Happy 9th Birthday, Mason!

Waking up to balloons decorating the house on his birthday, November 15th

 

We had a sledding party (or 'sledging' as they call it here in Germany) at the indoor ski hill for Mason's 9th birthday.  So much fun!

 

Natalie had no interest in sledding so she hung out in the ski chalet with Sofia and I.

Riding the ski bike

The sledding crew!

Grocery-getter

 

 

I was loading my groceries the other day and had to laugh...this is how I roll these days.

My grocery-getter is now powered by my own two legs instead of an engine!

Thanksgiving 2012

Today is Thanksgiving...only it's not.  The kids went to school, stores were open, I didn't eat turkey and there was no pumpkin pie.  Instead of cooking, baking and feasting,  some friends and I went to one of the Christmas markets that opened today in Essen.  My first German Weihnachtsmarkt experience!  Lots of trinkets, food and drink.  I had a not so good lunch and a delicious dessert (a warm crepe filled with cherries and vanilla pudding - mmm!). 



Essen Christmas market at night



Lunch at the Christmas market



Our Thanksgiving dinner - enchiladas.  My kids' faces tell you how they tasted!

Thankful for this happy face!

We'll celebrate Thanksgiving with friends this Saturday with a dinner at the church.  I'm looking forward to all of the delicious food!

Ghent, Belgium

 

 

A quick 2.5 hour road trip and we were in the beautiful city of Ghent, Belgium.  The food was delicious, the people were friendly and the sights were fabulous.  We had heard that Ghent is a wonderful city and it did not disappoint! 

 

First order of business...lunch!  When in Belgium there are four things that the country is known for that you must consume:

 

1. Waffles

2. Chocolate

3. Fries

4. Belgian Beer

 

I can't wait to go back for the food alone!

 

 

Belgian waffles - round 1

 

A Belgian waffle topped with Belgian chocolate? Yes, please!

Castle of the Counts

 

The Belfry

 

 

St. Bavos Cathedral

 

 

Belgian chocolate!

 

 

Buying Belgian chocolate!

 

 

 

 

 

St. Michael's bridge

   

Favorite waffle shop and vendor selling 'Noses of Gent'. 



Belgian waffles - round 2!

London

 

 

We spent a week in England this October over the kids' fall break.  We stayed at my sister and brother-in-law's house which is approx. 1hr outside of London.  They are both in the Air Force so one of the highlights of our trip was getting to go onto the Air Force Base and buying 'American' foods...comfort foods (mostly junk!) that we can't get in Germany.  We spent one of our days touring London while Sofia stayed home with her aunt & uncle.  Being that I am the most prepared person ever (ha!), it's no surprise that my camera battery was dead when we got there.  Thank goodness for cell phone cameras!

 

A few highlights from our trip to London in October...

 

 

 

Buckingham Palace

Big Ben!

The Air Force Base had a movie theater that the kids were excited to go to.  Not too many English-language movies are played in Germany so it was a real treat!

The strangest feeling ever...

 

 

Beautiful sunset in front of my sister's house

 

This tree next to their house is HUGE.  The kids had fun playing on it.