Clint & Patty in Germany

Clint and I spent over a week in Germany with Casey and his family. They live with Katie's parents in an amazing, huge house in the hamlet of Gimsbach, south of Frankfurt, and not too far from the army and air force bases in Landstuhl and Ramstein. Casey attends classes at the University of Saarland in Saarbrucken, about a 40-minute drive, although he takes the train and bus 2 hrs each way. (They finally bought a car so he can drive sometimes.)

The Jackson's home, originally a house and barn built in 1776, then joined (where the arched doorway is) by a breezeway addition called the "Scheune." Since it is a historical landmark they keep the traditional look of the building. Casey and Katie live in the attic apartment where the four dormer windows to the right on the third story.

4-month-old Leah, who Clint was able to help bless on Sunday at the Ramstein military ward.

The sign leading to Gimsbach, the hamlet off of the town of Matzenbach.

The Gimsbach town fountain in the Jackson's front yard, since their home was once a restaurant in the center of town. The bakery lady also stopped here every day, so you could get fresh bread and pastries for a few euros!

A typical German village house. The older homes have stone walls 15" thick.

The Jacksons and the Kenningtons on Leah's blessing day

Our bedroom in the loft with all the antique furniture. The Jacksons have been collecting antiques at the fabulous flea markets for years.

Elsa next to the outdoor Christmas candles

A little village catching the sunlight

The Christmas booths or Christmas markets, were gathered around town squares with food and Christmas items for sale. This one was in Saarbrucken, near where Casey went to school at Saarland University.

The dining room in the Jackson's home

The entry way leading up to the attic

Another view of the dining room

The living room (the warmest room in the house)

Clinton in the Scheune, which was right downstairs from our balconied bedroom. The floor tiles are heated.

Katie in the kitchen

A winding road under the Autobahn. Casey gave Clinton the keys to his Volkswagen so he could drive around (allowed on a passport) since it has manual transmission and Katie didn't want to drive it!

The Landstuhl train station where Casey goes to school from.

My dear friend Ginny Kwan Peterson, who I hadn't seen for over 40 years! She and her wonderful husband Joe picked us up at the Chicago airport during our long layover, fed us dinner, and took us on a tour of their beautiful city. Ginny bought us Garrett caramel and cheese popcorn for our trip home. MMMM.

We had a wonderful time!