Happy Easter!

Or, as they say here, "Frohes Ostern!"

Our friend from Aachen, Rebecca, came down to Heidelberg to spend Easter weekend together. On Sunday we went to the church service at the English Heidelberg Church where we attend, and Penelope participated in her first Easter egg hunt. She was a little behind the other children, but she did claim two chocolate eggs for herself (after two kind girls took them out of their baskets and set them in front of Penelope so that she could "find" them). Afterwards we went up to the Heidelberg castle gardens.

Here is Penelope in her Easter finery compliments of Grandma and Grandpa:

She was clearly very excited about her Easter loot.

She apparently decided a mohawk was the most appropriate Easter hairstyle.

On Easter Monday (yes, a public holiday in Germany when all the stores are still closed), we took Rebecca to Schwetzingen where our favorite castle gardens are. We wandered around and admired the signs of Spring and introduced Penelope to some new animals.

Like in true Spring fashion, the weather alternated between sun, clouds, and rain. Penelope had a difficult time understanding how the stroller rain cover works. She preferred to hang her head outside. I guess she didn't want to miss anything.

There was one section of the garden that was absolutely breathtaking. There was a grove of cherry trees in blossom and the ground below was covered with daffodils.

We couldn't help but stage an inpromptu photo session.

The session came to an abrupt close when the subject had a breakdown.

All better.

We missed celebrating Easter with our friends and family back home, but I think we still managed to make some special memories together. Easter and Spring sure have renewed meaning when you have just come out of a long, cold winter!

I still have lots more to post about from our long trip. Coming up next: Dresden