Thanksgiving in the house!

We had a FULL house for Thanksgiving, but we really wouldn't have it any other way.  We are used to big family gatherings for the Holidays, so it made it feel just like being at "home".  Some of our good friends that are currently living in Belgium came down for a visit.  We have known each other for years, and have been fortunate to be stationed close to each other for three duty stations.  We also have mutual friends that live behind our house in Germany, so they came over to celebrate with us too.  All totaled we had 16 kids, and 7 adults. It was a blast!

The guys on potato duty....

 Some of the kiddos

 two of the "16 kids" were new babies.  Hannah and E. made great babysitters!  Those are some cute babies, I loved having a baby in the house again.  Even if it was just for a few short days.  Babies bring such a sweet spirit into the home!

Hohenstein

What's touring Europe without stopping at some kind of castle or fortress.

We had a hard time finding one that was open in the winter, and luck wasn't with us because this one was closed too.  Normally you can explore all inside this castle ruin, but we had to content ourselves with the outside.

I had to post this one of Anya.  The sunset caught in her hair and it was a brilliant, fire red.  It looked like a flame blowing in the wind.

 Two of my boys

 We went into Nurnberg for a Christmas Market , and stopped in the St. Lorenz church.  All the kids wanted to light a candle and "make a wish".  I thought it looked neat how all the kids are kneeling before the nativity scene.  It seemed like Christmas to me.

This picture reminds me of " The Christmas Story", how the highlight of the season was looking in the store front window displays.  All the kids faces mashed against the glass in fascination.  Here, they are all looking at a massive electric train display.

Here is little "I" peeking up over the table.  Notice the tall, very unstable, glass, glasses.  We stopped in the cafe to warm up and get some Hasse Schokolade.  It came in these tall glass, glasses.  They were too "hot" to touch, and very wobbly.  I think we had two, maybe three spills during the course of our warm-up.  Funny now, but at the time it was crazy.  What happened to good old-fashioned mugs for hot chocolate?

We had a great time, despite the cold.  And we were sad to see our friends go, but look forward to when we will see them again.  We are so grateful for good friends, wonderful family and the gospel in our lives!