Wildpark Schwarze Berge!

We went to a wild life park in the forest & it was epic. I have never seen my nephew get excited, but we he saw the giant pigs- he was so happy. I felt the same way about the deer! They just came right up to me. Anthropomorphism ? Probably yes. We went with my friend Anika, Jonas' parents and his brother, Jakob. It was a great day..

 Dogs, racoons, dogs that look like racoons::

 The park had rides that you operate yourself & this giant slide- Z can do things by herself now and it is confusing my Mom brain because the last time I checked she needed me for everything::

 DIY swing ride. Just 1 euro::

 Before heading home, we stopped in the city for pizza and gelato and some time spent on the Alster::

Bergen- Belsen Concentrarion Camp & Hamburg.

On our way from Dortmund to Hamburg, we stopped at Bergen- Belsen Concentration Camp. Over 50,000 people died here, including Anne Frank. Everyone was buried in mass graves.  I could not believe the old photos showing this land as such a bleak place because now there is a reverence and a peace. Zara saw all of the rocks on the graves for the Jewish tradition and wanted to add some herself. Jonas explained it to her and we were so impressed by her understanding..

We spent the next few days with Jonas' family and exploring/ eating our way through Hamburg::

 Zara has tantrums over how she got up and down subway stairs. For some reason, not many of the elevators work::

 We found the best oatmeal cookies ever::

 Pistachio ice cream! ::

 Rockwell & the Rathaus::

 An evening in Planten un Blomen::

 Zara almost gave me a heart attack jumping from stone to stone in this pond. We let her do it and she did not fall! ::

 Germany has the BEST parks::

Berlin & Dortmund, Germany

We had another round of jet lag when we made it to Berlin. Somehow we managed to get our rental car (possibly accidently paying for extra car insurance. Post flight with a toddler is a vulnerable time to make decisions, ha). We had lunch in Berlin & got to see the Berlin Wall! I have visited Berlin before (totally saw She & Him in concert) but did not see the wall.

 Rockwell does not really like to take photos or be in them, but he told me this pickle is a game changer. Now I forgot why. & there is poop and pee next to him, ew.::

 She pretends bottles of water or soap are babies for her to take care of::

 Rock's first Döner, it is a very important moment in a young man's life::

 We drove from Berlin to Dortmund. The timing of our visit to Germany was Jonas' family reunion held at his aunt's home. She has the loveliest garden with fresh produce and herbs growing all around::

Everyone who attended the reunion::

 Her gorgeous home & our little rental car::

Jonas went to church & met up with some old friends::

 We went out for more Döner one night & it was so pretty out::

 There was a Mirabelle plum tree in the garden and we picked them to eat. I have never had them before due to import laws and never noticed them at the grocery store while I lived in Germany. It is another food on my list for my visits to Europe! ::

 Zara had an obsession with this chair::

 Z is addicted to hard boiled eggs and we made them for her almost every day of our trip::

We are so thankful for our time at the family reunion in the garden!