Girls weekend in Cologne Germany June 19-21 2015

I wasn't as impressed with Cologne as I have been with the other  Cities we have visited in Germany.
Cologne seems to be more modern. It didn't seem to have as much History as the other places we have visited.
It seemed to be more industrial too.  However, We did have a wonderful time exploring down town Cologne.

Brooklyn and I found our "Tour Train"  We didn't ride it.

I thought this was some awesome Water Tower or  Gate.  It was a restaurant.  How fun.
I wanted to eat there but we were not hungry.  Ha!  Maybe when we bring the boys back we can eat here.

We went on a tour of the Schokoladen Museum, where thy make Lindt chocolate.
It was a self guided walking tour. The entire place smelled of Chocolate.  YUMMY!
They had all their signs in English.  You start the tour with learning where cocoa comes from.
This entire tour reminded me of the time we went to Hershey Park Pennsylvania and how Milton Hershey made his chocolate.  Now My personal opinion is Lindt Chocolate is way better than Hershey but I learned a lot from Milton. (P.S. Germans think Hershey chocolate is waxy.)

WE got to watch the entire process.  Brooklyn, is looking down into the huge tubs of Chocolate.

This is a big cocoa bean tree Chocolate Fountain. 

Brooklyn, in front of the big cocoa bean tree eating a yummy treat.

We got to go shopping in some pretty fun stores.
 I think Brooklyn and I could have stayed all day in the
costume store it was so fun. 

My awesome friend Tennille.  She loved this store too!

This is probably one of my favorite pictures from the weekend.
Look how fun all these girls are.  And look at all the stuff we get to play with.

Sweet Aubrey!

Aubrey, Mckayleigh, and Brooklyn rocking the Afro 

Tennille and Mckayleigh

The girls were tired.  They had been walking all day.  

Brooklyn and Tina
What a perfect weekend with my Baby Girl!

Tennille and Mckayleigh

Sarah and Aubrey

This was a fun area in Cologne downtown.  Look at all those cute little colored houses.
We had a wonderful weekend with our friends full of lots of new memories.  I can't wait to take the boys back. 

Taylor Swift Concert in Cologne Germany

 Jeremy and I surprised Brooklyn with tickets to a Taylor Swift Concert
and her very first Girls weekend.
We set off for our adventure in Cologne Germany. Brooklyn, was soon excited!
The Boys were all set with a Marvel movie marathon and plenty of junk food for a fun filled weekend without Girls. 

Cologne is about a 2 1/2 hour drive from our house
Brooklyn, stayed up and sang a couple songs and then she crashed.
I still love to watch my kids sleep.  So Precious. 

All dressed up and ready for our  Concert.
Beautiful Girls!!!!

Tennille and her daughter McKayleigh, Brooklyn (Tina taking picture) Aubrey and her mother Sarah
We are waiting to take the tram to the Concert.

Aubrey and Brooklyn, they are not excited at all.  Ha!  It's fun going
to the concert with your friend. 

Here we are at the Laxness Arena.  Only 2 more hours until the Concert.  

We attended Taylor Swifts 1989 Concert. Did  you know why it was called the 1989 tour?  That is when Taylor Swift was born.  I didn't know that...  Taylor Swift can perform! The concert was just amazing.  Probably the best concert I have ever been too.  I think the thing that impressed me the most is Taylor can perform with 20 different dancers on the stage full
of lights, fireworks, smoke and graphics which all of that was pretty impressive but there were a couple songs that she took the performance all the way down to just her and her guitar, or her and her piano and they were just as impressive as all the dancers and lights etc...  That girl can Sing. It was a wonderful night with my Baby Girl! 

EEEKKKK Taylor just came out!  We had pretty good seats.  We were almost center stage.

The Graphics were unbelievable, So awesome. 

When we came into the concert hall they gave each of us a  bracelet.
These Bracelets lit up all night with different colors. It was fun to raise them
hight in the air and dance along with Taylor's Songs. 

Just Taylor and her Guitar.  

Taylor Swift knows how to put on a good show. 

She has one amazing voice.

Another impressive thing was how many costume changes Taylor made.
Wow! I couldn't believe how many times she ran away and came back a new woman.
We Heart Taylor Swift.

Our Favorite Song Shake it off!  

Thanks Taylor for such a wonderful, Fabulous Concert and a fun night with my girl.

Stacy, Riley, Aubrey, McKay, Brooklyn

Rothenburg Germany May 30, 2015

The Reynolds invited us to go on a day trip with them to Rotenburg.  It took us 2 1/2 hours to get to Rothenburg from our house. Rothenburg is an old Medievel city Founded in 1274.  The name Rothenburg means "Red fortress above Taber"
The city overlooks the Tauber River. In 1631 count of Tilly, wanted to house his troops in Rothenburg. Rothenburg survived the war structurally however, it left the city poor and nearly empty.  Without any money or power Rothenburg stopped growing because of this instance Rothenburg was well preserved.  In 1880 Carl Spitzweg rediscovered Rothenburg, bringing tourism to the town.  I'm going to quote our Nightwatchman "Because of the Tourism Rothenburg became a Rich and powerful city again.  We thank you for spending your money here."  

One thing that was super unique to Rothenburg were their street signs.  Each one was designed for the store it
was associated with.  Each one is unique and just awesome. The detail in each and every sign is inspiring.

This one had Lions and Gold.  Look how different this street sign is from the first one. 

I think this maybe the Rothenburg City Crest, Maybe?

Rothenburg Town hall it is in the heart of the City 

Close up of the Town Hall. 

This is the Rothenburg clock Tower.  
Notice the doors are closed.  I have a picture at 8pm and the doors are open.

Mikayla and Brooklyn waiting for the parents to stop SHOPPING. 

Chandler & Aubrey creating a new game.

Brooklyn and Chandler just hanging out at the Town Hall

The kids in Front of Town hall.

This is the coolest car.  He doesn't have a steering wheel.
The driver uses rods to steer the car.

Another very unique street sign. 

There is a special treat here in Rothenburg it's called a Schneeballen (Snowball Cake)
It's a shortcrust pastry rolled into a ball I don't know if it's baked or fried?
These little treats have been around for over 300 years.
They have huge ones the size of a base balls or even a little bit bigger.  or they have little ones the size of a small orange.

We decided to get a variety pack of the small ones.
We got powder sugar, chocolate, Caramel nut, and cinnamon and sugar.
The outside was very tasty but there was no flavor on the inside.
Our favorite one was the Caramel Nut.   

Aubrey & Chandler having fun.  These two didn't stop playing all day.

One of the streets here in Rothenburg. 

One of the Water Fountains in the city. 

Jeremy was showing the kids something cool.  I love him.   

Mikayla and Brooklyn, waiting.... AGAIN.

How beautiful is this City?  I totally fell in love.  

Look you can drive right though that gate.

The Reynolds
Tom, Breeanne, Mikayla, Zachary, Aubrey, Libby, Sabrina, Kaitlynn,and Lance

Here is another view of that cool car. You can see the rides a little better in this picture. 

Bastianclan in this Medieval city that has just taken our breath away.
Kayden, is at a Boy Scout Camp that is why he is not here.   

They had some beautiful Nativities.
 I'm hoping to pick a couple up over the next couple years. 

Aubry & Chandler playing.  Look at those happy faces. 

Dinner time.  We ate at a yummy restaurant.  The kids ordered kid packs with meat and fries they also wanted this slushy
Brooklyn said this Chicken is so yummy.  I told her she wasn't eating chicken she was eating Lamb.  She froze and didn't eat anymore.  Ha! I guess I should have waited to tell her until she was finished.
I agree with Brooklyn the Lamb was very delicious.  

We even found a Stork. I wonder if she just had a baby?!? 

The Western Town Gate.

So another really cool thing about this city is you can walk along the City Wall.
It's a 1.5 mile walkway. Brooklyn and I are standing in one of the towers.
So Very COOL! 

You can see the walkway.  The terrain is cobble rock I believe?  I could be wrong?? 

I love this picture so much.  You can see the city wall and the tower gate and to the right is the City.

Jer and I thought these were super cool.  We don't know the meaning.
Next time hopefully we can find out.

Tom,Lance, Breeanne, Mikayla, Zachary, Aubrey,Libby, Sabrina, and Kaitlynn

This is the other side of the tower. 

A cute close up of the family.  Love, Love Germany...
  So many wonderful Memories here already and it's only been 5 months. 

St. Jacob's Church it has two towers.  

This is the gate to the Dungeons.  It was already closed for the day.  Boo.  We will be going back
We want to see The Medieval Crime and Justice Museum, The Imperial City Museum and the German Christmas Museum 

This truck was outside the German Christmas Museum. 

Another really awesome street sign.

Another highlight of Rothenburg was the Nightwatchman Tour.
The tour starts at 8:00pm
The cost was 7 euro for adults and 4 Euro for students. Children 12 and younger were free
You do not need a reservation.  Just meet at the town hall at 7:50pm.
The tour was approx 60 minutes. A little history about the Nightwatchmen. some of their duties were to keep the streets of Rothenburg safe. The Nightwatchemen were not paid very much.  It was kind of a dishonorable job. Only the grave digger and executioner were lower.  His job was dangerous because he guarded the city at night.  His job started at 9:00pm and ended around 3:00am Most citizens went to bed early so the people that were out late were drunks and thieves. The nightwatchmen carried a weapon called a "Halberd." He used this for his protection but also to intimidate those who may want to create a ruckus. 

Here is the town clock again this time the doors are open and you can see a mechanical drinking scene.
I'm not sure if this happens at the top of each hour or just at 8:00pm?
The Watchmen pointed it out to us at 8:00pm

The Nightwatchman carried a horn around his neck to warn citizens of a fire.  In that time because they didn't have hydrants like we have today a fire could be the worst disasters that would hit within the city walls.

Another Beautiful Fountain in the square. 

It's a little hobbit door.
This was the only way to get into the city when the Gates were closed.
 You would have to be little and pay a fine to have it opened. 

Jer and I loved the roof of this building.
We loved loved Rothenburg.
I keep saying that with each new place we visit I keep finding a favorite. I can't wait to go back this time with Kayden. :-)