 years old. Here's their link if you want more info:

www.duerkheimer-wurstmarket.de

We were told that everything is open at 10:00 (we got there around 10:45). The wine tents open at 10:00, the food booths open at 11:00, & we found out that the rides open at 12:00. Since we had time to kill we walked around to find some where to eat & to scope out everything.

After eating we decided to kill time since the rides were still not open by playing a little duck fish game:

We finally found a ride that was open. Ben took her to ride while I went to one of the shops to buy postcards & to scope out the wine:

I went to find a bathroom while Ben took MJ this cute little ICE train ride:

We rode this fun (but short water ride) next. Ben & MJ went on the ferris wheel. Here's some shots the Ben took from there:

Ben & MJ wanted to ride the bumper cars:

She kept her eyes closed a lot... I don't blame her:

MJ wanted to ride this boat ride that went really fast (see video below). We decided to all go on this one! She loved riding this ride as much as we did. She has no fear of speed. Here's Ben on the ride: We were hungry & went to find some yummy fair food.

After eating a quick snack me & MJ wanted to ride the boats again as her last ride:

Me & MJ getting ready to ride the boats again:

We parked near these grape vines:

We saw this castle on the way in & we stopped on the way home to take pictures of it:

We all had the best time! Later that evening me & Ben broke open the wine that we brought.

Riding the swan:

Riding the little ICE train:

Going down the big slide w/ daddy:

Me & MJ on the boat ride... look for the big puffy red head wearing a gray shirt:

Family Day

They had a family day on Ramstein last Saturday. My friend Stephanie told me about it & invited us to join her & her son. I decided to would be a nice Saturday outing for the two of us... Ben wanted to sleep in. I didn't bring my camera there b/c I didn't think it was going to be very big... I was wrong! They had air slide, bouncy castles, face painting, hot dogs, crafts, bubbles, action heroes walking around, & train rides all for FREE! We all had the best time! I was very impress that MJ wanted to get her face painted. She watched Stephanie's son Michael go 1st so I think that helped. She wanted a butterfly. When we got home I took a picture of it.They had the cutest little animal mask there also: I told Ben that he missed out. We're hoping that they'll do it again soon!

Striking A Pose

I got her this outfit last year for her school picture. It was too cold to wear then so I put her in something else that day. She was in a picture taking mood so I took her up on it!

Neunkirchen Zoo W/ Ben

We had no Labor Day plans today so we decided to go to the Neunkirchen Zoo. Ben has never been & MJ been asking to go to the zoo. The weather was perfect to go!.

Of course we HAD to do the coin drop: We went up to the bird exhibit next:

I thought this was neat. All different bird eggs:

We made our way to the bird show:

After the bird show we went to find more animals:

After she was done eating we let her go pay at the playground near by:

Ben soon found toy for himself: He finally decided to share: After we ate lunch we walked around a bit more:

We went & got ice cream. We had to move out of where were sitting b/c the bees were so bad. We went & sat to watch the sea lions one last time:

We all had a great time! We love visiting the Neunkirchen Zoo!

Here's some video from the bird show:

1st Day Of School

I took MJ to her orientation on Monday. She was more then ready to go back to school.

Here she is on her 1st day of school: She was ready to get rid of me. I wasn't able to get a really good picture of her. She had a great 1st of school & is ready to go back!