Neuschwanstein Castle

(L) Castle on the hill in the background; (R) fell asleep while listening to Grandma's iPod in the car
We did a lot of driving, and Jack was an angel in the car!

Grandma & Grandpa Visit from Idaho

My parents arrived in Germany yesterday for a 10-day stay with us. We are really enjoying their company. (Jack doesn't look too happy, but he warmed up to these "strangers" very quickly.)

First Artwork

Jack had his second official week in church nursery yesterday. When I came to pick him up they gave me this paper -- Jack's first colored picture. I laughed and cried! I can't believe my little baby is old enough to color a picture! That is the first time he has used crayons. They told me he did this all by himself.

From Jack's first week of life I've been telling him not to grow up, to stay a baby, but he has anyway. I'm glad I've made a point to enjoy every stage of his life so far, but I always think I am really going to miss baby Jack when he's all grown up. I don't want to let his babyhood go. I guess his late walking has let me hang on to that a little longer.

Egypt Videos

Here is the link to the videos we took in Egypt, if you're interested.

Egypt Pictures

If you would like to see the Egypt pictures, and have not already seen them, please email me or comment. I do not want to post the link here. Thanks!

We're Back

We came back safely from our trip to Egypt yesterday. It was a wonderful experience! We saw tombs, mummies, temples, pyramids, and camels, and nobody got sick from the food!

Exciting Announcement

I am so excited that my FAVORITE restaurant, Cafe Rio, is coming to my hometown of Idaho Falls!!! That's something to look forward to when I go home. Until then I'll be dreaming of the pork salad...


I would also like to wish Happy Birthday to my brother Jaxon, who turns 24 today! My Jack also turns 18 months today, so now he can go into nursery at church. Hallelujah!
P.S. He's still not walking.

More Jack

Jack and I spend time at these windows in our living room every day watching birds, dogs and horses. I'd like to get a bird feeder to attract even more birds for him to watch.

Jack pushing his friend, Frank, on his scooter (my friend Emily's voice in the background).


(L) Jack's new wheels -- this is the stroller we got a few days ago to take on our Egypt trip. He is always wanting to be pushed around the house in it.
(R) The little buddy loves to climb up on tables, chairs, drawers, anything.


I left him in this chair, and came back to see him looking at a book. What a sweetheart! I just LOVE this little boy!


We think it's so funny when Jack jumps on his bed!


It snowed once over a week ago and hasn't melted yet because it's been COLD! This is from our living room sliding doors.

Another Drive Up the Rhine River

Pictures from our drive up the Rhine while Aaron's dad was here.

Baby BOY #2 is on his way. We're putting up a suggestion box for names.

A Few More Pictures from Christmas

Look at this adorable little boy!

I know, I look lovely!

Christmas

Who left their shoes out??

Opening presents Christmas Day. Jack still didn't quite understand that he was supposed to tear the paper off.

Grandpa Bill spent Christmas with us.

(L) in the toy room; (R) bundled and going out
Jack playing with the light switches. He climbs up on chairs and the coffee table and stands up (wobbly). I have all my kitchen chairs scooted away from the table, but he knows how to push a chair over and climb up on the table. We really have to watch him now!

Home Sweet Home

"There's no place like home for the holidays..."(my parents' house)

Staring at this picture while listening to my mom's favorite Christmas CD is enough to make me cry. If you can't tell, I am extremely sentimental, I cling to tradition, and I don't like change (my entire family can attest to this). Aaron says he's not going to let our kids have the same things for Christmas every year so they don't turn out like me!

Meaningful Christmas Songs

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas just like the ones I used to know..."

"I'll be home for Christmas...if only in my dreams."

This is the first holiday I have not been able to go back to Idaho to be with my family, and it's been hard (especially since this is my little brother's last Christmas at home before he deploys to Afghanistan). These Christmas songs describe just how I feel. These songs were popular during World War II (my favorite era of history) when many Americans were away from their families. I've found that for me, holidays really are meaningless without family to share them with. Thankfully, Aaron's dad is coming here on Christmas Day, which I think will save me.

We wish you all a very happy holiday and new year!

This is currently my parents' front yard (and all the snow I am missing).

(Sorry this is kind-of a gloomy post. Life is not all roses, right?)


(L) all my siblings and me; (R) my parents and me on a day of snowmobiling

(L) G&G Higgs always come over on Christmas Eve; (R) tarping, a Higgs family tradition

(L) During the holidays we play games for HOURS! Gosh, I will miss that. Pictured are all 4 of us, plus my dad. There's nothing better than having all of us together. I am the only one that's not there this year. (R) everyone except new SIL, Brittany

Jack

Sorry blog readers -- I haven't had anything new to post about recently! What I have going on is Jack. He's started standing on his own now; I think he'll start taking steps very soon. He's almost 17 months. Maybe he'll beat his dad's late-walking record of 18 months.

Our Holiday Party

We had a good turn out, and I think everyone had a good time. Now I'm really in the Christmas mood.

Thanksgiving

We shared a wonderful meal with our friends, the Bentons, on Thanksgiving Day. Mandy and I each cooked half of it. I really enjoyed cooking all those traditional holiday foods. It was weird, though, celebrating this holiday that was significant to me, but no one around me was celebrating it. All the stores were open, and Germans were going to work as usual. All morning I was thinking of families all across America who were gathering together on this special day. Thank heavens for good American friends! I could not survive here without them.