Random Christmas Bits and New Year’s Eve

Here’s the last batch of pics that I have from Grandma and Grandpa’s visit (that aren’t already in other posts).

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Now that’s a pretzel!

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Grandpa doing magic tricks. The girls thought they were incredible. The next day I heard Kiera whisper to a friend, “My Grandpa can do magic!”

The girls busted me relaxing in the tub with the lights off and this candle lit (and yes- that was the end of that relaxing bath!). Ever since then they usually insist on doing the same for their baths. I managed to get them on video singing this German Christmas song about a candle.

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Kiera made one of these at her school

It was on Grandma’s bucket list to hang a love lock on the Hohenzollern Bridge here in Köln, so we made that happen. Here’s a previous post on that bridge and tradition.

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Thought this New Year’s dress was cute. It has Champagne and fireworks on it (hard to see because of the window reflection).

New Year’s Eve was pretty tame this year compared to last. I was sick, so my Mom and I stayed home and watched the celebrations on German TV (David Hasselhoff performed. I’m not kidding). Simon, my Dad and the girls went to a friend’s party (and met up with Oma, Opa, Ruth and Maxim there).

The girls were cold on the way home so they shared Papa’s jacket. Picture on the right is of Quinnie wearing some of the German symbols of New Year’s/ Good Luck in her hair. Simon later went out to a club to hear our friend Peter DJ (below).

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Here’s a link to the post about last New Year’s Eve at The Weckschnapp. The fireworks over The Rhine were epic!!

We wish you all the best in 2015!

 

Christmas Markets with Grandma and Grandpa

We managed to make it to every Weihnachtsmarkt again this year. It was Grandma and Grandpa’s first time seeing them, so it was extra fun to show them around. I’m going to put all of the Christmas Market pictures into one post this year since I documented each Weihnachtsmarkt thoroughly last year. I’ll give you those links at the end of this post if you’re interested.

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Inside this little building they had craft projects set up for kids. Quinnie and Kiera made some Kölner Dom artwork.

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It was raining but not to worry-Glühwein to the rescue!

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Instead of “Where’s Waldo?”- “Where’s Quinnie?”

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Drink bar in a ship!

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Every year they build this beautiful ice skating rink on the Heumarkt. It was PACKED (this pic was taken while they cleaned the ice). Video of Quinnie skating below to give you an idea of how crowded it was…

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The food is amazing, but I didn’t document that very well. Here are the pics I have…

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crazy HUGE condiment udders!

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Dampfnudeln with cherries dessert. My Mom loved this.

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The girls LOVE roasted chestnuts (Heisse Maronen). You can find carts selling them everywhere during Christmastime.

Below are links to last year’s more detailed posts about each Weihnachtsmarkt in Köln…