Christmas Sentiments 2008

Merry Christmas from the cutest and most curious little reindeer around. I'm trying to get the much requested Christmas pictures on the web for Mikayla's growing fan club (ie friends and family) as fast as possible. Bear with me -- between the new camera (thank you Luke), new software and LOADS of photos -- its' taking a little time. Scroll down to the bottom of the blog to see full size photos and improved First Snow video. I'm still learning the quirks of blogging. Grammie Monique was our visitor of the season and spent 10 fun-filled days with us. Between baths, feeding, and bed-time stories we had ample opportunity to get out and enjoy the sights. Christmas lunch was spent at Molitor-Mueller, about 15 minutes away from here. I now understand why people go out for dinner on holidays (previously thought to be absolutely ludicrous). It was relaxing for EVERYONE (ie me) and no dishes. Our friends Brendan, and his wife Miho (9 months pregnant and expecting little Lio Patrick any day now) joined us for the festivities.

Thanks for all the Christmas phone calls, wishes, and generous gifts. Too thoughtful. We're now working on our plans for next year -- in less than 6 months we'll be back in the states, starting our residencies. We should know where in the next month or so. Luke leaves next week for his crazy US interview circuit similar to the one I did in November (minus 3 cities).

Mikayla wasn't quite sure what all the fuss was about, and why we have a green prickly thing in the corner of the room. Despite all the fun gifts, her favorite pastime is still to stand against the schrunk in the living room and opening the door. I personally prefer her toys.

Meadow and Sierra were, as usual, their goofy selves. Both of them are fantastic with the "new" family member. Sierra has become fond of cleaning Mikayla - food off the hands, face, feet and floor. Back to work tomorrow (boo) and keep your eye out for more photos to come. Love you all.

Monschau on a Foggy Sunday...

Greetings from Monschau!! What a wonderful place to be. We just didn't realize that people from Luxembourg, Germany, France, Belgium and the Netherlands would decide to converge on this tiny tiny town all at once on a fogg, cold afternoon. After sitting in traffic, finding parking, and taking a bus, we finally realized why it was so popular. Very cute and worth the wait.

I dont know which is better -- being in the kayak, or watching the kayakers from the bridge while drinking gluhwein ... i think option number 2.

Champignons, champignons and MORE champignons.

Tis the Season...for Weinachtsmarkt!!!

Here we are, another Chrismas Market, another quaint German town. We LOVE the Christmas season in Germany. Mikayla had the opportunity to meet Santa Clause in front of teh Dom cathedral in Trier. Santa graciously pointed out that he speaks German, French, Dutch, Italian and English... of course. Why wouldn't he??
Right about this point Santa lost his charm, and became a very scary dude. And, like 50% of children (statistical study), Mikayla decided that Santa wasn't cool anymore and started to cry.
What a lucky little lady to have Grammie Monique visiting.
And the beautiful cathedral with festive decorations.

Watch Me Stand

Hope everyone's holiday season is moving smoothly along...we're keeping busy and watching Mikayla grow in leaps and bounds. I have so many photos to get up on the blogsite...I'll work on it!

My brand new highchair and I LOVE IT!!!

Hi guys! Check me out looking way cool in my foodjacket (play on rainjacket) repels food right off of me onto the floor and into the brown vacuum known as Sierra's mouth. I'm loving the new high chair, I can't stop singing and laughing being high up here and sitting like mommy and daddy. I really start laughing when Sierra is eating the food off the highchair and Meadow is licking my feet, tickling me.

I think the horse on my bib once belonged to Don Quixote.

I just finished all my spinach and broccoli -- yummmmmm. Tomorrow is a big day! I can't wait for daddy to get back from the Netherlands. We're getting our Christmas tree when he gets home. Hope everyone is doing well and having fun preparing for the holidays. We miss you all!

Rothenburg ob der Tauber

Mountains, Fondue, and Mont Blanc (the beer)

Chamonix was our Thanksgiving excursion. We had fantastic weather for all but one day in Chamonix. The slopes had just opened, but no skiing for us. This was more of a relaxation and ambiance trip. It was wonderful

Mikayla's First Snow

I was so excited to wake up today and play in the snow. At least that's what Daddy told Mommy when he woke her up at 4:30 AM to say "it snowed". Just when Mommy's jet lag was finally letting her sleep past 3 AM. I'm not really sure about this white stuff -- it looks like fun, but why am I the only one sitting in it?

Who's up there dropping all the white stuff down?

Ahhhhh....nice and warm in Mommy's arms.

Who do you think is more excited about the snow -- Daddy or me?

Daddy

and I

admire

our

nicely

combed

hair

after

my

bath.

Sweet Dreams,

Kiddo!

Such a cute, happy, halloween skunk, I just had to make one more appearance on the blog before next year.

Hey, I'm getting a new tooth on the left side! It feels good to chew my thumb until it's here.

See you soon, Mommy!

Mikayla Can Crawl!

HAPPY FIRST HALLOWEEN

Sierra is a good watch dog and senses a potentially stinky intruder. But guess what -- its only the little monster that shed her "people clothes" and turned into SUPERSKUNK (see remnants of people clothes in photo above)

SUPERSKUNK has powers to mesmerize everyone in her path and knock out their sense of smell so that they want to hold her all the time no matter how stinky.

See what I mean? Obviously DOGS are immune to SUPERSKUNKS super stinky power -- their noses are more powerful than ours. Not that Meadow and Sierra are NOT in the picture. I think right about that point the dogs were enjoying whatever leftovers were on the counter. NOTE - thanks to Cousin Coen for the way cool Superskunk powers.

Now the Little Monster is back. SUPERSKUNK is stealthy and rapidly changes into disguise. We now have Tshirts being made up that say "HAVE YOU HUGGED YOUR SKUNK TODAY?"

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!! And we LOVE having DADDY back home.

LITTLE MONSTERS

The little monster and wobble mousey stare out the window on their first Halloween Day. If you look REALLY closely abovermy blurry bottom lip you can see my little nubbin teeth that are popping into view.

BOO. What -- am I not scary?

Little Monster is so sweet right now.