Christmas surprises

Our Christmas was wonderful. We had Ray's brother, Rudy, and his family with us. Their girls just love Anne and Alicia. Anne thinks she is in Heaven now that she has them to play with. Putting her to bed now is difficult because she is afraid she will miss something.

Anne got an Ironing set and broom.

Alicia got a lot of neat toys too. Anne loved helping her unwrap them and sharing her toys too.

Jared got these dresses for his daughters. He is such a softy.

Adventures in Parenting

The other day Anne was being very quiet and this is how we found her. She had gotten into some of her bum cream and decided that her face needed some. Of course, we had to take a picture before cleaning her. It was really hard to act upset and show her that what she did was wrong.

When I first started putting Alicia in the bath with Anne Alicia hated it. Now she loves it and gets so excited when she knows that she gets to go in the bath. She loves the splashing. Anne likes the time too. We have earlier pictures and videos of both the girls screaming in the bath together. This is them enjoying it.

St. Nikolaus Tag (St. Nicolas Day)

Here in Germany we St. Nikolaus (equivilant to Santa Claus) comes on December 6 and what is called the Christ Child (an angel sent from Heaven) comes on Christmas Eve. For Dec. 6 the children clean their shoes and put them outside for St. Nikolaus to fill them. If they have been good they get candy and a few other things, if they are bad they get sticks.

When I got home from my German class I found that St. Nikolaus had come to our house while I was gone. Anne and Alicia had there gifts waiting in their beds.

Alicia got this adorable bear and some chocolate (which obviously we have eaten for her). She loves to suck and chew on the hat.

Anne got a play cellphone that she absolutely loves. It makes sound and a voice that talks to her. She also got a stuffed Rudolf. Both girls really enjoyed their gifts.