Burg Lichtenstein

On Saturday we had planned on going to the town Rothenburg, but because of a later start and it being farther away than we thought, we took a little different route.  It started out at the BX.  They were having fire safety week and low and behold, tons of fire trucks in the parking lot, so of course we had to stop and check it out. 

 

Here they were showing the kids what would happen if they put water on oil.  They boys thought it was SO cool because the flames were huge!!!

 

This is the first time we have ever seen a fire truck that let people go up in the bucket

 

A view from the top

 

The boys in the bucket

 

They were also able to shoot the water hose at a "burning house".  The boys just raved about this.  They had so much fun!!  I am really glad because today was also Michael's birthday!!!  I can't believe my youngest is already 6.  How the time has flown, he is such a wonderful young man!!!

 

Then we headed of to Castle Lichtenstein.  Here is Michael with a guard made of wood!

 

Lichtenstein castle is still the private property of the ducal family of Urach.  It started out as a fortress of the Knights of Lichtenstein.  During a battle the original castle was completely destroyed in 1377 by the citizens of Reutlingen.  It was built up again in 1388 and the Counts and Dukes of Wurttemberg have been the owners of the castle ever since.  Though it is only their summer castle.

 

I liked this little guy at the bridge into the castle. 

 

AJ with his gloves on backwards so it looks like his bones.  :-)

 

My boys - they are all so handsome and getting so big!

 

The entrance into the castle - it is a smaller one, but I guess it is okay since it is only a summer castle.  ;-)

 

A side view from the castle.  You can't really see it but there is a hidden exit.  They have a Hunter's drinking room, which was used for just that.  In there they had a champagne glass that was so huge that is was six feet long, could hold 3 bottle of Champagne and needs three people to use it; one to hold the glass, one to drink and one to hold the drinker.  In this room there were stairs that led to the secret exit. 

 

Before the tour we went up and I couldn't help but take this picture because he looks so cute!!

 

The entrance into the castle - such a great piece of art.

 

These were collected by Duke Wilhelm.  They were from the middle ages.

 

 

This is a suit of armor for 12-14 year old boys, or pages, who attended a school to become knights.  Today it would only fit an 8-10 year old boy.

 

 This is their catholic chapel that they only used to celebrate mass on special occasions.

 

On special occasions this room was used as a dining hall.  You can't really see it but through the grate at the top there are the pipes of an organ.  That way they can be heard and not seen.

 

The portico was coming down on the boys!!  LOOK OUT!!!  Just kidding, but I thought it was a great picture.  :-)

 

Michael will find rocks anywhere and throw them - all boy.

 

Some of the old time cannons they used at the castle.

 

A view from the castle to the town below. The leaves are just starting to change colors and I do LOVE fall and all of the beautiful colors!

 

It was such a beautiful day!!

 

Kevin working on giving AJ a power bomb!  After the castle, there was a playground and of course the kids wanted to play - all of them.  I am going to ask your forgiveness up front because I do have quite a few photos of it because it was so great!!

 

It started out calm and then the boys wanted to go faster and the bigger boys were working on different ways to get them faster.

 

Look at Michael's hand - I think it was a good push!

 

Check out the height he was able to get.  On one of them I almost had a heart attack, and that is not easy to do with me.  He actually made it up to the wire on top.  I am so glad he hung on really tight.  He said that one was a little too much.  ;-)

 

The boys helping their dad get a running start.

 

AJ flying high!

 

Kevin was working on the flinging motion - he would spin around completely twice and then fling the boys down the line.

 

One of David's "better ideas" trying to get a better start and Kevin keeping Michael busy in the background.

 

Michael wanted to go with David - luckily it held.

 

David decided to try flinging them by the feet - AJ looks a little worried but it worked out pretty well.

 

After playing there for a long time we went for hot chocolate all around!!!!

 

Michael wanted a crock pot for dinner, that was his choice for his birthday dinner.  The kids having "movie night" for dinner.

 

We did a little cake for Michael to celebrate.

 

He was able to blow all six out - must have a lot of hot air!  :-)

 

Eating yummy cake.  Michael didn't even ask to open presents at all that day.  He was so patient and didn't ask until the morning when I told him Ms. Jen had a present for him.

 

He was super excited to open a present!!  After that he was ready to open more!  We headed home on Sunday because we had so much stuff to do still.  But slowly we are getting caught up on things and getting the house in order.