a visit to our relatives

W went for a visit to Ingrid and Manfred's abode. As to how we are related, our mother and Ingrid's grandparents were siblings. but who cares, blood is thicker than anything else, right.

So we went for dinner, which we'll get to, but they live in this gorgeous suburb of Graz so before dinner, we went on a little mini hike around some castle grounds with lots of animals and such.

Brian teaching them to climb fences.

Felix being very successful at learning to climb fences.

The 4 boys running on a dirt path, to use up energy before stopping at the playground.

Theo and Felix sliding together. Henry close behind.

It's good that we arrived after some exercise and cold air to make us hungry. There were many foods made by Manfred, who is a fantastic cook, and who had been working at it all day.

We were greeted with champagne.

A bean salad, a green salad and a beet salad, with potato strudel. The kids ate a LOT at this course.

Then celeriac schnitzel (!) with turnip sauce, which was incredible.

Then potatoes au gratin with swisschard.  mmmm.

[side note: in german, swiss chard is called mangold, which is such an interesting name, but then, swiss chard is also an interesting name.]

Lots of wine bottles were emptied until here.

Then we had coffee and desert...

We lit the first candle because it was the first Sunday of Advent.

Dessert was an applecake.

Theo, Ingrid, Manfred, Centa and Brian

Of course, there was more wine and cheese and afterdinner dinking, delicious grappa, and the conversation was delightful the whole time.

Ingrid told us that the only thing we still had to do when we got home was get into bed. 

And she was right. :)