Christmas Day

We had a wonderful Christmas, but missed too many of our family members! We had Stella, Erik and Anneliese. Bec and I worked the 23rd and 25th--mine were 24 hr shifts and were notable for lots of babies. My better part worked the night shifts. We converted to European Christmas tradition and did the Church program at 1800 followed by Dinner, then presents. We stuck one bit of Americanism in there by allowing old Santa Claus to come a bring a residual present during the night for the children. We did not allow anyone out of bed before 0900! I had to go to work at 1100. We enjoyed our "new room" immensely.

Christmas Market

After Stella arrived, we went to a couple of Christmas markets on the Weinstrasse in Neustadt and in Diedesheim. Neustadt was cool and Diedesheim was fabulous--one of a kind. It had all sorts of arts and crafts and made us think totally of Katie. We decided we must go there every year and hope to take Katie there next Christmas. So, may great ideas for an Ar-tist'. The town is a very old and very small town and the market was huge through windy cobblestone streets. It even had a ferris wheel. Only problem was that is was about 16 degrees Fahrenheit. I froze to death!! We ate a lot of food and had a great time. For the future, I hope for warmer temps and lots of Euro to buy lots of food!!

Christmas Concert

Back on the 14th of December, we went to a free Christmas Concert in our little church here in Gimsbach. The church is from the year 1747, so a few years older than our barn. It has a very cool little organ in it, pipe organ of course. The concert was in 2 parts, first being a German choir with organ accompaniment. It was tre' cool. The second was an acappella choir from a University in Poland. They were spectacular. I am going to try and add a bit of the closing combination song, Silent Night.

Jack and Heidi

Here are Jack and Heidi and Anneliese Dec 07. Jack just got a trim and is quite cute and good smelling after his shampoo and trim. Heidi, the old lady, is doing well walking with the walking cane for the blind. She enjoys her food well and is currently doing well finding the liter box again--so we are proud/ happy!

Scheune at Christmas

Here is our 8 foot pre-lite old man Christmas tree. I love just plugging the thing together and having the lights on it already!! We actually wanted it taller out in the Scheune, so stood it on a wooden box we had discovered down in the basement.