She LOVES

Anya is baby obsessed!  She doesn't like, she LOVES!  Enough so that we must avoid at all costs the toy area of the store.  If she sees a baby doll, she must hold it and love it or else she just screams and cries.."Baby."

She got a baby for Christmas and she is the best mommy.  She talks to it, she wraps it in a blanket and carries it everywhere.  For a little girl that was surrounded by cars, dinos, and bugs she knows she wants her baby. 

Baby and Anya eating.

Christmas

Despite being more behind the game than ever!  Christmas still came.  So many times during Christmas Eve the main theme from the Grinch kept running through my head..."you can't stop Christmas from coming" "It isn't about all the stuff."  It turned out to be a great Christmas, even if Santa didn't get homemade baklava as in years past.

Christmas Eve PJs from mom.  Who knows what is so funny...someone probably farted and boys just think that is hysterical.

 Christmas Morning!  Darin and I gave all the good presents while Santa brought the lame(r) ones.  I am tired of that man getting all the credit.

I hate stuffed animals, but Jaggy LOVES them.  This is Christmas!

 Anya's baby and kitchen.

 Christian got a FLIP video camera.

 Santa brought all the boys "Shorts."  Noah said that it was the worst gift.  He was constantly hiding them in one place or another.  In fact, I think they may still be under the couch.

Davis with his Ipod touch.  He didn't ask for it, that is why he is so surprised.  I told him it is easier to shop for a person who doesn't ask for everything they see.  The surprise is always better.

 Anya wasn't into opening any of her gifts, but Noah was happy to do it for her.

This is Noah's pet dog, Jessica.  I should be flattered.

This is most of the stuff that we got from our cute little neighbors.  So much stuff "fur die kinder."  We are missing the pictures of the wine and cognac chocolates.



As I tucked Jag into bed I was talking about what a great day it was.  He was quick to point out that he didn't get anything on his list.  I told him that Santa must not speak German. (In our defense I have to say that we went to the German Toys R Us armed with his list.  Most of the items turned out to be lame little overpriced preschool toys!)  Then we talked about how great the stuff was that he got and how he was lucky to get stuff he loves even if it wasn't on his list.  He totally agreed.  In the end, I did have to tell him that Pipi Max was about 8 inches long and 50 euro.  That is way too much to pay for a little dog that would pee on my floors.

**THANK YOU to all our family who sent the boys gifts!  They are having such a great time swimming (year passes), playing ping pong (new table), putting together Legos (Star Wars) and watching movies.  Not to mention the fact that now they all look decent while sleeping!  Thanks for thinking of us.  We always miss our family so much more during the holidays! 

Christmas Babysitting

Darin and I were able to fully enjoy the Christmas parties and gatherings this year.  We have finally grown our own babysitter!  He's been babysitting for about a year, but Darin wasn't home last year for Christmas parties and Anya has been too small to leave.  This year, with parties for adults only, we left the bunch and went off to enjoy ourselves.  Davis is really good with the kids, but he and Christian usually don't end up getting along very well.  Something about one kid wanting to be in charge and abuse of power from another....  All that matters is that Anya is well cared for (he is a champ with the poopy diapers) and everyone is still alive.  The house being picked up would be bonus.  I can live without a large bonus. 



This is 2 seconds after Darin told me to tilt the plate.  I didn't think about the plate being burning hot.



Hawaiian schnitzel.  YUM!  There is schnitzel under that cheese.

We went out 3 times in a week.  Darin thinks that he may be good for a few months!  I think that we are just getting started.  When we got home the last time, we found this list...


no wonder Christian has issues with Davis. I doubt that Davis would ever give himself a mark and for Christian (who NEVER receives bad marks) to get 2? I am sure he blew his top.


Get the list ready, I'm wanting to go out again!

Christmas Break- Cologne (Koln)

We went to the city of Cologne, Germany for a day this break.  It is about 2 1/2 hours north of us.  There is a massive cathedral (Dom) to see.  It sits on the Rhine river and is the 4th largest city, but 1st most visited city in Germany.  There was an amazing (MY FAVORITE) Christmas market at the base of the Dom.  It was a long day, but a great time was had.

Construction began in 1248, but it wasn't completed until 1880.  It sat for 300 years half-finished when the money ran out.  Finally Prussian King Friedrich Wilhelm IV gave a bunch of money to get it finished.  It managed to escape the destruction of the  WWII bombings.  In one picture we saw the entire city was leveled around the Dom, but it still stood tall in the center. 

This picture offers a perspective on the size of the Dom. Noah, in the red coat, and Darin are at the bottom of the picture.

This is our "Christmas Tie" to our trip.  The Shrine of the Three Kings.  The golden sarcophagus is said to hold the remains of the kings who followed the star to the stable in Bethlehem.  The bones were spirited out of Milan in 1164 as spoils of war by Emperor Barbarossa's chancellor and instantly turned Cologne into a major pilgrimage site.

I'm watching a man give Christian a finger wagging for stepping in front of him.

After a dinner of chocolate crepes.

We will be going back next year because the shopping was amazing.  Also I heard that the Lindt chocolate factory was along the river...can you say samples?!

Christmas Break- Trains

Our traditional Christmas train making went as per tradition until I turned away and the extra frosting was put to use.

Making her little village houses with dad.

All hard workers stick out their tongues.

Just starting.  He needed a little help with the construction, but was an awesome decorator.

Finished!

Finished!

Finished, but would like to eat her village and not take a picture of it.



    And then the trouble begins:                                     

He looks like he is all sweet, but he actually had a newly washed face because it too was covered in frosting just seconds before.



German Word of the Day

Gift- As in REMEMBER as you go door to door delivering delicious goodies to old German neighbors, that you are giving them a tasty present.  If it were a gift it would be poison! 

We went to deliver goodies to the little neighbors and we were invited in to sit and drink, eat and chat.  We ended up with more eating, more smiling, less chatting.  The little Frau said that it would be nice if the world only had one language so that we would be able to talk.  I agree.  I think that she was getting frustrated not being able to really communicate.  I felt her pain.  They, fortunately, had a son in for a visit who spoke English.  It made the visit less uncomfortable, but longer.  Visiting my German neighbors is a Christmas memory that I will remember.  I hope that by next year we may be able to really visit. 

On a side note, we ended up getting treats, fur die kinder, from many neighbors and 2 bottles of wine with some "adult" chocolates for us.

Another Week December 12-17

Since I started out behind schedule (my own schedule) I spent the week catching up with things.  I baked and made until I couldn't make any more.  Although, I don't really think you can make enough fudge.  I tried out 3 different recipes trying to find the best one, but realized that they were all 3 just perfect for what I was wanting.  It is just terrible to have so much delicious fudge around.  It became breakfast for Jag and I. 
After fudge, truffles, caramels, cranberry and banana breads, dipped pretzels, coconut mounds balls (sounds delicious), and ginger snaps I was ready to start packing and giving.  That is a lot of making in just 4 days!  I have been hesitant to make and give treats and breads here because the German bakeries are everywhere and delicious.  Then I realized that what I do is totally different, so I am over it and back to giving it all away.

We had a nice week because we didn't have to go to base too many times.  Davis just walked to the library and did homework until it was basketball time and then Darin took him.  I really liked not having to do one more thing.

It has rained a lot this week.  The river from our village down 10 km has all flooded its banks.  Instead of fields of green we have a lake which the boys are sure is bigger than the one at grandpa Davis' house (Gunnison Res.).  We still haven't seen any snow much to my little guys' dismay.  I keep telling them that snow isn't all that great.  But because Jag and Noah have never lived with it, they just are sure it will be wonderful.  Saturday we saw a car with snow on it and had to go in search of where the snow was.  We found it just a few minutes over the mountain, but no snow in our village or anywhere else.  Jag wants to move from our village to the one that gets snow.  The first time that he slips and falls I expect him to start cursing the snow.  It is just like our squirrels in Texas.  So cute at first, but then as soon as they started to eat his garden, that's it we should poison them.

Darin and I had 2 dates this week.  He had work parties both Friday and Saturday.  Davis was left to babysit all of the kids both nights.  It is so very nice to have finally grown our own babysitter and to be able to go out without any kids.  Friday was just at the Boss's house on base.  Lots of drinking and talking.  Saturday was the work party at the Burg Lichtenberg.  A party in a castle totally trumps most office parties, in my opinion.  We could have taken kids, but really when you don't have to why would you?  Actually, the boys would have been fine, but Anya would have been terrible.  We had dinner and a gift trade.  I ended up with a large glass head...Darin said it is going in the recycling tomorrow.



Such shiny faces!



Where was your Christmas Party? 

The boys are out of school for the next 2 weeks.  We'd hoped to go to Austria so Darin and the boys could snowboard.  Actually we'd  hoped  to go to Spain... The stars just didn't align for us on this week.  Darin is out of work this week, but it would have been better the week after Christmas.  Austria just didn't have snow for boarding. We're looking towards February.  Spain could have happened if I wasn't so insistant that we be home for Christmas.  So in order to work our flights and hotels, we would have spent quite a bit of euro and a lot of hassle for only 2 1/2-3 days in Spain.  Boo.   We are going to do a few day trips along with some home things.  Throw in a day at the pool and if it snows-sledding and we will have a dandy break at home instead of on a beach in Barcelona.  Boo again to missing Spain, but fun break for the kids.

Darin and Davis at the Frankfurt temple. 

Thanks to Grandma Fawcett I am able to sew Anya some Christmas clothes.  Her little skirt only took 30 minutes and made me smile the entire time I was making it.  It is so much fun to have a little girl to dress.

She stacks everything.

Noah and his cookie house made in kindergarten.  He made me take a picture before he allowed himself to eat the gummy bears off of it.

Posting In My Head

I find myself constantly thinking “I should post about this on the blog” or “This would be a good post, my mom would like this” but that is where my post ends…in my head. I have had a hard time trying to find time to sit and type on the computer. There is always one kid or another insisting that I feed, diaper, school, or pay attention to them. By evening my motivation is gone as is the post in my head. So, if it takes me the rest of the week I am going to get these posts out of my head so that I can think about the Christmas gifts I haven’t yet bought or the trip I haven’t yet planned. Oh, I should note that all of the posts are going to be put right here together, because to actually make separate posts would require too much of my attention and Anya might have messy hair all day (we couldn’t have that).


*My 16th wedding anniversary passed and Darin was trying so hard to be out of town again! Never fails, if he is going to be gone it will be on my birthday or anniversary OR like most years…both. He was in England, but came home the night of the anniversary bringing flowers, gifts, and Cinnabon. He may be gone, but he tries to make up for it. We went to this little Gasthaus for dinner a few days later. It was wonderful. Close to home, good food, quaint; definitely one of the places we will go often. On a recommendation, I ordered the onion soup. I am not an onion lover. I like to cook with onions, but an entire soup!? I am so happy that I ordered it. Wonderful! I wanted to lick the little onion pieces out of the bowl. If you visit, be prepared to eat onion soup at this cute little place.

*When the waitress brought out our bread she also brought out a bowl of white stuff. It had brown lumps in it. There was no way I was going to try it. Darin was being adventurous and put some on his bread. It turns out, according to my husband’s expert pallet, to be a bowlful of heavily salted onion lard. He chewed and chewed and then just couldn’t get it to go down. He had to spit it in his napkin and he is positive that it made him sick later that night.

*While eating a really strange “cat” came and sat at the table next to us. Tables here are close together, so when I say next to us, I mean NEXT to us. He wore a goofy grin and talked to himself the entire time. But the really strange thing was the way he devoured the salted onion lard. He piled it,(like higher than you would put honey butter or jelly on bread, more like the way you would put whipping cream on pie) on the bread then he heavily salted it. And Gobbled It Up. Just watching him made Darin even sicker! Poor guy was disappointed when the lady took his lard away too soon.

*Davis and Christian ended their first quarter of school in excellent standing. They both had all A’s, and even some A+s . Davis had 5 A+s out of his 7 classes. I had to talk to him about the other 2. Christian received his teacher’s Highest Student Achievement Award. I ended up going to awards assemblies for 2 days. Maybe if they were dumber I could just relax at home. Ha, ha. Both boys have adjusted great to school here. The classes seem to be decent (always a concern when there is only 1 choice of school to attend). The only class that I really don’t care for is Davis’ band class. The teacher is odd and I don’t think she has any credibility as a band instructor. The only thing good (if this is good) is that she requires at least 3 hours of practice a week. I am still trying to find someone to give lessons, but for now at least he is practicing.

*Davis was chosen to attend the JLS (Junior Leadership Seminar) Europe on the Rhine for a week in February. He was nominated by at least one of his teachers, and then he had to write an essay to submit with his application. Next he had to give all of his teacher’s evaluations to fill out on him. Finally he had an interview with a panel of teachers and HS students. He was one of 10 chosen to attend from his school. He will be one of 140 students from Europe participating. Sometimes I don’t see Davis as a leader, but he really is. I have had parents of his friends comment to me about what a good leader he is. I am proud of my little guy (he’d hate me calling him that).

*Prague. I totally forgot to mention that KFC is EVERYWHERE in Prague. It was so surprised. I don’t think that I’ve seen that many KFC stores in Utah. I totally didn’t check them out, but I should have just to see in the coleslaw was the same. However, my experience with US restaurants in foreign countries is that they each put their own twist on the food. I do know that a hamburger in a German McDonalds is the same. There were also McDonalds and Subway stores in Prague as well. Here there are quite a few McDonalds, Subway, and Burger King locations, but I’m not really interested in checking them out.

*German radio is awesome. As I drive in my car, all of the stations play American music! However the choices are funny. On one station you can hear AC/DC, Cindy Loper, Josh Groban, ColdPlay(they love this), and Lady Gaga (they love her) throw in some Richard Marx (?) and then an occasional elevator song like “It’s Raining Men” and that is the lineup. They do play an occasional German song, but only maybe 1 in 10. The part I like is that I can listen to music in English, but still try to decipher the German DJs; best of both worlds…if you like goofy song choices and 70s flashbacks.

*The autobahn is always under construction where ever you are traveling. It is fine to have the option of limitless speed, but the construction zones are everywhere making it almost impossible to drive at a decent speed. My idea of a decent speed is changing after only 5 months here…

*Pee. Men not boys are peeing on the side of the road all the time. These aren’t men without homes or on long trips. I’m talking about men in shirts and ties on the way home from work. They are just next to their cars, not trying to be discreet in the bushes that are two feet away. They pee in parking lots before getting into their cars…right there next to my car. It is all socially acceptable. My count so far is up to 10 men. I am so very glad that I have 4 boys. When you have to pay an average of 50 euro cents a bathroom stop/per person it adds up, but peeing right where you are is free!

*This took me 5 days to get through and Anya still has cute hair!

You Should Speak German

I ran into a little neighbor (2 doors up) at the local market.  I always panic when I see of few of the little ladies around here because they are talkers...German talkers.  I start to stress, sweat, and  ultimately laugh at the interaction that is about to take place.  This was no different. 

Erika came to me and we started to "talk" about our neighbor's husband who is so sick.  I could understand the general idea.  Then I opened my mouth.
 I started telling Erika that our neighbor had just been over to my house to bring treats to the boys. 
She didn't get it. 
I tried again. 
She grabbed the produce lady and asked her if she spoke English. 
I told the little produce lady that I was just telling her I'd recently seen the neighbor, nothing much. 
The produce lady laughs and got that confused look, that I often wear, on her face. 
Produce lady goes several aisles over in the store and grabs a poor customer who actually happens to speak English to come and translate.
Poor customer comes over and says, "What is the problem?" 
I tell her that there isn't a problem, I was just talking about a neighbor.
She laughs.
Then Erika tells both the produce lady and the poor customer EVERYTHING that she knows about me and the fam.  Noah goes to the kindergarten (Erika is the cook there), I made her bread.  She gave me apples and I made her applebutter.  Davis plays the trumpet (actually French horn) and plays the German National Anthem.  I cringe...Erika is 2 houses over and she is hearing Davis play their National Anthem.  I quickly appologize for the horn, but she tells me she likes it. whew...could have been a long 3 years.
Then Erika tells everyone that we live next to eachother and all we can say is "Hello" and "Good-bye" daily. 
Then the poor customer translates the following..."You need to learn German." 
Thanks go finish your shopping.
I tell Erika that I am learning german.  She repeats what I say switching the sentence structure...
I dismiss the observing crowd and run to hide under the nearest rock. 

This is such a humbling adventure.  I hope to make it out with a little self-esteem. 

*Erika really is a nice lady.  She really does like us.  She is right, I need to learn German.  It has only been a few months and I can only get better.

Another Week (and a half) December 1-10

I realize that the reason I have 50 posts in my head and not on my blog (in the process of working on that)is because I had forgotten to do a weekly post for like a month or 2...he, he.

So onto December!  December started with Davis having several band concerts.  One at the local Christmas Market.  It was a cold day and the "brilliant" band director decided to combine 2 different groups that had never practiced together before.  The band was less than fabulous and the director had to stop several songs and restart several.  When it was over the Germans gave the kids presents.  I think they were bribing the kids to quit playing.  Maybe.  The next day they played at the "Mall" on base and they were much better without frozen fingers.  I think Davis was the cutest horn player there! 

Davis and Darin went with the scouts to Austria to snowboard for the weekend.  Actually they drove 15 hours and snowboarded for about 3 hours.  They got home late on Saturday night. BUT it was all about the experience.  Darin would have liked to snowboard and not just teach the boys.  It wouldn't have mattered to the boys if there had been more time because they were really done after about 2 1/2 hours.  Only 1 boy broke his arm!  Success.  Darin said that it was crazy and that he'd never again drive for 15 hours for only 3 on the mountain, but being with Davis his first time snowboarding was worth it all...Once.  In November Davis went scuba diving with the scouts.  Life as a scout is SO much cooler here.  I told him to get his Eagle before we leave because everything/everywhere else will be lame.

Garmish, Germany

Austria.  They were supposed to ski at Garmish, but Germany is without snow.

If you look way at the peak of the mountain in the background you can see a little snow.  Austria didn't have much snow either.  They had to take a tram for quite a way to get to the snow.

Sunday was the first Advent.  That is the counting down of the 4 Sundays until Christmas.  Noah's kindergarten had a little lunch and craft event going on.  It was us and the Germans.  Seven Americans create a show where ever they go.  Noah liked showing his brothers his class and pointing out his teachers.  He even stood with his other classmates and tried to sing a little German Christmas song.  The boys said he didn't do anything but clap, but I saw his mouth moving some.

Davis started basketball this week and it has taken over everyday of the week.  Not really, but it feels that way. His games will start in January.  This year will be better than last because he had the worst coach in the universe and we know that he isn't living in Germany, so all is looking up.  Acutally, Davis's coach is Col. Peliquin from Darin's office, so I have to watch how much I yell at the coach. 

Darin and I finally got out, sans kinder, and did some shopping.  I haven't felt this unready for Christmas before.  Between trying to finish setting up a house here and planning our trips, Christmas was forgotten.  I think that after a long and crazy day, I can see the end in sight.  Christmas is so fun here with all of the Christmas Markets in each little town.  We went to our local one.  Only American's around.  There was a band playing and a bit of food with lots of flowing Gluhwein.  Our neighbor, Erika, was there and made sure that the kids got gifts from Nikolaus as well as heart waffles on a stick.  Waffles are a big thing at the markets.  Potato waffles, plain waffles, waffles with chocolate.  The weather was freezing, but we still haven't seen any snow. 

And that is IT for December!  Hurray I'm actually on track with one thing this December.  Off to bake like crazy...this caught me unready as well...

St. Nikolaus Day

December 6th is the day that Germany celebrates St. Nikolaus Day.  St. Nikolaus, originally from Turkey, is the saint of workers, children, and ...maybe schools?  I don't know.  He did a lot of good deeds in secret and was killed on December 6th.  December 5th the kids put out their shiny boots in hopes of fruit, candy, and maybe a small toy.  If they are bad, then they can expect to receive rocks or sticks.  The sticks are a "hint" to the parents to use them on their kids.  Subtle.  We forgot on the 5th. We are still new at this German stuff, but decided to try it and see if St. Nik, being a saint and all would stop by a day late for good kids.  He did!  The boys put out church shoes, at least those that were concerned about the smell of their regular shoes.  Hurray!  Nik pulled through and they got oranges, chocolate euro coins, and gummies.  But more importantly, they got an early preview of Christmas, their stocking may contain the same things.

Jag woke before Noah and was surprised to see treats in Noah's shoe because "he's been a little bit bad."  So he decided to do what St. Nik didn't and send a message to Noah. 

When Noah got up he didn't mention the potato.  Jag didn't mention it either.  When I asked him about it, he just said that he might have been a little bad.  Jag agreed, then I told Noah that Jaggy was the funny guy.  Noah was about to punch Jag, but then the potato reminded him that next year it could be from St. Nik himself, so he just pushed Jag.  I guess that is the "little bit" in the little bad. 

St. Nikolaus took time to stop at the kindergarten and rap on the window sending some kids bawling and running away, others cheering.  He ran off too quickly for Noah to really check him out, other than seeing his red suit, but he left a basket full of Nikolaus breads for the kids.  Nikolaus bread is this sweet bread shaped like santa, the Germans are total over achievers with this baking stuff.

She Only Looks Cute

She looks like this:

She sounds like this!



This is her "new" cry.  She chases me all over the house "yelling" at me.  I can't go to another room without the little princess finding me and putting me in my place.  Oh how she'd better find her old happy self (and cry) soon.