Winter Camp

Tomorrow morning at 6 a.m. we are due to take off from the Matthias' house, heading south to Tübingen (about 7 hours south-west of here) and then later in the afternoon heading on south to Switzerland, another 3 hours south of there. For the first time in about 10 years the whole family is going to camp. We are excited and thankful. The current snow conditions are good, and the older kids hope to ski (5) and snow board(2), and the little ones and I will enjoy the sleds and tubes we have along. Lord willing, we will return on the evening of January 2nd, doing the whole trip in reverse. (The pictures were taken during last year's camp by my Daddy.) Happy New Year and the Lord's richest blessing to each of you. Love, Krischa for all of us

Christmas Day Dinner

Dalene picked up T. Höppi for dinner and the afternoon today. We enjoyed a good meal together, good fellowship, and later a nice German coffee and cake time, which included (very American) cinnamon rolls. Since we opened up gifts in German tradition (on Christmas Eve), I postponed my cinnamon roll plans until today and squeezed in a few extra minutes of sleep during the night. :)

Cheesy Variations on a Canon in D

Supper was a fun mixture of food and music. The kids have enjoyed Taco Bell's Canon in D which Dalene sent us this fall, and they came up with their own little impromptu version about Fondue instead. :)

Pictures.......

For several years we have taken pictures after the Christmas Eve service, since most people are home alone later in the evening without someone there to snap a picture of the whole group. Not everyone had one taken, and some didn't turn out very clearly. (I wonder if the lighting made a difference.) They still make a nice memory, though.

Christmas Eve Service

At 4 p.m. we had a Christmas Eve Service. Among several special numbers was the song "Gloria" sung by the two youngest Sunday School classes. For most of the 1 and 2 year olds it was their first time to get up in front and sing. We enjoyed their sweet contribution which Danae "caught" on her camera.

Snow-less Winter Wonderland

This past week-end we enjoyed several days of deep frost. It was beautiful! Doreen was sweet and posed for me. :)

Girls-(Only)-Party

Soon after Dalene and Danae got home they gave all of their sisters and girl cousins (from Danika on up) an invitation to a "Girls-(Only)-Party". (Doreen and Lynette went for a walk and carved the plan of the evening into the deep frost we are having.) Tonight was the big night. They started out with facial masks. :) By the sounds of it they had a great time together. No doubt they have many other fun pictures, but these are the ones I got early on. Only recently things have quieted down for sleep. (I hope!!! Ha!) The big boys were invited down to Matthias for the night.

The Rest of the Evening

Here you see the rest of the gang. Dustin and Edwin prepared a special birthday card which they presented to me. Eldon, who read us a cute and clever "denglisch" poem that was perfect for German/English speakers. Lynette played us a piano special. (Unfortunately I don't have a picture of her). It is fun to see the progress the kids are making though. Bradley and Danielle sat next to me during the gift opening time.

Annual Christmas Fun Song and Carol Sing

For the last several years we have enjoyed meeting as Americans and singing fun songs and carols of the Christmas Season with power points made mostly by Kevin and Co.. Sometimes we have combined the party with my birthday celebration, as we did again today. It was a great time together, and I am very thankful for my family and our friends that were here with us. Everyone contributed to make it a very special day!

Fellowship after the Christmas Program

I have no pictures of the Christmas program this year, but various groups contributed, including the Sunday School kids aged 4-8. They said a poem and sang a song. Another lady, Isolde, played a special on her Mandolin. She let Devon try it afterwards. All the ladies brought cookies, goodies, and fruit to share at the end, and everyone stayed for a good time of fellowship. (In the pictures from top to bottom: Tante Höppi, Svetlana and Natasha, Hans and Paul, Devon playing Mandolin, and Donovan ---completely tuckered out. :))

Youth Choir Practice

The last week before our church Christmas program the young people practiced a special. Dalene's friend, Annette, who is in her last year of pediatric nursing came Saturday evening, and the girls enjoyed several days together.

Miss Amber Turns..........(See cake for detailed info!)!

Just in time, one day before she left for Christmas vacation, we were able to celebrate Amber's birthday with her. Here she is with her cake, presents and various birthday guests. Lord willing she should be arriving at her State-side home very soon now.

The Girls arrive home: Our long awaited day!

Having the girls home has been everything we looked forward to: Marvelous! Due to the whooping cough problems at BJ, (and their Uncle's help with changing the ticket), the girls were able to fly home with their cousin Erik, landing on Sunday morning! What a wonderful sight it was to see them coming through customs. We got back to church 20 minutes before the church service started! :) Danae caught a 15 minute nap on Danika's lap, who was loving having her sister next to her! Continental flies little planes over the Atlantic (3 seats on each side), and they had quite a bit of turbulence, so the girls never did go to sleep on their flight over. Dalene and Danae spoiled us with a huge chocolate chip cookie which we enjoyed over the next three days!!! It was so yummy!

After Lunch

On many days after our lunch Bradley will fix himself a coffee over by the kitchen door. Danielle has come to him now repeatedly and asked to look out ("Up, please!"). Danika got dressed up to go shopping. The last picture shows Danielle peeking through the steps. She has been climbing the steps for many months. Last week she toppled down the whole flight of stairs with only bruising to show for it. We are so thankful for the Lord's protection. No one was right there when it happened, but everyone came running as they heard her "flip-flopping" down the steps :(