Stuck in our house with my Camera...

Unfortunately we were all sick this past weekend.  So with the girls taking turns running fevers we ended up spending the whole weekend in our house.



But we were finally able to put up our Christmas tree.  This year's is still unique but a lot less Charlie Brownish than last years.



And I had fun taking a ton of pictures of the girls while we were decorating.  Here are a few...

Slacker no More

After being slack for the past two years, I decided to be on the ball and actually do a Christmas Card this year.  I took advantage of my mom being here, dressed my family up in matchy patchy lovely Christmasness and headed out behind our house to get some pictures.

This is the one we used.  Although..



this is the one I meant to use.  I just got overeager and didn't realize my mistake.



I like this one too but kind of defeats me making us dress up in matchy patchy lovely Christmasness.



This one is on the back of the card because it is my fav and Brian's least.  He doesn't like his face - I love it .. How could you not love that face!  My husband will not find me funny.

Food, Wood Carvers and Santa!

Last year when we tried to go to the Cologne Christmas Markets tons of snow kept us from seeing much.   I was very happy that this year Brian's work planned their Christmas party as a day doing the Christmas Markets in Cologne (and that it wasn't snowing.)



The only thing Brian and I ever really buy at the markets is food.  These are our favorites from this day.  Reibekuchen (potato pancakes served with applesauce) and mushrooms with some kind of cream sauce made my preggy belly very happy.  Brian also tried Gluhbeir, which is a hot drink made with beer.  Sounds gross but I tried a sip and it was actually pretty good.



Sid was huge fan of the Reibekuchen or chicken as she was calling it.



This nativity scene wins the prize for most unique one I have ever seen.



Carolyn - "Why is baby Jesus in a shopping cart momma?"



Me - "I don't know" ... (I don't know if that confused me more or Mary and Joseph's outfits.  I wish I could have been able to read the signs.  But I think it had something to do with the huge replica of Noah's Ark that was behind it.)



There are a total of seven Christmas markets in Cologne but even with a map we only found five.  I think the others are hidden.



This is what the girls get most excited about at the markets.  Sidney didn't always join Carolyn on the rides last year but there is no stopping her now.



Brian was very impressed with this wood carver.  I think he would have like to take one home -- a wood carving not the wood carver.



They were very impressive but they were also crazy expensive.  Probably because there is no telling how long it takes them to do one of these.



We ended our day at the market in front of the Cathedral where



we had a Santa sighting.  I LOVE the excitement both girls get when they see Santa (and this one didn't look scary.)



Hoping we can hit up a couple more Markets before Christmas... especially since we have had zero snow this year to stop us.

Santa Train

The NATO base here sponsored a Santa train for the kids where they brought in an American Santa.  Since it was around bedtime we decided to make it like a Polar Express train and let the girls wear their pajamas.



Santa Clause came aboard the train and passed out goodie bags to the kids.  All of the kids were just thrilled with their huge loaves of bread that were in the bags.  Who knew that that would be considered such a treat.



Waiting to sit on Santa's lap.  I have no idea why my children are trying to do a thug pose.



Last year Sidney would have nothing to do with Santa so I was excited they both sat on his lap.  Although is it just me or does this Santa look a little scary...

Delft, Netherlands

One of the towns that we visited while my Mom was here was Delft, Netherlands.



Very cute little town that reminded me of a smaller, quieter Amsterdam.



It is home to the blue and white Delft pottery.  I thought I was going to buy a piece as a souvenir until I realized that they like their pottery more than I liked it.  A small little ornament here was 40 Euro.



So instead I bought a pair of old wooden shoes from an antique store here (the store might have just made them look used but I like to imagine a little dutch girl wore them).

I couldn't convince my mom and Brian to climb in this big wooden shoe with the girls.



Beautiful church in the main square here.



Another view of the main square.



Having to start pulling out the hats.



This time last year we had snow so I can not complain.  Plus I love to find new hats for the girls.



There were beautiful Fall leaves all over the city.





Sidney is definitely in the monkey see, monkey do stage with Carolyn.  If Carolyn does something then Sid needs to be right behind her doing the same.



Lovely day and the perfect day trip.

It's that time of year...

I LOVE Christmas season in Germany.



Last Friday evening we headed over to Aachen for our first WeihnachtsMarkt of the year.



I was thrilled to eat Flammkuchen (yummy flat bread pizza) again and



the girls were equally as excited about their hot chocolate and the fact that merry go rounds will be on every corner for a while around here.

Soccer Awards

I almost didn't put Carolyn into soccer for the fall because I was worried about the weather here (bad momma).  But we were lucky and had a mild Fall in Germany.  She really loves playing and has improved so much in her last two seasons.

(I love this look I am getting from her.  She is making this half smile in all of these pictures.  I think she was a little nervous about standing up in front of everyone and receiving her trophy.)



Carolyn and her soccer coach.  She is so proud of that trophy.



Carolyn's soccer team.  The little boy beside her is who she says she is going to marry.  Yes at four she is already telling me who she is going to marry.  Her poor Daddy.



One last cheer and she will start back in the Spring.



Just a picture of Sid from that day.  She gets carted around to all of her sister's activities and is most of the time such a trooper.