The Unforgettable Christmas of 2012

This Christmas Eve was a special one.  We had friends over (Isaak & Marti Russell) and ate like Kings.  Then we watched a video presentation Trent made from the Mormon ad's, it ended up being one of the most beautiful and spiritual Christmas Eve's we've spent with the children and a wonderful way to celebrate the birth of our Savior.

After our guests left, the kids basically tucked themselves into bed.  They were telling each other to go to sleep quick becasue then they'd wake up quicker and be able to have presents.  That's not exactly how the night went down. 

Here's the story...

THE UNFORGETTABLE CHRISTMAS of 2012

Once upon a Christmas Eve, the Price family lived in a far away land, near an ocean.  The house was quiet and still except for the soft, rhythmic hum of waves crashing in the background.  Everyone was nestled in warm beds, dreaming of sugar plums and delightful toys.

Suddenly, at 4 am, the entire house was woken up to the awful sound of erupting volcanic vomiting.

Someone was sick, but who could the poor victim be?  It was the youngest of the Price children.  Poor, poor Carley was the one.  She was sick, the yucky kind that takes 2 parents to divide and conquer & a brother and sister to commentate on.  The beloved father is the hero of our story.  He immediately swooped in, gathered up all the bedding and headed for the laundry.  The mother played the nurse maid to the poor little girl.  She bathed her and dressed her in fresh clothing.

Meanwhile, in the shadows, each tick and each tock of the clock was being noted.  25 minutes was the exact count of passing time.  With it's passage, the anticipation of the elder Price children grew and grew and grew.  For they knew what night this was, 'twas the most beloved of the year.  With their parents occupied, they had already ventured down the dark hallway and seen, by the glow of the Christmas lights, that Santa had come and gone. 

The parent's didn't know it yet, but they were doomed.  The sleep they were craving was beyond their reach.  It took the Price children some time, on bended knees, groveling to convince them of what to them had seemed obvious all along.  Finally, after what seemed an eternity to the children, the parents realized their folly.  They caved in and the children smiled.

So Christmas morning came a little early to the Price children who lived in a far away land, near the ocean!

The End

.....and then the parents slept!

School Holiday Concert

Today the kids had their annual Christmas concert at school.  I was sweating it.  Last year's was such a frustrating nightmare and clash of cultures that I left feeling stressed, annoyed and like I was crazy for having my kids in Spanish school. 

This year's experience was completly opposite.  I can't say enough about the changes they made to make this year's show better.  The difference was night and day to me.  The kids all sang and Luke played his flute (recorder).  They were all adorable and I took video, but I'm slow at uploading them. 

So, this post is too be continued....

anticipating christmas

This is the conversation in my car, right now...

M- carley you'd better stop crying or santa wont bring you toys. He'll bring you coal. Do you know what coal is? it's big black rocks.

Emry adds her input- ya, you can use it for heat, or you could draw with it. I wouldnt really mind if santa gives me coal, at least i'll know what to do with it.

C- i'm not getting coal.

My Market Goodies...and something special

I got home well after midnight and this was waiting for me at my bedside...doesn't get much better than this!

Here are a few of the goodies I purchased!

German Christmas Markets 2012 - Day 3

Our last day was spent in Dusseldorf.  We made final purchases and just wandered around town.

Because I know you are just dying to know what I ate today, I'll tell ya--toast & eggs for breakfast.  Then I moved onto a nutella & banana crepe, kinder punch (got a recipe too), white chocolate hot chocolate, spatzel (homemade noodles with a cream sauce and bacon), curry wurst, and finally I ended my glutinous adventure with a caramel hot chocolate.

.....now when can we go again!

German Christmas Markets 2012 - Day 2

Today we got on a train and headed up to Cologne aka Koln.

Now that I know what to expect, I wish we'd have stayed in Cologne and done a day trip to Dusseldorf instead of the other way around.  The markets here were so much bigger and better, I felt like I'd arrived! 

Cologne also has a wonderful Catherdal where the 3 kings are supposedly buried.  Of course we went in for a peak.

The days eats....flammkuchen mit speck (sort of like a thin crust pizza, only 10,000x better), mushrooms with garlic sauce, hot chocolate, smoked salmon sandwich with creme fraiche sauce, fried shrimp with garlic cream sauce, steak sandwich and hot cider...I did share!!  I don't know if I've ever eaten this good, I love everything!

We walked across a gorgeous lock bridge.  It was full to the brim and so fun to explore and look through all the different expressions of love!

Most of our group

the tomb/casket/sarcophagi of the 3 kings?  not sure what the proper name for this is.

One of the markets was in the plaza right by the Cathedral, so pretty!

This is the mushroom guy.  He was very nice and man can he cook up some mean mushrooms!  Melt in your mouth delicious!

This was my favorite little ornament shop.  I'd love buy more if she's there next year!

Emry's wanted a Russian doll for the last 3 years.  I've never found one that I thought was really her.  Until today!  I found one that has a classic design and hair just like Emry.  She's going to go bananas when she opens it on Christmas!  I'm so excited to give it to her.

This market was decorated with gnomes.  Adorable!

We drank the most delicious hot chocolate ever!  So yummy!

We came across this booth and our jaws dropped open.  This man creates these beauties with a hammer and chisel.  Amazing craftsmanship!

OK, I love these wreaths.  I can't wait to do this in my own house next year!

This market had a few antique booths.  Very fun to look through.

We saw salmon being cooked over a fire like this several times during the day.  We've got to try some at some point.

Mistletoe

We finally stopped to taste test the salmon that had been tempting us all day long.  Whoa, had we been missing out!  It was divine!  I think overall, my favorite thing to have eaten during this trip.  I could eat this all day every day and be a very happy woman!

This was a neat booth.  The man made chocolates in all sorts of shapes.  I wish I'd have taken a bigger photo.  I bought Trent and Luke chocolate key's for Christmas.  The man had complete tool sets and pasta and an array of other things...all made of chocoalte. 

The Angel Market

Ohhh, what can I say that will do these shrimp justice....detectible!

This tree was made of tulle, fun!~

STEAK!!  Trent is good on the grill, but not this good!  WOW!