So we drive to my sister's house, then Jason takes the wheel and gets us to the airport. Check us in and lets get there!
loaded up all together! Ready for some movies and nap time.
Solo guy over here
WE LANDED! MUCHIN here we are! Taking it all in and headed to grab our rental car
love that there was a little Christmas Market right outside the airport. It wasn't quite open yet - but the ambiance was there.
Super thankful they were able to get our car to us one day early. We scored a big German SUV - So big right? Love this shot of these 3 catching some winks as Chris and I head to Stuttgart.
We drove straight to Decathlon and purchased each other Christmas gifts. Loved seeing the boys stroll the soccer aisle. Checked into our VRBO - the basement level of a German house - I loved that. Felt like we were part of their home when we had our own space. It was in Filderstadt and we could walk to the grocery stores and train stops. So here we are taking the train to the final night of the Stuttgart Christmas Market!
Love how some things really do stay the same. I remembered so many of the stands!
My sister gifted the kiddos Euro for Christmas which was a WIN since we used it all through the market
Loved capturing the beauty in the little stations.
The crew had so much to eat, sampling brats, Flammcuhken, crepes, potato pancakes, schwein steak sandwhich, chocolate covered fruit.
Cotton candy and gluvien for the finale!
Here are the boys taking a spin on the hamster wheel in the downtown.
It was truly beautiful taking them to the German market that we loved so much 10 years ago. Wonderful seeing it through their eyes.
My kids are troopers - as next up was a beautiful visit to Clause and Claudia in Neckertenzlingen. That is the town Farrah lived in. Claudia taught a cooking class to Americans and has kept in touch with us. So kind of her to welcome us in and have pizza for us. They were in the middle of kitchen renovation (which means no kitchen at all). Klaus loved bringing out his favorite beer and chatting up with the boys.
Such a treat to catch up with Claudia too
Love how simply they decorate for Chrismas.
Exhausted we made it back home by 10 that night. We went right to bed and didn't wake up until 10AM Christmas eve day. The house was so well insulated we didn't hear a thing - it was WONDERFUL and needed. I walked out to find groceries and breakfast. Love strolling the little town. Nick soon found me.
Stocked up on supplies and headed for Christmas eve dinner near by
Love capturing the beautiful ambiance
and decorations
After dinner we head to NEUHASEN!! The town we lived in for 3 years!! They had a live nativity scene and our German Friends from 10 years ago were able to meet us there.
Both Sabine and Silvia - our boys were in Kindi together. Both Finn and Niklaus started the year before Nick. They both took Nick under their wings and helped him out. We were so blessed for their friendship!
There are the boys - Niklaus, Nick, and Finn. It was adorably akward to see them chatting. I mean it had been 10 years! Niklaus had been to Georgia and had pretty good English. They all tried speaking with Nick and asking 'teenage' questions. They even offered him a beer. He wasn't expecting it an opted out as he is waiting to have his first beer with his buddies in a few days.
love this crew looking nice for church
Now for the whole crew - love our time enjoying gluwein and chatting. Silvia was headed to the Dolomites for New years too - so it was fun talking about skiing and such. I hope they look us up one day in the USA
Now for some German church! I remember and treasure walking by this everyday!
The service was of course all in German - SO THANKFUL we arrived a day earlier - as there would be NO WAY we would stay awake for the service
candelinght and all
only thing that would make this better is snow flakes - but it was rather warm for this time of year.
Nothing says christmas eve like a great turkish doner stand! They even had a soccer game on in the background. It was delicious!
They were all tucked in waiting for santa - anyone see the ski bum hats?
CHRISTMAS MORNING!
They had some fun things to open yet the true blessing is being in Germany for Christmas! A dream come true for us!
Ski bum hat, glowing toothbrush, happy heart.
