The Normandy Tour

As a treat for my father, we decided to research and plan a little trip to Normandy (the northern coast of France) The most helpful trip planner was a sweet man at the Stuttgart Hauptbahnhoff and my sister! Not having internet makes this VERY challenging!

Our tickets took us directly to Paris in 3.40 hours (the ICE train). We changed trains in Paris and headed onto Caen. From there we opted to rent a car and drove into Bayeux. We stayed both nights at the Churchill hotel in Bayeux which was just perfect. The area is FILLED with history and everyone is very respectful and take great care in the surrounding grounds. It is truly a historic trip and makes you feel a greater appreciation for the sacrifice and events of World War II.

The trip begins..... Nick is excited for the Choo Choo (he has no idea how long it will be) Mom found this to be a GREAT carrying method... If only the small stroller made the move... Guess you can't have everything =)

Excited passengers

This is one of the many Paris Train Stations. Its Huge and just bustling with Fashion.

Our sleepy passenger

Nice bed head babe =)

This is the Petit Normad. Wonderful restaraunt in Bayeux. I love going back there. The seafood is amazing. The saying on the window demonstrates what I mean regarding their respect for folks serving in WWII.

Although this was my 3rd trip to Normandy, the 1st being a staff ride that I planned as an XO, I am not a historian. My father was convinced that I could navigate and give a brief synopsis at each locattion. Thankfully, the night we arrive at the Churchill hotel, we ran into some super nice tourists (almost everyone is a tourist in this area). They were from Minnisota and came up to us asking is we could recommend a good Pub in the area. Instead, we asked them is they had a toured planned in the morning. Good news, they did. We got to join in! They were the perfect group. Two fathers with their two daughters who were currently studying abroad in Spain.

Romping through the Church ground in Bayeux

Nick and Mom on the streets of Bayeux looking for that Pub!

This picture is in the parking lot at the Churchill. Guess the French decided it was too difficult to MOVE the boulder, so instead, they painted it with 'warning orange' Good plan

The tour started at the German cemetary which really threw my father for a loop. This cemetary is VERY different from the American cemetary which you will later see. Jacque did a good job of trying to make us see the German soldiers as real people stuck in a bad situation. Those are surely the stories of war.

Can you guess who wanted to climb to the top of these stairs - you got it, Nick scaled them twice and would have continued if we didn't have to leave to keep up pace with the tour.

Our next stop was Ste Mere Eglise - were the 82nd Airborne parachuted in. Obviously during the fire fight, many stained glass windows were broken. This one was replaced as a tribute to those that liberated this small town.

This one is also a reflection and memorial to those that fought that day.

We enjoyed some yummy French homemade brats that day - great lunch.

Here is a replica of the famous parachutist named John Walsh. He faked being dead so the German's would stop firing at him. Once they realized he was alive, they took him prisoner. His comrades came for him shortly after and freed him. John Walsh came back to Ste Mere Eglise several times until he passed in 1963. He was loved by the people in the city. Jacque had a great photo of him being kissed my many French ladies. No wonder he kept returning!


Nick in front of the Tank at the 82nd Airbornne Museam (needless to say, Nick and I didn't need to actually go in the museam, we make a great pair in the museam department!)

Utah Beach - one of the most sucessful areas of the Normandy Invasion.

Nick - thinking about operating the artiliery in front of another FA officer (my father)

This photo is for Ret. Col Leadbetter. He commanded the 1st Engineer Brigade when they were in Missouri. Jacque told a story about how the 1st En BDE volunteered to be part of the Normandy invasion. At the end of the story he told us he thought they were nuts for volunteering, he would never do anything crazy like that. Under my breathe I made a small comment...'and so you are french' My father and the college ladies got a little chuckle from that.

Jacque was showing us an actual photo of the Bunker at Point Du Hoc

The craters from the bombing are still very visable

Nick navigating the memorial at Omaha Beach. This was one of the bloodiesst areas of the Normandy Invasion. Not sure if you have seen 'Saving Private Ryan' but this was the area of the beginning story line.

Video of Nick and the essance of Omaha Beach.

This was inside a German Bunker at Utah Beach. The hole was created by the American artilery

Final stop at the American Cemetary. They have a new portion right before the cemetary with photos, movies and descriptions of the events.

Nick entertained himself with the rocks while mom got teary eyed at the movies.

The crosses list the Name, Rank and Home of the soldier as well as the recorded day they were killed. If a family memeber visits the grave sight they take sand from Utah beach and rub it over the cross bringing the name more visible for a few days until the sand washes away. IIn the fore ground is the burial site of the two Nilan brothers. The movie 'Saving Private Ryan' was based upon these brothers. If you look closely you can see the sand across these names representing the recent visit of a family memeber.

Nick at the reflecting pool
The American Cemetary
This is a scupltor representing another life being born from the ocean as many lives were taken there. Now, onto Dinner for Nick. Chicken nuggets and fries in France are still quite the treat.

Now we are on our way home. We had a 3 hour layover in Paris, so we decided it was time to do some shopping. I felt terribly underdressed for the fashion of France - but hey, I am still a tourist right?

We had lunch at a beautiful place along the streets of Paris. Super people watching place. They served Nick water in a wine glass. VERY high class

Nick wanted to take this photo for Chelcy. We think Paris has her name written all over it!!!

After a minor mishap at the train station, everyone made it home safe and sound. We were all VERY happy to see Chris.

Thank you to Goomba!

For those of you who know me well, know that moving is on my top 10 LEAST favorite things to do. Just the thought of it gives me hives.

Therefore, I am thankful that after each major move in my life, my father has always been the first to offer a visit and help. Wether it was the trip to Michigan, my first relocation to Germany, the glorious apartment in Ft. Leonardwood MO, our home in Texas and now back to Germany. He comes ready and willing to help and not afriad to offer his opinion. By the time he leaves, the house always feels so much more like home!
The pond needed some major effort, good thing I have an experienced and dedicated 'Pond Boy!'

This is his break after retreaving all the leaves from the Pond

Cayman loves the new home - Plenty of places to escape to! Including the rafters =)

Nick was helping Goomba celebrate his birthday. Tongs really are the best instrument for ice cream scooping!

This is the post Chocolate Mouse face - no shortages of dessert in Germany!

Thanks to Goomba for his many project ompletions. Behind you, there is a fence keeping both Pauli and nicholas away from the future Leadbetter garden. Chris begged for corn, but we stuck with the basics. Lets just see if we can grow anything!

Another Project accomplished, the Pond and Fountain are working. We have about 15 little goldfish that survived the winter. Nick helped to extract 10 lbs of leaves that accumulated over the season and the fish are thrilled

Ah the relaxation swing is up and not scratching any of our land lords beautiful beams - success #270! My dad and I managed to find German Home Depot. The place is just like the one at home, we just can't read the signs at this one =)

Thanks Goomba! We love you and miss you!

The initial Exploration and our First Visitor!

This first photo is for Chelcy - Dot matrix printers still exist and they LOVE them at the SATO travel office. This was my father's first experience with SATO travel. They can be AWESOME.

This lady was a trip. First, she couldn't access the Train schedules. Than when we asked her to book a hotel in Normandy, she asked us where. Since we didn't have internet - we thought just saying Normandy would be enough. Her forever famous quote is "how can I book you a hotel when you don't know where to you want to stay?" Guess we should remove travel agent from her job discription.

We went to the library in hopes of using the internet. Of course their system was down..... On the the Hauptbahnhoff and continue to pray for Internet. Nick's ride on a German Fest train - We paid 1 Euro and seemed to ride forever.

Where's Goomba?

So tell me fish whisperer, how many fish do you have?

Bury - your influence might be never ending. Yes, this lawn mover does not have a motor! Actually its fueled by Chris!

This video kind of give you the layout of our back yard. The extended peice is an additional lot that they have opted not to build on. Its perfect for Nick and Pauli - as well as a great workout for Chris. We don't want him to miss out on mowing a big lawn. Chris is convinced the best part of this video is Nick biting it at the end. He gets so excited his feet just cannot keep up!

The final days in the Apartment

Our little underwear model =) He put these on as a test. You can catch the link below to see the dancing...... Shortly after the video he had a seat on the little leather chair. I reminded him to tell me when he has to 'pee' at that point he just looked at me and said 'Nick peed' Sure enough, he did - sweet.

We took a gardening class with the CYS. Getting there was next to impossible since we were still without a GPS. It will never sease to amaze me that the gate gaurd honestly has no idea where he works and cannot offer direction ANYWHERE. A side from that, Nick and I did a lot of planting. Since we forgot to label everything, it will be a surprise when it comes up!

They have Munchkin Shopping carts! What a find! - Nick to the beer aisle!

The Leadbetters never miss a 5K, even if its in the rain.... This was a VERY yucky day in Germany and we almost drove home.... But there were so many folks running that we couldn't help it. Nick even did his own victory lap at the end.



On Sunday we strolled around downtown Stuttgart. All the shops were closed, but thankfully we discovered a Doner Kepab place to feed our hungy bellies. Nick needed a picture of the 'Ding Dong'

Hopefully this video has you laughing..... Not just at the '1, 2, 3s....'



I promised I would take a video of Pauli's efforts in navigating the apartment stairs. I think she hated it more every time. This was the FINAL walk down them. It felt great to be leaving!