Outings

Our first outing was to Ikea near Manheim.  It is a quick little drive from our house, even quicker when Josh is driving on the Autobahn.  We stopped for meatballs and fries, then started on our (fairly long) list of items needed to get our organization on at home.  With no closets here in Germany, we had lots of boxes that needed emptying, but nowhere to put anything once it was emptied.

This is a shot of Ben and his little German buddy.  They sat in that chair for at least 10 minutes...not talking, not playing, just sitting with each other.  It was pretty darling.  (Images that aren't turned are from my phone. It is much too late tonight to figure out how to turn them!)

We closed down Ikea and Brigham was hungry again, so we stopped at the McDonald's down the road.  Let's just say that all you friends in America take the drive-thru for granted.  It proved more difficult than expected with the language barrier that we are getting very familiar with.  We didn't quite end up with what we ordered, but I ran in, found someone that spoke English, and got it all settled.  We have not braved that scene again, FYI. 

Our first real sight-seeing that wasn't to a store, was to Burg Lichtenberg.  It is some castle ruins not too far from here.    

 All in all, it was really neat and really cold!  We will definitely go back there on a warmer day.  The kids enjoyed it, it was quiet and beautiful, and not too far from home.
This is Josh's favorite picture from Burg Lichtenberg.