OUR FINAL MONTHS IN EUROPE

Our last chance to go to Oktoberfest in Munchen (Munich) Germany! We sat at a German table in the Haufbrau tent and prosted beers and ate soft pretzels. It was so much fun!


Eddie's parents came for Christmas so we went to Strasbourg, France for some gluwein.


Eddie's dad had always wanted to visit the cathedral in Cologne, Germany. So, we decided to climb to the top of it! Cologne is a beautiful city and had a pretty good steak house, too!


For Valentines Day we went to France and started out in the city of Amboise. We visited the Chateau de Chenonceau, Eddie had built a replica in high school for his French class. It was even more beutiful then he imagined.


We went to the Louvre and toured the museum. We had been there before, but had never been to this exhibit. This is a part of Darius' Temple (read Daniel 6, the Lion's Den!)


Then Eddie surprised me with a romantic cruise down the Siene River. It goes all the way through Paris. The dinner was amazing and the Paris sites at night were so beautiful. This was a memory maker!


We ended our French tour at Disneyland Paris! We spent the whole day and still did not see it all.


Our next adventure was to meet Eric and Holly in Rome, Italy. They were on their honeymoon and had just come from Kenya, Africa! We started out in Pisa, and then went to Florence. Florence is one of our favorite cities.


We finally made it to Rome to see Holly and Eric. We went around together and Eddie and I saw places in Rome we had never seen before. Such as the catacombs and Peter and Paul's jail cell. It was wonderful spending time with them.


We knew Rome was old, but this is cool. Here is one of the only proofs that the Menorah from the Ark of the Covenant was brought here, it is depicted in the carving on the gate that entered into Roman and Domitian territory.


Eddie and I finally got our couple photo in front of the Trevi fountain. This is a famous engagment spot!


After Holly and Eric left, Eddie and I went to Ancient Ostia, Imperial Rome's seaport. Where I'm standing is where the ancient Jews met during pagan times to worship.


We met Steve and Donna and their boys, Daniel and Chris for another Kaiserslautern soccer game. Luis is in the goal!


My parents and my brother came to visit (Matt's first trip)! We started in London and took a cruise down The Thames river.


Then off to Ireland and our cottage by the Cliffs of Moher.


The majestic Blarney castle, we all had to kiss the Blarney Stone.


And of course some baileys at the local pub! Ireland is one of our favorite trips. We might have to all go back for a couple more guiness.


For Eddie's birthday we decided to go and celebrate with Hollands queen. Queen's day and Eddie's birthday are both April 30th. We went to the ice bar and can you believe it, it was freezing! Our noses were ice cold, but it was fun sipping from an ice glass.


We then went to Keukenhof Gardens to see the tulips.






Congratulations Eddie and Brian. They both recieved their Masters from OU!


Our latest adventure took us by train to Berlin! We went down to Checkpoint Charlie and read about how the people used to live, not that long ago. Here Eddie is on the East side and I'm on the West side.


Brandenburg Gate, the gate to Germany.


We then took a cruise boat to Tallinn, Estonia and visited the old town.


We also stopped by this Russian Orthodx Church, with it's many symbols, both religious and political.


This antique store was full of character. Eddie, remember the tea pot!


We took a moment on our way back to the boat. I loved this boat and I recommend it to everyone. It's Vision of the Seas from Royal Caribbean. Eddie won in the bingo game and we both enjoyed the gym and free nightly shows. Our favorite was the Beatles Band, they were perfect!


Then it was off to St. Petersburg, Russia. I couldn't beleive we were in Russia! It was so much fun, but too much to see in only one day. This is the Peter and Pauls Cathedral, the tallest building in St. Petersburg.


Hilarious! No skiing through the fortress!


One of the red rostral columns used to navigate the ships on the Neva River (St Petersburg's main highway.)


Rembrandt's last painting, left just short of finishing, is here in the Hermitage or Winter Palace. It is of the Prodigal Son.


This church was built to impress as it memorilizes Emperor Alexander II's assassination. It's called the Church of our Savior on Spilled Blood. The pleasantness of Russia!


We ended our trip in Stockholm, Sweden. It is made of 14 islands called Archipelagos. Don't worry, I can't say that either!


Good ol Scandinavian trolls, this one let me sit right down next to him. He pinched my nose first.


Here is the home of the King and Queen of Sweden.


This ended our trips in Europe. Now we are off to Wichita, Kansas! We'll miss Europe, but I can't wait to be closer to all of you! See you soon! Love, Eddie and Sarah