Konigsee

Another day trip we enjoyed during Robin's visit was to Konigsee, a lake we previously viewed during a hike to Eagle's Nest and a location we'd always wanted to explore. Enter Monday, a nationwide holiday where most things would be closed except for touristy attractions. Hey Robin, are you up for one last road trip?


Konigsee is a pristine lake because it only allows electric-powered boats in its waters.

On board and en route to the other side of the lake.

On the 30 minute ride out to the opposite side of the lake, William made friends and we all listened to our boat guide play his trumpet to demonstrate the echo from the shadowing mountains.

Our boat's destination

We all had fun wandering the walking paths through this lake forest and eating our home-packed lunch lakeside.

A lakeside pic

After disembarking the boat to return to our car, we came across what appeared to be small town's version of a souvenir machine. Many of you may not know, but I have a pressed penny collection. Yes, you can find me at any tourist attraction jumping up and down as I ask Jeff, "Can I? Please? Do you have a Euro?????" The European cities are host to many of these "penny" machines, so my collection is growing out here. However, this contraption above was something we had never seen before. Put in a Euro and a spring-loaded tree trunk gets moved under these handsome, straw-stuffed gentlemen's saw. They then saw, and saw, and saw until, Voila! You've paid 1 Euro for a tiny smidgen from a presumably free piece of tree.

The machine in action!

But, my friends, it gets better. There's a stamp pad and stamp that is just the right size to stamp your piece of wood with "Gruesse vom Konigsee" or "Regards from Konigsee". I really decided to push the limits and stamp BOTH sides of my expensive sliver of tree. Take that, pressed penny! Konigsee has nothing on you! Unfortunately, my piece of wood doesn't fit as neatly in my coin purse as my pennies . . . .

On our drive to Konigsee I spotted this small gourd stand, and upon our return trip we pulled over to purchase some festive fall fun. During the spring and summer as we traversed the countrysides of Germany, we would often pass 'Cut-Your-Own Blumen' fields where, you guessed it, you cut your own flowers and pay on your own accord. Unfortunately, I feared our destinations were always further-reaching than the life of our future cut flowers, and I have yet to imbibe in a blumen opportunity. I wasn't about to let my gourds get away! Plus, it's the time of year when everyone is taking adorable pictures of their kids at pumpkin patches that just don't exist out here. Poor Will, no pumpkin patch pics in your baby book. Bavarian children are so deprived.

This pic will be as close as we get this year. I just love the cute little town in the background. We, being the honest, Germany-loving expats that we are, honestly paid for our gourds and happily continued on our road home.

BFF in Bavaria

With Oktoberfest behind us and the conclusion of William's 1st birthday celebrations, you'd think we'd settle into the humdrum and onset of a German winter. Not quite yet! My best friend (and William's godmother) Robin arrived to keep the party going! Robin brought California sunshine, more figuratively than literally, and it felt so satisfying to have someone else proclaim, "It's cold here!" Thank goodness for Robin's positive attitude; we had a great time exploring Munich and its surroundings at a William pace, logging in some much-needed girl time, getting out of the house after William's bedtime for some adult fun, all the while watching Robin wear all the hats and scarves she never gets a chance to wear in California. Being my soul-sister of an 'A-type' personality, Robin explored three countries in 10 days. How's that for efficient? Buckle your seatbelt, here's Robin-Fun-Times in a nutshell:

A day trip to Salzburg, Austria
Yes, that's snow on the mountain behind us.
Cue Robin: "It's cold here!"
Cue Sarah: "Don't you love Robin's hat and scarf?"

Robin and William in the Mirabell Gartens of Salzburg
I did my darndest to give her a mini-version of the infamous Sound of Music Tour I took here 4 hears ago.

The three of us in front of the gazebo from Sound of Music.
William will SOOOO appreciate this picture someday.



In a day of roaming around Munich, we stopped at the oldest cafe in the city, Cafe Tambosi at Odeonsplatz, and enjoyed sipping coffee in royal chairs while our Prince William enjoyed a royal snooze.
I love the fact that Europeans, despite the cold weather, will dine/drink outside months longer than any Californian. Many restaurants and cafes will provide patrons with blankets (like the red one on Robin's lap) to keep them warm while they enjoy the fresh air. Deeelightful!

After visiting our friends in Zurich, Switzerland (Yep, that's 3 countries!), Robin arrived back in town to enjoy a beautiful (and cold) Fall day in Munich. We decided to take a stroll.
Please note Robin's second hat and scarf set. Yeah!

The four of us -- strolling along.

The English Garden changing colors.
We couldn't get over the beauty of the season and I kept insisting on taking more and more photos. Jeff and I had to laugh. Was it the Californian in me, never really seeing a changing of the seasons? Oh wait. Neither of us got the chance to witness it all last year . . . . we were delivered a little munchkin that kept us in the hospital for 2 weeks and then indoors for most of the season after that. Robin did actually did bring the sunshine from California for this day - we even got to wear our sunglasses. Ha! It was so nice to have Robin here so we could share our "first Munich Fall" together!


Someone tell the Isar surfers it's Fall!
Cue Robin: "It's cold here!"

William wanted to stop at the Chinese tower for lunch, but we decided to hold off on enjoying a beverage for want of something better . . .

. . . like a mass of Augustiner. If we were going to share an event as stellar as Robin's first-ever-mass, it HAD to be an Augustiner. Jeff and I have traded our California Wine Snob IDs for official Bavarian Beer Snob membership.
Cue Robin: "Beer's yummy (and it's cold) here!"

On Robin's last day here, William wore his bulldog shirt as an ode to Barney, the super bulldog, who was left back at home in California while his mommy ventured to Germany for two weeks. Thanks for sharing your mom with us, Barney! It meant the world to have her here with us. And while we continue to miss her laughs and warmth, we know you need her more and hope you are catching up on butt scratches from your favorite lady.

THE October 20th

Would you believe William's Light-Ball Extravaganza was only the pre-party for his true blue birthday on October 20th??? Lucky guy. Apparently we've raised our toddler to be a party animal, for after only 365 days, he's figured out how to rock 'n' roll with the best of them!

So how did our little man spend his big day?


The morning started as usual with a leisurely stroll around the living room with his favorite little walker.

When lo' and behold from around the corner his grandmas appeared with a brand new BMW Bobby Car!!!
You get a car! and YOU get a car! (Anyone? Oprah? Anyone?)
It's German tradition to give little toddlers a Bobby Car in their first year, so how could we say no to our little Muencher Kindl? And a BMW, did you expect an Audi, people?

Taking it for a test drive

Get this kid on the autobahn!

It's a guy thing . . .

Once we pryed his fingers off the steering wheel, we took everyone out the breakfast at our favorite b-fast place: Cafe Wiener Platz. After breakfast we swung by Will's park, but were bombarded by paparazzi (see next post), so we went home to open birthday gifts.

Opening Uncle Steven and Uncle David's gift.

My very own doggie? Cool!

Loving his W-I-L-L train from Gigi and Great Auntie Barb.

What better way to round out our little guy's fabulous first birthday than to add our touch of Bavaria to it by going to Augustiner, our favorite neighborhood restaurant.
How old are you Will? That's right. That's right.

Happy Birthday, love. You are our pride and joy!

Grandparent fun

Sorry for the redundant title. How could grandparents be anything BUT fun? Well, William will never be able to conjure an answer this question because his grandparents are four walking, talking fun machines. All the giggles, loves, playtime, and smiles during the 10 days were were lucky to have them stay, sure raised the bar high for this SAHM(Stay-at-home-mom) upon their departure.

Here's just a glimpse into the fun times had when not prepping nor recovering from said Light-Ball Extravaganza.

We all had fun walking around the city exploring new streets and neighborhoods. The Glockenbach area is a favorite of Jeff's and mine with great restaurants and boutiques. It's also conveniently located between our house and city center.


In our strolling around, we happened to pass the restaurant where Jeff and I took my parents the night before William was born. Realizing we were standing in front of its door, yet again, on his birthday eve, we just had to take a picture! We are happy to report William's birthday eve/morn was thankfully 100% less eventful than last year's early morning antics.

Playing around with Crazy Uncle Pete at BMW World. Maybe I'll let C.U.P. teach Will to drive in 15 years . . . they look like they're doing just fine!

Jeff showing his proud mom his Connected Drive project in the BMW sedans on the interactive display floor.

William showing Grandpa and Crazy Uncle Pete the lights in the BMW sedans on the interactive display floor.

A little swing fun for our October 20th birthday boy. The paparazzi always seems to show up at this park . . . .

The fall leaves and adorable new Paddington Bear-like winter coat made for pretty adorable family shots (said the unbiased mother).

Cuddles with Bubbles and Grandpa.

Exploring the fall leaves

A Zabel Family fall stroll

William's Light-Ball Extravaganza!

At Jeff's insistence of not selling out and hosting William's 1st birthday party at Gymboree, we decided to combine some of his favorite things to celebrate his big 0-1 at home. William, from day one, has always loved lights. It is the first thing he points out to friends and the last thing he "tells" you to turn out at night. Also, the kid loves balls. Stop giggling all my middle-school-teacher friends, SPORTS balls! He throws them all day long and can point out every ball he sees in all of his books. It was only natural to host our First Annual Light-Ball Extravaganza!

* Please note William also adores birds, doggies, sand, and avocado. However, these didn't lend themselves to the party potential, especially inside our apartment, that balls and lights did.  After all, caring for a bunch of one year olds not mixed with birds and dogs and not smearing sand and avocado around is enough work for us.

We were blessed to have both sets of grandparents and one crazy uncle in town to share in the light and ball fun. The day before the shindig, Jeff took the boys to a Tegernsee beer hall so us ladies could get cooking in the kitchen. I wouldn't have been able to pull off the party without them!


The photo Ball Wall Nana Bubbles put together

Dad working on decorating William's special soccer ball cupcake

A bustling Bavarian kitchen!

The beginnings of our birthday spread: round food anyone?
Grapes, rounds of brie, round Ritz, meatballs, and cupcakes make for circular snacking.

The Light-Ball Extravaganza in full swing. All of Will's closest 12-month-old friends were present. The light balls (bouncy balls that light up when they bounce) that were brought over in a team effort by the L.A. Uncles and Chris, were the absolute hit of the party!

Busy, busy, busy!

Will's exersaucer was aptly named the brezn bar.

"Really, Mom? This hat? Really?"

William was speechless when the room began singing 'Happy Birthday'.

So much for Dad's painstakingly-decorated soccer ball cupcake.

Move over avocado, you've been replaced by cupcakes as William's #1 favorite food!

William likes it!

"Mmmmmmmm . . . . cupcake."

I swear I only left William's side for 2 minutes to say goodbye to a departing family. This is what I found upon my return: an empty highchair tray. Looks like someone inherited his mother's sweet tooth!

How many grandmother's does it take to clean up a first cupcake highchair?

How many gentlemen does it take to hold down the couches?

Whew! What an extravaganza! We are so blessed to have made so many wonderful friends here to fill our apartment with fun. We are even doubly blessed to have such a wonderful family who trekked out to celebrate and make our little man's first birthday so special.
We love you all!