Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Don't ask us twice - we just might go!

On Christmas evening, Chris and I started to look where we wanted to go skiing the next day.  Barbara than said, why don't you guys get a hotel and spend the night.......  SOUNDS awesome!  Chris found a hotel in Kitzbuhl Austria.  We weren't sure if we had been there before (10 years ago) but its a huge ski resort and the hotel was on the slopes.  Lets pack our bags!

We hit a bit of traffic heading down, but managed to get there in the evening on the 26th.  We checked into our hotel and hit the town for dinner.


We turned the corner at one point and we look at eachother saying - oh yeah, we have been here before....  its  The Londoner!!  So funny how all the memories come back at that point =)

This is Chris and I at the Londoner - the age of the crowd went from 18 - 25.  We were the oldest by 10 years!!  (excpet the hip mom that brought her 3 kids to the bar)  We had one drink and I dragged Chris kicking ans screaming out of there 

The next morning we slept in - heck, when the slopes are 5 seconds from your hotel and you won't have kids, you can do that.  Check out this view!  Beautiful to wake up too 

The skiing was beautiful.  The sky was blue all day. 


it got a bit cold at the end of the day and we got hood winked by the Austrian's unwillingness to take our credit card for lunch.  With no cash, we had to try some other options - no eating yellow snow was not an option!!  We found a buffet that wasn't scared of a little Mastercard....  The drive home was simple.  The kids were just about in bed and enjoyed every second with their Grandparents.  What a perfect trip.


Sadly, the next morning, Wyland and Barbara packed their bags to head back to DC.  Nick actually started crying as they said good bye - it was bitter sweet to see he had learned this emotion.  We will all miss them and wish them safe travels.  So we can all do it again sometime.

Thank you Barbara and Wyland, we love you!

The Essance of Christmas morning

I hope to always remember Nick coming into our room at 6:30 Christmas morning.  he patiently laid down next to me.  He proceeded to toss and turn for 30 minutes.  At that point, he looked at me and said, can we go downstairs??  of course!! 

We ran downstairs to find Pauli sleeping in the hallway.  I guess Santa had closed her out of the family room in case she found one of the presents to be particularly yummy. 

Nick opened the door to the family room.  he face just beamed as he ran to the Christmas tree shouting - wow, look at all the presents!!  Santa came!!

Nick going through his stocking

Wow, that present is as big as you!
Oranges in our stocking?  yum, says Shane =)

After the stockings we took a quick break for breakfast.  Than Wyland decided to head outside.  Another one of his many talents - shoveling!

Onto more presents.....





Reading the instructions can take up quite a bit of the morning



After an amazing Christmas Turkey, with horseradish mashed potatoes, brussel sprouts and acorn squash we needed a walk outside.  It was the perfect white blanket of snow meant to be enjoyed on Christmas.  Nick was being pulled on a sleigh (a true German wooden one - one that you think its meant for decoration - not here!) and Shane was a back pack.  We came home to the house smelling like pumpkin pie.   The perfect completion to a beautiful day.

Christmas eve at the McCulloughs with Santa Claus!

We had a magical Christmas Eve.  The McCulloughs hosted a beautiful evening at their home.  we all almost had to put snow tires on to get there as Germany was blessed with a BEAUTIFUL white Christmas - over 8"!

Here's our hostess
And our host!

The children enjoyed a special ''twas the night before Christmas reading

Right about that time, we all heard sleighbells!!  Santa was here to visit!! 

This year the children will a little more willing to tell Santa everything they wanted! 


Even the Big kids =)  Santa doesn't discriminate!  Check out the beautiful photos and the wonderful smiles! 





Santa sure is one lucky man!
Cheers from Shane!





That night, we slowly drove home as snowflakes dressed the roads.  Both boys stayed awake, but they were VERY tired.  Nick remember to sprinkle his reindeer dust down - its the perfect amount to remind them to visit his home.  You can tell Nick was tired, because pauli made a big foot print in the dust causing a few tears...  time for bed!!

Friday, December 24, 2010

Helping out Santa

We helped out Santa with a little "naughty and nice" list





As I write this quick blog, it is Christmas Eve.  The snow started at 9:30 AM and is coming down beautifully.  We are about to load up the car with Christmas cheer and head to the McCulloughs for a Christmas eve dinner.  Being surrounded by the love of family and friends it what this Christmas is al about.  We are sending out hugs across the ocean to our family and friends on the other side - feel the love!

Hope you leave some cookies out for Santa tonight!

The Christmas Market feeling

I hope that Christmas will always be filled with beautiful Christmas markets or at the least a never fading memory of them.  The decorations, the food, the hands around a warm gluvine cup.  Walking around this year I really started to hope that this wouldn't be our last oppurtunity to enjoy a European christmas. They are just magical.  A beautiful time of year to visit =)

Nick was entranced by the shops well decorated windows



Nick was promised a ride on the Christmas train if he behaved during lunch - of course he was an Angel (hahaha!)  so here he is!





King of the Castle for your birthday!!

December 18th!!  Grandpa's Birthday.  How lucky we are to celebrate with him!!

Love the birthday hat =)
Shane celebrated by giving him a little taste of his 'pink eye' - Grandpa perserved

Wyland was KING OF THE CASTLE for his birthday!  We hiked up to Hohenneuffen Castle for a late lunch.

A winter wonderland

With truly beautfiul scenery


Someone has a cold nose

That night our babysitter popped over so we could enjoy an adult dinner at a local favorite restaraunt.  Wyland had a Schweinhaxen for dinner and with that joined our schweinhaxen wall of fame (Steve, Deakon, Bury and Lamara are all on that wall too! - great company)