Visiting Berlin

This past summer Jason, Lucas and I were able to take a trip to Berlin and some other small nearby towns.  Berlin was an amazing city and we had a fabulous time.  Jason had to work while we were there but Lucas and I had fun spending some time exploring on our own on the days that Jason couldn't join us. 


Berlin has two very different sides. The historic part of the city that everyone pictures when they think of the war and its destruction and all of its museums and churches.  The buildings that are left (which isn't many) are riddled with machine gun bullet holes and so much war damage.  Seeing the wall and the many memorials is very sobering.  Berliners are very careful to not forget what atrocities happened in WWII and how far they have come since the end of the Cold War.  There is also a whole other post-war side that is a funky, modern city full of little communities all different in their own right.


The thing I love about Europe whenever I visit is that all the countries feel "European" but they are all so very unique at the same time and Berlin didn't disappoint.  Lucas and I felt very safe even when we were off the beaten path and in some slightly sketchy areas.  The hardest part was not knowing very much of the German language.  Berliners were very friendly for the most part, exceptionally so in the small towns we visited.

I feel like there is so much more to experience in Germany, I would love to go back and see other areas like Bavaria.  It would also be amazing for Lucas and Jason to visit where Jason's family is from in Cologne, there are still relatives living here that we have never met. 

Maybe one day.  So many places, so little time!



Halloween

Sophie wanted to be Emma Wiggle for Halloween again this year.  It didn't matter what we suggested she made it quite clear that Emma was the choice.  So, Emma it was!  Sophie's grade is part of the parade at school as well.  Here she is with her nurse and EA.

Lucas was Smurfette.  What can I say, I have a daring boy with a good sense of self and humour!

Zoe was Rapunzel and she came trick or treating with us for the first time.

Lucas went with all his buddies again this year and a couple of the moms tagged along with them, they became the candy haulers as it is all about the quantity for these boys.

Sophie went with all her school friends for the third year, these girls love Sophie to pieces and Sophie was so excited to be out with them all for trick or treating.  They are always sure to bring Sophie some candy from each house.  She can't eat any of it so I get a few snacks ;)  Zoe had a blast with the older girls and they made her feel so welcome.

The best part is it only rained a tiny bit and it was much warmer than last year.  Hurray!

Closing down this cottage for the last time

Near the end of October Lucas and I closed down the cottage with one of my girlfriends and her son, a good friend of Lucas'.  We had a colllldddd weekend that was a bit stormy but we got it all done.

 
We had to really pack everything up this year and bring it home because we are not going back to the same old cottage next year.  We are reno-ing this cottage to make it more accessible for Sophie and to give us some more space in general.

It has meant a lot of planning but we are excited to see what the new expanded cottage looks like in the spring!  Lucas is very hesitant about changing anything but I think all will be forgiven when we get settled in next year.

It will be so nice for Sophie to have a bedroom instead of having her bed in the living room.  We will also have a shower that is accessible for her for the first time!  It will all be a big change for the better.  We love spending time at the cottage and Jason's mom has made it a special place for all of us to go to together every year.  Come on spring!