New Years Eve in Germany

the fireworks we bought to celebrate the New Year! This can be purchased at just about any store and on New Year's Eve it is actually legal to set these off in the streets. The boys are thrilled that they get to participate in this pyrotechnic activity.
Stacie, Robert and Corena the dog.

Chris, Stacie's husband and Jared.
Jim, his daughter Jill and Caleb
playing a British dice game called Shock
James and Brian chatting and trying to get their poppers to work.
James, Brian and Grant.

Shaggy, Chris & Stacie's British friend and everyone trying out their poppers.

After all the food, visiting and games we headed outside for fireworks.


The smoke aftermath of all the fireworks being let off.
Caleb with his 3 foot long sparkler.




It is crazy here the amount of fireworks that are allowed to be set off in the street outside of everyone's homes. Seems so dangerous but no one was hurt. We did however, see the burning embers raining down around us as well as hear the sticks from the rockets falling around us. James actually nearly caught a large piece of burning debris from one of the fireworks that we set off. We were outside for well over an hour setting off fireworks. All over the neighborhood others were doing the same thing. And right at the new year the Germans walk around wishing everyone a "Frohes neue jahr". One couple actually even stopped and talked to us for a few moments. It was quite enjoyable. After all the festivities we chatted for a little longer and made it home around 2 am.

I tried taking videos of all the fireworks being set off but apparently I didn't actually push the "record" button. Bummer! Really I wanted to show you all exactly how many fireworks are going off and where. It is everywhere and most of the fireworks are almost as large as you would see in a city firework display. Only it is going on all over the place. You can see fireworks going off up and down the street, on the streets around the neighborhood. Lots of people are setting up their displays on the street in front of their house. Of course, in some cases, there are lots being set off and in others they are just coming outside to set up a few fireworks. Maybe next year I will be able to get either better photos or a video to share with you.

FROHES NEUE JAHR, EVERYONE!!!

Christmas 2010

Tesla's first Christmas with us. She loved sitting under the tree and attacking the tree skirt. Unfortunately, since we were babysitting my friend's 2 dogs we didn't get to see how she would react to the boxes and wrapping paper. Oh well, there is always next year.
Caleb asked for another Neocube for Christmas.
Jared wanted a keyboard and lessons.
Caleb also asked for a WII game - Kirby's epic yarn.

Jared modeling a new sweater.

This year it was hard for James and I to get into the Christmas spirit. So many things happening starting with the big move from Italy to Germany. Not to mention the fact that we both feel really blessed to have what we have. We have so much, everything we need and most everything that we want. There really wasn't anything more we wanted to get as a Christmas present. Since there wasn't anything we really wanted or needed it was hard to purchase things for each other. We did get a couple of things the boys asked for but again they pretty much have everything they want. What a blessing to have so much and need so little.

I did enjoy making gifts for family members and thinking about what they could use. And I will continue to do that. Next Christmas though, James and I aer thinking of doing something for another family or for a charity instead of gifts to each other. I think that will make a nice Christmas tradition - bless someone else as we have been blessed.

Have a Happy New Year! May 2011 bring you the peace and blessings you desire. And may the next year be the best one yet!

Winter Wonderland

This is the beautiful sight that we woke up to this morning. The kids were thrilled because they actually had a 2 hour school delay today. James had a 2 hour work delay as well. It was nice to try and sleep in. I say try because James and I were unable to get back to sleep until right before the alarm went off.










Tesla is still trying to figure out this snow thing...

My gift wrap helper

Tesla does a good job of holding the paper down so it doesn't roll up on me...lol

Tesla's first snow

and the birds that are taunting her...

Finally

I added some photos of the house with furniture in it. Haven't finished photographing everything completely but I will be doing that soon.

Thanksgiving 2010

PW's Pie that you will die for aka Pecan Pie or in my case Pecan Pie soup since it did not firm up.
Diana sitting at the table.
Jeremy and Rebecca waiting on our meal.
The crazy boys sitting at the pub table.
Most of the delicious dishes we had for Thanksgiving - turkey was being carved in the kitchen during the photo shoot.

The dishes were Green Chili Corn Casserole, Green Bean Casserole, Honey Ham, Smoked Turkey, Mashed Potatoes, Sausage, apple & Pecan cornbread dressing, homemade cranberry sauce and Broccoli Salad. We had the aforementioned pecan pie soup along with pumpkin pie, Cranberry Noel shortbread cookies, and Pumpkin Roll for dessert.

We had a great time with our friends. The meal was great, the fellowship was even better. Looking forward to next year :>)