Last week -

Our last week was more busy than expected. Leaving Germany is almost as difficult as getting there. Cancel phones, tell the authorities you are leaving, return the car, pack up all the stuff you have accumulated. Plus going away lunches and dinners and school leaving parties. Busy times!

Thursday we returned the car to Strassbourg, France. The Tour de France was nearby, so we tried to catch it. As we neared our target villiage, people started parking about 3 miles out and then walking or biking up the hill. At 2 miles, it was impossible to go further so we turned back in the car. It was raining and the kids were sleeping and the crowds were thick already, so I think we can accept this defeat.

We finlly tried the Pizza place near the house that made me ill months ago. Still not that great. Schoferhoffer.

We also had to pick up some souvenirs, but Stuttgart does not have a lot of tourist spots. We had lunch at the TV tower and got some overpriced trinkets. Maltesser, one of the first beers I had here.

The trip home was uneventful for the most part. The kids were awesome in the three planes and the 18 hours. Ellie only squealed a little. The best part was seeing our friends greet us at the airport then seeing more friends surprise us at our house. Now the next few weeks will consist of getting our house back in order and ramping back up at work...

Schoferhoffer Hefeweisen - Pretty good with pizza.

Malteser - Very tasty. Glass had a picture of the pope?