Its the Holiday Season....the holiday season

Can you hear the song??  I just love the holidays here and one of the BIGGEST reasons that we are staying through Christmas.  With the movers scheduled for 10 January, we are still going all out for Christmas.  Here is our German tree.  Being well trimmed by my hubby and our sword fighter Nick.  The last year of transformers and light strands that don't always work!!  Plus, I would love to find my angel tree topper in the texas attic.

love this outfit and again I think, dress for the job you want - not the one you have....  So i guess Drew will need to live in NJ to aspire to be a gas pumper!

The one picture we manage to snap at Chris's MC Dean party.  We had a great night out with NO Kids.  Eleanor conducted romper room activites at our house for the evening - thank you, thank you!

On Monday it was rainy and DREARY - yuck, where is the snow??  In an effort to put myself in the Christmas spirit I took the kids to see Santa.  We were not prepared at all with matching outfits or even nice outfits at that....  but being the mom of 3 boys - I constantly tell myself - dont let 'perfect' be the evil of 'good'.  So here are some 'good' photos with Santa =)!

If this look doesn't say 'seriously mom??', I dont know what does... 

Santa Photos - check!  Snow.... still waiting!

Day trippin'

The days of scooting away to another country are fleeting - so lets take advantage.  Here is France (Yup, my favorite)  Strasbourg....  The claim to have one of the top 10 Christmas markets in Europe.  Lets see.

BEAUTIFUL clear day (we've been experiencing TONS of rain lately - no snow!)

Drew decided it was his favorite day as this was how he got to spend it - closest to his current favorite person - mama!

Loved this advent calendar in the window, it had all the children's story scenes - Jack and the Bean stalk, Snow white and the 7 dwarfs, princess and the pea.  Love it.  Maybe some day will have the talent to recreate....  maybe...

The market was sprawling - each street had a different decoration - this on angles and lights

The biggest Christmas Tree I have seen - I am hoping its real!  meaning I hope they didn't cut it down and that it really just stays there all year.

Check out Nick's smile - to smile any bigger would hurt as Friday on his way to Kindi and fell face first off his scooter.  It was a mess.  I left Shane and Drew in the stroller while rushing in with Nick to wipe the blood and put ise on it for a second.  Wipes the tears and off we went back to Kindi - one tough kids right??  Maybe just a tough and determinded mamma

loved the base of the tree with the houses and decoration

see, it really is tall!

here is another beautifully decorated street with the striking church in the backdrop.

this was my favorite - a street full of Chandeliers.

We popped into a swiss chalet for a little yummy cheese fondue - Drew liked it

Time to head back - a great day and we finally figured out the Christmas markets - Shane was in the backpack, Drew-bjiorn and Nick walking, no strollers and thankful for Strong backs.

random Alien at the base of our parking garage

We made it back for bathtime!  Can you smell these petunias??

Drew went solo first, not sure if i am ready for three dudes in the bathtub.

A little fluffy hair to end the night and everyone was snuggled into bed.  Great day boys!

christmas boys

The other night we were trying to get some good photos of the boys - it sure takes a lot to get a smile from Shane....

But we left the camera in nick's room.  The next morning these are a few things I found on the camera. 

Santa 

Even nick has problems with the flash! 

Ah, the culprit! 

Just trying to get a sweet photo of my morning snuggle bug! 

A german tradition - both boys brought lobster socks into Kindi as St. Niklaus visited both kindergardens on December 6th.  Great treats of walnuts, oranges and of course, chocolate.  We also put a few shoes outside that night that were majically filled by St. Nick too - he is one busy man this season!

did we give them the bug?

 On Thursday Chris and I enjoyed an evening at the Stuttgart Weinachts markt.  It was a BEAUTIFUL night.  Finally not raining (yes, everyday I pray for this rain to turn to snow). 

It was wonderful strolling the well decorated streets, looking at the booths, enjoying gluvine from our breakable mug and soaking in every bit of the ambiance.  I love Christmas time in Europe and we are so fortunate to be able to enjoy one more before we pack out bags.

We cannot help but think that we will be back here one day.  it would be wonderful for our kids to truly experience it.  But as we enjoy our last Christmas Season we do hope that we have passed along the traveling bug to our children.  Chris attended German kindergarden as a 3 year old when his family lived here.  My folks took their first tour in the military together in Oderzzo Italy - so i attribute our folks passing along the traveling bug to us.  We lived here 10 years ago through our first military assignment.  Here's hoping in several years Chris and i get the pleasure of visiting Nick, Shane or Drew as they take a semester abroad, or live in a foriegn country.  Its never easy - but every experience is truly memorable and something unmatched.

Touring Christmas markets

Thursday began our Tour of Christmas markets!  Kelley Barrack was our first stop to a well atteneded winter wonderland.  Eleanor and I were knocking down their doors at 4PM, at 6PM everything was PACKED.  Our boys waited in a line 20 kids deep for this slide

 Right after Shane finished, he ran back into line (cutting infront of the other 20 kids) and rode again!  Good thing he is cute - cause boy, i'd be pissed!

After a substantial amount of time in the bounce house we headed to see the tree lighting and santa - we caught Santa just in time - check out this blur....

Next the train ride (which nick had to correct me saying it was not a true train) but fun just the same. 

Choo Choo 

Kuddos to the MWR for putting on a great show

Next up, after running around with 5 boys! (we babysat for Eleanor and Bens 2 sweet boys so they could have a night together on Friday)  Saturday morning we took the whole crew to the CDC for what they call Parents day out.  We went from 5 kids to 1, just like that.  We hit the Tubingen Chocolate fest for a few hours.  Clearly we were the only ones there

Happy Hot Chocolate (with Chili in it, yum!)  This photo os for Diane and her LOVE for Hot Chocolate.  We were channeling your smiles

Santa Santa Santa 

Is that a Banana? 

Next to what Chris states as his favorite Christmas market - In neuhausen Germany - just a quick walk for us.  The Roccellette was the best.  Only a few booths and mostly food.  They had carollers and everything. 

 I stood there with nick while Chris was getting food and got a bit teary eyed as we soaked in the beautifully decorated square, festive songs and familys that we have enjoyed over the years. I cannot believe this was home for 3 years

Even Drew enjoyed it.  Having 2 blue eyes boys makes me hope this one stays brown.  Only time will tell. 

Next up - a tourist destination - the medival christmas market in esslingen.  Over the years we have learned this place gets PACKED.  So we were there by 11am - and enjoyed it for 30 minutes before EVERYONE else arrived.

Hands down the best meat pocket ever - and NO LINE

The medival ferris wheel, and now Shane can ride (sorry Drew, we will save the pictures for you) 

Nick the Dragon Slayer 

It was a great weekend, the only thing missing is SNOW.  Its kind of rainy cause its too warm.  17 degrees lower and there woudl be white stuff.  So that is what we are asking santa for right now! 

SNOW SNOW SNOW

As I wrap up this blog, I am headed out to help Chris hang 1 STRING of outdoor Christmas lights.  They are 110v, so don't think its an easy feat.  Plus I want them in order (standing dress right dress), alternating color etc..   They are also the old school type, so I'm quite certain one strand will suck up plenty of energy and make the germans gasp.  Only one more Christmas here for the Americans!  I know they will miss us



Who Wins the hat contest?

In my mom's new found retirement, when she isn't visiting her grandkids, she is surely thinking of them.  Its been fun for me to watch her talent improve through my kids.  By the time Drew rolled around, her knitting talents were rather refined.  While she was here she finished a beautiful sweater for him.  The bottoms where aligned and everything.  She went home to complete the hat and we received it in the mail just the other day.  It was fun sending off photos on which kid it fits the best, now you decide!

Drew at 2 Months

Yes, its bittersweet, but I am cleaning out baby clothes, I cannot believe some of them have endured 3 boys Its a tribute to the fact they really don't wear them that often (or aren't that dirty yet...)  So 2 huge bags later I'm feeling pretty nostalgic.

Another point, Drew is sleeping from about 10:30-6:30.  Honestly, what a HUGE stretch and again, getting bigger and just doesn't need me..

Last night he talked to these bears for 20 minutes before I had to turn the light off (although I loved the conversation)  each time he would move, it would rock our sweet cradle and move the bears - perfect!)  well this morning when I turned on the light he looked up and I swear he said 'oh, you are still here!'

Yes, Sometimes I fall asleep while feeding this sweetie - the best part of all that is waking up next to this.  Just seeing this photo gives me a warm feeling inside.  He is truly the best cuddler ever.

ready for our morning walk to kindergarden? 

Love you drew - hope you keep those brown eyes!  For me and Amy =)