Himmler's Castle

Wewelsburg Castle, as it was called before Heinrich Himmler took it over in 1933, has a very dark past. It was built in the early 1600's as a second residence for the Prince Bishops of Paderborn. It is a Renaissance castle and is rumored to have been used to interrogate and torture witches during the 17th century. There is a lot of mystery and speculation associated with the castle, but we went there because of Heinrich Himmler.
Himmler was the head of the dreaded SS and Hitler's personal bodyguard. He was a terrible person who performed some of the most heinous acts during WWII. He set up Dachau, the first Nazi concentration camp and was at the head of all camps throughout the war. He also oversaw the "Final Solution" which was the Nazi attempt to exterminate all Jewish people throughout Europe.
After reading a lot about Heinrich Himmler, I've come to the conclusion that he was probably a huge effing nerd growing up and got made fun of a lot, which cultivated him into the kind of person who could torture and kill millions of innocent people. He picked Wewelsburg Castle so he could have a secret hang out for the SS and do weird occult Nazi rituals. He had a crypt with 12 seats so he could have his own Knights of the Round Table. NERD ALERT! He was really into psychics, reincarnation (although I don't know what he was expecting to be reborn as after the reign of indescribable terror he lead during his life), astrology and German mythology. I really don't know how he became second in power in The Third Reich.
The castle has 2 museums and tours. One is 3 euro and is really about the castle's history before Himmler. It's also only in German so not very educational for me. The other tour is strictly about the castle being used as the secret headquarters for the SS and is very interesting and some of it is in English.

West Tower

Entrance to the courtyard

Aaron & Corey

Me & Corey

The courtyard. Wewelsburg is the only 3 sided castle in Germany.

Door to interior tower

Almost set

Getting settled in a new country always has its challenges. Luckily, most people and places speak English here so while it's been frustrating, I can't imagine how much more difficult it has to be everywhere else. Today we got our internet installed and that pretty much puts the final touch on our home. All of our stuff has been delivered. It's scattered around the closetless house, but once we make a trip to Ikea, I'm sure it'll be a little more organized. It's been tough downsizing the kitchen, but we're almost there.
We didn't have to work for about 9 days so we took the chance to drive around a little (Prius #1 has arrived) and we had fun seeing a few nearby places. 

Atomium in Brussels, Belgium 

Lorraine Cemetery in St. Avold, France
http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/lo.php

Metz, France

Trier, Germany

Trier, Germany

Porta Nigra in Trier, Germany

Le Funambule Waffles in Brussels

Ausfahrt means Exit

I've been in Germany for a week now and I'm really liking it. So many new things to see, weird words to learn and confusing toilets to flush. I got my German driver's license but my car hasn't arrived yet, however, I'm a little nervous to drive. I'm not always sure who has the right of way here.
Corey isn't here yet so I've been house hunting alone which is a little stressful. It's hit and miss with houses here. I'm holding out for some of that floor heating though.
I had my first schnitzel and I'm just wondering how much weight I'm going to gain here. That schnitz is good! Also, it's winter so I need something to keep me warm.
I haven't done much except sleep, look for houses and other various "getting settled" type of activities, so I have no pictures or stories. Hopefully my next post will be a picture of me relaxing in my house on my furniture that I've missed so much for the past 5 months. Please let it be that.
PS. You're all still invited, but definitely don't visit in the winter.

Vacation Food

Due to Thanksgiving Dinner, we didn't eat out much but I had to get some good Mexican food while I was in Arizona, so we went to Mi Nidito last night. I get all my restaurant suggestions from Man v. Food so lucky for us they came to Tucson. We got to Mi Nidito knowing it wasn't in the nicest part of South Tucson but became very aware when armed security escorted us from the parking lot to the restaurant...
Man v. Food wasn't even the biggest thing to hit Mi Nidito. Mother effing Bill Clinton ya'll! And Hillary and a bunch of other random celebrities love this restaurant. We all got different dishes and shared and it was all delicious. I'm not going to say it was the best Mexican I've ever had, but it definitely hit the spot. Plus, eating with an armed Mexican next to you, always makes the food taste better :)

My Little Nest

The President's Plate

Thanksgiving Vacation Begins

I'm taking 2 weeks off for a Thanksgiving trip and to get in all the family time I can, before I move to Germany. I flew to Colorado so I could drive with my sister and her 3 kids down to Arizona. Before we left, Jackson had his friend Bday party and it was hilarious. Is it wrong to play Ke$ha, Lady GaGa and LMFAO songs for Hot Potato? Hahahaha. It was a great party.
The 13 hour drive went pretty smooth and the kids were great. We got to Corey's place, unloaded, rested for a few hours, then Corey and I drove to Phoenix to get my brother, sister-in-law and their daughter. We are just waiting for my brother-in-law and parents to get here to make a full house.
I am so thankful to have the best family and to be able to spend Thanksgiving with them this year!

Spiderman party

4!!!

Piñata time

They are faster than they look!

Just waiting...

I have nothing too exciting going on while I wait to leave for Germany. I got to fly a new plane a few weeks ago. We landed at Richmond International, got lunch and came back. My friend Sarah came down for a night, we ate at an Afghan restaurant http://www.panjshirrestaurant.com/ and it was amazing! We went to Old Town Alexandria and got hot chocolate, then to the National Harbor to a piano bar. I've been staying busy, but all I really want is to be living in my own place, with my husband, and all our things. I'm tired of living like I'm 19 again. I really liked it back then, but it's less exciting now.
I'm leaving for Arizona on Thursday for an awesome family Thanksgiving and I can not wait! I get back to DC on the 29th then fly to Germany on Dec 5th. I know it's close, but it feels like a ways away and I feel really anxious about it. The only thing that soothes me is shopping.

Columbia 400

Focusing on leaving Richmond International

Last Weekend

So it went like this: Girls date at Mexico Restaurant (yes, that's the name. I'm not racist!), haircut, in-laws, kid Halloween parade, bike ride to Mt. Vernon, devouring the left-overs from Mexico Restaurant.

John, Grammy, Barb

Ryan & Alyssa

Halloween Parade

Party Favors

Nature!

Hair cut/Prius/Nature!

Faith & me 

Faith

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George's place

The National Harbor (from afar)