Nuremberg

We took a 2 day road trip to Nuremberg with the Yosts. The Christmas Market is the biggest in Germany and definitely worth the visit. The city is beautiful with all the Christmas decorations!

 

The kids hanging in the hotel room.

 Jackson enjoying his Nuremberger brat. It has 3 little brats in a brotchen...yum!

 Brat stand.

 The Kinderweinacht. It was an area especially for the kinder that consisted of rides and activities for the kids to do. It was perfect for them after walking around the market area and needing some kid things to do.

 The carousal has two stories.

 Sweet Cooper.

 The kids couldn't wait to ride the train.

 Kinder ferris wheel

 One of the stands that has hundreds of ornaments.

 Jackson and Ella wrestling in the market area.

 Market area at night.

 On the second day we dressed warm for our walk to the Documentation Center and Nazi Rally Grounds. This area of eleven square kilometers was intended as a backdrop for the Nazi Party rallies staged to demonstrate their power. It was quite a sight to see! The museum was very interesting. Jackson loved learning about the good guys and bad guys. Times like this are great to live in Europe and experience the sights instead of learning about them in books.

(Notice Jackson and Ella wresting in the background, again.)

 Our snowy walk to the center.

 Laura bought the kids these reindeer antlers. So cute!

Grace and Jason turning the golden ring at the Schoner Brunnen fountain. Legend is you turn the ring three times and your wish will come true. The ring is known as a glücksbringer, which is like a lucky charm. 

 Market area at the church.

 Great (quick) trip! Nuremberg just might be one of my favorite Christmas markets so far.

Tacky Sweater Party

Jason and I went to a "tacky sweater" party last weekend. We didn't own any ugly sweaters, so we made up our own!

It was fun to have a night out. Thank you Jaimie for watching the kids!

Star Student

Jackson received a STAR award from the principal at school. He is so proud of it...and so are we!

Continue to be Studious, Thoughtful, Astonishing and Respectful, AJ...

We are so proud of you!!

Jackson's Birthday Party

Jackson's birthday party was at the movie theater this year. He invited 10 of his friends and they watched Arthur Christmas. It had just come out the day before so the kids were all excited to see the movie!

 After the movie we went down to the food court area and had cake and presents.

 Jackson received some great gifts from his friends. Many of the gifts were legos and bionicles. He loves putting things together. Now I am finding all these little pieces around the house...let the lego phase begin!

 I made the rainbow cake just like I did last year (5th Birthday) and it was just as pretty as last year.

 That is one HAPPY birthday boy!

We are so thankful for the 6 years we have had with Jackson. He is such a sweet, kind and full of energy boy! Each day I count my blessings with him. He makes our world much brighter every day!

Happy 6th Birthday AJ!

Two Birthday Boys

Jackson is 6! I put balloons in his room while he was sleeping and taped his door with crepe paper. When he woke up in the morning he came in our room and said, "Mom, something crazy has happened in my room!" It was fun surprising him that way.

 Then he noticed that Micah left him a birthday present...and he was really excited!!

"He" left Jackson a Bakugan toy. And Jackson absolutely loved! I think Santa might have to bring a few more for stocking stuffers. ;-)

 Jackson eating breakfast off the same plate that me and my brothers ate off of when we were kids. It's fun to carry on that tradition with Jackson and Grace.

I brought lunch to Jackson, and of course it was Subway. At first he didn't wasn't so sure about me coming, but then he changed his mind. Gee, thanks Jackson! If he is this independent when he is 6, what is he going to be like when he is 16!

I also made a big cookie cake to share with his friends.

 He couldn't wait to open his presents. It was a good test of patience for him because he had to wait until Jason got home from work. 

He got some great gifts!

Grace was so happy for Jackson to open his presents!

The next day was Jason's birthday! Jackson wanted him to wear his birthday hat from school. We went out to dinner on his birthday to celebrate. Happy 35th Jason!

Surprise Box

Every few weeks Jackson gets to bring home the "Surprise Box" from school. They get to pick something to put in the box and write down clues for the kids to guess what it is. It is a great inference activity.

Here are the rules:

Jason helped Jackson to write the clues. He wanted to do it all by himself. Mr. Independent!

Here are the clues:

Can you guess what it is?

 A transformer! Great job, Jackson! Can't wait to hear if anybody guessed what it is.