Christmas Fun

I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas from our family to yours. I really don't know where the month of December went. After our trip to Rome the Christmas festivities began. I put out the Christmas decorations the weekend after Thanksgiving but when we returned from Rome we geared up for Christmas by decorating the Christmas Tree, which is always so much fun. We put on Christmas songs, our Christmas hats and started rooting through the many Christmas ornaments that we have collected through out the years. We try to buy a Christmas ornament each place we visit. We also have many ornaments given to us by friends and family. My Aunt Diane needlepoints some very special ornaments for us each year. I always look forward to her ornaments it is always such a nice surprise to see what she made.


The following week our friend and babysitter, Patti watched the kiddies for us and we ventured to the Stuttgart Christmas Market. I couldn't believe how busy it was for a Monday night. We have been to quite a few Christmas Markets, but this was my first time to the Stuttgart Christmas Market, the setting is absolutely beautiful as it is situated around the old castle. We pretty much noshed our way through the market, sampling and sharing the traditional German foods. Of course we had some Gluhwein (traditional German mulled wine) to keep us warm and keep us going. We really didn't buy much since we already completed our Christmas shopping, but it was so much fun to see what the vendors had to offer.

Lexi's Girl Scout troop had a Christmas Party and a fun filled talent show and cookie exchange. It was a lot of fun to see what each Girl Scout wanted to share with the parents. Earned patches and awards were handed out (I have some sewing to do) and the leaders really did a nice job putting everything together. Unfortunately my camera battery died and my hands were also pretty full chasing Anika around with Alexander in my arms, trying to keep her away from all the sweets. So I don't know how many pictures I would've taken anyway. Before the ceremony began they posted the colors and Lexi was the one who posted the color guards. My friends took some pictures and when they send me the photos I will post them to our blog. I was really very proud of Lexi. John was too, but couldn't attend, because he had to do that silly thing called "work".

The girls got together at my friend Bernie's home for coffee and to open some gifts that our friend Dawn sent. It was a lot of fun and as usual Bernie out did herself with all of the scrumptious food. Thanks everyone, especially Bernie for hosting and Dawn for the generous gifts.
Sunday December 17th Lexi and I went out to lunch with some friends and then saw the play, "A Christmas Story". The performance was put on by one of our local barracks theater group and it was really well done. It really was a stellar performance. I can't wait to see "The Graduate" in February.

We had our annual open house Christmas Party and had a great time celebrating with a great group of friends. It is something that John and I love to do and it is such a wonderful way to celebrate the Holidays. As you can see from the picture above our little Miss Anika is quite the poser for pictures. If she sees me reaching for the camera she quickly jumps in front of the camera and says, "CHEEEEEESE".

Above photo is Jacquie with Alexander, Kim and Bernie.

Even though it was a brisk 30 degrees or less Dan, Randy and Larry enjoyed the outdoors with the help of the heat lamp. See Mom and Dad Rusling it was well worth effort and a great Christmas present. Can we have another one? Hehehe! Bernie looking stunning. Love the necklace.
Denise, Deborah, Steve and the back of Mike.


Christmas Eve was quite, but lots of fun. We played some board games, enjoyed our traditional Albondigas soup and each opened our one Christmas Eve gift. The girls got matching pajamas, Alexander got Christmas pajamas, John got a shirt and John gave me Cappuccino cups. Yum!! We had a great Christmas Eve, but really missed our families.

Christmas Day was spent opening gifts, talking to friends and family on the phone, playing games and just enjoying each others company. Lexi's gift from Santa was an American Girl trundle bed for her dolls, Anika got a 12-1 stroller set, Alexander got a play mat, John got some flannel bed sheets and Santa brought me a driver and Callaway 2 ball putter.

I just want to thank all of our friends and family for all the wonderful phone calls, gifts and cards. You spoiled us rotten. We miss each and every one of you and please know that you are always welcome and we would love to have you cross the pond for a visit.

We hope you have a blessed New Year. We plan on a quite New Year up until midnight. Then it is complete chaos in our village, because all the neighbors try and outdo one another for the most spectacular fireworks display. This last for about an hour. It should be fun. I am attempting my first try at a Crown Pork Roast. Should be interesting.

Holiday Fun

Welcome to the 2006 Holiday Edition of Getting to Know Your Friends!
1. Eggnog or Hot Cocoa? Eggnog, hot apple cider and Kir Royals.
2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Santa leaves out one big Santa present for each kiddie and the smaller presents from Santa are wrapped by the elves. I just love rounding the corner in the morning and watching the expressions on the kiddies faces. A classic moment.
3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White
4. Do you hang mistletoe? We have a fake mistletoe ball that says funny little phrases when you walk underneath it.
5. When do you put up your decorations? The weekend after Thanksgiving and then the tree goes up the following week. Decorating the tree is my favorite Christmas ritual.
6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Prime Rib and Yorkshire pudding on Christmas night, a family tradition. We have Albondigas (Mexican meatball soup) for Christmas Eve.
7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child: The family Christmas Eve party, which was usually held at my Aunt Pam and Uncle Bill's, also picking out the Christmas Tree at the San Gabriel Nursery Christmas Tree Farm.
8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? My Dad and Mom would assemble and set everything up when we came back from the family Christmas Party (unbeknownst to me), usually around 1:00 or 2:00am, when my brother and I were fast asleep. I think I was 10 and my brother was 2, my Dad was setting up the infamous fire truck and as parents we all know there is that one missing nut or bolt when assembling toys. My Dad was making a lot of noise and I came out to check what was going on and saw the whole thing. Oops!
9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Growing up my Mom always selected the gift and it was Christmas Pj's or a Christmas Dress/outfit for the party. In our family the kiddies get their designated present, which are Christmas Pj's and John and I pick out one present too.
10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? This year Lexi and I decorated the tree, while John made fudge, Alexander was just hanging (literally in his swing) and Anika ran around and said, "Oh coot". Translated as "cute". We always listen to Christmas music, our favorite is Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis and Jimmy Buffet/Christmas Island. The kiddies drank eggnog and we drank Kir Royals. Yummy!!
11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? I love having Christmas with snow. It is the icing on the cake. Growing up in Southern California we didn't get any snow so having snow is a real treat for all of us. It hasn't snowed yet and it is unseasonably warm this year. It is getting colder so there is a chance we could have a white Christmas. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
12. Can you ice skate? I used to ice skate all the time in Pasadena at the indoor rink, is it still there? The last time I ice skated was in Austria a few years ago. Lets just say it is not like riding a bike and it didn't come back quickly. Lexi was 3 and she did really well.
13. Do you remember your favorite gift? That is an easy one. John wrote a poem for me called Christmas Love and gave it to me for Christmas on our first Christmas together. I LOVED it. It made me cry and it brought tears to my Moms eyes.
14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Spending quality time with the family, celebrating our time together.
15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? John's chocolate chip cookies or homemade fudge.
16. What is your favorite Holiday tradition? Decorating the Christmas tree and looking at all the special ornaments. I love the fond memories our ornaments bring back for us. Some ornaments were made by family and friends when they were little, like the Christmas ornament that John's Mom made when she was little and it is dated 1950 and says, "Sharon Lee". We love the very special needle pointed ornaments that my Aunt Diane makes for us each year and each place we visit we buy an ornament for the tree.
18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving presents? I love to give, but my favorite part is watching everyone open their presents from me. I try to save my presents for last, but John loves watching me open the presents from him and the kiddies.
19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? I'll Be Home for Christmas, it makes me a little sad sometimes, okay so sometimes I cry, because I miss our families during the Holidays. It also makes me think about some of my friends whose husbands are deployed during the Holidays. On a lighter note, I love Jimmy Buffets, Christmas Island and his Run Rudolph Run. Any Christmas song by the Carpenter's.
20. Candy Canes Yuck or Yum? Not worth the calories, I would much rather have some of Johns' homemade fudge or chocolate chip cookies
21. Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas. Definately Merry Christmas. I am NOT taking the "Christ" out of Christmas:)

Romantic Roma

Here are a few pictures of our trip to Rome sans kids. We had a wonderful time, a memorable time, stories we can tell our grandchildren.

A year and a half ago Johns' division had a company picnic and they were conducting a fundraiser to raise money for the Christmas party. We bid on a weekend of babysitting and won. We had a difficult time trying to pinpoint a date to use it. I think when John said to the family, if we don't agree on a date, we just may have more children to watch if we keep postponing. We agreed to last weekend. The family watching the children have 4 of their own and John knows them from work. So they were more than capable. It was a little bittersweet for me. I was really looking forward to spending some time alone with John, but I really, really did not want to leave the children, especially baby boy. We loaded the car up with several pack 'n' plays, portable highchairs, baby gates, car seats, diapers of various sizes, formula, bottles and clothes. Then of course our things. The dogs and their things were last. After dropping my babies off with several pages of instructions we were off to drop the dogs off somewhere else. Off to the airport in Baden Baden we went.

We left the house around 10:45 and arrived at our hotel around 9:30. It was a long trip door to door, especially since the flight was a little under 2 hours, but we were relaxed. Our hotel did not look like the pictures posted on the website. There was graffiti all over the front and the room was really dirty, mold all over the bathroom and holes in the wall that had been patched, but not painted. The insulation wasn't very good either, because every time a car drove by it sounded like it was in our room. You get the idea.

We had dinner and bought some wine to bring back to the room. When we bought the wine I asked the shop keeper how much this bottle was and that bottle was and they were all 18 Euro, but when I went to pay the shopkeeper said, "My boss really likes the two of you, so for you I only charge 16 Euro."

The next day, I was taking my cold shower thinking what a shame it was that the hotel was so... dirty and such a disappointment on our romantic weekend getaway that was not going to happen again for a VERY long time. While I was thinking this, John was thinking the same thing and phoning the Marriott to see if they had vacancies. We had points and we were planning on going to the Marriott at first. John announced the Marriott had vacancies and would I want to change hotels. How glad I am we did, because it didn't take much time out of our day to move and it was truly a slice of heaven. The difference between night and day. We have stayed in many hotels and B & B's and never left a hotel. Sparse decor and no frills don't bother us, dirt does. After we checked in we set out for a wonderful day of sightseeing and put the night before, behind us.

We walked by the beautiful Villa Medici on our way to the Spanish Steps. It was very crowded and then we noticed some demonstrators so we moved on towards Vatican City. I was so excited to see Vatican City, it was everything I expected and more. It was truly a religious experience. Michelangelo's Pieta was phenomenal, sculpted between 1498-1499. Apparently there was some controversy over Mary's age. Some felt she looked to young in the sculpture to be depicted as the mother of Christ at the age Christ was depicted. One day an unhappy worshipper came into St Peter's and started firing away at the sculpture, fortunately not causing too much damage, but now the Pieta is encased in bullet proof glass. We went into the Chapel of the Sacrament to say a prayer for Christopher and all the other wonderful people who have touched our lives and we have lost. We also said a prayer thanking God for our 3 precious little gifts. We were amazed at the beauty of the confessionals and were in awe over the Papal altar. Bernini's famous canopy was gorgeous and I was in awe over the bronze spiral columns. The papal throne was exquisite as was St. Peter's tomb. The pictures of the Sistine Chapel don't do it it justice. How lucky are we that we could see all of these amazingly beautiful spots. We took a few pictures of Carlo Fontana's beautiful fountain in St. Peter's Square on our way out. We stopped for a scrumdiddlyumptious panini for lunch and walked along the Tevere River towards Circus Massimo, where they held the chariot races, back in the day. We passed the beautiful Island of Tiberina on the way. We were finally nearing Circus Massimo, but noticed streets were roped off with a large police presence. I asked a polizei if it was safe to go to Circus Masimmo and he said, "No" and then pointed us in the direction and said go that way. That way was towards a few hundred demonstrators waving their flags. We decided NOT to go that way and headed towards the Colosseum only to stumble upon the fabulous Palentine Hill, what a treasure. We weren't planning on going there, but were so fortunate to see it. What an amazing display of Roman ruins and spectacular architecture, from the Roman forum, Capital Hill, House of Livia and many other historic sights we walked. Later we reached the Colosseum, it was in sight, but we had a small problem, a couple thousand demonstrators were blocking the way. We took some picture of the outside of the Colosseum and decided to stage left that area. On our way out we decided to detour as 20 police vehicles came towards us with about 100 Carbinari (I think they were the military police) followed by several thousand demonstrators. Of course I had to take some photos and video, because it was a pretty awesome sight. You always hear about these big Italian protests, we just happened to stumble upon the grand daddy of all protests. We later found out that this particular protest hosted over a million people from all over Italy. No wonder everything was so crowded, more so than usual, because we did see some demonstrators taking some time off with their flags in tow, sightseeing. We moved onto Trevi Fountain, which was wall to wall people, but we were able to take some great pics of the gorgeous fountain. We stopped by another shop to buy a bottle of wine and were told this bottle was 18 Euro, that one was 16 Euro, etc... We took the 16 Euro bottle and were told, because we were so nice they were only going to charge us 14 Euro. Wow, how lucky were we? Everyone always thought we were so nice and gave us discounts. Yeah, right how gullible did they think we were. We knew they were hosing us, but what are you going to do. Smile, nod and say thank you (for sticking it to us). Very funny culture. We headed back to the hotel.

Via Veneto is truly a beautiful street and that was where our hotel was located. That evening we enjoyed listening to the piano in the bar for several hours while enjoying some wine and playing some Phase 10. Later we went across the street for a romantic dinner at Cafe Veneto. The first hour was quiet and charming and then the Hollywood crew arrived and unfortunately they were sitting a foot away from us. The actor, Mathew Modine was with the director Bob Hoskins (Ocean's 11, etc...) and a few other director, producer and writer types. Apparently they were filming "Go Go Girls". They were so loud and obnoxious you couldn't help, but hear what they were saying. Of course the service for the surrounding tables pretty much came to a halt. Our dinner arrived about 2 1/2 hours after ordering it, I am sure due to the fact of a very demanding Hollywood table. A little annoying. I always enjoyed Mathew Modine's movies, but I have to say I don't really care for him as a person after one comment he made. Someone asked him what he thought about Iraq and he said,"I can't be bothered with Iraq and what is going on, but on the other hand I would like change the size of scripts. At the moment your average script weighs 7 pounds and I feel we can change it to about 3 1/2 pounds by decreasing margins, font, etc.... That way I don't have to go lugging around a 7 pound script. We save plane fuel by reducing weight and we save trees." But he can't be bothered with human lives. Hmmmm. Back to our hotel we went.

The next morning we were going home, but John woke up with food poisoning, which made for a miserable and long trip for him. I felt so bad for John. We looked forward to seeing the kids, I really missed them. In spite of the glitches we really enjoyed ourselves and were grateful for the time away in such an historic city. Every corner you turned there was always something ancient and amazing to see. The Romans are crazy drivers. I would never drive in Rome, it was worse than London or Edinburgh. Also the Romans are always trying to make you feel like you are getting a great deal or bargain. We really would like to go to Tuscany and Venice in the spring and experience more of Italy, we shall see where John's job takes us.

Ciao