Geburtstag Strudel

On April 5th our dear, sweet, super smart, gorgeous, always fantastic girl Emma turned the big 1-4. That's right, a whole year into teenager-hood and so far no ill effects have been noted. Her birthday was lucky enough to fall into spring break, so we took advantage of the time off from school to head north to Germany.

It's a little over 5 hours to get to Garmisch from where we are, and the drive took us through some really incredible sights in Italy, Austria, and Germany.

I don't think we had snow sticks this high even in Iowa (well above my head!).

How could I not have gotten a picture of this?

Em prepping for her first round of skiing.

Chris and Liz on the slopes.

Birthday lunch, more German food.

For Em's birthday dinner we headed to a traditional Bavarian restaurant complete with Bavarian dancing, and....strudel. So Em, being the lucky strudel loving girl she is, got a delicious apple strudel for her birthday "cake".

Here's the yodeling, accordion playing, singing musician at the restaurant.

I tried to get pictures of the dancers, but the restaurant was just too dark. The food was delicious and filling. Chris and Emma were in heaven trading dishes back and forth.

Birthday girl getting attacked by her sister.

Emma just seems to get better and better each year, I can't wait to see what 14 brings us.