In July, Bettina and Maximilian traveled to Germany to visit their family. This was the first time Maximilian was able to meet all of his closest family in Germany. Maximilian really enjoyed spending time in Bettina's former hometown Rimsting near Prien am Chiemsee. During this trip Maximilian grew four more teeth and began exercising his fine motor skills. He is now able to pass objects from one hand to another. He can also grab food from his parents plates and quickly stuff it into his mouth (although half of it does not land in his mouth and he just likes to snack and make a big mess instead of making it a full meal).
Also, since Maximilian turned 8 months he is doing a fine job in crawling around the house. He started out crawling backwards but soon learned that crawling backwards was not quite the best way to travel.
Oma Bruni showing Maximilian to Lake Chiemsee with the typical white and blue Bavarian sky and the Bavarian Alps in the background. Near Fischer am See in Prien.
Maxi taking an afternoon nap in his Quinny SUV on Rimsting's main Chiemsee lake pier.
Here is Maxi's the GAP (German-American Prince) little island ferry boat which transports passengers from Gstadt to the little Fraueninsel on which Mom and Dad got married
Here is a view of the Castle on the Herreninsel with the King Ludwig steam wheeler in the foreground.
Maxi enjoys the lounge chair in Prien's Prienavera water park wearing his first bathing suit (GAP's "Here comes trouble").
This house which is just around the corner of Bettina's home was the birth place of the mother of the current Pope Benedict who signed Bettina's confirmation papers. Pope Benedict spent his childhood here and became a priest in the local church.
Maxi is heading to the Maisalm, a mountain hut at the local Kampenwand.
Maxi taking a rest stop during his strenious mountain hike and having a beer with the rest of his Bavarian brothers. Oma Bruni is advising Maximilian to drink in moderation only.
Maxi is utterly exhausted after the long hike in his new SUV and seeking to drink some fresh milk during his first mountain cow encounter. Notice that Maxi is wearing his first hiking cap. Papa thinks it looks quite, uhm.., interesting.
Here is the view of lake Chiemsee from top of the little mountain near Seiseralm.
Maxi loves being carried around by his grandpa.
Maxi meets Opa Christian and Jutta.
Maxi playing with Mama back home
Aunt Ute and cousin Sabrina trying to feed Maxi some German baby food.
Maxi with Uncle Anselm (Bettina's brother).
Maxi playing with Oma Bruni, auntie Ute and cousins Sabrina and Leon in Oma's house.
Maximilian playing the piano after the dinner party. He is playing a tune he learned from one of his great relative Ludwig B.
Maximilian with his cool cousin Leon. 
Maximilian with Klaus and Mimi (Bettina's brother's parents in-law)
Maxi had a hard time saying good-bye to his cousins but he will be back soon he promised.
