Wine!!!

Most people don't really think of Germany as a wine country. I mean, let's face it, when you think of wine countries you immediately think of Italy, France, US (California) but Germany doesn't usually come up. However, Germany produces just as much wine as they do Beer and in the southwest of Germany, wine is king.

Today, we traveled to Würzburg which is about 1 1/2 hours East of Weinheim and found that some of the best (But not necessarily the most widely known) wine is produced here. Franconian wine is regarded by German's as the country's best wine, but it is not commonly sold outside of Germany. (Franconia is the region of Germany where Würzburg is located)

The addition to the uniqueness of the wine, the wine bottles themselves are unlike normal wine bottles. The wine from this region is bottled in flat, circular bottles instead of traditional wine bottles. In fact, the bottles are protected by European Union law and only wine producers in this region are allowed to use these bottles.

The wine itself is very good - it is very dry wine with oaky tones. It is very different from the Rieslings that Germany is commonly known for.

This is a picture of the wine bottle -

New videos!!!

Ok, so we haven't posted any videos in quite awhile, mainly because I lost - or temporarily misplaced - the cable to connect the camera to my computer. Wouldn't you know it, it was in the last place that I put it... (hardy har har har).

Anyway, we have video of him from about July on. I think that because of the way I posted them, they go from newest to oldest. Hope you all enjoy.

Nathan learning to jump

In this video Nathan learned to jump (this just happened tonight). I was trying to see something on the top of the book shelf and jumped. The second Nate saw me do that it was like Monkey see, Monkey do - and he started jumping. Cutest thing ever because most of the time his feet don't leave the floor!

Also, there is this new commercial on TV for an HP printer. Towards the end of the song you hear "aye aye aye" for maybe 1 second. Now, the moment that the commercial comes on, all Nathan does is start yelling AYE AYE AYE... So funny!

Nathan singing the Bumblebee song

So Nathan absolutely loves to sing this Bumblebee song that Stephanie taught him. I tried getting him on video making this hilarious face when he gets to the part where you say "Owww it stung me!" Unfortunately each time we get out the camera, he doesn't do it. I get a decent one towards the end though. He has the squishing part down pat though.

Walking in Daddy's Shoes

Looks like Nathan wants to be just like daddy!

Playing with a white T-Shirt at 18mos

Just some funny footage of Nathan

Nathan Learning New Words at 17 mos

Ok, this one really took place at 17 mos. Also, about halfway through Nate learns how to take off his pants... Such an exhibitionist!

Nathan in the laundry Basket at 15 mos

I made a mistake on the intro - this is Nate in Jul at 15 months.

Switzerland and the Herbstmesse

Hi everyone! Yes, it has been yet another 2 months since we last posted anything on our blog - sorry for being such slackers. Since we last posted a lot has happened, naturally. We have been to the doctor a few times and have a couple of pictures of the new baby. I will let Stephanie create a post on this topic with the pictures. But in general, everything is going smoothly and the baby appears to be growing nicely in it's little oven.

It has been a pretty busy couple of months. The summer ended and winter began pretty much simultaneously. I mean, one day it was in the 60's - 70's and the next it was like 32. The temperatures have been pretty cold since then and it is a shame because the trees never really went through a transition. As it turns out, the past couple of days while we were out of town was about the only days where there was color in the forest. Now most of the trees have shed their leaves and we are preparing for the long winter.

The past couple of weeks have been particularly busy. Last week I had to make a week-long business trip to Basel, Switzerland. It just so happened that they were having their annual Autumn Festival (Herbstmesse) that week, so I thought it would be nice if Stephanie and Nate come along. The pictures above are from their trip to Basel! So, with the whole family packed up, we headed to Switzerland. This was the first trip Stephanie and Nathan had made to Switzerland. They spent the time while I was at work wondering around the city visiting the festival and the Zoo! They only spent 1 night with me in Switzerland and while I was sad to see them go, I did sleep much better the subsequent nights!

Although I was working the majority of the time that I was in Basel, I did have some time to get out and enjoy the festival as well. On Thursday night I went along with a few colleagues from work to teh festival. One of them was a good friend of mine from Indianapolis who is also over here for the project. We had a good time walking around the town and enjoying the rides. I will have to post pictures from the ride we rode later - it was insane! I also had the chance to try Indian food for the first time.

Here is a link to all the photos

next up.... Italy!