Sunday afternoon in Niedern

The last days have included snow flurries, and Derek and Devon were glad to finish up harvesting the sugar beets yesterday. Their boss, Kay, was thankful, too, since frost is imminent. Today we enjoyed having a birthday "boy", Benjamin, for dinner and the afternoon. The fellowship time included a game of "Zug um Zug/Europe", a train game which seemed very appropriate in the midst of all of the striking going on in Germany's train system. Due to some dietary restrictions, the peach halves served as perfect candle holders on this occasion. Donia and Danielle enjoying a few moments together.

Greenville Glimpse: A Special Gesture

After a special breakfast with roomies and Laura, the girls ordered a large chocolate chip cookie to celebrate the end of the play performances. One of Erik's fellow workers helped, and told Erik he needed to get something out of the Green Room. He was much surprised to find the ladies there with their special "We love you, Erik"-cookie.

Shopping at the Mall in Town

Friday afternoon, (it was only 4:45 p.m., but already very dark), we went to the mall to check on a drier. (Donia always has the camera close-by and loves to catch special moments. :)) The mall was already decorated for the Christmas Season. Donia and Amber enjoyed taking Danielle around while we looked for the best deal. In the end we all met up again, and the kids enjoyed a ride out to the bus.

Glimpses from Greenville: Artist Series

This past week Much Ado About Nothing was performed for the Thanksgiving Artist Series. Laura (Erik's girlfriend), Dalene and Danae sat together, and afterwards went to the Green Room for an upclose look at Erik. He works on stage crew and for these performances was dressed in a period costume for the stage work he needed to do. :) Erik gave our girls roses and a boquet to Laura.

Thursday Activities: Inside and Out

The boys set up a large track today with the help of Duplo pillars. Donia and Doreen took Ria and Rookie out for an afternoon walk. Tonight it is supposed to go down to -2°C.

Reading with Daddy

Most every day Donovan takes his turn with Daddy. He is learning to read in German first, as most of the kids have. Danika is the exception to that, because Amber has been teaching her the first grade phonics course. But for the last two weeks she has been reading in German with Daddy, too. :) Anyway, the page Donovan is reading here is in the German reader. Danielle loves to be near books, and, as you see, happily climbs up to get in on a story whenever she gets a chance.

Adventures with Miss Amber

Yesterday was Donovan's turn, and he was very glad that his chicken pox are healing now and he could go visit Miss Amber. They enjoyed a wonderful afternoon including baking, games, and some of the long roll of gum which Miss Amber gave him. He happily shared some of it at church with the kids later in the evening.

Around Here

It is getting cold. Southern Germany has been getting lots of snow, and we have the temperatures but are in the wrong geographical position, much to the kids disappointment. Last year we hardly had enough to make a snow man, but this winter may be different. The picture of Danika was taken during her German reading time with her Daddy. She is sitting at a pullout shelf that belongs to Brad's desk. The other picture was taken by Doreen while Danika and Dustin were visiting the big girls' room upstairs. I don't have a picture for this last story, but I had a Bible tape with the book of John running in my kitchen while I was fixing dinner today. Donovan came in to help and was peeling eggs for me, when he heard the passage (John 6) in which Jesus says, "He that believeth on me shall never thirst." Puzzled, he said, "I believe on Him, why do I get thirsty?" What a sweet opening that was to explain the Lord's teaching there.

A Glimpse of the Guests

After three rather difficult days, especially for our little patients, today was a turning point again. No fever for starters, and all-round they were feeling better. We are so thankful. We joined Matthias for the party and found out Evan now has chicken pox making its appearance.

Two Matthia Birthdays in One Week

This past Monday Eldon turned 17, and Lynette turned 10 today! We enjoyed a nice party for them this evening. Evan, almost 2, was the official "Candle-blower-outer"!

Picture Perfect Turkeys

What a nice parade of turkeys now decorate our kitchen window sills.

Art projetct: Thanksgiving

On Friday afternoon Miss Amber brought a super art project...turkeys for the kids to paint and put together. What a fun and colorful project!