We skipped the last day of school and headed to Germany for the holidays to visit Aunt Kiki. The first week was spent relaxing, visiting Christmas markets, baking cookies, and doing girl things before Jeff got there. Jeff's work and school schedule shortened his holiday time. Here are a few pics of the wonderful Christmas sights in Germany and fun times with Aunt Kiki.
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| Kristin bought the girls Haribo Advent Calendars and me a Lindt Chocolate one - yum and fun! Arriving Dec 15 meant we had a sugar boost as we caught up. :-) |
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| Girls got to put up and decorate the tree. We picked out a few more ornaments at the various Christmas markets we visited, including a pickle (which apparently none of Kiki's German friends know the 'German' tradition of finding the hidden pickle on the tree) and Moose which is special to Kristin. |
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| a common sight of both girls piled in with Kiki - going through jewelry, make-up, socks and scarves, or watching Netflix... and being jet lagged this could start at 4 AM and not end until midnight! |
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| first day it snowed - which is actually uncommon - and we walked to one of the nearby bakeries. There are bakeries everywhere in Germany and Kristin's small town has a few, plus at least 5 hair salons! |
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| not sure how many 'bretzls' we had on this trip... but it was a lot!! and they never disappoint. Girls were good at saying - foompf or Sieben bretzl danka! |
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| Kristin's friend Andrea came over to teach the girls a simple German cookie to bake. Glad it was simple as it required mixing by hand, separating egg yolks and shaving butter to use (vice heating it up in the microwave!) - cookies turned out great! |
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| I think this is Tubingen, but it could be Esslingen - and I'm not even sure those are the exact names either! Cute German town - of which there are a lot. |
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| a more Medieval Christmas market complete with rides which the girls enjoyed - without completely losing their voices from shrieking |
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| Stuttgart Christmas Market |
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| as part of the girls Christmas present, Kristin bought them bracelets that the girls each designed. They picked out 3 beads and a leather strap. Bella's has unicorns, Morgan's is turquoise and I got one too - love it! |
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| my parents had a small one of these with the Nativity scene and candles I remember putting out every year |
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| constant giggles and energy! |
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| Kristin's friend Carmen and her son Max who came over to decorate gingerbread ornaments - the girls enjoyed playing uno with him |
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| Heidelberg Christmas Market |
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| Frankfurt Christmas Market with a 2-story carousel, and the largest Christmas tree I remember seeing |
