Ice Skating and New Year's Eve Celebration

I can't believe that today is the last day of 2016. This year just flew by...

So Amelia and I and our friends from Austria went ice skating this afternoon while the boys stayed at home and watched football. My little girl has been asking to go skating for quite a while now and today was her lucky day. She was so excited! We went to the Ford Ice Center in Nashville, where the Predators (professional Ice Hockey team) train. 

I have not skated in a long time but it is like riding a bike, once you learn it you will never forget. Amelia was a bit skittish at first but by the end, she did good. Those blue buckets definitely helped a lot to keep her stable and from falling. 

And then she wanted to sit on the buckets and get pushed around. Of course, that was a favorite:

We were about an hour and 15 minutes on the ice and by the end, Amelia was holding our hands and skating happily in the middle of us. It was such a fun activity and one we definitely will repeat next year. Thanks to Bina and Dominique for taking us along. 

After we got off, we watched the Zamboni get the ice shaved and prepped for the upcoming Ice Hockey games (junior league). 

By the time we got home, it was almost time to prepare for our little New Year's Eve celebration here at home. We were supposed to go a friend's house for dinner but decided last minute to rather stay home and relax. The kids put their party hats on and were ready to do some sparklers outside (it was rainy and cold here all day; thus, we did them from the garage door opening):

Appetizers for dinner was the theme:

My selfie game still needs a lot of work but we all toasted to the New Year with our "Champagne" before the kids went to bed. 

Now, the hubby and I will relax on the couch, watch some football, eat a couple of Christmas cookies, drink some more champagne and reflect on this past year. From all of us to all of you: 

HAPPY NEW YEAR!  ~MAY 2017 BE GOOD TO YOU ~

2016 in Review

I love looking back at our year and what (crazy) fun things we did or how our plans played out. 2016 was a very hectic and exciting year for us (almost like a blur), even though it didn't go as planned. We moved across several States and had to adjust several times to new routines before settling in in our new hometown for the rest of the year.  Looking back, this year has been much more straining than anticipated and there was lots of time we spent apart as a family (can you imagine that Derrick was not with us for almost 6 months out of the year due to business travel, job changes, moving and our vacation in Germany). So, here it goes, my look back at 2016 - by the way, choosing one picture a month is impossible:

JANUARY

Derrick started working as a contractor for Boeing in SC while the kids and I stayed busy at home. We also experienced our first snow in Mooresville and enjoyed Circus Day and Book Character Day at Amelia's Preschool.

FEBRUARY

This month, we celebrated "I Love You" Day and exchanged lots of hugs and kisses. Amelia presented her art work at ART Day in preschool and my little handyman, Elliot, fixed everything around the house that needed fixing. I also gathered several times with the other mommy's from my MOPS group and we laughed, painted and shopped together.

MARCH

Between school pictures, Easter activities, outings to the park, Donuts for Dads, a trip to the grandparents in SC, a stop at the train museum and a visit to Nashville during Spring break, this month kept us busy. Derrick also was offered a job in Nashville and moved there by Mid March. 

APRIL

In April, the kids and I spent a lot of time outside and stayed busy with preschool activities and field trips while Daddy worked in TN. But my hubby came home for a weekend so that we could celebrate the big 5-0 with him. We also enjoyed picking strawberries in the field.

 MAY

May was filled with packing up the house, having some "lasts" in Mooresville, saying goodbyes to dear friends and neighbors and moving to Nashville, TN. The rest of the month we unpacked, organized the new rental house and explored the area a bit. Amelia's preschool also hosted their Muffins for Moms event.

JUNE

After only a few days in Nashville, Derrick drove us to Chicago, where we spent a weekend before the kids and I flew off to Germany to spend the next two months there with family and friends. While we explored Hamburg, spent a few days at the Baltic Sea, celebrated birthdays, and enjoyed visiting with loved ones, Derrick was busy at his new job and at home: putting together furniture and painting. 

JULY

In July, I took a short to trip to Paris to visit a dear friend while the kids stayed with their grandparents. We also went horseback riding, swimming, met up with friends, went to the zoo and played tourist in my hometown. It was an unforgettable summer, which ended with my little brother getting married. Even though we were constantly on the go and never spent more than a few nights in one place, we truly enjoyed our time with family and friends alike.

AUGUST

Before leaving Germany, we celebrated Amelia's 5th birthday with Oma and Opa and then headed back home. We were so happy to be reunited with Derrick. Only 5 days after our return, Amelia had her first day in Kindergarten. While she loves going to school, Elliot had a rougher time adjusting without his sister being around him all the time. 

SEPTEMBER

It was hot, hot, hot outside so we spent lots of time playing indoors, cheering on our favorite football team or cool off in the pool. We also adjusted to living in Nashville as a family of four and started to meet new people.

OCTOBER

The highlights of this month were lots of Halloween activities for the kids, a girl's trip to Louisville to meet our friends, Pumpkin Patch visits, a Mini Cheer Camp for Amelia, and celebrating my birthday with my favorite people.

NOVEMBER

This month started off the holiday season with a visit to see The Grinch Musical at the Grand Ole Opry House, visiting Santa's Wonderland, celebrating Thanksgiving with uncle Lee and Aunt Bahar and running my first 5 miles race.We also went to the Nashville Zoo with a friend, watched the town's Thanksgiving Parade, participated in the tree lightning ceremony, and I voted for the first time in my life.  

DECEMBER

The last month of the year is always the best one: celebrating the season of Advent with lots of activities, decorating the Christmas tree, Elliot's birthday bash, Christmas morning and then ring in the New Year. Instead of a party, we took the kids to the ICE exhibition on Elliot's 3rd birthday. After such a hectic year, we were glad to take it easy the past two weeks of the year and enjoyed quality time at home, playing with the new toys, baking cookies, and resting. 

What an eventful (and exhausting) year it has been for us. But it also was filled with lots of fun adventures, challenges, big milestones, and mostly love and laughter. We made plenty of memories and started new traditions. Now, we look confidently towards 2017 and even though we don't know what the coming year will bring for us, we will welcome it with open arms. I'm pretty sure, it will be exciting. So stay tuned!

Christmas Day 2016

HoHoHo, Christmas Day is here! At 6am, our children were wide awake and telling us that Santa had left gifts under our Christmas tree. As usual, we started the day off easy by opening our stockings in bed. 

But their was no taming their excitement and so we went on to unwrap some gifts in the living room.

Elliot especially was eager to open his gifts and was very efficient at unwrapping them. I guess he was looking for something specific.

Each child only made one wish to Santa this year: Amelia wanted a Barbie Dream House and Elliot an Imaginext Shark Bite Pirate Ship. Both requests were made in the beginning of December and so it was up to Santa to try and find some good deals fast. Luckily, we scored a barely used Barbie house online for only 1/4 of the price they charge for a new one and the pirate ship on sale at the toy store. As you can imagine, both kids were looking if Santa had brought them what they dearly wished for. And of course, he did. They were delivered upstairs in the playroom: 

Two very happy children:

In between unwrapping gifts, we ate a delicious Christmas breakfast. I definitely will add the French Toast Cinnamon Roll casserole on a must-have Christmas breakfast item next year again.

And more gifts with lots of hugs and little thank you's:

Despite the fact that we only give 3 gifts to each child (a want, a need/ clothing and something spiritual/ educational item) for Christmas, we had lots of gifts to unwrap, thanks to all the grandparents and their aunt and uncle. Amelia's three gifts this year consisted of the Barbie house, a good-quality backpack (I scored on sale; a definite need as her old one was falling apart), and a new board game (learning tool). Elliot got his wanted pirated ship, a Noah's Arc floor puzzle and a cool miner hard hat with light. Both kids also got a beautiful wooden nativity set from Oma, which we will keep out year around.

Family picture in our pj's, courtesy of my new tripod (a big thanks to my father):

I stayed in my pajama all day!

Because it was 70F outside, Derrick and the kids decided to wash the cars while I cooked dinner:

Everyone was back in their pj's in time to enjoy a traditional German Christmas meal: roasted duck, mashed potatoes (no potato dumplings this year 😒), red cabbage, and Brussels Sprouts. We really enjoyed this fancy feast, champagne and Trifle dessert while singing Happy Birthday to Baby Jesus:

Before bed, Amelia wanted to make sure that I capture her reciting the German Christmas poem she learned a few days ago:

It was truly a magical day and I'm not sure which is better: Christmas as a child or Christmas with little children.

We didn't have to go anywhere or get out of our pj's... we watched movies, played with our new toys, took a nap and enjoyed a delicious 5-star meal in the comforts of our home. Just the perfect way to spend the most wonderful holiday of the year, with the four people that matter most to me! 

We hope your Christmas was as merry and bright Christmas as ours!

"Twas the Night before Christmas"

..."when all thro' the house" not one was quiet nor sleepy "not even a mouse"...

Christmas Eve Day had the kids' all giddy and their excitement was thru the roof. Only one more sleep and Christmas Day is here. Despite the excitement, we had a pretty productive day. Our Elf, Eli, said its goodbye to us and because this was his last day here, he allowed the kids to carry him around all day. They loved showing their Elf friend all around the house. And then at night, they hugged him goodbye till next year.

Despite it being rainy and quite warm, the boys worked outside for awhile while Amelia and I baked some more Christmas cookies as we needed some cookies for Santa tonight as everything else we baked has been eaten or given away . We seem to have a cookie monster (aka Daddy) among us, who likes to reach into the cookie jar at night. 

We all took a little nap:

Before heading to church, the kids exchanged their sibling gifts. This is a new tradition for us, but one we will keep. To shine a light on their bond and make a special place to honor it, the kids will exchange their gifts always on Christmas Eve with each other. They loved their new books.  

The Christmas Eve Service at the First United Methodist Church in Hendersonville was very nice and the perfect way to celebrate Jesus birthday. They had a little nativity play during the sermon and we sang my favorite song "Silent Night" by candle light. Afterwards, we sprinkled reindeer food all over the yard and set out cookies and milk for Santa after reading Twas the Night before Christmas. 

Now, the gifts are wrapped and nicely placed under the tree and it is time to rest. I have a feeling we all will be up very early tomorrow morning. But their excitement is contagious and I can't wait to see their faces light up when they discover all the goodies Santa has left them. It is truly magical with children in the house this time of year.

A merry Christmas from our family to yours!

Family Portraits 2016

Since all our Christmas cards got delivered by now, I can finally post our family portraits. On a late October day, the family and I went to a nearby park to take some pictures. We didn't use a professional photographer but instead carried a small ladder, a book and my camera across the park and took them ourselves. It didn't take as long as I thought it would and everyone cooperated really well, especially since I had gummy bears to bribe them with 😃

Silly girl:

My two men:

Mommy and her two babies:

This one is my favorite:

Me and my boy:

Our little family:

I'm very happy with how they turned out and will cherish them forever.