Burg Eltz with the Rochelle's

We got to spend the day with Terierose and Branon Rochelle.  We are so excited we got to see our old friends from College.  It's sure fun catching up and making new memories.  Today's adventure a Medieval Castle.  I have wanted to go to Burg Eltz for a while.  The castle had just opened up for the season and we thought it was a great opportunity to go with our friends.  So we set off on the 2 hour drive to Bug Eltz.

Branon and Terierose were such troopers.  They had left their three kids home and were on a special
anniversary trip and they ended up taking both of my boys with them.  How awesome.  Kayden just loved
Branon and couldn't believe he had 45 snakes.  I think Kayden found a new best friend.  They liked to have
lots of long deep conversations too.  Thanks Rochell's for making my boys feel loved and special.  

Driving along the Moselle river is just beautiful.
Lots of wine vineyards and castles. Lots and lots of Castles. 

We got to go through some fun towns on our way to and from the castles. 

Beautiful brick homes. 

We got to see fields and fields of Rapeseeds. 

Lots of oil in the making.  They are so beautiful. 

Jeremy and Roderic stretching; that was a long ride in his carseat.
He was such a trooper today with all our adventures. I love this boy.

We found the Castle parking lot. It cost 2 euro to park.
 We still couldn't see the Castle. Bummer!
You have two options to get to the castle.  One you could take a 20 ish minute walk down to the Castle
or... you could take a shuttle.   Can you guess what we chose to do?

Yep, We of course chose the scenic walking route.
 It was beautiful the sun was out and it was warm
there was a little breeze that just made the perfect temperature.  You could hear The River Eltz in the distance.  
We were walking hand in hand talking and just enjoying our surroundings and the beauty of Germany. 

 Here you can see the river Eltz and some of the beauty
 we got to bask in on our little walk to the Castel.

Suddenly, seemingly out of nowhere you turn a corner and BAM!  
The Beautiful Majestic Burg Eltz appears in front of  you like some Fairytale  It was magical! 

No Wonder we couldn't see it from the road or the parking lot.  Burg Eltz is situated within a small wooded valley, and stands in the middle of the basin, perched on a rocky crag with the River Eltz wrapping around the castle in a horseshoe shape almost completely surrounding the castle.  
Burg Eltz was designed more for looks than for defence and it's pretty impressive.   Someone said that Burg Eltz was the most photographed castle in Germany.  Ummm, I'm not sure I believe that.  I personally think the most photographed castle in Germany is Neuschwanstein.  But I could be wrong.  I do think Burg Eltz is beautiful and breathtaking.  
A little history of Burg Eltz.  
Burg Eltz is three Castles in one.  Three different branches of the Eltz family built entirely separate structures on the site.
The Kempenich ('The house of the Golden Lion')
The Rubenach ('the house of the Silver Lion')
and The house of the Buffalo Horns.
 Burg Eltz is 850 years old and has been owned and maintained by the same family from when it was built until today.  A total of  33 Generations have owned this Castle.  Impressive!  Because of the political stance the Eltz family has taken... The Castle has never been destroyed.  I found this to be really interesting.  Talk about being "Switzerland".  HA! You can tour 2/3 castles.  The Eltz family still lives in one of the Castles.  

Bastianclan in front of Burg Eltz April 20, 2017
Kayden (17) Brooklyn (14) and Chandler (11) 

Branon & Terierose Rochelle With Roderic.   Not only did the Rochelle's take my
boys in their car.  Terierose helped me pack Roderic.  What a sweet friend.  I'm lucky to have her. 

The Castle was so busy. It had just opened up for the season on April 1st.
We also went during May Day holiday so we got to enjoy the Castle with a lot of People.

Brooklyn, Kayden, and Chandler at the gate ready to step back in time.

I fell in love with these dragon drains.

This is the Central Courtyard. 

We got to take a lot of pictures while we waited 35 minutes for our tour to begin.  Because the Castle was so busy they were not offering an English tour.  We had to take a German tour with an English Written guide.  The Tour was approximately 45 minutes. I couldn't take any pictures inside the castle because  it was forbidden.  Boo! Our tour guide was super nice and answer all our questions in English in between the rooms.  

Another Dragon drain.  Aren't they awesome?

I loved the Iron work throughout this castle. 

The family Court of Arms.  This is the Shield of the House of the Golden Lion. 

  I never tire exploring castles with my sweetheart.
I'm sure we have explored/ seen at least 100 by now.

I sure love this little boy. 

I am addicted to doors.  I love them!

Too much adventure for this little sweet boy.  It was a BIG DAY!

Kayden loved this.... He was taller than the knight

After our tour of the Castle we got to explore the Treasury.
The exhibit focuses on artworks by German Gold and Silver smiths.
Look at this amazing gold candlestick.  Look how intricate the top is.  Wow!!
We got to see Precious glass, porcelain, Jewels, time period clothes, and real weapons.  The boys loved that.
The Armory has weapons from the 14th and 17th Centuries.
The oldest surviving cannon bolts resides here. Super awesome!

I loved this Window

Another one of my doors. Love!

Small court yard. The balls in the middle are the balls they used to throw during one of the sieges on the castle.

I love the relationship Roderic and Jeremy have.  Aren't they cute?
Kisses all around.  Roderic was so excited to be out of his carrier and free for a little bit.

While I was feeding Roderic the boys were playing catch with Chandler's Flat Hat.
I'm sure this is a time appropriate activity right?  Ha! 

Having way to much fun with Auntie Tina!
He was laughing because we were jumping up and down.
This smile melts my heart, 

Roderic sitting in front of the Shields.  He is 5 months old here. 

This was the only Garden at the Castle.  

I just Love these Kids of mine.
Brooklyn (14) Chandler (11) and Kayden (17) 

We took a different route back up to the car and boy am I glad.
We got a different view of The Majestic Burg Eltz.

Bern Switzerland Temple

We had the opportunity to attend the Bern Switzerland Temple with our Ward on April 29th.

We opted to ride on the bus instead of having to drive.  We got up at 2am to catch the bus at 3am.  

We drove 3 hours had to stop for a 45 min stop for our bus driver. and finished the two hour drive to the temple.  We arrived around 9:30am.  We had some time to get Chandler situated in the church next to the temple as this is the last time he will have to stay outside the temple.  He will be 12 in just a couple weeks.  

There is only one way to the TEMPLE.  

Beautiful Bern Switzerland Temple. 

Jeremy and I were able to do a session together.
It was beautiful. 

We had a fun picnic with our friends on the temple grounds .

This is how the kids spent the time while
we were serving in the temple. Beautiful day!

Kayden and Emma enjoying the sun. 

Kayden jummping for joy.

More picnic pictures. 

Kayden trying to get the frisbee down that was stuck in the tree. 

Brooklyn and her friends hanging out.  

This is how the finally got the Frisbee down. 

I love how they arranged these flowers.  Can you see the temple?

Terirose and Branon came to visit and were able to join us on our temple trip.

Les & Racher Ambrus, Jeremy & Tina, and Terirose, & Branon Rochelle

I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday with the Love
 of my life than serving in the Lord's Temple.

Spring is in the air.  

Look how big this tulip is that is Jermey's hand.

I loved all the colors. 

Bastianclan at the Bern Switzerland Temple.
I love to see the Temple!!!!