Thursday - April 27 - Castles, Wine Tasting, Cruise on the River Rhein

Early start in Ramstein Air Base we boarded a tour bus and drove one and half hours to the Castle Burg Rheinstein.  The castle overlooks the Rhein River and was built in the 14th century.  It is currently owned and run by the same family since 1975.  It went through many changes of ownership from its beginning and originally was funded by taxation for passage on the river.  Following the castle tour we headed north to St. Goar where we sampled eiswein and brandies at Stefan's Wine Paradise.  Then on to the river cruiser...a two story water-jet powered river boat where we cruised for two hours viewing 14 different castles.  We landed at Rudersheim where we had a typical German lunch and toured the historic city.  We took a cable car to the monument commemorating the unification of Germany in 1871.  The official name of the monument is: Niederwalddenkmal.

On the walk up to the Castle Burg Rheinstein

The Castle

Formal Dining Room in the Castle

Inside Stefan's Wine Paradise (Wine Tasting)

Ready for the Rhein River Cruise

Our River Cruise Boat

Trisha and Norm

Norm and Jan 

Norm, Jan and Trisha on the Cruise Boat

Burg Rheinstein Castle that we visited first - Picture taken from the Cruise boat

Where we had our lunch in Rudesheim on the Rhein

View of the Rhein

Monument overlooking Rudesheim

Our First Day in Germany

Tuesday, April 25th we left Des Moines and flew to Atlanta, GA where we then left for Germany.  We had a very uneventful but long flight where Trisha met us in Frankfurt, Germany.  We then spent a good part of the day on Wednesday visiting some sights in the city and then returned to Trish's home in Otterberg, Germany.  I think we will be ready for a good night's sleep after our dinner!

Norm and Trisha on the Platz

Norm and Jan on the Platz

Römer Platz Where they have the Christmas Mart in Frankfurt

Eiserner Steg - Bridge where people affix padlocks

Padlocks where people profess their love for each other

Church in Frankfurt

A Long Boat ready to sail

An old depot

Strange trees on the platz

Trish's home in Otterberg, Germany

Rear porch

Vista from her back porch

Neighbor's home from back porch

Mary Hardin Baylor Easter Pageant 2017

We were privileged to be able to attend the University of Mary Hardin Baylor's Easter Pageant on Wednesday, April 12, 2017.  All directed and performed by the students of UMHB.  A marvelous performance and done so very well!

The Program

The Crowd (Emma far right in Green)

Emma in the crowd

Emma

The Last Supper

Guards accusing Jesus

Pilate "I do not find him guilty"

Jesus before Pilate

Jesus on the cross

Jesus on the Cross before the crowd

Cross after His Death

Guarding the tomb

Mary Madeline sees Jesus

Angel proclaims "He is Risen"

Gpa, Gma, and Spellings

Gpa, Gma, & Emma

Mom, Dad & Emma

Spellings Family

I wanted to add this photo - if you look closer you will see the dancers
and unbeknownst to them they spelled GOD!  Shot taken by a Drone!

Aggie Ring Day with Jordon Spellings and Family

On Friday, April 7, 2017 we were invited to attend the Aggie Ring Day with Jordon Spellings.  What an exciting time for Jordon and her family.  Congratulations, Jordon on a job well done.  

Waiting in line through the "Aggie Ring" to receive her ring

Jordon was the 9:45 "ring receiver"

Jordon receiving her ring

Jordon, Mom and Dad - Happy Day!

Dad checking the ring, Mom giving Jordon a big hug and congratulations

The beautiful Aggie Ring

Jordon and Grandpa and Grandma

Mom, Dad and 3 siblings - Levi, Maggie, Mom, Jordon, Luiken, & Dad

Jordon's family, Aunt Debra and Uncle Kyle

Jordon and family

Congratulations Jordon 

On Kyle Field Jordon and brothers, Luiken and Levi

Dad - It is sunny and hot!

Texas A & M Ring Day - an A & M Tradition