Christmas Activities 2013

We started off the Christmas season with the Heidelberg Christmas market on Thanksgiving day.  It was pretty magical.  We think most Christmas markets are similar, but this was a great way to start off the season!  We did try Kinder punch (Warm grape juice) which is the alternative to hot wine.  We thought it was pretty nasty, but some people must love it...  

 Then St. Nicholas day came.  The kids leave their shoes out and St. Nicholas fills them with sweets if they were good and branches for swatting if they weren't.  I guess he also gives a combo in they were nice/naughty.  My kids think the branches are hilarious and swat each other's bums with them.

 We also baked, baked, and baked some more.  Austin was very meticulous about his cookies.
Funny boy.  He would take a good 5 minutes just putting the icing on.

 Tyler just squeezed icing out for about 30 seconds and then decided that he was done.

We did our annual Christmas crackers, played Christmas bingo, and watched a nativity video of our primary kids.  Tyler ended up having a complete melt down and falling asleep in my arms.  Poor guy, it was a really long day.  

Christmas morning was much happier!  I love watching the pure excitement in the kids' faces coming down the stairs.  I love Christmas!  

 Zach eventually woke up to join the festivities.  He was most excited about his new pack of diapers from Santa.  How did Santa know?!  

The aftermath.  We were all sleeping like babies by the end of the day.  

Merry Christmas 2013

We had really high hopes for our Christmas card this year.  We have a new baby to show off and a new country! Let's just say there were high hopes for the "perfect family photo."  About 10 minutes into our photo secession, Austin found a section of perfectly flat, bright green, artificial turf.  Naturally, he decided to run onto the grass... only to find that it was not.  Imagine his surprise as the carpet of pond scum parted as he fell face first into the water.  This photo was candidly taken right after pulling him out.  It describes our life with 3 children perfectly!

Merry Christmas from the Barons!

Touring Germany

One of our favorite places to visit is this Castle in Kusel.  It is free to visit and the kids can run around.  It's great! If you come to visit us here in Germany this will be on the itinerary!   

We also feel very blessed to have made fast friends here.  Here are our boys with their friends Sawyer, and Violet. 

Moms need friends too.  This lady has been a heaven sent to me.  She is one of my most patient, kind, and thoughtful friends and I am lucky to know her!

Austin turns 5

 Our crazy boy turned 5!  He has had quite a few firsts over the past year.  First time in school, first time in a new country, first time having to make all new friends etc.  Our outgoing boy has done really well with everything life has thrown at him the past year.  I'm really proud of the boy he is becoming.

 He and Tyler had a combined pirate party!  When the kids came in they dressed up like pirates and played pirate games.  In the picture below they are having ship wars.  Each ship fires cannon balls (marshmallows) at one another.  They also did a scavenger hunt and pinata and had a wonderful time.

Tyler turns 3

This sweet boy turned 3!  He is such a joy to our family even when he is streaking around our home protesting pants.  He is such a loving boy and keeps us laughing most of the day.  While Austin is at preschool Tyler usually helps me with Zach and helps me at the grocery store.  He finally decided to be potty trained this past year and has gotten good at jumping on the trampoline and riding his tricycle.  We can't imagine life without this funny, compassionate, goof.  

Halloween

We are learning things as we go here in Germany.  For example- most holidays are a little more quaint and less commercialized.  We were the only kids trick or treating on our street and with the only carved pumpkin.  Actually, just the only pumpkin.  Our sweet German neighbors decorated their door so it would be special for the boys.  We really love them!

Austin really wanted to be a ghost, but when I couldn't figure out a way to do that he was a lego instead.  He was happy to be a lego until he fell on the front of his costume and one of the cups deformed.  

Tyler was really happy being an airplane.

Zach was a Manchester united player.  He cried because he didn't get any candy this year.

Zachary is Blessed!

We feel very blessed to have had family in town for Zachary's blessing.  We were able to have friends from our short time in Wiesbaden join us for the blessing.  The Mouritsens, and the Blakemans, and then the Larsons joined Andrew and Peter in the circle.    

After sitting in church for an hour the boys were DONE.  This is what it looked like trying to get a family picture.  Instead, we decided to go for one with the adults.

This was our second attempt... 

We love Zach and he is such a wonderful addition to our family!