Visit from Aunt Jenny and Steve

So I’m behind in my blogging for sure! Not last week, but the week before, Doug’s sister Jen (Aunt Jenny) and her boyfriend Steve came to visit us. It was so great to have some familiar faces around and Gianna loved having some extra playmates. They went to Prague soon after they arrived, but when they returned to Munich we did some sightseeing together. Gianna and I joined them on Friday in central Munich for some shopping and yet another trip to the Glockenspiel. (I hope she doesn’t tire of it because it’s a great diversion every once in a while!)

On Saturday we all took a short road trip to Neuschwanstein and Hohenschwangau castles. The weather was a bit misty, but we never needed our umbrellas, which was great. And I must say, the mist added a certain je ne sais quoi to the atmosphere. Neuschwanstein was by far more interesting. It was the inspiration for Sleeping Beauty's castle at Disneyland. But both castles were very cool. Doug and I enjoyed the other castles we’ve seen (Linderhof and Herrenchiemsee) a little better because they were less crowded and less commercial. All in all, we had a great time and were glad to share it with Jen and Steve.

On Sunday we went to the Englischer Garden’s Chinese tower biergarten for lunch. We stopped on the way at a playground with a little treehouse. Gianna loved sitting in there. Lunch was great. We tried the rotisserie chickens for the first time. And it may have been the best chicken we’ve ever had! We ended the day and Jen and Steve’s visit with a trip to the gelato place on our street. Clearly we treated ourselves to some spectacular desserts! Thanks for visiting guys! It was great to see you!

Jenny and Steve by the lake

Neuschwanstein in the mist (check online for pics of what it really looks like!)

The little yellow building in the background is Hohenschwangau Castle

Gianna and Mommy in the tree house

Gelato insanity