merry christmas!

Merry Christmas! Marius has had over a week off for Christmas and we're all really enjoying the time he is able to spend at home. Our Christmas was quiet - just the three of us at our home in Germany opening presents in our living room and enjoying each other. Iris gifted us with the best present of sleeping in until almost 9am! We saw how Santa ate the cookies she left for him and opened the stocking full of presents he left for her. Then I made blueberry pancakes for us and then put together the smoked salmon on toast for snacking on while opening presents. Marius so thoughtfully surprised me with a bottle of champagne and we spent all of the late morning and early afternoon slowly opening presents.

Poor little Iris was pretty overwhelmed by everything different going on and was thus feeling a bit grumpy, but she loved all of her presents. She received many gifts, thanks to everyone who thought of us! Some of her favorites were the clothing/accessories, a huge kitty blanket, a tea set, a box set of Looney Tunes cartoons, a set of three stuffed puppies, a wooden toy with small screws for manipulating, a musical book, a huge wooden dollhouse and more! She has really been enjoying her new toys, accessories and books! 

Marius bought me a new laptop, a kettle, bloody mary mix, a wooden recipe box and some over-the-knee socks! My parents and sister got me lots of clothing related items as well as some adorable salt and pepper bowls, two bottles of delicious Marmite, and numerous other little things that I love! Marius' family got us a giftcard to Amazon which we love, as we use Amazon all the time and sent lots of clothing and books to Iris. Even the Kitty got a couple of new toys from Santa. 

Go back and see photos of last Christmas, watch a video of Iris' favorite present, and read about how our family views the story of Santa, 

Happy christmas baby!

Kissing "My Lime!"

All the ingredients necessary for the best cookies ever. 

Best (secret recipe) cookies ever!

Decorating sugar cookies for Santa!

Christmas Eve cookie making.

Iris and Papa kisses.

Dumping sprinkles on the cookies.

Silly bunny!

Our Christmas tree.

Eating the little bit of cookie Santa left for her and opening her stocking.

Everything Santa brought her in her stocking, minus the horse covered fleece PJs that she immediately donned after opening.

One of the best parts of Christmas - Moët and smoked salmon on toast.

A bit overwhelmed with Christmas present opening, but loving her new accessories. 

Changing for the second time into her new clothes!

Pouring tea for everyone.

Playing with her new dollhouse!

My sort-of-risen Yorkshire Pudding!

turkey day.

Yesterday, Iris and I had a Thanksgiving themed play date with one of our friends! I brought some supplies for crafts and our friend made some super cute turkey shaped sandwiches for their lunch! They shared toys so well with each other while playing and chased each other around squealing and laughing. After playing inside for hours, we took them out to the bridge nearby to feed the ducks. Iris had such a great time with her little friend; she was so happy and energized for the rest of the day!  Here is a post my friend made on her blog Make It Cozee! Here are a few photos she took!

Iris' turkey craft - an original craft idea by Me - though the huge googly eyes were Iris' inspiration!

Turkey sandwiches by Make It Cozee. 

Our little baby-burritos going "nigh-nigh" together!

Goodbye hugs!

a slice of Germany - Wittlich Pig Fest

"Legend has it that Wittlich was once a walled fortress constantly under attack by invaders. One evening a guard charged with locking the gate to the besieged town couldn't find the peg to secure the fortified door. All he could find was a large carrot to wedge in the door. Later, a pig ate the carrot, the gate opened and the enemy came in. After the enemy ransacked the town, the angry townspeople herded every pig into the town's market square and roasted them. Since then, the town of Wittlich has been known as the town of the pig burners."

The Wittlich (pronounced Vittlich in German) festival goes on for four whole days. We went on Sunday and it was over 30ºC, without a breeze to be had. It would have been pure misery if not for the delicious pork sandwiches, cold local brew and excitement going on all around us. A large portion of the town center is closed down from traffic, leaving it free for carnival style rides and games, and even a stage for musical performances. All of the restaurants, cafes and ice cream parlors spread their tables and chairs into the streets and food vendors set up their wares. Most notable of course, are the pigs roasting on an open fire! We had some of the 43rd pig that was roasted that weekend.

We wandered around for about an hour after eating and drinking, but it was difficult to shop the homemade goods because it was just so hot. Iris was feeling very rambunctious and somewhat grumpy, so we didn't stay for very long. Before we left, we stopped at the toy vendor and bought Iris a couple of beautifully made wooden toys. We definitely enjoyed the experience and look forward to going again next year! 

 

in our family...

...every day is Valentine's Day.

a few christmas photos.

Santaaaaa!!

SANTAAAAAAAAAAAA!!

"Even you can't top that, Papa!"

Christmas joy.

The boxes and paper proved to be very interesting indeed.

She chose door number 5. 

Exploring her new kitchen for the first time.

"This is how you do it, right?"

mama and baby.

The squadron Christmas party was held a little over a week ago. Without my knowledge, a friend of ours captured these beautiful moments of me with Iris. Photos like these are a rarity, as I am usually the one taking pictures! Thank you dear friend; these photos mean a lot to me and I know they will to my husband, as well.