Photos from Germany!!!!

1st Photo: The castle in my town Mayen.


2nd Photo: A view of Mayen from the castle.


3rd Photo: My home! It has three floors! My room is on the 3rd floor and we have a balcony.


4th Photo: This is in Salzburg, Austria! On top of the mountain is the Hohensalzburg Fortress. This is such a beautiful city

My Weekend

I had a fun weekend of traveling this weekend. During the weekdays from Monday-Thurs (this past week was Mon-Wed) we have class, but on weekends we can travel anywhere we want. This weekend I went to Salburg, Austria and Munich, Germany.

A group of us left early Thursday morning and after switching trains in Andernach, Germany we arrived in Salzburg at about 4pm. We checked into our hostel and then walked around the city. The city is BEAUTIFUL and is where the film The Sound of Music was filmed. I was able to see a lot of the places where scenes were shot.

On Friday we went up to a fortress on top of the mountain that overlooks the city. It was a great view!! Some of the alps are around Salzburg so I was able to a see a few mountains with snow at the top. Amazing! We left for Munich at about 3pm and arrived 2 hours later. We went to our hostel first then went to the Hofbraehaus for dinner and a beer. I LOVE THE HOFBRAEUHAUS! Great german atmosphere with people in lederhosen and drndles (traditional german dress) and great music.

Saturday we saw the city and did a lot of touristy stuff. We spent some time in the English Gardens which is a beautiful park. Then we took the night train back and i JUST GOT HOME. It was a fun trip....exhausting at times. It is nice to be back in the peaceful city of Mayen.

I love and miss all of you!!!

Spring Photos

We have had a fun, busy Spring so far. I decided to post a variety of pictures from a few May events. Kaitlyn with her friends from Michigan after their camping trip.

Jess, Kendra, Sarah, Kaitlyn and Julie
Julia is playing fastpitch softball for the first time.
This is before her first at-bat. She walked.
Julia in the field. She is really enjoying this!

We celebrated Nick and Julia's birthdays at Clauddaugh Irish Pub.

The restaurant is on the river.

Mike and Kaitlyn at the restaurant.

Waiting for our food.

After dinner, we walked across the bridge to the Ohio side of the river. It was a beautiful night and we spent time by the river.

It looks like Julia is falling in the Ohio River. Mike is holding on tight.

JuJu at the River.

A few "artsy" photos of the boys.

Nick...I miss that boy!

Last artsy shot.

Tim is now taller than Kaitlyn and I!

Boys will be boys!

The four Combes Kids sitting on top of the steps.

We made a fun memory for our only weekend with all four kids home this summer.

"Hallo" from Germany

Hey everyone,

MADE IT TO GERMANY! It is amazing here. The city (Mayen) is beautiful. There are many hills/mountains around the city....and the city center is only a couple minute walk. I arrived Friday at about 7:50am in the morning. I was exhausted!! Many of us from the trip were on the same flight...and our trip leader (Felecia) was waiting for us at the airport. We all walked to a meeting point in the airport where we met the people who were on different flights. After about an hour of waiting in the airport we boarded the bus that took us to Mayen. It was about a 1.5 hour drive. The scenery was gorgeous. We say many german villages/fields/hills/churches. When we arrived in Mayen each person was dropped off at their host family's home. My family is the Lotz family. There is a mom (named Gabi) and two sons, Sebastian and Christopher. Both are around 20...not completely sure. I am living with a guy named Calvin and he is great. We have to share a bed...HAHA...but its a big bed. It's two mattresses pushed together and each mattress has a blanket and pillow....so it feels like 2 beds. There is a TV in our room with a few chairs. There is also a table and chairs. We have a balcony that is amazing...its very peaceful out there. From our windows we can see the castle (die Burg) and a couple of the churches.

Friday night we went to a couple bars and a Discothek (club). I slept 13 hours on friday night (I hadn't slept in like 40 hours!!). Saturday we ate breakfast and then we had a city tour...which was a great way to get to know the city. Then we had dinner and I had my first Doener. Its like pita bread with lamb (but I had chicken) with lettuce, tomato, onions etc. Then we went to a bar called Mambo and then again to the Diskothek.

Today we went to Schloss Buerresheim (a castle). It was QUITE A HIKE UP THIS HUGE MOUNTAIN. Kind of like the grand canyon. Dad...you would love it. It was about an hour long hike up. Then we had a tour of the castle and then we went down again. Then Calvin and I had dinner with our host family...and then we rested for a bit. Indiana Jones was on TV...all in German of course...so we watched that. Then I met some people from the trip (Calvin didnt go...he was too tired) in from of the Rathaus (city hall) and we went to a bar called the Ewige Lampe. It was very "chill" and I just had a Radler (bier mixed with lemonade or sprite). Then I came home and here I am typing to you fine people.

The food here is great....especially breakfast. I am ALWAYS speaking german...so that is really good. I can already feel my german getting better. Sometimes in the group we speak english with each other but mostly we try to always speak german. I am always speaking German with the host family.

I am having a blast....classes begin tomorrow though. Hopefully those go well. Definitely continue to keep me in your prayers. I definitely want to grow closer to God during this trip as I see the world he created. Pray that I can always find time to get in the word and to shine the love of Christ to other students on the trip.

I can use skype...so if you have skype tell me your username so I can call you!

LOVE YOU ALLLL!!!!!

off to germany

Today begins a time in our family when our two oldest kids are out of the country. Nick is on his way to Frankfurt, Germany. Well, actually right now he is in Detroit waiting to board his flight. He leaves around 5:30pm. He will be spending the next 6.5 weeks studying abroad...well, he does get college credit, but not sure how much "studying" he will be doing. He loves Germany... or as he calls it "Deutschland." He purchased an Euro-rail pass and plans on visiting as many countries as possible on weekends. Nick, I will miss you but am so excited for your opportunity.

Next Tuesday, Kaitlyn leaves for Port Au Prince, Haiti. She will be spending the next three months at Angel House Orphanage...living there and helping with the 40+ kids. She is so excited about this opportunity and can hardly wait to begin interacting with the children and nannies. She has been busy studying her Creole, the language spoken there. It is an amazing opportunity for her and a great way for her to apply her college degree in developmental psychology. I plan to visit her in August. Right now she is off to Ann Arbor to visit Michael and her college roommates.

Tim and Julia are winding down their school year. Can't believe it's almost come to an end. Mike and I are doing great. We are looking forward to a quiet weekend.

Late Edit: Nick called about 40 minutes ago. He is having a good time. The family is very nice that he is staying with. He didn't sleep on the flight and hasn't slept since he left home. He will sleep good tonight. He sounded great. I miss him very much

Magical Canyon - Beloved Daughter

There are moments in your life that you wish you could freeze. I had one of those moments during Kaitlyn and my hike through the Grand Canyon. As we were nearing the completion of our 6 mile hike to the bottom of the Canyon , we caught this first glimpse of the Colorado River. We took a break and just breathed in the beauty of the canyon in total silence. All of a sudden, thoughts of Kaitlyn's life flooded my mind. I thought of her as a baby, as a toddler, grade school, high school and her recent graduation from the University of Michigan. I felt the love and admiration I have for this kind, caring and Godly daughter. It was a silent moment I will never forget for the rest of my life.
Taking in the beauty of the Canyon the day before our big hike.

Taking the road less travelled often means taking risks.

Our hike began at 5:30am. Another hiker took this picture about a mile down just after the sun rose. Our starting temperature was 40 degrees since we were at an elevation of 8,000 feet.

Just a mile further down on the South Kaibab Trail, it was already heating up and the blue, blue sky was stunningly beautiful. There was not a cloud in the sky.

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthen me."

We are almost to the bottom and the Colorado River is getting closer.

Enjoying the best lemonade in the world at the bottom of the canyon at Phantom Ranch. All supplies are taken down to the Ranch by pack mules each day. I don't know if it's that the lemonade is so tasty or the fact that you are so thirsty and hot after hiking 6 miles down a 21% grade. Kaitlyn looks like she just took a short stroll in the local park.

Getting ready for the 9 mile hike up the Bright Angel Trail, but first we have to cross that bridge. Kaitlyn was a big freaked.

It sure is a long way to go. It's about 12noon and we wouldn't get to the top until nearly 8pm. Walking 9 miles up a 14% grade is no walk in your average park.

Kaitlyn found this special place and we named it "Apple's Delight". Kaitlyn's friends call her Apple because of her love for eating apples. We stayed here an hour, took our shoes off, placed them in the cool water and splashed water on our face. It was yet another special moment. Whenever I walk the Canyon in the future, I'll always stop at Apple's Delight and think of my beloved daughter.

As Kaitlyn stated, "there is new beauty at every turn."

Here is my special place in the Grand Canyon. I found this special place just off the trail when I first hiked the Canyon in May of 2003. I walked the 23 mile trek across the canyon with two total strangers. By the end of the trip, we had made a special bond. We named it "Friendship Corner". It's one mile from Indian Gardens. You'll know it because it's where three Yuka trees line up in perfect symetry. The three trees represent the three friendships that bloomed from that hike together. Nick and I visited Friendship Corner during our hike in May of 2006. I have a goal in life to visit this special place with each member of my family at some point in life. I want some of my ashes spread here at death (and I'm serious).

Kaitlyn with Friendship Corner in the background.

Indian Gardens. After an hour rest here, we started the last 4.5 miles of the hike at 4:00pm. Kaitlyn took this beautiful picture.

It's just before 8pm and we are finally at the top. It's 14.5 hours since the start of our hike. We've walked 17 miles, climbed down 6,000 feet in altitude and back up 6,000 feet, gone from 40 degrees to 87 degress and back to 40 degrees, ate eight peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, 12 apples, endless power bars, tuna in a pouch, eight bananas and, of course, boxes and boxes of Pringles (the official energy food of the Grand Canyon according to Grand Canyon hiking legend Jim Day).

Thanks Kaitlyn for giving your Dad an experience of a lifetime and memories he will never forget.

University of Michigan Graduate

Last weekend was a very special time for our family. Kaitlyn graduated from the University of Michigan...keeping up the Combes' legacy that was passed down by her great-grandfather, Pa John, Aunt Linda, Uncle Rick and her cousin, Gregg. The graduation was held on the Diag since the "Big House" is under construction. It was a beautiful morning that started off cloudy and ended with a blue sky and sunshine. Below are many photos of the big weekend. Kaitlyn and Michael
Aunt Karla giving Kaitlyn the letter the Kaylee wrote. Thanks, Kaylee!

Aunt Kelly, Kaitlyn and Aunt Karla

Thanks for coming, guys!

Connie and Papa Jim drove all the way from Auburn, IL!

It made the weekend so special! Thanks for coming!

Mike, Tom and Papa Jim celebrating Kaitlyn's graduation.

Nick arrives at Aunt Linda and Uncle Tom's home!

(Thanks for letting us use your home to host these festivities, Tomala's)

On Friday night, we all went out to pizza.

Papa Jim and Connie giving advice to Michael and Kaitlyn.

Linda and Tom at Buddy's Pizza on Friday night.

Julia got alittle bored at the pizza place and took some photos of herself!

Mike ever the rebel! He wore his Michigan State T-shirt to his daughter's graduation from the University of Michigan.

Michael, Papa Jim and Nick the arriving at the Diag. It was early, but I didn't remember it being this dark.

Proud Papa Jim!

Papa Jim teasing Nick that he was the President of this Sorority.

Kaitlyn and Nina are the UM graduates.

They went to Kindergarten together.

Nick and Mimi are the same age, too, and started

going to school together in preschool.

Three UM Graduates!

Nick and Kait celebrating graduation!

(Look at the sea of chairs)

Kaitlyn and Aunt Linda.

Kait was not happy when she saw her dad's t-shirt.

Aunt Linda tried to cover it up!

Kait and Michael hanging out at the Tomala's home after graduation!

We are so proud of you.

Sister Sister

The group photo!

The cake!