Dusseldorf, Germany - Weihnachtsmarkt

I have been so excited for the Christmas season here.  On Saturday we headed to Dusseldorf, Germany for their Weihnachtsmarkt ( Christmas Market).  Can you guess the first thing Carolyn wanted to do when we got there?



She would have stayed on that Merry go Round all day if we had let her.



It was very cold that day even started to snow while we were there. So we decided to try out the German way of staying warm, Gluhwein.  Gluhwein is a warm spicy traditional German winter drink made from warmed wine.  It tasted good and definitely warmed me up.



We decided to stick with hot chocolate for Carolyn though.



And for Sidney I had her so bundled up that she could hardly move.



Another section of the market.  There were all kinds of vendors.  We actually didn't buy anything though other than ..



Food.  We ate and ate.  This by far is my favorite.  I think I could live off of this flat bread pizza with some kind of cream sauce, ham, cheese and onions.  So Yummy!!!



These are chestnuts... Roasting on an open fire.  I don't know if I have actually ever seen that in person.



Carolyn was a huge fan of the market.  She got to eat a lot of good food, see another silver man, ride two merry go rounds, drink hot chocolate and see snow.  I think in her little world there is no better day.



The only bad part of our day was little Sidney lost her spare lamb lovey.  At least it wasn't the original lovey that she has had since she was born but it was still heart breaking to watch her look over the side of the stroller and say lovey, lovey.  I am ordering another spare today.

Thanksgiving

Living in Germany has brought all kinds of new things I am thankful for like

Skype  - I don't know what I would do without it, getting to see my nephews and family each week is priceless.
The German couple (who speak zero English) across the street and for some reason pull out our trashcans for us (I never have to worry that we won't remember our trash schedule: we have 3 different trash pickups for different items) and if I am not quick then they pull them back for me too.
Local Markets - In Sittard a town about 5 minutes from us they have a local market each Thurs. & Sat.  I can get fresh vegetables, fruit, any kind of fish I would like and the most wonderful turkish dips. Love it!
NATO's work schedule - I love that Brian now normally gets home around 4:30.  Coming from Oklahoma where he didn't walk in the door until 6:30 this is such a nice change.

I have been feeling a little homesick.  I think because I am on a continent where Thanksgiving is nonexistent and the fact that Brian was sent to Greece a week before Thanksgiving didn't help either.  But I have found the best way to combat my homesickness is to get out and take advantage of the opportunity we have been given to have so many new experiences. So lastly I am thankful for the Air Force (never thought I would say that Uncle Sam and I have had a rocky relationship at times) for giving us this opportunity.

Here is the one picture I have from our delicious Thanksgiving dinner at The Moone's house.  What a cute bunch of kids.  Carolyn was more interested in her roll than taking a picture though.

Brussels, Belgium

We were ambitious this weekend and decided to drive to Brussels on Sunday.  We had been wanting to check out this city since the first weekend we arrived in Germany and the Flower Carpet exhibit was going on here.  We were too jet lagged to see the Flower Carpet; but even without that, The Grand Place was really amazing.



Trying to get a picture but the girls were just not interested.



There was just too much going on in the square for them to want to look at the camera or maybe it was because they were paying attention to all of the beautiful details on the buildings.



I learned something new about my husband this day.  Not only does he have crazy eyes, but he also took 12 years of French and can read and somewhat speak it.  I knew he had taken French but I thought he was like me who took Spanish in high school and most definitely can not read or say much in it now.  French is spoken in Brussels so Brian was able to use his knowledge.  Made me want to plan a trip to France soon.



We saw several street performers.  Carolyn didn't hesitate to give this man money, I think because he looked like Santa Claus and was singing songs by The Beatles.



But she was a little unsure of the silver man and made her daddy deliver the money to him.



Carolyn picking out which chocolates she wanted.



I just knew they were going to come out with one of these.  But she went for an assortment of chocolates instead.  Good thing, that is 35 Euro for one chocolate Santa.



We ended the day with a Belgian waffle.  I really don't know what is going on here.

Valkenburg, Netherlands

Somehow in between Carolyn seeing how many times we could possibly manage to watch Toy Story 3 in one weekend, we managed to get out of the house and visit the town of Valkenburg in the Netherlands.



We didn't know exactly what we were going to do here but once we saw the Valkenburg Castle ruins we decided that we would check that out.



This castle is in ruins not because of time although it dates back to the 11th century but because the French kept taking it from the Dutch so the Dutch decided to blow it up in 1672.  I loved the fact that the information signs here where also printed in English.  Makes touring something a lot easier when you can read about what you are looking at.



We told the girls that the castle was a big playground.  Kind of true because of all the stairs and things they could climb on.



The view from top of the castle.



Since Sidney was free roaming, there is  no way we could have gotten a stroller around the ruins, Brian was on photographer duty more than normal.  So glad he was because he got great shots like this




and this.  I love this picture.



After all the hard work of running around the ruins we had to have some Hot Chocolate.



Anyplace we have gone to in Holland the people have been so friendly.  Love the Dutch.



The town was already starting to decorate for their Christmas Market they have each year, which is in a cave. Although I hate to admit that the thought of being in a cave kind of brings out my claustrophobia, I am just going to have to get over it. How often do you get to go into a cave, much less a cave full of Christmas goodies?

Travel Buddies

I love watching these two girls together.



Love watching them hold hands.



Especially when big sister is  helping little sister get up the stairs.



Love watching them laugh.



Especially when they are chasing each other.



Most importantly love watching them be each others travel buddy.  Especially since mom and dad have kept them going quite a bit.

Monschau, Germany

On Sunday we decided to check out Monschau, Germany.  So glad we did because not only was it a great German town but all the fall colors made it even more beautiful.



The girls on our train ride through the town.



It took us up to the top part of the town which had



amazing views.



After our train ride we had to check out the playground.



So the boys could spin themselves into a stuper



You may think that Brian is posing but he is actually having to hold on after having too much fun on the merry go round.  Isn't he a stud though.



The whole town was decorated for Halloween.  There were even little kids running around dressed up in their costumes.  I think the other Brian is really missing his wife.



It was such a gorgeous day!



Sidney with her rubber ducky  her sister picked out for her.



Carolyn had been eyeing this candy wheel toy since we went to the Geilenkirchen Wine Festival when we lived at the hotel or potel as she likes to call it.  She was very excited to get her own.



I am sure we will be visiting this town again.

Trunk or Treat

No complaining when Snow White put on her costume this time.  She was so excited to go Trick or Treating.



Love this face she is making.



Running to go trunk or treating.  Do they not look like a Disney commercial.



Look who is beating them though.



My focus is all off but Sidney was very ready to get the candy.



As was Carolyn.



Now we have way too much candy in our house and guess which person in this picture is going to end up eating most of it.