Saturday, December 29, 2012

Flossenburg Concentration Camp

Today we ventured off to the town of Flossenburg to see the Flossenburg Concentration Camp ... not something you can get too excited about, but it is on our "European Bucket List", so we made it happen. We chose Flossenburg over the more popular Dachau because it was closer, and I have read that it is less touristy - and I like to avoid pushy tourists at all costs.

The camp is in the middle of a small town ... nestled right between a neighborhood and shops. If you weren't looking for it - you wouldn't even know it was there.

The reviews were definitely right about the minimal tourists - we basically had the place to ourselves ...


Vic checking out the detention barracks ... where the resistance prisoners were held, and executed. This is where the men behind the failed plot to kill Hitler were executed. If you haven't seen the movie Valkyrie - I strongly suggest you watch it ...


Record book of the prisoners ...


Different symbols that prisoners were forced to wear ...


Vic standing in the 'barber room' ...


You could pick up these microphones throughout the museum, and hear first-hand experiences from former prisoners ...


Showers ...


Complete list of prisoners' names ...


Reading about different prisoners ...


Uniform ...


Skylight inside a synagogue/memorial ...


... 'In Honor of the 90th Infantry Division Which Liberated Flossenburg Concentration Camp' ...


Guard Tower ...


Graves within the 'Valley of Death' ... each one represented a different country, and how many people were lost ...



'Pyramid of Ashes' ... the sign says, 'These are the ashes and bones from mass-burnings' ...


Looking up from the Valley of Death ... that church was built from old guard towers after the camp was liberated ...


Crematorium ...

Elliott was not exactly angelic during this trip ... thank goodness the place wasn't too crowded.


We tried for a family picture ... the scenery was beautiful ...


Rough translation ... 'to the men and women who have given their lives for human dignity, freedom and justice' ...

Gravesites ...


Looking down on the Valley of Death ...


Walking through the Valley of Death ...


I think it says, 'Respect the Ashes' ...



I'm definitely glad we visited ... it was a little gloomy and morbid, but I think it is something we'll always remember. Plus, when Eli studies WWII in school, he can say he has visited a concentration camp - how many kids can say that?

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Christmas 2012!

Before we get to the Christmas pictures ... here are a couple videos of Eli's latest feats ...

He refuses to sit in his bath seat anymore, so I cautiously let him fly solo in the tub. you'll see that he does just fine without it ...


He started saying, "yay" ... of course, my big mouth is talking over him, but I swear he's saying it ...


Christmas morning video ... we had so much fun unwrapping everything and letting him play. His excitement was short lived, as he opted to instead play with his beloved pots and pans, and a cardboard box ...


Full shot of all the goodies ... we were really, really spoiled ...


Closer shot ... the basketball hoop is from Uncle Devin, of course ...


I tried to get crafty??

The dogs stocking :) ... we need to put on 'L' on there for poor Lola ...


Right when he woke up ... so excited!


Surprisly, he wasn't into ripping open packages ... we ended up having to open most of them for him ...


Playing with a present from Poppy and RaeRae ...



... and ... he's on to the box ...


Why play with brand new presents when there are nesting bowls?


These pictures are in random order, but here is another shot of presents ... Nana Jen did a lot of spoiling this year. The puppets are from the Baby Einstein movies that he loves ... we found them on Amazon, and they are a hit! He loves them ...


Vic's stocking ... yes, that's a wok ...


Eli's stocking ... we love our stockings from Mimi Sue ...


The only noise-making instrument he got this year ... thank goodness ...


More presents from Nana Jen ...



That green bear is really creepy ... you hook it up to the computer, and it learns names and Eli's favorite foods, music and stories. Last night I walked past it, and it lit up and asked me if I could get it some applesauce. Seriously.

Wrapping paper fun. Check out the curls that are starting to come in ...






Blocks from Mimi and Papa Heath ...

Relaxing before our guests arrived ...


I had three crock-pots going!


Enjoying Christmas lunch ...


The after-math ...


One of my Christmas presents to myself was this amazing European jogging stroller. This thing retails for 500 euro, and I bought if off a lady here for $100 (she is leaving, and doesn't have room to take it). The thing is a tank, and perfect for German cobblestone. It came with that awesome winter sleeping-bag type thing ... it has all the bells and whistles ... literally, it has a bell on it (I assume to alert people you are behind them). Anyway, Eli seems to love it, so I'm very happy with my purchase ...


Here's a video of Eli semi-walking and wreaking havoc on the dogs. This was a present from his (Great) Aunt Kelly that he is finally able to use ... and loves ...