2010

Happy New Year Everybody!

There were so many fireworks here around the lake we thought the British were coming! And YES, it woke Luna up! But it was really cool!

Not today...

So we got all packed up and went to the airport today. But because of the holidays they had nothing leaving today. Too bad...

But we did manage to book a vacation! We will leave Saturday for 7 days in Hurghada, Egypt - returning Sunday the 10th! We're so excited, and we managed to get a great deal on a 5 star hotel with half-board (includes breakfast and dinner.)

We checked at all the travel desks, and found this trip at the first desk - it leaves from Frankfurt at night, so that's actually better for us than leaving early in the morning, what with getting Luna ready and packed up, and to the airport, etc. So we put a hold on it, checked at a couple of other desks - which had nothing nearly as good. Got lunch at McD's, pulled the hotel up on Tripadvisor, which rated it #2 out of 160 hotels in Hurghada (the first being the Intercontinental!) So that sealed the deal for us. Egypt, here we come!

Click HERE to see more pictures of the resort and check out their website...

Last Minute Vacation?

Just wanted everyone to know that we might get on a plane and go somewhere tomorrow... don't know where yet - depends on what deals they have at the airport, but we're thinking Egypt or the Canary Islands... ?

Kinda crazy, but we might save a bundle! We got all cleaned up from Christmas today, and I was thankful that I never changed over my closets like i should have, because it was pretty easy to throw some suitcases together. Now we'll just have to stop at the store in the morning (they've been closed for 3 days here) and make sure we have enough diapers!

If it doesn't work out tomorrow then we'll just keep trying until we find something... so these suitcases might be sitting around here for a while! Bas is off until the 11th, so we have plenty of time!

Full Christmas Video (10 minutes)

Christmas Video 2009

For my Family...

For those of you in my family who are far away this Christmas season, here are some pictures from our celebration...

Luna on Heilige Abend, as we headed out for the store...



Then later, after having Grampa's Potato Soup - and waiting for her "pwesent."


Gramma and Grampa sent these...


Let's get 'em on! They were Nick & Nora from Target - too cute, with little Christmas kittens all over them.


And here are some shots from the next morning, after Santa came - before Luna got up...


He left a wooden toy train, and a Robby for Luna!


After digging into some cranberry nut bread, we dug into our stockings...


Oooh! Lifesavers! (Family classic!)


Yummy!



Bas found some body spray in his... then goofed like it was deodorant...


A print of our Christmas family portrait.


Book with beautiful ginger bread man illustrations from Gramma.


First time with a candy cane in a long time... not too sure about that one...


Look at this yummy stuff! I'm never eating veggies again!


Finally decided to try out the Robby...


Mmmm, Pez!


OK - we had the breakfast strata, now it's time to open presents!


Can't do it! Help Papa!


Yay! Pajamas from Zack's Gang!


And weeble wobbles!


Ooooh, and a cash register from Mama and Papa... (she loves this!)


And a beautiful handmade quilt from Gramma!


Reminds me of Dick and Jane illustrations... (which I love.)


And a jewelery box from Mommy and Daddy.


PIZZA! (Hasn't stopped playing with this... she's been "making" pizza out of anything she can find to use - so this was great Gramma...)


Open Papa, Open!


I got some lovely personalized notecards...


Bas was sure this was "his" lingerie...


But he was not disappointed to find this Tyrolian style family sign...


Luna's sock monkey slippers that came with her "Monkey's Jumpin' on the Bed" set.


I started crying over this one... it was very special.


My Mom handmade a paperdoll book out of fabric. Complete with little fabric outfits (hats, shoes, dresses, everything) that have a felt backing, and therefore stick to the paper doll on each page. Extra outfits are stored in the pockets on the front and back covers. It is for Luna and me to play with together. I loved paper dolls as a kid, so it was very special to me that she went to such great effort to make this... hopefully it will become an heirloom.


Then Luna got her tube...


New Vera from Gramma! Being out of the states, I hadn't even seen this pattern!


Luna loved the Little People Nativity Set from Aunt Jenn and family.


New Y3 coat from Bas.


And Papa got a new Espresso machine! (Our US one doesn't work without a huge converter here, so we can have this one out all the time much more easily...)


Riesenthal shopping basket, just like Mama's!


And the pink Little People House from Gramma and Grampa was a huge hit! I don't think it's even worth cleaning up the pieces for this one... they just come right back out!


Luna laying under the tree, so she can play with the nativity scene...


Finally done with presents, turkey is in the oven... better set the table! Only two place settings for now, but still worth being pretty on Christmas! (My Mom also quilted the table runner - perfect!)


Luna never took a nap - too much candy and too many new toys... let's see how long she lasts?


Yum! We had an 8.5 lb. turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes (I had to go to 6 stores before I found them...) stuffing, cream cheese corn & gravy (I forgot to make the cranberry relish!)


There she goes!

Good night!

We'll try to post a video of her with the presents, too!