Merry Christmas - 2012

Nuremberg Christmas Market

December 8th (right after we got our lil' tree) we hopped on the train and headed to Nuremberg. The train was packed, so we stood the entire time and listened to the local futbol fans chanting for their team. It was fun ride! Thankfully it only lasted 45 minutes. We were meeting our friends, The Browns there, and after we met up at the train station, we headed for the market. It was freezing that day and the Nuremberg market is crazy BUSY, we're talking wall-to-wall people but, even with the less than perfect circumstances, we still had a good time. 

Check out this guys' beard ... the ends were literally tucked behind his ears. It was pretty impressive. 

Nuremberg is a pretty cool city but, when there are thousands of people there it kind of takes away the charm of the city. But, even with all the people, there is something still pretty great about Christmas markets... 

Nuremberg is the biggest Christmas market in Germany. I really don't have much of a desire to go back but, at least we have experienced this and crossed it off our German bucket list. 

(I know this picture is slightly inappropriate but, when your 5 year old is completely oblivious to what is going on and everyone {no joke, everyone, Germans included} around the statue is laughing ... it kinda becomes the highlight of the market. Ya just can't help but post it and keep it for blackmail in 15 years.)

(I also love how Chloe looks so cute and posed ...and she REALLY wanted a picture in front of this typical European statue.) 

After an afternoon snack of Nuremberger Brauts (that are absolutely delicious) and some Kinderpunch to warm the insides, the kids played for a few minutes - teasing people walking up and down the stairs and doing who knows what else ...we headed out to tackle the crowds. 

These are some of the traditional things you always see at the Christmas markets. Pyramids, Christmas trees, ornaments ... so fun! 

And these ... stars. Aren't they awesome!? I really love them ... 

After a few hours in the market and eating a lot of German deliciousness and candy ... we headed out. It was fun walking out as it was getting dark and we could see all of the lights lit up. 

I love Christmas markets. They are such a magical way to celebrate Christmas and in some bizarre way: fighting the crowds at a Christmas market, is much more enjoyable than fighting the crowds at a shopping mall. 

O Tannenbaum

Earlier this month we went to a Christmas tree farm and got ourselves a little tree! It was cold, and all the trees were covered in snow, so it just added to the Christmas "feel". You could either buy one they had cut down or cut your own. Due to the 2 feet of snow surrounding the trees, we chose to just pick out one that they had already cut down. 

It was so pretty ... 

After they wrapped up our tree, the sweet Germans gave Kason a little mini-tree. It was pretty awesome - even if it's still sitting un-decorated in his room, 4 days before Christmas. 

Because we don't have any of my Christmas decorations here, we have started from scratch on Christmas ornaments hence the slightly Charlie Brown level of decor on the tree. But, it's a tree - and it's ours! 

They sell these awesome stars over here that I am pretty much in love with. This is our make-shift tree topper. 

One of my favorite things about Christmas is the glow of the Christmas lights on the tree at night ... add a cup of hot cocoa and the husband and you've got a perfect night. I love Christmas & I love having a tree up. 

Rothenburg ob der tauber

There is a city in Germany that I had been really looking forward to visiting ever since we got here. There is a street that was the inspiration for Disney's version of Pinocchio, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang had some scenes shot there. Plus, it's just an adorable little town. The old city walls are still standing and they go all the way around the city center. 

So, on December 1st, we decided to visit Rothenburg ob der tauber. We had heard their Christmas market was fabulous so it made it perfect timing to go! 

And seriously, I fell in love with this little town. It's so quaint. The streets are all the typical European cobblestone but, the buildings almost don't look real. They remind me of Disneyland. Everyone was so friendly and having the Christmas market made it even more magical.

This is the famous street in the town ... are you seeing Pinocchio? 

We walked a good distance on the city wall but, eventually we ran into a dead end because it was blocked off and we couldn't find the rest of the wall ... 

This house was so neat! I want to live in it. It was actually the 'Haus de Spitalbereiters' which means 'House of the Hospital Heater'. Back in the day, the hospital heater was the guy who was in charge of all the little odd jobs around the hospital. Greeting guests, paying bills, keeping it organized, etc. There hasn't been a Hospital Heater since the early 1800's. This house was right next to the stables, which unfortunately, were locked! 

Entering the city ... 

They have a criminal punishment museum in Rothenburg, we didn't pay to go inside but ... they did have some fun things outside for us to see!

These are props from Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang! Recognize them? 

And how can you pass up getting pictures taken in the stocks!? 

And now .... my favorite part, the Christmas magic! 

The markets are so neat. They are usually in the main square of the town and there are tons of booths that have scarves, and ornaments, nutcrackers, food, drinks, candy, candles, wreaths ... you name it, they have it.  I loved getting to walk around and experience a "German Christmas". The food was amazing and we had a little too much fun shopping. (too much cute stuff!) 

Rothenburg is famous for their Schneballen (snow ball). It's basically dough pieces, fried together to form a ball, covered in different toppings. We just got the original kind with powdered sugar but, they have all sorts of different kinds. Chocolate, caramel, peanuts, sugar, plain ... the list goes on. I didn't really care for it but, Kason didn't complain about finishing it up! 

There was a choir performing while we were there, in English even, so we stopped to listen to some American Christmas music for a minute....

On the way out of town, I realized I hadn't even taken a picture of the wall! It is tall, and it's long ... and I am bugged that this is the only picture I have of the wall, because it's a horrible shot! But, it will have to do, until next time. 

If you're ever in Germany ... (or when you come to visit) ... Rothenburg is a must see! 

Christmas in Germany

The Saturday after Thanksgiving, Santa was visiting the PX! So, we headed up to the PX (the army shopping center on post) to see Santa! Surprisingly the line was incredibly short (we waited for maybe 5 minutes!) and you just take your own pictures with Santa (no ridiculously overpriced picture packages! SO nice!). 

Kason was so excited, but kind of nervous. And I think he was kind of questioning Santa this year ... it makes me sad to think he is already doubting if Santa is real. He has questioned me a few times this past month ... "Mom, is Santa real?" 

"Absolutely!"

I can't imagine losing the joy of Santa while he's so young ... there is no way I'm breaking the news to him! Brad probably has a better approach. When Kason asks Brad ... "Brad, is Santa real?"

Brad says: "Well, what do YOU think?" 

"YES!!!" 

I think we're good for a few more years of Santa magic. And that makes me happy! 

"Santa, I want: a guitar, Angry Bird Star Wars stuffed animals, toy bugs and Legos!"

The Santa gifts were awesome! We'll take this stuff over a candy cane any day! 

That same weekend, Kason wrote his letter to Santa. He wrote it all himself and did a darn good job. He was pretty excited to send it so, we headed to the Post Office and dropped it off! 

On December 6th, the Post had a Christmas tree lighting. It was FUH-REEZING and the "kinderpunch" (pretty much the German version of wassel) was cold so, it did no good warming us up! So, the minute the tree was lit, we ditched out on the 20 degree temps. It was kind of neat to see the German St. Nicholas there though (he kind of dresses like the Pope). I took pictures but they didn't turn out ... this is the only picture that is worth sharing from that night.