Ed & Carole McLaughlin

Noah in Beauty in the Beast play

2011-11-12T15:23:00.002-07:00

Attended Grandson Noah's play at Bonneville Junior High last night. They did Beauty and the Beast.

Trevor in Bingham HS Marching Band

2011-10-15T21:31:00.004-06:00

We went to Logan to see Trevor in the Bridgerland High School Marching Band Competition.

Post office walk

2011-09-17T12:20:00.007-06:00

First and most important. Today is BYU game day. Yes, we live in red country so it is all the more important to display the TRUE BLUE.The daily walks to the post office continue. The Lagoon trail is always changing with the seasons and sometime the storm the night before.
The new additions to the antelope are doing fine.
Kennecott Copper in Salt Lake ordered this 100 million Ton+ tank from a firm in Idaho. They decided to bring it down highway 89 then cross the freeway at Park Lane. They actually had to move the traffic signal arm at the corner. It took them 30 minutes just to maneuver at an angle through these to signal arms.

Cassie's Soccer Game

2011-09-10T16:32:00.008-06:00

It is easy to pick Cassie out on the field with her ponytail and one white sock - one orange sock.

Amy's Birthday Party

2011-09-05T21:39:00.013-06:00

Saturday was Amy's birthday party.Friends and gifts
Friends and games

Friends, cake and ice cream

Family BBQ

2011-08-27T21:41:00.013-06:00

End of summer BBQ with the family. The 2 young cousins (once removed I think it's called) Eliza and Grayson spent time together.With our house backing up to the common area, there was plenty of room for the volleyball game.

It's usually the teenagers with the water balloons but Amy was on the prowl. She eventually found grandma.
Grandma got 4 cousins involved in water balloon toss.

A good way to cool down on a hot day is water relay.
Amy and Noel enjoyed the dolls we brought back from Germany.

Day out

2011-08-25T22:15:00.009-06:00

With Kyson still on oxygen, it's hard for Shalee to get out of the house with the kids so we stopped by to take them for a day.Talya enjoyed Chuck E Cheese
So did Ryker
Then we took a walk on the Lagoon trail to see the Buffalo. The sign says not to approach the fence but you just can't get a good look at them otherwise (right?). Daddy buffalo stomped his feet 3 times then charged up to a foot from the inner fence. Just a bit if excitement.
On the way to Lagoon, we say the fire department at a house fire. They were just cleaning up and putting things away when we returned home so we decided to take a closer look.

Man sized grill

2011-08-14T01:46:00.002-06:00

I forgot to post the man sized grill they used at the apple wine festival. They just kept it swinging.

Saturday – to Frankfurt

2011-08-13T12:35:00.010-06:00

With many construction projects on the autobahn, we arrived in Frankfurt an hour later than expected. We stopped by the temple which was beautiful as all temples are

Even the home provided for the Temple President was true German style.

Our GPS got us to the hotel easily. I had marked a route from the hotel to the Avis car return at the airport on a map. The hotel clerk first indicated a more major street then said that the one I had marked was a good shortcut. Halfway to the airport we saw an Avis location but it looked like an off airport service facility and I drove on. Carole suggested we go ask the best route to the car return. The security guard said that we needed to take it to the airport and that one of their drivers would be going there so we could follow. On the way I realized that I had not filled the tank and stopped at a station. It was a Lufthansa company station. The Avis driver turned around, got us and had us follow him to the other side of the airport to a gas station. He waited while we filled then led us back to the airport car return. We gave him a nice tip. I have never driven in such a complex of winding access roads and roundabouts before. This is one huge airport.

We took the S-Bahn into downtown Frankfurt.

We walked the park around the opera house.

Even the big cities have their pedestrian only streets.

On this one, they have a traveling beer parlor. One of the people in the front is the driver. The others sit, drink and peddle.

We even ran into the annual apple wine festival in the one of the plazas.

We are settled in the hotel for the night and leave in the morning. We have had a great time.

Friday - Our last day in North Germany

2011-08-12T10:54:00.008-06:00

Although all week the weather reports have been for today to have been the best weather of the week, the storm that has been over Germany all week will linger a bit and go out unwillingly. We cancelled our trip to Hamburg. We also cancelled our alternate of going to the entertainment park called “Heide Park” which is a lot like Disneyland. It is only 5 Km from Soltau. We decided to wander about the Luneburger Heide area and just take in the beauty. We have been living in the heart of the area for a week and traveling out more distant. This is the closest we got to the Heide Park.

We stopped in one village so that Carole could chat with the locals.

Returning to Soltau, we visited the toy museum. It was mostly dolls and doll houses from the past 500 years.

On the way to the ice cream parlor is a cute fountain. It appears that they both forgot that she just came to get a bucket of water.

We got caught up in rush hour traffic crossing the street to the park.

A last trip thru the park back to our hotel. This is the entrance to the park.

The park has a water playground. The kids pump water up, over that thru until it comes out in the sand where it runs back into the river.

Thursday - Berlin

2011-08-11T14:30:00.013-06:00

At 10:30 just before bed, Carole suggested that we change our plans and go to Berlin. It’s only a 3.5 hour drive on the autobahn. We drove thru the allied checkpoint entering West Berlin from the former soviet section of East Germany.

We set out to drive to an outer suburb and take the S-Bahn (light rail) into the city but the traffic was not that bad so we drove right into the heart of the city. We parked in the Sony Center parking. The Sony Center complex is built on top of where the Berlin Wall first came down in the city center. It’s a set of buildings with a huge canopy in the middle.

One of the buildings is Legoland.

We took one of those tourist buses that stop at important sights and you can jump off and back on the next bus. We first passed the only remaining section of the Berlin wall.

We got off at Checkpoint Charlie.

There was a wood carver’s shop…

Lunch was a bratwurst in a roll. This walking bratwurst vendor was quite self-contained and mobile.

Brandenburg Gate was a must see.

And a few other buildings.

We drove out of Berlin starting at 5 with the rush hour traffic. This was an agility test. Only took us 4 hours to get back to the hotel.

Wednesday – Goslar

2011-08-10T13:18:00.006-06:00

Goslar is a cute old city in the Harz Mountains south of Hannover. Most of northern Germany is flat so this is the resort area for the north. Even the royalty in the past built a large palace here. This was the seat of power for Germany in the 11^th century.

Each with a camera, we cannot be anything other than tourists.

And there is no lack of beauty here.

Legend has it that on the night of April 30, witches rise from the mountain top near here. The shops sell all kinds of witch stuff.

We wonder if the city walls were to defend against invading armies or witches.

Arriving back home it was raining but with a choice of emergency peanut butter and crackers in the room or a sandwich at the ice cream parlor, you know where we went.

Wednesday – Hannover

2011-08-10T13:17:00.003-06:00

On the way thru the Harz Mountains to Hannover, on the top of a rock peak, we noticed the statue of an eagle.

This is the best picture we could get of the Opera house in Hannover as it was peak 5pm traffic and there was no way to stop for a picture.

Wednesday – Driving in Germany

2011-08-10T13:12:00.007-06:00

It’s about time to mention the autobahn. It’s true what they say: There is no speed limit on many sections. They are both 2 and 3 lane. On a 3 lane, the middle lane is usually a normal speed lane except when a semi passes another semi. Semi’s have a speed limit of 100Km/Hr (60 MPH) even on the autobahn. So if you are in the center lane going 140 -160 Km/Hr (85-100 MPH) and want to move into the left lane to pass the passing semi, check your review mirror twice. There may be a car in the left lane or even in approaching in your lane doing well over 130-140 MPH. Click your turn signal and you will get several flashes of high beam even from a football field distance behind you. They come fast and they disappear out of sight as quickly. It’s sort of like merging freeway driving with the Indy 500.

Something not in the tourist book on driving is the thing about the traffic signals. You would think that they turned the city streets into a drag strip. Just before the light turns to green, the yellow light comes on with the red. That’s the go signal. Wait for the green and you might hear a horn behind you.

On today’s trip, there was a 19 Km construction zone. For part of the way, our 2 lanes were split one to the far right and the other divided from oncoming traffic by a barrier. They had cute signs telling the remaining distance.

Sad orange - 13.5 Km to go

Semi-sad orange – 8.5 Km to go

Happy yellow – 6 Km to go

Happy green – 1 Km to go

Tuesday - Part 1 Bremen

2011-08-09T13:16:00.005-06:00

Following the Fairy Tale Road, we ended up in Bremen where the tale of the Bremen State Musicians by the Brothers Grimm originates. Statues and pictures of this group are throughout the city center.

Lots of old beautiful buildings.

The “Rathaus” entry is magnificent.

Tuesday - Part 2 Oldenburg

2011-08-09T13:08:00.007-06:00

We traveled on to Oldenburg to find the house where I lived 50 years ago. It is still standing. Our room was the upper bay window on the left.

Our apartment was directly across the street from the castle or royal residence.

However, much has changed in 50 years. The quiet streets have been turned into pedestrian zone upscale shops.

Even the castle grounds are getting a makeover.

We got home in time for the evening performance of the traveling puppet show in the park next to our hotel. I think we got more enjoyment out of the little kids interacting with the puppets than we did the show.

Monday – Part 2

2011-08-08T14:19:00.007-06:00

We went into the mall and had lunch in the food court.

We got into our car and drove out of the car park into a major rain storm. I put our hotel into the GPS and Carole with a lot of faith put in Herrenhausen in Hannover about an hour north. It began to clear as we turned into the parking lot. We spent 2 hours+ in the greater gardens of Herrenhausen and the adjoining botanical gardens.

As we got on the autobahn headed home we could see the storm coming from the north as we headed into it and drove through a down pour. It cleared up just as we got to the hotel. How blessed we have been.

Monday – Part 1

2011-08-08T14:13:00.007-06:00

We had decided to take our first trip of the week to the south of Hannover. The weather report was as usual for rain throughout Germany. As we left the hotel, all we could see was dark rain clouds except for a bit of blue to the north. We stuck with our plans and drove to Hameln (2 hours south) with light rain. We parked in a mall parking structure. We could see blue and ventured into the adjoining old city. For 2 hours the weather was beautiful, partly cloudy but nice. This is the city where the Brothers Grimm got their fairy tale about the Pied Piper of Hameln. There was a statue and fountain in the city square.

On one corner of the central square was the large building called the “marriage building”. There are lots of bells on the upper part. In the middle of the 2^nd floor was a set of doors that open for the “Pied Piper Clockwork Figures” to come out. The info center told us that the next appearance would be at exactly 1.05pm. The sign on the construction fence said that it had been canceled.

We came this far so we waited. First the bells rang a tune then the Pied Piper came out with the mice following.

The bells rang again and the Pied Piper came out with the children following. The bells again and the doors closed. It was worth the wait. I took a video which I will try to put on later.

Sunday

2011-08-08T14:08:00.009-06:00

We drove about 50 Km to the city of Celle. I served in this city as a missionary 50 years ago arriving in Sept of 1961. They got a new chapel 5 years ago.

After church, we met with some of the members who go back that far. Sister Peters and her daughter, Sabine (2 in center) were there when I was and the other two came a year later but knew many of the people I had taken pictures of when I was there. I even had several photos of Sabine. She and her mother and the others were delighted seeing the pictures of the past. It was a wonderful reunion.

Sabine 50 years ago.

We visited the center of the city of Celle but 50 years erases a lot of memory or lots of change and reconstruction has taken place. Carole has begun collecting pictures of doors. Many if not most are older that the USA. This is the entrance to the city hall.

We then drove thru Uelzen where I served for the last 9 months. They have turned the main street into a partial pedestrian zone. At every eiscafe, they put sidewalk seating in the parking strip.

We had an early dinner at a BurgerKing on the way back to Soltau and a walk back into town to an eiscafe for an after dinner treat or second meal of the day. The choices were difficult from milk ice cream. Cream ice cream, yogurt ice cream and fruit ice cream.

Carole decided on a 4 scoop banana split with 4 different flavors. Carole says that the scoops were small but they made up for it with whipped cream topped with cherries and strawberry sauce and chocolate sauce. I got a 2 scoop cone which was listed on the receipt as a “children’s portion”.

Saturday

2011-08-08T14:00:00.007-06:00

It was an 8+ hour drive to Soltau north of Hannover. Longer than expected as there were 15 to 20 Km long construction zones where we were down to a snail’s pace. Once we arrived, we were delighted with our internet choice of a hotel. It is a small place with only 4 or 5 rooms run by a nice couple.

It backs up to the large city park with our own private patio. This small lake and fountain is just 25 yards from our patio.

They told us on arrival that just 5 minutes thru the park is the city with “eiscafes” = “ice cream parlors”. That was an understatement. The center of the city is pedestrian only with numerous eiscafes.
We had to walk to the other end of the pedestrian zone to find a restaurant that actually served food and then only to German standard - closed after lunch at 2pm and opening for dinner at 5:30pm. We came back an hour later for a steak dinner. We stopped along the way to pause and sit with the local ladies.

Back thru the park and a picture of the grain mill on the lake running thru the park.

Friday – Part 1

2011-08-05T13:04:00.007-06:00

We have visited all the places where we understand the Steimle ancestors lived in the past but were left with the question of where are the Steimle descendants who did not come to America. We checked the phone book and found several families in Gruenmettstetten, a city north of Horb am Neckar. Most of the past cities of residence were just south of Horb. We went there and walked the cemetery and found many recently buried with the name of Steimle and other ancestors. Recently because graves are recycled after 30-50 years. We did not contact any of the living families as we probably would not be able to speak with them. We will handle that with letters in the future.

We returned to Horb am Neckar as we had previously not been able to find the cemetery. We wandered up on an older road that would have been used as a direct route to and from Gruensmettstetten. We did find an old city map used for hikers which showed the location of the cemetery.

We passed by the fortified gate and city wall. This was a very narrow road complicated with a slight curve that was single lane only. The video is so much better than the photo but with minimal Internet this will do.

We did what we have done all week. Walked taking pictures of every grave that had the surname of an ancestor.

The cemetery was beautiful. We remember attending Uncle Ernie’s funeral in Provo. It was interesting that we found a grave of an Ernest Steimle here in Horb am Neckar.

Friday – Part 2

2011-08-05T12:59:00.007-06:00

To end the day, we went to the castle in the village where we have been staying. Our balcony overlooks the valley. The castle is unique named the “Water Castle” due to a complete mote and not even a draw bridge. Access was by boat. Here is a painting of it in medieval times.

The museum had lots of armor and weapons from the medieval times.

We went thru the museum. Down one hallway, Carole ran into a guard. It had a motion sensor and started talking. Little scary at first.

They will be having a medieval fair tomorrow but our timing is bad and we leave early in the morning for Hannover.

The park also has a miniature golf course.

Thursday – Part 2

2011-08-04T14:00:00.005-06:00

One shop sold a variety of rubber duckies.

Leaving Freiberg, we noticed that Strasbourg, France was only an hour away so we decided to venture a few miles across the Rhine.

You pay a deposit on all plastic bottles (water & soda). Water is quite inexpensive. 1.5 Littre is .19 Euro and the deposit is .25 Euro.

When you go to the store, you put the empties in a machine. It calculates the refund and prints a receipt. The receipt is refunded with your purchase.

Thursday – Part 1

2011-08-04T13:53:00.005-06:00

We drove the back roads to Freiberg. Many farmers plan a field of flowers near the road. The flowers self-serve and you just leave money in a cup.

The Rathaus was quite ornate.

The travel guide mentioned the beauty of the gateway to the city. Historic as it is…well this is progress I guess.

As in most cities, the large church is in the middle of the market square. We bought some nuts, fruit and had a bratwurst.

Wednesday

2011-08-04T13:42:00.006-06:00

For the little princesses in the family

We drove over to Bavaria to the Neuschwanstein Castle. This is the castle use as the pattern for Disneyland. It sits high on the mountain.

Just as we started our walk up to the castle a big thunderstorm came thru. Fortunately we had our umbrellas with us.

Looking down from the Neuschwanstein castle to the Hohenschwangau castle in the valley which was used in the winter.

The walk down was beautiful as the storm had past.

Tuesday

2011-08-02T12:25:00.011-06:00

We drove to the cuckoo clock city in the Black Forest. One of the stores even made a cuckoo clock out of the front of the building. The climber goes up and down and all of the other pieces move to the tune.

Clocks started at about 10 Euros and went up to 1092 Euros for the one on the left and 698 Euros for the one on the right.

…and 2158 Euros for this one.

We drove to the Titisee lake resort for more shopping and lunch. The stores were a shopper’s haven. So many things to spend your money on. They had ceramic village houses…

Nativities and Christmas decorations…

Bags of pasta dressed up in costume…

Bottles of wine personalized with first names.

Of course bratwurst and fried potatoes with ham which we had for lunch.

Then ice cream for dessert.

Monday

2011-08-01T14:35:00.004-06:00

We visited the city of Mundelsheim north of Stuttgart. This was the center where the Baeuerle/Mayer lines originate. We then visited Brigit Steimle in Moeglinen. Her mother is a family researcher for the Lutheran (Evangalish) side of the Steimle family. They have traced the family back to 1570. The family name changed about 1670 from Steimlin to Steimle. They feel that the family split at the time of the reformation into Catholic and Lutheran sides. At that time your religion was decided by the religion of the prince or king ruling your area. At that time, there side was centered in the Lutheran areas in the region of Calw west of Stuttgart. Our Steimle line had been generally in the Horb area which was Catholic. Pictured is Brigit, her parents and her daughter in front of their home. Only Brigit speaks English.

We then visited the royal residence grounds in Ludwigsburg. We went to the Fairy Tale gardens where we rode a little boat (in the mouth of a whale as part of the Pinocchio tale) and small train. Of course these were kids rides so we must be in our second childhood.

Sunday in Waldshut

2011-08-01T14:31:00.003-06:00

We drove to Waldshut near the Swiss border to visit the Baptist church. There were about 90 attending some traveling up to 20 miles away. After the service, we were befriended by a couple who spoke English. The members met in the garden to the rear of the chapel for pastries and coffee. She was born in America. We also spoke with the minister who spoke English well. This is the only Baptist church on the German side of the border in the southern part of the Black Forest. It is only 60 years old. There were no Baptists in this part of Germany and most of Germany for almost 200 years since the few existing members in the 1500’s were burned at the stake as heretics. They said that for Peter to attend the Baptist church, he would have had to travel 60 Km to Basel. The minister would not have traveled to Weilheim to perform a marriage. This seems to rule out the marriage place and date listed on the internet turning us again to Stuttgart as his residence after the war with France. The minister told us that although there may have been a few families meeting in private homes in Stuttgart at the time, Peter would have had to go to Hamburg to study for the ministry.

Saturday

2011-07-30T13:55:00.009-06:00

We headed north to Stuttgart. Stuttgart is the common assumed place where Peter Steimle settled after fighting in the Franco-Prussian war. Wherever he settled was where he studied to become a Baptist minister, met Caroline at the Baptist church and was married by the Baptist minister. Here they probably raised their family and met Mormon missionaries. Research has found that there was only one very small Baptist group in Stuttgart in the village of Feuerbach. It was a small group which met in private homes at first. At some point in about the 1880’s they were large enough to rent a room in the building on Stuttgarter Strasse 60 shown below.

As Peter worked as a stone mason at this time we found in the history of the town that there was a large stone quarry about a mile from the city center. It is now a very large city park.

We then went further north to Neckargroeningen. My records show at least 40 ancestors being born, christened, married or buried here. Probably the most important was Johann Christian Meier, the father of Caroline Merkenthaler Meier wife to Peter Steimle. Here is the school and music academy used at the time.

Lunch at McD. We needed to stretch so did not use the McDrive.

With no speed limits even on some country roads, we found this sign of interest. Trucks were limited to 100 Km/H and tanks at 80Km/H going over a bridge.

Some city roads just cannot be widened.

Almost every city has a sign announcing the Sunday services for major faiths. Each faith also has a designated color to make it easy. This was unusual because most cities are divided here either Lutheran or Catholic. Here we have 3 different protestant churches only.

Friday

2011-07-29T14:44:00.007-06:00

We traveled down to Weilheim and Gurtweil by the Swiss border in the Waldshut area. Undocumented information we have received is that Peter Steimle returned here after the Franco-Prussian war. That he was married here. The key is that they were married by a Baptist minister. The Baptist faith was strong in Switzerland in the Basel, Bern and Zurich area but not in Germany. Although we found nothing for the family history we did run into a festival in Gutrweil given for the handicapped. Along with games, a spook alley and such was a train ride around the gardens.

We drove to the resort city of Titisee, a mountain lake in the center of the Black Forest. Of course we got our first major rain storm forcing us out of sight seeing mode and into taking refuge in the many shops. We darted from store to store accumulating bags of gifts.

We then drove to Freiberg by the French border. They had a very long tunnel that turned into a one open sided tunnel in our direction only for the last several miles.

Returning to our hotel, we needed to cross the Black Forest crosswise from west to east passing beautiful landscapes, encountering road closures and detours due to construction and thus finding ourselves on small country roads.

Thursday

2011-07-28T11:45:00.004-06:00

In visiting places of our ancestors, we traveled a bit farther out to the city of Messstetten. This is the city of birth for Kaspar Steimle in 1722, the end of the known line of the Steimle family. He had moved to Wiesenstetten prior to 1743 when he was married to Regina Epple.

A detour on our way back took us to the mountain top castle “Burg Hohenzollern”.

Wednesday-Empfingen Museum

2011-07-28T00:00:00.007-06:00

Today had it’s ups and downs as far as family research goes. We are so grateful to the mayor who made a special opening of the museum. They even brought in the local elementary teacher as an English translator.

The museum is in the building that was once the tithing building (taxes) where goods were brought. It was also the center of a common community support center.

They dispelled some of the myths we had. We see all of the beautiful colored German dresses the women wear. They showed us the process for making clothing out of flax. At the time Carole’s great-grandfather lived here, there were 42 persons assigned as weavers working on the looms making clothing for the community. Nothing fancy. Below is the common top outer garment for both male and female.

Since people usually started into their life trade at an early age and grandfather Peter did stone cutting after the war with France, we were drawn to the stone cutting part of the exhibit.

They are big into recycling. They will often have 5 to 7 bins in their homes. Most neighborhoods have a collection point like this one. Separate containers for white glass, brown glass, green glass, and paper/cardboard. Later in the day when we were having a snack at a small café, we asked where we go to dispose of our empty soda bottles. She showed us that there was a 15 cent charge on each bottle when we buy them and we can get our deposit back turning them into any store that sells soda.

This brings us to asking the museum people why we do not see any old grave markers in the cemeteries. They explained that here too they recycle. A single persons grave remains for about 30 years and a couple’s grave for up to 50 years. It is then cleared off and reused. They do make them very beautiful as you have seen in prior posts but they are only temporary.

Tuesday- Haigerdorf

2011-07-27T00:25:00.005-06:00

There is an upper city on one side of the river that divides the city from the lower city in the valley below on the other side of the river. On the upper side was a tower. Carole counted 149 steps to the top. The walls at the top were still quite thick.

We stopped in the market square in the lower city for a dinner (Hawaiian Pizza).

Tuesday-Weildorf

2011-07-27T00:24:00.003-06:00

City hall and the city bakery. The church steeple in between them.

Tuesday-Henstetten

2011-07-27T00:20:00.005-06:00

The older houses are part of the beauty here.

There are cigarette vending machines along the streets and in the residential areas. No ID required. What else do you need in the neighborhood except a mail box and a smoke.

Being in the Black Forrest, they use a lot of wood for their heating.

Tuesday-Wiesenstetten

2011-07-27T00:16:00.002-06:00

Being a small village, the road from Empfingen was beautiful but small.

This is the church today which was not there when the Steimle’s lived there. There are only about 380 people today.

Tuesday-Empfingen

2011-07-27T00:06:00.008-06:00

Next on to was Empfingen. Although for about 6 generations, the Steimle line were born in Wiesenstetten much took place here. Empfingen is the central city with several villages under it, most 3 to 4 Km in various directions. Before about 1890, the villages were too small for a church and so the only place to attend church and receive church ordinances was here. Here is the church which is in the center of town.

Just outside the church is a watering trough which is still in use.

This is a beautiful house on the main street.

We enjoy the way they take care of their graves.

Time for diesel. We paid 1.46 Euro per liter.

Tuesday-Betra

2011-07-27T00:04:00.000-06:00

We spent all of Tuesday visiting several cities where Steimle ancestors resided. We started out at Betra, a village of Empfingen. In a visit to the cemetery, we found one for a Steimle. Notice that graces here have rectangular stone borders with flower gardens on top. We spoke with a lady who was doing some weeding in the cemetery. She told us that the man’s widow still lives in town and is now 82. She told us she would introduce us if we wanted to talk to her. That is for another day.

Monday Traveling

2011-07-26T23:53:00.007-06:00

We picked up our rental car and drove the autobahn. That fast lane is all they said it was. We stopped off in Horb am Neckar as we needed to drive through it. It is a very old town and not easy to drive in, Once we found it, the rathaus (city hall) was very beautiful. Since it was built before cars, the street was quite narrow. Yes it is a two direction street with parking allowing enough room for one car to make way for the other.

We did find a playground so that Carole could relax.

Our hotel.

We had dinner at a local gasthaus (guest house) in Glatt.

Festival in Wuerzburg

2011-07-26T23:49:00.003-06:00

The Wuerzburg festival had rides for the kids.The food choices were many including fish and chips…
And ½ meter hotdogs. We went for the hot dog having previously eaten a bratwurst.

Sunday in Wuerzburg.

2011-07-24T12:34:00.003-06:00

The journey begins today. A taxi took us from the ship to the hotel where we left our luggage. With a map, we set out on foot for the train and bus station. A bus driver was helpful in telling us the correct bus number to get to the church. We figured out the ticket machine and bought a family day pass for 9 Euro. While waiting for the bus we noticed a young man wearing a suit and tie. Assuming correctly, Carole asked him if he spoke English. When he answered she asked if he was headed to church. Small world. He showed us the shortcut from the bus stop. We might still be wandering around looking for it.

The church members were very friendly. One of the missionaries translated for Carole. I made my best attempt to understand. We took the bus back to the hotel. It still was not check in time so we changed in the public bathroom and headed out for the adventure. We wandered in the direction the hotel clerk pointed us and found the city center and then the path up the hill through the vineyards to the fortress (top of the hill).
It was a pretty walk that took us 45 minutes.
We took the bus down from the fortress into town. The city was having a festival and we walked through and enjoyed a bratwurst. We have walked our feet off and are paying for it tonight.

Our hotel is interesting. Different than it looked on the Internet. It is close to the university and the river and also caters to backpackers and travelers on bicycle. There was no elevator and I had to carry one bag at a time up to the second floor. The room is about the same size as the stateroom on the ship but it ia comfortable.

Wuerzenburg & Rothenburg

2011-07-24T12:18:00.007-06:00

Sorry, I could not get it to rotate. This is the fountain in front of the castle residence in Wuerzburg.This the city wall in Rothenburg where the famous "Night Watchmen of Rothenburg" were on patrol from above.

Wednesday sailing the Rhine

2011-07-20T23:50:00.005-06:00

Lots of castles on the mountain tops and small cities to visit.

Koblenz in the evening

2011-07-20T23:39:00.005-06:00

After back on ship, a dance group did the entertainment witg local dances.We arrived in time to visit the national flower show which included a cable car ride across the Rhine. Our ship was docked at the "German Corner" shich in the confluence of the Mosel and the Rhine.

Tuesday

2011-07-20T23:34:00.004-06:00

First stop was at Cochem.They drove us up to tour the castle.

Bernkastel

2011-07-20T23:18:00.005-06:00

Our stop at Bernkastel.The streets were small and all the stores were closed but window shopping works.

We decided not to walk up to the ruins of the castle above the city.

Cruising the Mosel

2011-07-20T15:14:00.003-06:00

Monday afternoon cruised the Mosel from Trier to Bernkastel. The rivers here are like major highways. Here is a load of coal.

This is for Matt.

2011-07-20T15:13:00.002-06:00

"Eis" shop in Trier.

Monday in Trier

2011-07-20T15:09:00.002-06:00

Spent the morning walking the city. Trier is the oldest city in Germany founded by the Romans close to 2000 years ago. Parts of the city gate still exist.

Trip to Germany

2011-07-17T06:09:00.005-06:00

Arrived in Frankfurt greated by rain. Enjoyed the 2 hour trip by van to Trier. Happy Birthday Carole.

Grandkids and Great-Grandkids everywhere

2011-07-12T13:15:00.007-06:00

With Melissa here from Illinois for a few days, it was perfect time to have a Monday evening BBQ. Our backyard and basement which are usually quiet places were full of kids. We had Hannah, Norah, Edward, Amy. Noel, Eliza, Ryker, Talya. It not easy explaining to 3-5 year olds that they are cousins once removed. We settled for everyone being cousins.

Busy Sunday

2011-07-10T20:53:00.004-06:00

Went to Joseph, Utah this morning to attend the mission farewell for Melissa's parents, Farral & Norene Gay. They are going to Toronto. Norah was enjoying her cupcake after the light lunch.Stopped off in Castle Dale to visit Adam & Krystal Newman and Jack who was born on July 3rd.
Only a 500 mile Sunday drive.

July 4th

2011-07-05T20:19:00.008-06:00

Returning from our trip, a stop off at Matt's to check on Bonnie and Eliza; and of course Amy and Noel.We spent the 4th with the Boltons. Time to play great-grandmother with Candice's Grayson.
Robin, Shalee, Grayson and Talya
Ryker and Talya Challenge race between JC and Talya.
Cassie & Ryker

Starved Rock Nature Preserve

2011-07-05T20:09:00.007-06:00

Our Saturday day trip was a hike. We started with lunch.Stopped at the lodge for a picture with a bear.
Transferring a cuddle for a carrier.

Foot long fruit and a ride.
Still going strong after the long hike.

Jon, Melissa, Hannah, Norah & Edward

2011-07-05T19:57:00.008-06:00

After several other visits along the way, we end up in Illinois to visit Jon & family. Hannah has become quite the reader. She just curled up to grandma with her New Testament reader and the 2 were quite content.

Later we had a three was Wii race.
I was doing fine until I lost my co-driver.
We spent many hours relaxing and playing in the yard.

Jon is very handy around the house. He built a coffee table out of a door they took off a bathroom from their old house.

Burlington Kansas Carousel

2011-06-23T20:31:00.003-06:00

We took a break along our trip to ride the Carousel in Burlington Kansas. We visited with Carole's Niece Sunny Hicken and her family in Denver and her nephew Peter Steimle and his family in Lawrence Kansas. We had dinner tonight with Henry and Carol Fuller in St. Louis. They were missionaries with us in New Zealand.

Eliza'a excited sisters

2011-06-23T20:24:00.001-06:00

Eliza Parks

2011-06-20T21:43:00.015-06:00

Matt & Bonnie became proud parents of Eliza, their 3rd Daughter.Amy and Noel love their new sister.
Bonnie admires her growing family.
Grandma and Grandpa get their turns.

And the proud Papa

Orem Summerfest

2011-06-12T12:17:00.007-06:00

We spent a few days with Matt and the family. Bonnie is due any day now. We completed a few "projects" around the house. Orem City had a Summerfest on Saturday. Amy and Noel had a great time.

Noel's Birthday

2011-05-29T10:18:00.005-06:00

Thanks to nice weather, Noel was able to have her birthday party in the back yard.

We finally took Matt's indoor slide out of our storage and put it together. Sort of fun seeing the next generation enjoy it.

Overnight at Grandma's house

2011-03-26T20:41:00.005-06:00

Amy and Noel came to spend the night. Grandma made some special Easter treats. Edible baskets of Chinese noodles with marshmallow a-la rice crispy squares top with marshmallow peeps and chocolate eggs.OK, the chocolate eggs are gone, now what!!!!

Matt with the monkey arm puppet.

Peter and the Wolf with Amy

2011-03-12T17:23:00.007-07:00

The Salt Lake Symphony played Peter and the Wolf for their Lollipop series today. Great day for an Amy and grandparents day out.

Had to stop at the water fountains on the way to McDonald's.

They also had a water fountain at McDonald's.

Jon, Melissa, Hannah, Norah and Edward

2011-02-15T14:28:00.010-07:00

Built by Hannah with little a help from grandpa

Coach Jon during halftime

Hannah & Dad leaving for Daddy-Daughter dance at school

Ed Jr., Melissa, Jake and Sarah

2011-02-15T14:25:00.004-07:00

Visit to Tennessee

Ed Jr and his family

Chuck E Cheese with the Grandkids

2011-02-15T13:47:00.016-07:00

Noel

Talya

Amy

Noel

Amy & Jack

Jack

Ryker

Christmas Festival in Takapuna

2010-12-03T17:58:00.001-07:00

The city closes down the main street, setup a grandstand for school and community groups to perform and lots of other activities.

Auckland Symphony Christmas Program

2010-12-03T17:38:00.004-07:00

Each year for 13 years, the Auckland Symphony performs with Church choirs. There are three women from our church who are quite involved as they wrote and conducted 3 original Christmas musical numbers this night. Here one of the women conducts the symphony with LDS choir singing. One highlight was "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" with the combined choirs led by Reverend Ron of the Tongan Church. Below are 2 videos. Santa conducting the Symphony and the final number "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas".

My Mom is the Produce Lady

2010-08-26T23:29:00.002-06:00

We just love this TV grocery store commercial. Probably because we can see our grandchildren doing this. Kids are just cute.

Visit of Katie and Chelsey

2010-07-31T23:06:00.017-06:00

Our two granddaughters who just graduated from high school came for a visit for a week. We started out with shopping in downtown Auckland ending up for dinner in the sky tower. Then out under the Auckland bridge for a bungy jump.

Zorbing in Rotorua.

Zorbing together.

Sledding down the hill.

Quick lunch.

Back in Auckland to Piha Beach where the surfing championships are held. Wrong season and low tide but still beach weather.

If there is a place to climb....

Climb it!!

Up to Pakiri Beach for hoarse back riding.

Another beach, another picture.

There is always time to fit a bit of shopping in. This is just one of the malls and shops along the way this week. They are 18 year old girls after all.

Final trip out to a falls for a picture.

Stake Ball

2010-07-31T23:04:00.004-06:00

The stake ball was quite fun with a small band.

Stake Youth Dance Festival

2010-07-31T22:58:00.005-06:00

After the ballroom dance exhibits (forgot the camera in the car) each ward was assigned to do a dance from a foreign country. Here is Russia. Our ward youth did Scandinavia.

May Flowers

2010-07-31T22:55:00.002-06:00

As winter set in, we spent a morning at the arboretum where the flowers are still in bloom..

Baptism

2010-04-25T15:18:00.002-06:00

Carole and Sister Hilbig began visiting Amanda about 2 years ago. About 4 months ago, we began visiting with Amanda and her husband Greg. We have many wonderful gospel discussions with them. Last Saturday Greg was baptised.

Coromandel and Tairua

2010-03-24T12:23:00.012-06:00

We had a free Saturday and the weather was wonderful. We started out at the large Saturday Otara Market to get things for grandkids then on to the Coromandel Peninsula. First stop was Paku point at the inlet to the river and Tairua Harbour. It was low tide and the beach was quite extended.The climb to the top was interesting and beautiful.

The view from the top was worth the effort.

We got a wonderful view of Pauanui Beach

Last year when we came here, it was high tide and the water was up to the entrance of Cathedral Cove. Today the beach and the cove were accessible and we decided to make the 1 hour walk down to the cove.

The path led through a beautiful tropical fern covered forest.

Many of our grandkids have received pendants in the Koru shape. The ones in a spiral. In Maori tradition, this shape is taken from the fern and represents life. On the path, I got a nice shot of the opening of the fern in the Koru shape.

This is the beginning of one complete fern leaf or branch.

We finally made it down to the beach level. Time for a rest. Due to erosion from the tides, trees that once stood upright and now hanging on sideways to the cliff. They are still growing and green. They make a wonderful resting place after a long walk.

The cove has recently started dropping large chunks of rock from the top and the access is restricted.

Pacific Festival

2010-03-12T22:24:00.011-07:00

We spent the day today at the Pacific Festival. Almost all the major and some small island nations are represented. Here is the Nation of Kiribati. I hope some of our grandchildren and great-grandchildren have their atlases out trying to find out where some of these are.
Grandma found a Tongan Nativity set to add to our collection.

She is from the Island of Nukufetau in the nation of Tuvalu.

Samoa

Flax is used for almost everything from mats and your typical grass skirt. This is a bit more modern but it is still just a flaw woven dress and skirt.

For more intricate use of flax, how about weaving the tip of a flax leaf into a flower and then dying it.

The islands have their own version of cricket. Notice the team colors on their uniform Lava Lavas.

These are all young women from the Niuean ward here in Auckland. Their mothers do one of the food booths. They prepared our lunch.

Lunch, typical from the island of Niue.

Chinese New Year

2010-03-12T22:10:00.015-07:00

Auckland has a very large Chinese and Asian population. For Chinese New Year, they have a traditional lantern festival.

We were standing in the center divider of the street where the parade would take place. Here on the right is the Prime Minister and on the left greeting grandma (noticed her missionary badge) is the mayor of Auckland.

There was lots of Asian food.

And lots of people.

Just pictures

2010-03-12T21:59:00.009-07:00

We were invited to the wedding reception of a girl who works in the office. She is from the states and came here for an adventure, took a temporary job in the area office and ended up getting married to the son of one of our stake presidents. Wedding receptions here is dinner.

Sunset one evening from our patio.

If you every wondered what is so special about the inside of an Oreo cookie, It's the special cows of New Zealand.

On our last trip up to Paihia, we followed some dolphins. We got close enough to see that one had just caught dinner.

Christmas

2009-12-28T12:20:00.005-07:00

With the area office closed for the Christmas holidays, we took a trip north. The closest we could get to family was the lighthouse at the north end of New Zealand. The signs give the distance to LA of 5709 miles. On the north tip, you can see the clash of the dark blue Pacific Ocean from the east and from the west the light blue/green of the Tasman Sea.

Christmas

2009-12-15T01:36:00.007-07:00

Yes, it is a big jump from August to December. Perhaps I will catch-up some another time but despite the weather looking more like summer, it is Christmas even in New Zealand. They have gone all out to decorate every work area here in the area office. With our theme in the Area Presidency offices of the Nativity, we have more than 14 located in our office area. Here is the large wicker one that came from Africa. It is in our waiting area. It includes a angel and star hanging in the air. For the office judging, we projected the DVD "Joy to the World" on the wall and grandma made a plate of her hand dipped chocolates (bribery intended).
Here is the Australian Nativity we bought last month when we were in Sydney.

Here is a Tongan Nativity the Area President's wife brought back from their last trip.

Our city gets in the Christmas spirit with street light decorations.

Our office facilities manager's wife gave us a Korean pear from her homeland. Bit bigger than a normal pear, orange or banana.

Rockin R Ranch

2009-08-20T22:33:00.012-06:00

The last weekend was spent at the Rockin R Ranch in Antimony, Utah. A wonderful way to conclude our brief time between missions. We celebrated Grandmas birthday.
Strengthened cousin to cousin and every other relationship.

Went tubing down the river.

Hayride

Campfire with Smores.

a hike.

Relaxing swing in the evening

Just sitting around

And Great Grandkids..............Lots of them

Rockin R Ranch - Part 2

2009-08-20T22:07:00.011-06:00

There was the hoarse back riding.

With an ice cream treat at the local mercantile.

Rockin R Ranch - Part 3

2009-08-20T21:50:00.012-06:00

Call it a large water hole or pond it was one of the main places to play regardless of age.

On the shore, in the water or in a canoeAnd all the little ones

Even grandpa got in

and the older ones- they all had fun in the water

Then there was line dancing.

and the game room.

Fathers Day and Birthdays

2009-08-20T21:43:00.006-06:00

Yes, we planned our time at home to celebrate both of our birthdays and fathers day. And yes, more time with the grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Grandchildren and more

2009-08-20T21:17:00.011-06:00

The most important part of our short time at home were the baby blessings and the support of family members to bring a new soul into the family circle. We believe that "Families are Forever" and so we welcome Noel.. and Norrah.
And now to the lighter moments with the grandchildren. After 18 months of spending most of our time with those termed "seniors", dinner with a 2 year old was great.

After 18 months of cricket and rugby, it was great spending an afternoon at the ballpark watching our granddaughter Cassie.

And just plain visits to watch them play...

and sleep.

End of a Mission

2009-08-20T21:06:00.005-06:00

We did get released from our mission, sort of. For most of you know by now, we put our papers in for another mission and were called to serve again. This now makes 3 full-time missions for us but then who's counting. One of our first visits was the homecoming or our dear friends, Elder Lon and Sister Kaye Nally who have served along side us both in Australia and New Zealand.

CCNZ Song Fest

2009-06-04T22:47:00.007-06:00

We were invited to the annual Song Fest at the Church College of New Zealand. This is the last year of CCNZ as it will be closed at the end of this school year. Colleges down under are high schools. There are a lot of national contests between schools but this is the warm up for this year with a contest between the 4 "houses". All students belong to one of the houses. The competition is intense. Here are the Condors waiting to perform.Each house performed in each category: large choir sacred hymn, large group secular song, dance group and quartet. awards were given for the group and the director. At the end they gathered for several final numbers including the Alma Mater.

One group used the theme of Sesame Street characters.

One Quartet did a 1940's Bugle Boy of Company B

Back to Sesame Street

Rugby

2009-05-17T17:53:00.003-06:00

Rugby is big over here and we have a lot of church members on various teams. Just so you know a "try" is a "touchdown". Here is a recent news article about on of the best. This game is just as rough as football but notice the lack of pads.Church member Israel Folau’s four tries in his rugby game last Friday.
http://www.leaguehq.com.au/news/lhqnews/folau-scores-first-for-fourth-time-then-scores-three-more/2009/05/16/1242335930946.html
The hulking Mormon doesn't deal in words. He's so softly spoken he would get a reputation as the shy and reserved type in a monastery.
But any fair judge would say 10 tries in 10 games is a decent return on a blue-chip investment. If Folau can be believed, he can only get better, which is equally as bad a piece of news for NSW as it is for rival NRL clubs.
Folau joined Brisbane greats including Steve Renouf when he racked up four tries. It's a feat Renouf completed on five occasions.
It would take a bold judge to suggest Folau won't match, or surpass, that feat. Hard as it is to believe, the best is yet to come.

Easter

2009-04-07T23:29:00.003-06:00

With Easter this weekend, we had a visit from our Director of Temporal Affairs, Paul Coward, and his some of his hutch, herd, pack or whatever a bunch of bunnies are called. Help me out here grandkids.

Matakana

2009-04-07T23:16:00.009-06:00

Matakana is a small village about 1 hour north in the winery country. They have all sorts of stalls selling local stuff. One of our favorite stops is where we buy various mixtures of herbs we use for dipping with olive and avocado oil (which they sell also).They have entertainment.

It is on the river front and a stroll down the river is good exercise.

We also enjoy dipping garlic bread in pestos. This place has lots of tomato and vegetable pestos and fruit and vegetable jams.

For our Provo friends, we could not pass up the Stubbs Butchery on the main street.

Warkworth is on the main highway where one turns off to go to Matakana. They have a wonderful river walk that goes for miles down stream...

and up stream.

This is a pleasant way to spend a Saturday morning because we have been spending the remainder of our weekends at the office.

Pacifica Festival

2009-04-07T23:02:00.006-06:00

This is one of the larger festivals in Auckland every year. We spent Saturday morning there. With large numbers of church members in the Pacific Islands, we were constantly running into members wanting to talk to us and tell us about their island. It is at a huge park that has a lake in the middle of it. It was about 3 Km to walk once around to every nation. We did it twice. Each island in the Pacific is designated a place to make a village. They have continuous entertainment, food and sell items made in that island. Carole enjoyed a half pineapple shell with chunks of pineapple and ice cream.

Even the New Zealand Maori were well represented by school children.

The Miss Pacific from Niue made her entrance.

...and the ducks were everywhere.

Rafting Class 3-4 Rapids

2009-02-19T20:33:00.005-07:00

This post concludes a series of posts with activities during the visit of daughters Robin and Susan. This is not a normal missionary activity but we did enjoy our preparation day in Taupo taking one of the local rafting trips. This was one of the highlights of their visit. We started out easy. A little bit more excitement.

This is great fun.

Here you will notice Robin attempting to keep me inside the raft.

Zorbing

2009-02-19T20:14:00.003-07:00

Zorbing started in Rotorua. The art of rolling down hill inside a clear plastic ball.

South to Hamilton and Taupo

2009-02-19T20:06:00.005-07:00

For a longer trip, we went south through Hamilton to Rotorua and Taupo. The Hamilton Temple is always beautiful.

Hamilton Gardens make a great picture spot.

Spending Sunday evening at a hotel on the shore of Lake Taupo, we did manage to wade into the lake for a sunset picture.

Takapuna

2009-02-19T20:02:00.003-07:00

Living 4 blocks from Takapuna Beach, this was a favorite place to spend some time looking for sea shells and getting a bit wet.

Northland

2009-02-19T19:43:00.008-07:00

On several occasions we also made short trips into the Northland area. Wenderholm Regional Park is a favorite picture spot especially with three beautiful women. Piha beach is a favorite for the surfers. Unfortunately Robin had already returned home and taken the good weather with her and all we had was a beautiful beach and rain.

On the Piha trip, Susan got to try one of our fast food specialities "Pies". Pies with all kinds of meat and even desert pies. The crust is firm enough that you just hold them to eat.

Long Bay Regional Park is another picture spot.

The Matakana region is full of quaint places and wineries.

On the west coast is the Gannett Colony. The nest on the rocks and go diving for their food.

Auckland

2009-02-19T19:34:00.005-07:00

Being across the harbour from Auckland, we found ourselves there on several occasions. One evening for steak dinner at our favorite French restaurant.A visit to the top of Mt. Eden (Volcano) for a view of Auckland.

Dinner in Mission Bay with fish and chips wrapped in newspaper.

One day, Carole took the girls to Auckland by taking the bus from Takapuna the Devenport then the Ferry into Auckland.

Lawn Bowling

2009-02-19T19:24:00.003-07:00

One afternoon we went to the bowling club 2 blocks from our office for a friendly game of Lawn Bowling. It's hard than you think. The balls have a weight on one side and there is a natural curve, no straight balls.

North Shore Beach Series

2009-02-17T11:56:00.008-07:00

North Shore City which is more like a county holds a summer fitness program at Takapuna Beach. Every Tuesday evening for 16 weeks at 6:15 pm, 3 different races start. One man kayak race starts from the beach and they paddle to Ranritoto Island and back. At the same time swimmers bead out for a two lap course in the open water.

and a third group start out on a 5K beach run

Takapuna

2009-01-15T21:15:00.004-07:00

Sunday afternoon, we went over the homes of the Area Presidency to take pictures of them for a report to the Quorum of Twelve Apostles. We took it from the patio overlooking Takapuna Beach. We decided we needed a new picture and update our picture for the blog as well.

Taupo - Rapids on the Waikato River

2009-01-08T21:48:00.005-07:00

No trip to Taupo is complete without leisurely ride on the Waikato River. Of course there were plenty of rapids.