Adventures at Monkey Mountain

Who knew, that just 15 minutes down the road from our home, we'd find this treasure called Monkey Mountain!  

Barbary monkeys are critically endangered and remain on the Red List of Threatened Species.  Monkey Mountain is able to provide a natural habitat for breeding and if our eyes don't deceive us, it's working! We saw several cute babies today!

Sorry about the blurry shot!  

Even dad got in on the feeding action!

Harry had a great time feeding all the little guys & they seemed to really like him too!

We were given popcorn to feed these cuties.

We fed the fish too!

One thing I've learned in Germany: take an umbrella with you!

More fish and beautiful walkways!

This handsome monkey was kind enough to let me take a picture with him ;)

We didn't do the best job following this rule and one of us was nipped .... I'll let you guess who!

We thought Nana Banana might like these birds :)

LOVE these boys.

Just as the Father has loved Me, I have also loved you; abide in My love.

John 15:9

Hankie Plays Soccer!

Thought ya'll would enjoy some recent action photos of Hank's football (soccer) games!  He is really starting to get in there and demand some of the action - little less twirling and singing on the fields here in Germany :)  Yesterday he even asked if we could live in Germany forever .... shocked me to say the least! I'm amazed at how quickly things can change around here (feelings, attitudes, etc)!

We are still waiting on Harry's soccer ID card to be processed in order for him to play in official games.  It's been about 4 weeks since we submitted the paperwork.  It felt sorta like applying for a mortgage loan - this game is NO joke in Germany!  Hopefully he will play on Friday night and I'll have some photos to share.  HC and I are anxious to see how he performs in an actual game.  Harry has become MUCH more aggressive since practicing with the Germans.  Time will tell ...... stay tuned!

Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a loud and joyful sound!  Psalm 33:3

Pumpkin Festival - Ludwigsburg, Germany

The boys are in the middle of their two week fall break from school.  We're all enjoying a break from the daily drive to Switzerland and the chance to sleep a little later on what is turning into very cold mornings!  

Sunday's fun activities included a visit to our first festival - The Pumpkin Festival in Ludwigsbug, Germany.  The origins of Ludwigsburg date from the beginning of the 18th century!  We continue to be shocked over the age of stuff over here, crazy!

Ludwigsburg Castle - 1704

Ludwigsburg Palace built by Duke Eberhard Ludwig von Wurttemberg - 1704

These are faces only a mother could love ;)

The pumpkin sculptures were simply amazing.  The artist used all types of pumpkins, squash, etc to build the following sports themed creations:

Hank and I really enjoyed these little guys:

Some random photos from around the festival and our yummy, yummy pumpkin lunch:

Pumpkin/sausage ravioli in pumpkin sauce with balsamic drizzle!  

Pumpkin rice with veggies

Creepy (IMO) pumpkins perserved in some type of oil.

Hunting Lodge

Harry strikes a Usain Bolt pose!

I am so very thankful for this time with my little family.  Nothing is more precious than the the ones you call "family"... whether that be by blood or spirit.  We love you all to the moon and back.

For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  

Ephesians 6:4