A family visit and a Frohe Ostern

Frohe Ostern! Happy Easter from the snowy, windy, utterly November-like 'Furt. The weather here has been crazy over Holy Week, but I hardly had time to notice because my parents and sister popped over for a visit. From the minute my father deboarded the plane and started calling the Euro a Ruble, I knew that I was in for five days of DNA. I don't think anyone in my family has ever actually relaxed on a vacation, and so we filled our week with bus tours, trips to cathedrals, visits to historical houses, museums, and of course, Apfelwein bars.

This visit really showed my family in a new light. Some things I learned: we are really good at drinking, picking the crappiest bus tour a city has to offer, and producing a constant stream of hyperbole ("this is the coolest bar ever!""this is the 156th Starbucks we've seen today!" "this is the scariest pre-post war diorama of Frankfurt ever!" ) That, and that we would all benefit from some sort of horse tranquilizer.

But seriously, the visit was much-needed and both E and I cried when my mom and dad got in the Taxi this morning and did the whole "we're not sad, really" (can only be said with tears welling in the eyes) as they said their "see-you laters."

I plan to put up some pics later but here are some highlights to look forward to: A trip to Cologne, Heidelberg, J. Lo. throwin' down the Bimbel, and Emily and Joe doing some post-flight Down Dogs in my "minimalist" apartment.