More of Verona!

Here is a picture of Tannere at Castelvecchio, which used to be the castle of San Martino. The castle was built to provide external and internal defense. Do you recall ever seeing in movies castles that had very high walls with a stoop or walkway all around the top brim(without railings) so that men could be on the lookout for intruders. This had that. It looked scary to me. One little slip on a pebble and things would not be looking good.

Here is a picture of Hannah outside of Ponte Scaligero. It is a famous bridge that is part of the castle.
Here is a picture of Hannah standing in the Castel with the beautiful Fiume Adige behind her.

Hannover 96 Soccer Game!

Today we went to a Hannover 96 soccer game at the AWD arena. The arena is very close to us. One day last month, I was on the outside of it and heard U2 music, only to find out that U2 was in there getting ready for their concert that night. I have a feeling I am going to enjoy being close to this arena.

Hannover, Germany TUI Race 2013

T with his Dad! T with his buddy! T coming to the finish line!

Nachtlauf Hannover 2012 (Night Run)

T with his Dad! The Spectators! Me with my boys!

Hannover, Germany TUI Race 2012

With the beautiful Rathaus in the background!

Ziel means finish line. Where you want to be!

2012 Cross Country meet in Berlin!

The Mustang Cross Country Group!

2011 Cross Country Meet in Berlin

Ready to Go! Go Mustangs!

Chore Charts

You always need a good chore cart to keep everyone on their toes!

Schloss Oelber

This is a cool little castle that is close to Hannover and near Hildeshiem. It is shaped like a horse shoe. Many different types of events are held at this castle. We were here on a day that they were having a antique show/flea market.

Flat Stanley!

Have you ever heard of Flat Stanley?
Jeff Brown has written a series of books about a boy that had became flat when a billboard hit him. There were advantages to him becoming flat. He was able to slip through doors and be sent through the mail.
So, several schools have been participating in a project called "The Flat Stanley" Project. Children make a flat version of themselves and send it to people they know in other places around the world. Then when their "flat person" returns, it returns with several stories about their adventure. We were asked to have a flat stanley friend come and visit us and here are some pictures of our adventures with him.

Visitors

We had two beautiful, wonderful women from China come and stay with us for a few days. We had the opportunity to drink Chinese tea together and share stories of our cultures. This is a picture of a gift that the gave us. They hook on to our cell phones, but I am afraid to use them (I don't want them to break).

Steinhude Meer

Steinhunde Meer is the largest lake of Northwest Germany. It is only about a 25 minute ride from Hannover. We took a ride there a few weeks ago. They have boat trips, paddle boating and many quaint little stores. This will make for some great day trips over the summer. Great way to cool off!!!

Hope everyone had a nice holiday!

Parade Time!

We went to a parade right here in Hannover. It was very fun!! They throw out candy for the kids and for the adults, they hand out beers.

Henry's Restaurant!

This is our favorite restaurant in Hannover. It reminds us a little of home. Our attention was drawn to it immediately upon seeing the Heinz ketchup bottles on each of the tables. Then when we found out that they had Root Beer floats we were hooked. They had us at Root Beer, let alone floats.

The Household Cavalry Museum!

We spent a day at the Household Cavalry Museum in London. This is where the ceremony of changing the Queen's Life Guard is held. This ceremony dates back to 1660. We were their to watch as the new guards came in with their horses and lined up across from the guards going off duty and then we watched as they performed their rituals.
As you can see, when we were done, we had the opportunity to try on a few of their things.

I was sure she was real!

Kroepcke Clock!

The main bus stations and main areas for shopping in Hannover are in Kroepcke. This is the Kroepcke clock. It is named after a man named Wilhelm Kroepcke. He was the owner of a cafe that was in this area from 1876-1919. Today, the clock is a frequently used meeting spot for locals and visitors.

Hameln

I know most of you have heard of the Pied Piper legend. The legend originated in the town of Hameln when several children went missing in June of 1284. The center of this town survived the Second World War and still to this day is a perfect reflection of the Weser Renaissance period.






















Above you see a picture of Hannah befriending a statue and to its right is a picture of the St. Nicolai Market Church.





This is the Hochzeitshaus (Wedding House). It is right in the center of the town. Do you see the window in the middle with wood covering it? About three times a day that opens and little figures Pied Piper figures come out, spin around, and reenact the story of the Pied Piper. Hameln also has an open air stage that puts on performances of the Pied Piper story every Sunday during the warm weather months.

New Year Flower!

A friend had given this to me. I was told that if any of it's flowers were blooming on February 3rd, the Chinese New Year, that we would have extra good luck and fortune. A few flowers did bloom on that day (with a little help for the water I gave it just one day before-timing is everything.)