So much to do around here!

And it mainly involves playing in the snow, and eating. Or making things we can eat. Like cookies!

Or candy cane reindeer - so cute and so easy!

Thanks to the street lamps and our porch light we (okay, THEY) can play in the snow even after dark.



And yes, I totally took this picture from the safety of my nice warm living room, coffee cup in hand. :-)

Red cheeks, anyone?

And another project: the gingerbread house!

At least I could take a couple picture of it before it was devoured - it was a close call though.

In which Jana spends the night and we get a tree

We had a really nice weekend, even though we are battling colds and both Finn and Lily were stricken with mysterious vomiting episodes on Friday night. Jana came over on Friday, and thankfully everyone woke up feeling okay on Saturday morning.

Breakfast!

Three peas in a pod

Story time

After breakfast we ran some errands in town, went shopping (with three kids IN the cart where do you put the groceries? :), and then out for "pizza e pasta" at our favourite Italian restaurant.

Buon appetito!

We also bought a Christmas tree - and it was still on the roof of the car when we got home!

(Neil comments: "OF COURSE it was. I tied it on!")

Contrary to German tradition we decided to put it up already. We are leaving on the 26th, so the tree has to go on the 25th. This way we'll get to enjoy it for two weeks.

Neil and Lily did a good job putting the lights on the tree.

After a fun-filled day Lily fell asleep on the couch at 5:30, and was in bed for the night at 6pm.



On Sunday morning we found one of the electric candles broken because a furry someone had gotten tangled in the cord and pulled the lights down. We are on our last replacement, so from now on the cats will get locked out of the living room at night. And I will go find more replacements. Finn and Lily did a great job putting the ornaments on the tree, and ...

... the train tracks around it.

Done!

Who, ME!? You can't prove anything, lady...

What we are dancing to these days

The one song Lily wants to listen (and dance to) all the time right now is this chillin' version of "Jingle Bells". Last night she got Finn to join her for a little performance.





This weekend we are going to get our tree. Not sure yet if we will go cut one ourselves or buy a pre-cut one. We are all battling colds again, and got a lot more snow last night, so we'll see!

Making memories

snow forts and snowball fights

.
going down the sledding hill (and not surviving the little ski jump)

.
rosy cheeks and wet snowsuits

.
hot punch and cookies

.
Advent calendars - oh the excitement every morning!

.
Advent Sunday celebrations
.

eating nutella crêpes by the fire

.

Playmobil nativity scene (who says they didn't have elk in Bethlehem?)
.

candles and Christmas lights
.

cleaning boots for St. Nick to fill
.

Jesus in our hearts and on our minds

.

Truly a magical season!

Jesus called a little child, whom he placed among them. And he said: 'Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:2-3)

Snow days

First a little

then some more

and then A LOT more!

"Oh no, Mama! Dragon bites!"

Our mode of transportation to preschool these days. Lily loves it!

It's a winter wonder land out there, and we love it!

Driving is a different matter, but so far so good.