Christy Yakel's visit (May 24 - June 5)

Christy, a friend from Oklahoma, made the LONG flight over here to visit us for her very first international trip. I think her courage was well rewarded. :) We had a wonderful time. We fit a lot into those two weeks, starting with a tour of Brussels. The town next to ours, within walking distance, had a parade and carnival. We took a driving tour through southern Germany, visiting Schwabisch Gmund (where her parents were stationed 30+ years ago), Heubach (where her parents lived), and Ulm (one of the largest Gothic cathedrals with the largest steeple in the world). We had a couple of days to relax at home, before heading off for a girls only weekend in Paris. We enjoyed the Louvre, Sacre Couer, the eiffel tower, and relaxing dinners. Cliff was kind enough to babysit with only a few catastrophes. :) We relaxed at home a bit, and then Christy headed out by herself and did really well! Yeah, Christy!! She visited Hoensbroek Castle and Dusseldorf.

Christian waiting at the Brussels airport for Christy to arrive.

My, Christy and Christian in Brussels. Doesn't she look perky for just getting off the flight? :) Christian was not having such a good time in this picture.

Our family in front of the famous peeing boy statue in Brussels. Dignitaries from all over the world bring characteristic outfits for him on visits. He has an unbelievable wardrobe. On another note, I think Cliff looks really nice with a purse. :)

This is the parade in the next town. Aren't they cute? I love the village marching bands, which span a wide range of ages of both men and women. This was followed by a carnival in the park.

This is Christy standing in front of her parents previous apartment in Heubach, Germany. I believe this is the apartment where she was conceived. :)

This is in front of the church in Ulm. It is enormous, and absolutely beautiful inside. It had a really nice pedestrian area around it.

All of us playing in the back yard. Christian is enjoying the bubble machine that Grammy just sent him. He LOVES this bubble machine. Grammy also sent him those very cute galoshes, which he also loves.

This is the view from our hotel room in Paris. :)

This is Christy on the second platform of the Eiffel Tower. That was a HUGE accomplishment for her. She's very scared of heights... well, scared of falling off of them.

This is Christy enjoying her last German beer in Germany before going home the next morning.