happy new year

After a few hours of some rousing table games, we wandered home to wait for the ringing of the church bells and the general frenzy of welcoming in the new year.

Contrary to other years, it seemed like people waited until just the right moment to start setting off their fireworks.
It was loud and bright and went on for a good half hour.




It's been a good year and we are thankful. There are a lot of unknowns ahead of us this coming year but we are confident in Whom we trust and are excited about the continuation of our adventure called life!

too many irons in the fire

During our short visit last week to see my niece she gave us a great tour of the school where she's working. We came across this rather unique stove and Howard said immediately, "I guess this is where the saying 'I've got too many irons in the fire' came from". We all agreed. What a cool stove.

swiss trip

A few days before Christmas we took a quick trip to Switzerland, close to Geneva, to see my niece, Rachel, who is working there as an aupair this year, and her mom and my sister-in-law, Dianne, who came to spend Christmas with her.

We had a great visit and a great, brisk walk through the small town where Rachel is living.




Overlooking Lake Geneva... It was cold!!






This is Switzerland's oldest and most prestigious international school, and also one of the most prestigious schools of its kind in the world.
It was great to see where Rachel is this year!

zweite weihnachtstag

Today is the Second Christmas Day in Germany. No Boxing Day sales in this part of the world! All the stores have been closed since 1:00 on Christmas Eve and will not open again until Monday morning. We like this pace.

The table is set and the preparations are in full gear for our company tonight. I am excited!

christmas eve

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!

The "cheese fondue around the coffee table" tradition.

the presentation

I finished Katy's grad quilt on November 19. With Bethany home for Christmas it was finally time for the presentation!

home for christmas

Yesterday morning we were up early to drive down to Zurich to pick up our daughter! We were all very excited, even with the cold temps! We weren't there long when I saw through the enormous panel of glass that she was there! We soon were able to catch her eye and she can over to find us. We "chatted" through the glass for awhile - actually for quite awhile as it took a full hour for her luggage to finally find its way to the luggage belt.
Finally!

It was a very happy reunion!

Time to decorate the tree and of course, time for Christmas silliness!

After the tree was finished Howard and I went for a walk in our winter wonderland.
Our BIG tree downtown looked especially magical.