There are many cool things about living in Germany. #1 is all of the awesome things to see here, #2 is living less than 2 hours away from France. We did a crazy two-day trip to visit one of our favorite cities, Strasbourg, and then to a few new ones.
The Strasbourg Cathedral. Last time we were here we hiked all the way to the top with baby William! We opted to not do that this time around...
Let's call it a pre-1/2 birthday celebration for the big guy. Not every baby gets to go to France to celebrate! I even gave him a teensy bit of my croissant.
Best attempt at a picture with all three. They were... a bit wired.
The oldest and most famous building in Strasbourg: La Maison des Tanneurs. *Photographer: Nathaniel
Our first day there sweet Andrew didn't get a lot of rest. The next morning, when our big boys were up before 6, Nathaniel-the-hero took them out and about letting sweet Andrew (and mommy) sleep in. Daddy was smart, and had the boys run laps around this fountain at the Place Kleber (Kleber Square) downtown.
Andrew and I caught up with the crew in time for Nathaniel to visit some of his favorite book shops. While I wondered around with the boys William practiced some skills he'll need for his mission in just 16 short years.
Perhaps the best part of the entire trip for the boys was, of course, the street car ride.
C with his beloved bottle and blanket.
The city gate to
Riquewhir. Don't mess with this place. Haha, the next few pictures offer a more gruesome view of the city, but it really is a breathtaking (in a good way) city. It's beautiful, charming, and makes you feel like you've just walked back in time somehow.
How can you pass up a tour of the town torture chamber? I did alright until we listened to the audio explaining how they used the things we were looking at (not replicas, actual items!). I was nauseous the rest of the day every time I thought about it. I won't share with you. This is a picture of the entrance to the dungeon.
Sweet William, blissfully unaware of where he is.
An original 12th (?) century kitchen! I thought it was awesome.
Family photo on the ledge of the tower where they'd throw out their dirty water and/or chamber pot contents.
Checking out the wine cellar. You can still smell the stale alcohol in there.
Next town: Eguisheim. It was cool, but we might skip it next time. The coolest part was the amazing Ferrari parked near our swagger wagon. Here are the boys playing in the "non potable water." They ended up soaking wet, but happy.
Break time for Mommy and Andrew. See that awesome red necklace? My dearest friend Amber sent it to me. It's red coral and I LOVE IT.
An itty bitty building that we loved, but couldn't figure out what it was ever used for.
Last city: Kaysersberg. We love loved this city. So much charm. Awesome streets/shops/castle ruins/ravines under the houses... what more could you ask for? A birdnest balanced on an old tower? They have that, too:
A rare and special thing to see.
Hiking up to the castle ruins.
The walls of this tower were probably about 12 feet thick with a narrow spiral staircase (new-- not original) inside. The thick walls are probably the only reason the tower survived while the rest of the castle was destroyed.
View from 1/2 way up.
View from the top. So Beautiful!
Nathaniel and I hamming it up for the camera for Andrew's first bite of "real" food. He wasn't that into it, so we're putting that on the back burner for a bit longer.
Daddy's shoes have been the popular toy the past couple days. 
Hanging out at the park, providing a buffet to the mosquitoes.
Mid conversation.
Taken 5 minutes ago. Lunch while lounging in Andrew's bouncer.
