Prost from the Black Forrest

Pictures cannot adequately show the gorgeousness we are surrounded by right now! The Black Forrest is incredible. 

If we're talking incredible, check out our breakfast this morning with the Bökelers. Pretzels, breads and homemade jams from all the berries in their garden. Another bonus? The kids and I all tried hard boiled eggs for the first time ever. I wouldn't say it was my favorite thing in the world (hard to compete with homemade jam!), but it was ok, and we tried it. My parents will appreciate the importance :)

We ate out in the garden at 8:30 (!). That's the first time I've seen that hour in the last week. It was totally worth the wake up. Chris actually woke Zack up

early so they could go play soccer in the cage...and Kent was there before school to play! They came back and woke us up. Mya had a few patients cancel and was able to join us as well! Super fun breakfast!

It was not yet 9:00, and cherries were being plucked off the tree by boys holding a ladder. So darn good!

Ulf was able to get a few hours away from the hospital this morning so we decided to head to the zoo in Stuttgart. The animals were happy to see us.

Pretend sleeping in the hammock.

Hanging with the gorilla.

Ulf, Steffi, Juna, and Jonas Bökeler.

The whole crew minus Ulf's Dad taking the picture. Wish they lived closer...Germany is a hike! Excited to host this crew when they head to Florida in a couple years!

Beautiful botanical gardens at the zoo.

Our first Redwood tree. Hysterical that we had to travel all the way to Germany to see it! I guess years ago, Kings were trying to find better wood, so they planted some redwoods. There are only a few left, but we got to hug one of them!

So much yum in this picture. Mrs Bökeler and Mya prepared another Swabian favorite. The best way I can describe the goodness is a ravioli filled with meatloaf. Really there was meat and spinach and breadcrumbs. They were invented for the monks to hide meat during lent ;)

Zack and Zoe have loved everything they put in their mouth. 

Dessert was yogurt and berries from the garden with meringue crushed on top. Delish. I was worried that Chris would have trouble finding non chocolate options. So. Not. True. 

Zoe got to hold Jonas for two minutes before I grabbed him again. Such a sweet boy!

Marika and Zoe had the best time playing  together. 

Then we headed to downtown Stuggart to check out the athletic training centers. Ulf's uncle had a connection and was able to get us in to watch the gymnasts.

So cool to see a different take on things, and see high level boys gymnastics. There were also two floors upstairs. 

Zoe had the opportunity to go out on the floor and practice, but got a bit overwhelmed by the situation. She's missing her World Class crew. She tumbled a bit upstairs, but never went out with the others. It was very interesting to watch though!

On to Mercedes Benz Arena. Super cool! So many beautiful facilities. 

Zack also checked out Mercedes Benz headquarters and the museum. He and Bender have had real fun pointing out the fancy cars we see during our adventures!

Then there was a tearful goodbye as we left the Bökelers- and a thirty minute nap for everyone but Chris as we stared our trip to the Black Forrest. The first thing I saw when I opened my eyes was this...

Time to start taking pictures. You can't see the beauty. No matter how I moved the camera it just didn't come through. Insane!

This is our hotel. Gästrhaus Absbachtal. I am almost positive we are the only ones staying here other than the owners who live on the first floor. It's a maze of rooms and the restaurant at the bottom has beer that you pour from a tap and self report. Out our window you can see the local goat farmer's land. Gorgeous.

View from our window.

View from our balcony.

In the garden, they also had a slack line,

a slide, 

and a trampoline! A big one too!

They also had some very well constructed vegetable gardens. 

We ended up at Zum Schlüssel for dinner on our host's recommendation for the best traditional food. It was excellent. We ate everything.

But the menus were in German. Thank goodness our hostess spoke English and helped Zoe pick chicken nuggets and fries. She ended up eating so much of our dinners, she actually left a nugget :)

The beer was fantastic. 

Zack and I got the salad bar with our meals. Favorite salad bar of all times. Basically lettuce and a bunch of other veggies marinated in vinegar. Cabbage, carrots, corn and beans, green beans, beets. Yum, yum, extra yum.

Zack and I both had spaetzle and pork schnitzel with some yum gravy sauce. 

Bender had a veggie spaetzle that was delicious as well. 

Before dessert selfies

Zack chose berries and ice cream for dessert. Zoe had a milk shake that was more milk than shake but still tasted great. There was time for one last pic before heading back to the hotel. 

The kids played for a while longer in the garden and I came up to start uploading pictures. Loving this change in pace and scenery. Tomorrow we're heading to town to shop and then on to see the Schaffners. Rumor has it a pool/water slide complex is involved! Bring it on Germany!

Prost! 

XOXO, 

Benderz