Home Again

Just got home after our vacation to Athens, Greece. It was a good trip with a few not so good moments. The first day poor little Jacob fell on a rock and his upper teeth went through his lower lip. Blood was squirting everywhere. It was awful. Somehow we slowed the bleeding, ran down to the street, got a taxi, paid 50 euros for a ride to the children's hospital, and got Jacob 7 stitches. It was very painful and heartbreaking for us to watch but he is recovering well and didn't even take tylenol today. After that "exciting" Sunday, the rest of the trip went very well and we flew home today. When I figure out how to pick which of the 650+ pictures to post, I will add some more pictures. For now, here are two...

Santa came

and Jake was so excited that he left a slide and ate the cookies!

We opened the presents first thing!

One of his favorites is his new baseball bat.

And, of course the new legos!

He had so much fun on his roller skates!

And, being dorks, we took a bunch of photos on the timer!

It was a great Christmas (considering)

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas

Love,

Jayson, Crystal, Jacob, and Baby

The Christmas Season

Tis the season for...

Advent Calendars!

Cookie Making!

Banana Bread Baking.

Decorating Gingerbread Houses.

Painting Masterpieces.

And Yummy Christmas Eve Dinners!

Let it Snow, Let it Snow....

Let it Snow!

Last weekend we got about 8" of snow and freezing weather. The temperature was from 2 degrees F to about 15 degrees F for about 5 days in a row. The snow here is so light and fluffy it was hard to even make a snow ball.

Jayson bought Jacob a sled and he loved to be pulled around the yard and down the street.

He also made a little hill that Jake could sled down.

The dogs enjoyed the snow, but not the temperatures. Little Brody got so cold so fast he had to go back in.

We had such a good time playing in the snow! Too bad it didn't last, but I know we will be getting much more before the winter is over!

Brrrr!

Finally...

Christmas has arrived at our house!

It hasn't really seemed like Christmas here, even though there is snow on the ground and the temperature is in the 20's. We have visited some Christmas markets, Jayson enjoyed some warm wine, and Jacob even had Santa Claus visit him at school and take him for a sleigh ride. But, today, we finally put up our Christmas tree! Jake had fun hanging up the ornaments, when he wasn't breaking them, and now we are starting to believe the season is here!

Jacob has been enjoying opening the doors on his advent calendar each day after school and we have all our Christmas shopping done! (Of course Jayson and I were easy since we are giving each other the gift of an Athens, Greece vacation this year!)

This weekend will be full of cookie baking with Jacob since we plan to make about 6 different types of cookies to share with our Hungarian friends and landlords. And when the cookies are in the oven I will be trying to write two different essays for school. Busy, Busy, Busy, the holidays are here!

Happy Birthday, Mom

Mom, we have had a crazy, unexpected, emotional, and adventurous year. Nothing is the way I thought it would be, but it all happens for a reason and having your support is so wonderful. I have told you a hundred times what a strong women I think you are and this year has proved no different. I hope you have a wonderful birthday, Mom. I love you!