Visiting Oma and Opa

Driving up the hill towards Oma and Opa's house past the vineyards on either side of the road, turning down the street to pass the always perfectly trimmed hedges by Opa, and then turning into the parking spot against one of the many blackberry bushes across from their front door, we arrived for what might be our last summer visit to Oma and Opa's house.  After 20 years in Heidelberg, Oma and Opa have a goal of moving permanently to Chicago sometime in the first half of 2014.   They have built such a beautiful home and community of friends that if I have a tough time thinking about their move, I can't even imagine how gut wrenching and heart breaking it must be for them to say goodbye.  We made sure to make this visit memorable.  

Watching Oma and Opa with my kids is easily one of my favorite things especially when I see how comfortable all the kids are with them from the moment we arrive.  A great perk of seeing them so regularly.  Oma is always thinking and making sure everyone is taken care of from food to toys to activity ideas.  Oma doesn't get as much sleep when we're around, not because of kids waking her, but her mind is always on, thinking about what else she can do to either help us or make the visit even better.  Opa, 75 year old Opa, always says he can't do this or that with one of them because of some ailment but he always ends up going down slides, driving race cars, jumping on trampolines, and climbing up big indoor jungle gyms.  The pictures in the album show that, also the video in the album which cracked me up.  Thanks Oma and Opa.  

August 2013 Visit to Oma and Opa