Birthday Bliss in Garmisch

What could be better than a week in Garmisch spent swimming, watching movies, alpine-sliding, hiking, paddle-boating and tree climbing with the Clark Family? How about topping it all off with a birthday celebration? Bryant turned 14 during our vacation, and since Christian's 17th birthday is just around the corner, we celebrated their birthdays together . . .

We started out with a big buffet breakfast at the Edelweiss Lodge . . .



Then we were ready for the real excitement of the day: KLETTERWALD! This is a climbing park (ropes, ladders, wooden platforms and other similar obstacles) set up in the trees. After being equipped with climbing harnesses, helmets, and a safety course from trainer Heike, everyone was ready. Bryant liked to lead out and even did the most difficult courses twice! Imagine swinging – Robinhood style - from platform to platform, or skateboarding and bicycling up in the tree tops. Balance and strength were certainly the order of the day.

Here they are . . . all dressed up in their birthday party gear:

ERIN


CHRISTIAN


TAYLOR


LISSIE



EZRA



BRYANT


RACHEL


JESSICA


Christian leading Lissie through the black course (aka Monkey Heaven). . .



In the leafy treetops . . .


Robin and his merry climbers . . .



And the birthday boys at the end of the day . . .



Happy Birthday Guys!