Happy Father's Day to the King of our Castle!

These boys sure do love their daddy and absolutely think he's the king. So it was only fitting, on Father's Day, to take him on an adventure to our very first castle visit.

We started the morning with a special breakfast served outside on our new porch set, a few gifts (a picture coffee mug from Liam, a hotwheels playset from Ben :), and a guidebook to traveling in Europe along with an electric kettle from Jaimee), played and played some more, and then loaded the car up and started our drive. It was very picturesque driving through some beautiful German wine country. And we were surprized with a speed boat race festival in the town we stopped in for lunch. Had delicious soup and bread and frankfurters inside a wine barrell (they had a few tables set up like that), fun!

Then it was off to tour Burg Eltz, a great castle located in a protected valley near the Mosel River. We had a great tour in German, so ask Marc if you have any questions about the castle, and then enjoyed coffee and kuchen (I think that's the word for cake). All the things Marc likes best in honor of him.

Ben was amazed! We've been talking about castles for a while now but I'm not sure he really thought it was going to look so, well, real!

I wasn't smiling, I was actually laughing about how far we had to hike down and back. But surprizingly we all made it with just a little encouragement. It was funny how many other moms I heard do the very same thing when they reached the first lookout point.

Ben's "I'm a barrell of energy who's ready to explode after an hour and a half car ride" face, big mouth, scrunched up nose and crazy eyes!

Liam's "I'm excited" face... eyes closed with a silly tounge out grin!

Getting closer...

Checking out the little windows the knights would use to defend the castle.

Cute brothers pose after our cake and coffee.

"Racing" back up the hill. What ever works :)

One castle down, 99 more to go :) Marc wants to make sure the boys have the same great (torturous) historical experience he did. Just kidding, sort of, he says!

Thank you for all you do Daddy. Your love and devotion to your boys will reap the greatest rewards as you watch your sons model themselves after you.