Christmas Cookies

Each year it is a tradition to make Christmas cut-out cookies. This is my grandmother's recipe. She made these cookies with all the grandchildren every Christmas and it promises to be lots of fun and very messy! This year we shared our tradition with some American and German friends. Afterwards, the girls found some time to play dress-up!

A New Smile

If you haven't read the post "Tooth Pulling 101" you must read it to fully appreciate Jack's new smile!

Jack's method of pulling teeth!

Here's tooth #1 Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Micah and Jack after tooth #1

The new smile! Tooth #2 Sunday after Thanksgiving.

Tooth Pulling 101

So.....Jack's two front teeth have been quite wiggly these past few months and I think he's been itching to sing "All I Want for Christmas are My Two Front Teeth"! He had this hair brained idea that he would use his Nerf gun to remove the first tooth. Pictures won't be able to do this justice, but I was able to catch a brief clip of the ....shall we say "show".

After several failed attempts, we had to resort to the old fashioned way of Mom pulling. He wanted to be sure he wouldn't have any trouble eating his turkey on Thanksgiving.

Well as you can see, Jack has a co-conspirator. These two are racing to see who will loose the left one first.

Micah beat Jack by just a few hours....using the preferred method - a Nerf Gun!

Thanksgiving

This year for Thanksgiving our family focused on "serving" rather than "being served". Every year our church, Victory Baptist, hosts a Thanksgiving meal for the missionaries in the surrounding areas of Germany. We had families come from as far as Romania and Czech Republic. The festivities began the week before for a church-wide cleaning day. We all rolled up our sleeves, grabbed a scrub brush and got to work. After a complete overhaul, the church was gleaming and ready to take on 125 pounds of turkey!

On Thanksgiving day we had a complete room full of all the traditional trimming and a few new ones (smoked brisket & Greek salad). Our church kids sang a few songs that they've been practicing to include on in German! Afterwards, we had a devotion from a guest preacher, sang a few hymns and the kids enjoyed the balloons!




















Throughout the day we were able to fellowship with many of the missionary families and learn how they live. I found it humbling to speak with the family from Romania and hear about the daily struggles from yellow well water to mold in every room. It makes me thankful for the housing the Lord has provided our family here in Germany. Just last week we were without hot water and heat for 4 days, and thought we were having a hard time. We as Americans are so soft...we don't know what it's like to live without all the conveniences of heat, hot water, appliances, etc. I am truly thankful for those who heed the calling of the Lord to be missionaries!





















Our church was able to supply these families with a huge box of American favorites that they all miss. I know that they were just as much a blessing to us and we were to them. The day after Thanksgiving, we all met at the church for more eating! Yep, a big hearty breakfast and then a day in downtown Stuttgart for the Weinachtsmarkt (Christmas Market). The kids all enjoyed themselves and the weather was terrific! This truly was a wonderful Thanksgiving to remember.




















Jack and Micah enjoy the rides and chocolate covered stawberries and bananas!

Skiing Stubaital Austria

Where, oh where shall I begin this story?

Once upon a time there was a family of 4 who needed a vacation of at least a week or more.

First was the challenge of packing the family wagon with everything from skiis to Jack's toy dragon.


Down the Autobahn we drove through the rain, wind and snow, packed to the gills wouldn't you know!




Upon our arrival at Pension Wasserfall, we realized the 4 hour drive hadn't been bad at all.

The process of unpacking to lighten our load, made us realized we had a long time to go.

After the last bag was unloaded we headed to town to find a ski school not run by a clown! We found the school but oh was it pricey, Brad' wasn't sure but it seemed a bit dicey.

What better instructors than good 'ol Mom and Dad. The kids were a bit fearful, but eventually glad!


















The bunny hill was a challange for the first day or so, but due to bad weather they were ready to go.

Our backs were hurting from all the bending and pulling, by the end of the day we were dreaming of the ski schooling!

Day two rolled around and we started anew with the locals for breakfast and a brotchen or two.

Skiing all day sure works up an appetite, but hurry...no time for resting there's more skiing in sight.

(

lunch on the slopes)

From the top of Tyrol, the view was amazing, but looking down the kids thought we were crazy.
There's only one way down....we told them so, follow me and now lets go.
You mean we have to ski through the thick cloud? Yes my kiddies so don't stop now!
You know these Europeans and all their signs, we had no idea what we should find.....
A black diamond we soon realized was our fate, but no worries the kids did great!














Two thumbs up from these guys who skied, they loved the sun and the afternoon treats!





The friendly blue monster was always around, to be sure you weren't acting like these two clowns! The view was breathtaking, always perfect for our picture taking!




Help! I'm frozen, not sure I can get up...quick bring me some of cocoa in my cup!

















What an adventure always a thrill, Jack turned 7 this week while we skied this hill!

Are these Vickings or are these our kids? I don't know but I sure love their wigs!

On a serious note....we had a wonderful time, a much needed time of relaxation and time spent as a family! Stay tuned for more adventures!

Twins turn 1 month!

Filippo and Gabriella are doing well with their adjustment to being home! Jen and Angelo are enjoying parenthood x2!

Yes, We're Still Here!

Many of you have been concerned that we've fallen off the face of the earth. Well we haven't just a bit computer challenged these days. As I wrote a few months back when we moved into our old house the wiring was a bit faulty and therefore blew up our computer. We've been piecing together and rebuilding those parts that still work with an old computer. So at any given moment we don't have sound, USB capabilities and unreliable internet connections and at the moment the inability to post pictures. It's the "charm"! We often kid ourselves about all the "charm" Europe has to offer - this is one of them!

A brief update - Brad's sister Jen is home with both babies, Filippo and Gabriella. Now comes the tough part getting them on the same schedule! Hang in there Jen you can do it!

Madeline and Jack are cruising through school looking forward to a long break in January to visit friends and family for a belated Christmas. They are both excelling in their piano and it is such a delight to hear them play. Madeline is practicing a few Christmas pieces to play at church in December. Jack is still busy as ever playing German soccer and loving every minute of it. He will be switching to indoor play next month - yippee! We're tired of standing out in the freezing rain for 3 hrs of practice a week!

We are all looking forward to our ski vacation next week to Stubital Austria. Jack will also be celebrating his 7th birthday! Stay posted for some great pictures in about a week.