Weekend in Bavaria

Jon and I met up in Bavaria this passed weekend with friends we met while in England, Casey and Chris.

We made a stop in Munich (for the Hofbrauhaus and beer - out of principle), and spent our second day checking out Berchtesgaden.

I don't think I've ever enjoyed a drive more (Jon may have a different opinion on this ;0)) - the scenery was GORGEOUS!

The weather was gorgeous, so our first stop was a bier garten in the Englischer Garten.

Mandatory bier pictures

(Me!) (Jon)

(Casey & me)

Now that's a fun idea - you can rent Bier Bikes


On our way to the original Hofbrauhaus
(the white building with the blue lettering straight ahead)


Glockenspiel in the Marienplatz

The beautiful view from the balcony of our cute little hotel in Berchtesgaden - Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten





View of the Kehlsteinhaus (The Eagle's Nest) from the busbahnhof (the bus stop)

The Kehlsteinhaus was an official 50th birthday present for Adolf Hitler. Nicknamed Eagle's Nest by a French diplomat, it was meant to be a retreat for Hitler and a place for him to entertain visiting dignitaries.












Scenery from the same busbahnhof



The Eagle's Nest


Chris & Jon - our mountain men


Chris, Casey, Me & Jon


...and what a small world! We ran into some friends - still stationed in the UK - at the bus stop back in to Berchtesgaden. What a good time!
(Jon, me, Casey, Chris, Vegas, Amber, Nikki, Rocco and Deuce)


We're off to Paris on Sunday...see you next week!

You're not the boss of me! ;0)

Just this morning, I commented on my friend's blog. T is a very giving person...I think, almost to a fault. As I left the comment, I thought I'd post what I had referenced.

(1) So it's somewhere where I can easily access and read it when I need a reminder, and
(2) For anyone who needs a little reminder of who is most important in your life here on this earth.

1. Be Impeccable With Your Word

Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don't Take Anything Personally

Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won't be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don't Make Assumptions

Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best

Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse and regret.

I know, I know...tough agreements to live with, but I think if you can implement them into your life - even a little - your heart will be much happier!

It's August already!...seriously?!

Wow!...apparently, being (way) behind on blogging is the way I do business.

I took a look at the calender today, and realized that we are well into August...and although Jon & I have been home-bodies for the last couple of weeks, we had a very hectic July when we went back home.

Our first stop was New Jersey to visit with Jon's family & friends.

Jon's brothers (he has 4!) have lovingly dubbed him "War Hero"...by lovingly, I mean...well, you know what I mean...

Mom & Pop Chango inadvertently fuel the "War Hero" Fire

...but they're so proud, they can't even help themselves!

Before we arrived on the 2nd, Jon's parents had informed us that they were having a July 4th "block party." I won't lie, Jon & I were a little concerned...there aren't alot of...uh...people our age in their 'hood. Initially, we were thankful that 2 of his 4 brothers-and their families-had been roped in too!

Well, it turned out to be one of the best Independence Days I've enjoyed in a long time (that may have something to do with not being in the States for the last 3)!

The weather was beautiful, and I love love love Jon's family!

Proud Poppa Chango flies the AF flag with the Stars & Stripes

Poppa Chango & Jon
Mom Chango, Meri & me...baking in the sun and not yet knowing it
Jon & his mom, Joanne
DELICIOUS cool-whip flag cake...YUM!

That, of course, was cut & served by the "War Hero"

After a day of sunshine, food & drinks what else would a mature group of people do but set-up to play a game of...beer pong?!

This is the throw of someone long-acquainted with Beer Pong!

that's Andrew in the striped shirt - one of Jon's college fraternity brothers...hmmm...college...beer pong....wonder where that idea blossomed!

Lots of food and a bit of beer...Jon's looking a bit uncomfortable. Maybe we should wrap this up?

...or put on our game faces and keep goin'!

(note Andrew's backwards ball cap...and tie?! He's serious about this!) (I was going to crop the kid on the left out...but he just screams "I'm a Jersey kid!"...HA! It makes me laugh. I had to leave him!)

And, yes, I also got involved in the action...look closely, Lindsay and I are actually playing Root-beer Pong...good thing, since she's only 15!
Lindsay & and I weren't any good - neither one of us had ever played - but, boy were we good sports!...and hyped-up on Root Beer!

Jon & I love living in Europe. Unfortunately, we don't get to see our families very often. So, when we do, lots has always changed.

I had some fun with my camera, and took some pictures of my beautiful niece, Lindsay...who I swear was just a little girl last I saw her.

I was diggin' on her different color socks. I love this picture! I just think it screams Summer-time!

...and let me not forget to mention that my nephew Jason's birthday falls on July 4th.

Doesn't he look thrilled to be hangin' out with us?! ;0)

Do not fret...we did indeed celebrate, and shower him with gifts!

The Changos 2009

(We had taken a couple more "serious" shots, but I like this one - it's more representative of us!)

L to R, F to B: Antoinette, David Jr., Mema, Lisa, Meri, Lindsay, Sabrina, Mason, Nichole, Fr. Anthony, Dave, Big Poppa, Joe, Nick, Jon, Anthony and Jason

Have I mentioned that I LOVE this family?!

Normandy, France

Wow! So, I am really behind on this blogging thing, huh?
Jon and I have been in the States between New Jersey and Texas visiting family...and working blogging around that isn't really that easy...or appealing, for that matter ;0)

Well, to catch up a little, Jon, our friends Dave and Meg, and I headed west to Normandy, France for a long weekend before Jon and I left for home.

The entire area was gorgeous, and Jon - being a history buff - was in heaven.

Aside from the €92 in tolls we paid for the round trip (seriously?!), the weekend was amazing!

We stayed at an old manor house (1500's), Manoir de la Riviere. Maureen and Iain, who own the B&B, were amazing hosts, and the house itself was GORGEOUS!

Day one was D-Day history day for us. Our first stop was Utah Beach and the D-Day Museum.

Then on to Sainte Mère Église

Famous for the incident involving paratrooper John Steele of the 505th PIR, whose parachute caught on the spire of the town church, and could only observe the fighting going on below. He escaped capture by feigning death until the town was taken the next day.

Even driving between tourist attractions, the scenery was so pretty. I had to stop and take a picture of this huge statue (The World Peace Statue) on the way to Omaha Beach.

Omaha Beach

I was in awe of the huge craters all over the beach

(caused by Naval artillery...WOW!)

Spirit of American Youth at the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial

I don't know what to say to describe the cemetery to anyone who hasn't seen it...it was very moving.

The cute little hamlet we had dinner in after a long day of U.S. history.

Day two was Le Mont Saint Michel and The Bayeux Tapestry (Tapisserie de Bayeux).

(Check out the HUGE fireplace in the Abbey @ Mont Saint Michel!)

The clouds had cleared by the time we headed out, and I was able to get this gorgeous shot.

Outside the Bayeux Tapestry with Jon and Dave

The whole weekend was wonderful...and one of the best parts was that the B&B we stayed in allows (and welcomes) dogs. What a relief to not have to worry about how miserable Alix would have been in the boarding kennel!

She even made a friend. Moses, the dog Maureen and Iain inherited with the manor house.

The manor house also makes for great pet photography if you're cheesy about your pet like Jon and me!

(Alix watched us every time we left the B&B)