Kuhlungsborn!!

We are in Kuhlungsborn - the tiny town on the Baltic Sea where Nana grew up. Its really beautiful and although I have been here once before in the spring, the summertime is very different than I expected. I packed my uggs and sweater, thinking the weather on the Baltic must get cold, but I was very wrong. The sand on the beach is so hot that you can't walk without shoes and the water is much warmer than expected (even I am swimming). We had a rough start getting over Ava's stiches and as it turns out, her bruised jaw (she couldn't eat for 4 days), then she came down with a fever and I couldn't keep the kids awake during the day...but now we are better!

Kuhlungsborn was a happening destination for German and Northern European tourists before WWII, then it was ruined during the Russian occupation. Our family history here is rich, as Nana's family owned 2 large hotels and several other properties. Everything they owned was taken by the Russians and their lives were completely devastated. It is hard for Nana to remember the horrible things that happened, but the longer we are here, the more she is remembering her childhood on the beach and the happier times. Tomorrow we are going to the local cemetary to lay flowers on my Oma's grave.

I could write pages about our family history, but I am using a computer at an internet cafe and the keyboard is driving me crazy. When we get to a spot that has wifi, I will elaborate. Here is a photo of the great 'strandkorb' that are all over the beach - you rent them. This is the one we rented for the week...wouldn't these be a hit in California? Here are some some photos of the kids doing a bungee-trampoline thing...they couldn't believe I said yes. (sorry, this computer is too slow - I could only upload Ava) Aidan has the most euros of all of us (how did that happen?) He has gone a little souvenir crazy - a pocketwatch and a pirate's periscope (such useful stuff Aidan!) and stuff for Baker...hmm... how long will those euros last?? By the way, Aidan misses Baker and gg, Cullen misses Aoife (hope I spelled it right!) and Ava misses Daddy...me too. Seems wrong to be at the beach without Marc...this is way too long to be gone without him by the way.....There are lots of hunds here...so we miss you too Olive.

Oh, almost forgot the juiciest part! The Germans here have a refreshing lack of ego... the kids are finally getting use to all of the naked kids and topless women. I am not quite use to the men who change their suits without any concern for privacy...the kids immediately commented that their Uncle DJ would fit right in - ha ha...he would love it here!! The naked boogie boarding kids are the funniest - Ava just cracks up (no pun intended). Actually, its rather cool that people reallz don't seem to care what they look like and they don't care what anyone else looks like either.

Lost track of how many brats Aidan has eaten - we keep imitating Orlando's voice for some reason 'ah.. another brat' - guess he just has that German accent we are now use to. We miss everzone!! sorrz about the z's - sick of fixing them...