Merry Christmas 2009

Mom got just what she wanted!

Aunt Anne got us our own Kinder egg maker...soooo excited!

Tori and Seth sooo happy to get DSI!

Logan got a trip to Rome with a friend from Santa

The complete Valencia Soccer gear for Dan!

Tinkerbell dolls, Movie & clothes for Paige!

It was a great Christmas, literaly a day that flew by when we were having too much fun. When we thought it was about noon and we should think about lunch we found it was nearly 3pm. Then when it seemed 6 ish for dinner we found it was 8pm. We didnt get the kids to bed until 12:30. We got the most out of our day and had a great time lounging about and playing new games, and just hanging out! Between Iraq, moving and settling in; a good slow day or two was just what we needed! It was probably the best Christmas gift of all!

The Gingerbread House Party

Without much going on for the teens here Dan and I decided to do some activities at the house for them once a month and we started with a Gingerbread House making party for December. The girls invited some friends from school, some friends from work and some friends from church. Most of the kids from school and work were American, the ones from church were Spanish. They had no idea what a gingerbread house was and it took us a while to descrie to them what it was. Then how to make it. They thought it was funny that the icing was cement.

They had fun making them thoguh. We noticed how interesting it was when they were done and the kids went out side to run around on the field that the church kids (Spaniards) played soccer (futbol) and the American kids played basketball! Also we had a judging for the best house and it was a "cheer for your favorite" voting system. We did not account for the loudness of the Spaniards by nature. It ended up having nothing to do with the best house, but more the more popular Spanish kid. The poor Americans were blown away by sheer volume.

All in all it was fun and we are considering not mixing the groups next time. 30+ kids was a bit much and hauling half of them too and from the metro was a packed van! We did have fun and are taking sugestions for other activities!

Aunt Ann's Visit

Aunt Andrea came to visit and we had a lot of fun!

We went to the Lladro factory, She explored some of down town Valencia. She got to come and see some of our typical Spanish life. We went to Peniscola, out favorite resteraunts and stores.

On her way home we are stoping for a day trip into Madrid.

The kids loved having her around and doing typical Auntie stuff like helping with a party, going to the Christmas concerts,dying the girls hair and helping with homework. It was good to have her!

"We just went to a Freeking Christmas party"....

The Work Party ..."Breakfast with Santa"

Seth relaxing in his Pj's by the tree!

Paige made Dad a cookie

Spanish ward talent show....

Paige Cryin because the Micro-phone was squeeling so bad. (The performers just went on anyway)

Seth got chess from Popa Noel

Paige got colored pencils in a box from Popa Noel.

Seth, Paige and Popa Noel

is what my darling 7 year old said when I told her it was time to get ready for the ward Christmas party. True, she did attend the work Christmas party "Breakfast with Santa " earlier that morning, however thats no way to react to a party! If I had known how the evening would have gone my response would have been similar.

The Barrio uno Navidad Fiesta began at 6 pm we were running a little late but we werent too worried because we know how things run here in Spain. Aparently 3 months living here realy isnt a full knowleged of how things go because I never would have thought...!

We arived to see half the ward sitting out in the halls WAITING and the other half scurring around covering tables, and cutting bread etc. We were alowed into the hall at about 8 pm for the show to start. Thats right the talent show (NOT DINNER) about 1 more hour and we were served bread, cold soup, and something described to us only as letuga. However it tates like the sauce on a big mac made into a chilled soup and toppped with shrimp. Not too bad if you dipped your bread into it and pretended there was an all beef patty in there somwhere!

Dan had left before we were seated to get his sister from the train station. (She and a friend are here visiting for a few weeks) He missed all the fun. The Microphone squeeled so badly and the talent was SOOOO raw! My girls and the other American girls got the Spanish kids to do a line dance at the talent show and at about 10 pm Dan couldnt find a parking spot again so we left. Aparently dinner was served at 10:30 pm and the party wasnt over until 2am.

That was CRAZY!

48 hours in England

Logan, Tori and I flew out to England for a girls trip! We had a great time visiting with some friends from California (Christine & family) We saw London and a Show (Hair Spray) Our jet setting days are done! No more back to back trips. As much fun as it was I am just as excited for some down time and home for the holidays!

As Paige Says.....

"I LOVE THIS PLACE! "

zweiten Tag in Gemany

So we had a great second day. A little America and a great big Germany.

The kids saw an english movie (Old Dogs) while Dan and I finished up Christmas

shoppining. We ate real American Hamburgers for lunch and then ate everything in sight at the Christmas market. The Germans make all kinds of things out of this flat bread with sour cream and your choice of topping heated in a wood fire oven. We had two , one superflat and had apples and cinnamon sugar and another a little thicker and more rustic. On that one we had potatoes and bacon. YUMMY!

we had a brotwurst and we had the flat bread fried with cinnamon and sugar.

Lots of beautiful lights and neat things to look at rides and cold fun!

We didnt leave till it started raining and they shut down!

Live from Germany

So we landed to overcast,cold and drizzly weather. Perfect German winter!

Before we got out of the airport the kids got some "pom fritz" and saw santa or "St. Nicholas" who gave them all nice German pretzels.

We drove 1 hour to Heidelberg Army Base and had just enough time to check in to the hotel, and go for a game at the bowling alley. Its great to go to other countries and get a taste of the USA at the same time. So we bowled and had cheep nachos and onion rings! AAHhh! America!

We had plans to meet with our friends ( we were stationed in CA with them and now they are in Germany) Sandra & Tom and thier cute kids! We met up with them at a great German Buffet. It was so great to see them and also for the kids to be able to see a whole German Schmorgas borg and try so many differnt things. Saurebrotten,schnitzel,spaetzel,bratwurst.

I had Apfelpfonnkuchen. Oh my goodness! Apple pancakes with vanila sauce,sprinkled with cinnamon sugar.

We all had a great time and cant wait to do some more German/ American fun tomorrow!

Oh Christmas Tree(s)

So I have to wait until it is officialy December before I decorate, and play Christmas music (husbands rule). However, I have two trees! Mostly because ( Dan and I add all our kids ages) we have 44 years worth of childrens homemade ornaments, and kiddy decorations. Thier tree is a wonderful mish mash of memories and handprints that I wouldnt trade for anything, but I am glad to have my pristine tree of gold ornaments and perfect spacing.

At any rate, its Christmas at our house!