Munich March 2014

We flew to Tbilisi from Houston through Munich and were looking forward to our 12 hour layover there on our return flight to Georgia.  A whole day to take the train into the city and maybe take a tour. Well...... as we were landing, remember that stomach flu?...... 
Needless to say, our layover was extended, return flight rescheduled for the next day and we camped out in the thankfully nearby Hilton.  

I did feel better enough the next late afternoon to take a short walk around the 'Inner City' and Marienplatz (Mary's Square) - the main square in the city center,  and see some outdoor markets. 

The trains are very clean, quiet but not cheap!  A round trip from the airport into the city center was 11 Euros (~$17) each. 

The new City Hall 

The Glockenspiel (clock tower)

Every day at 11 a.m. (as well as 12 p.m. and 5 p.m. in summer) it chimes and re-enacts two stories from the 16th century to the amusement of mass crowds of tourists and locals. It consists of 43 bells and 32 life-sized figures. The top half of the Glockenspiel tells the story of the marriage of the local Duke Wilhelm V (who also founded the world famous Hofbräuhaus) to Renata of Lorraine. In honour of the happy couple there is a joust with life-sized knights on horseback representing Bavaria (in white and blue) and Lothringen (in red and white). The Bavarian knight wins every time, of course.

This is then followed by the bottom half and second story: Schäfflertanz (the coopers' dance). According to myth, 1517 was a year of plague in Munich. The coopers are said to have danced through the streets to "bring fresh vitality to fearful dispositions." The coopers remained loyal to the duke, and their dance came to symbolize perseverance and loyalty to authority through difficult times. By tradition, the dance is performed in Munich every seven years. This was described in 1700 as "an age-old custom", but the current dance was defined only in 1871. The dance can be seen during Fasching (German Carnival): the next one is in 2019.

The whole show lasts somewhere between 12 and 15 minutes long depending on which tune it plays that day. At the very end of the show, a very small golden rooster at the top of the Glockenspiel chirps quietly three times, marking the end of the spectacle. (thank you once again, Wiki)

We were there to see the 5pm "show". Very fun.   

Mary's column built in 1638

Sun dial 

This was the outdoor markets with many stands full of fresh fruit and vegetables and what struck us was how perfectly ripe and beautiful everything was in the farmer's stands.  We've been told that Germany loves Easter and there were many decorations for sale along with hundreds of branches of fresh pussy willows and pussy willow wreaths and bouquets (we brought one home).  Wonderful!

May Pole? 

Ahhhh, no, we didn't buy it.

Silly family

 We always have lots of fun with these.....

Family pictures

Per Woodward normal, it was pouring rain outside, so instead of family pictures outside in the beautiful Florida green, we had to settle for boring bricks.
We sure love these beautiful people!

Gerald, Isaak, Scout, Ellie and Becky Fowkes

Alex, Ashlee and Logan Woodward

Stuart, Mary, Gracie, Zachary and Katy Pitre

our grandkids - oldest to youngest

Deb, Roy and grandkids 

Woodward Family

Alex, Mary and Becky

The Boys

The Girls

Roberta, Deb, Marilyn and Judy Sindel 

Family 

Florida Feb/Mar 2015

We all gathered in Orlando for Gracie's baptism and had extra family in that my three sisters and favorite brother-in-law (I think I've mentioned before, John is my only BIL) were also able to join us.  The more the merrier!  
We stayed at our favorite Marriott Harbor Lakes Resort and I don't think I need to say that the Woodward travel 'normal' was alive and well.  It was overcast most everyday and rained two entire days.  Of course it cleared up and was a beautiful day, the day we flew home, but we did have some nice days sitting around the pool.  

ice cream at 3 pm daily

with the rain and cool temps, 3 cheers for the large hot tubs!  

hula hoop contest

The Pitres, Fowkes and younger Woodwards enjoyed a fun day at the Disney Studios while Grandpa and I kept Logan and sick Katy at the apartment visiting with my sisters. Emily, we cannot thank you enough for help with the tickets (again!).

painted Disney faces 

Presents from Europe time!

Katy

shirts from Spain, hats from Georgia and Russian army canteens 

new scriptures for the baptism girl 

Some were questionably received....

Georgian Christmas what? 

her first (and last!) taste of Borjomi mineral water from Georgia

Becky is tasting Borjomi Mineral water.  It is bottled in the nearby town of Borjomi about 2 hours from Tbilisi and is very popular among the Georgians.  I think it is too salty, so I don't blame her one bit.  I think I had the exact same reaction.  

And we all enjoyed Roy's computer slide shows.  

We had such a special day for this pretty girl's baptism.  

Gracie and Stuart

and since we were all together, Alex gave Logan a name and a blessing.  

Roy and Logan

Of course I didn't get a picture of Logan and his dad, darn it, so here is a great picture of Grandpa and his namesake.  

Unfortunately the stomach flu hit us hard one day - 6 out of 7 kids, and two adults.  Enough said.  

Everyone recovered to enjoy a day at Blue Springs State Park to see the manatees in the warmer water. 

Ashlee, Logan and a new mosaic friend

The Larkin house - original owner of the property. 

Lunch at Chuck E. Cheese. 

Gracie

Zach

Scout

Dancing at Downtown Disney where Isaak made the Hula-hoop finals!  

I don't think I need to tell ya: we had a GREAT time!  :)