Christmas 2015

Our Christmas this year was really exciting.  I felt like this year I was on top of it.  I sent out all our family gifts early (to America), planned the Christmas markets we wanted to attend, sent out our annual Christmas cards, hosted a Christmas party for the little troopers, and completed most of the present shopping for our kids before December even came.  That way, we could enjoy reading Christmas books, watching Christmas movies, baking and decorating sugar cookies, playing in the snow, and eating way too much at all the parties.   

 

 Jane at the Little Troopers Christmas party.

 Kate at the Little Troopers Christmas party.

 Grinch cookies for Santa and carrots for the reindeer.  Jane is so happy to be held by her big sister. 

 Both girls slept in until 7:40am.  Jane mostly enjoyed the paper and ornaments.  She received books, clothes, balls, rocking giraffe, and a trampoline for Christmas.

This might be the first Christmas Kate will remember.  She got a lot of princess stuff, dress-up stuff, Frozen stuff, and of course, a trampoline. 

This was such a fun surprise from Santa!

Jane 5 months

Sweet little rollie pollie.  Jane has slept through the night two times.  She is getting up on her hands and knees and pushing herself backwards.  She has had licks of apple, banana, soft pretzel, and carrot.  I don't think she is ready for food yet, but she sure loves putting "food" in her mouth.  It is so fun to see her watch Kate play around her and include her in some of her play.  We are loving on our sweet little girl and can't believe she is growing and moving so fast!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from Germany! Bryan and Rebekah are enjoying all our European adventures.  Kate loves singing, dancing, and dressing up.  Jane is fat and happy.  Both girls bring so much joy and excitement to our lives!  We hope this letter finds you well and wish you a Happy New Year.

Thanksgiving, Christmas Markets, and Garmisch-Partenkirchen

We are on the hunt for awesome Christmas Markets and collecting gluhwein cups.  And since Jane does not have her passport yet, we have been doing just that.  8 Christmas Markets thus far- 4 in Dresden, Guteneck, Parsberg, Lupberg, and Kuhstallcafe.  You can spend a lot of money on trinkets, food, and entertainment.  So worth it though.

While we were in Dresden, we drove an hour and a half north to the Rackotzbrucke or devil's bridge.  The reflection of the bridge on the water makes a complete circle.  We still are not sure if it was worth the extra 3 hour drive, but we checked it off our list of things to do and see.  Kate threw an awesome first tantrum there.  It was a culmination of tired and hungry and first time watching a movie in the car.

After Dresden, we drove down to an inactive volcano in Parkstein.  It was snowing and the view from on top was beautiful.  Poor Jane mostly gets pictures in the carrier while we are traveling, so this might be a first.  

 Saw camels in the parade at the Guteneck Christmas Market.

Bryan had an optometry conference at the military lodging Edelweiss in Garmisch-Partenkirchen the first week of December.  The girls and I tagged along and I am so glad we did!  The weather was fabulous and I was finally able to see the Zugspitz (tallest mountain in Germany that we hiked up last fall).  We visited the cute little town of Oberammergue and all the beautiful wood carving shops.  

We checked out the monastery in Ettal and the cheese factory.  I love cheese!!

We hugged Jane too tight in Santa's chair.

 We hiked the Partenkirchen Gorge and ate icicles. 

  

And we swam in the indoor and outdoor pool.  Jane was a trooper through it all.