Leaving on a jet plane...

I am a mere 36 hours away from going home for Christmas, and I really could not be more excited. In fact, I'm pretty sure it's almost all I think about all day. I am excited for everything about going home, including (but not limited to) laughing, eating, playing, sharing, sleeping, shopping, speaking English to store clerks!, going to movies, reading magazines, and relaxing. I have perma-grin just thinking about it all. I have been spending my week preparing to go by collecting goodies to take home (chocolate bars and speculoos spread are among the top of that list!), buying paint for my walls upon my return here, and cleaning. In my mind, the only thing better than a good vacation is coming home to a house that sparkles.

The boys seem equally excited as they are counting down the days until we go. In their excitement, they even packed their own suitcases last night (which, of course, will need some re-packing). Hopefully that excitement will keep them happy and sane during our 12 hour flight to the west coast. Charlotte has seemed to catch on to the excited spirit of it all and has learned a new trick for the occasion:

Now there's a girl who knows how to make grandparents proud.

Things being what they are this year, I never did get around to Christmas cards...not to say that I actually ever planned on doing them this year...but still, don't think you were forgotten when no European Christmas card ends up in your mailbox and please know that we have loved and appreciated your cards immensely. Ryan and I both feel thankful and grateful for the opportunities, blessings, and challenges that have come our way this year and we look forward to another year filled with growth in all aspects of our lives. If I don't post again before the new year, I hope you all enjoy the rest of your holiday season and that you are able to share it with those you love. Merry Christmas!!

It's that time of year

As is typical this time of year, things have been extremely busy at my house the last couple of weeks. I have been struggling a bit this year with the holiday season as I have not been feeling settled enough to really enjoy as normal. And, as silly as it sounds, I have missed my Christmas decorations and many of my things that remind me of Christmas and home. So, I guess you could say that I have been a bit homesick for the holidays as I know it, and I am so excited that we are leaving next Saturday for the States to be with family for Christmas. Not one to wallow too long though, I have been very busy doing fun things, trying to enjoy a European holiday season before we head back. I have become fascinated with European Christmas markets (a novelty that I'm sure will wear off after this year...) and have been trying to squeeze as many in as I can. Unfortunately, I haven't taken pictures of any of the markets I have been to, as I have been far too anxious to browse, buy, and EAT. Ironically, I have been to 3 other countries recently and still have not made it to the Christmas market in Brussels - a quick metro ride from my house - which I hear is lots of fun. The culminating events of the last couple of weeks happened this past weekend when we took the kids to Paris and Saint Nicholas/Sinterklaas delivered toys to the kids' wooden shoes. A couple of months ago Ryan and I discussed taking the kids to Paris around Christmas to see the lights and enjoy the ambiance of the holiday season, but Brayden ended up being the driving force behind our trip. For whatever reason, he has been begging to go to Paris. I personally think it's adorable and very cultured of him. Plus, I figure he only has a very small window of time when he can ask to go to Paris and have that request granted. So, along with our friends and travel companions, we woke up early Saturday morning and headed out. We enjoyed the fun window displays at Gallerie Lafayette and Printemps, incredible pastries, Christmas markets, a children's magic show at a small children's theatre, and the lights of the Champs-Élysées. We didn't end up getting home until 2am Sunday morning, but it was so much fun and something I hope to make a new tradition (you know, for just one more year).

We tried taking pictures of all of the lights on the Champs-Élysées (because they were incredible!!) but I couldn't stay steady long enough for the shutter on the camera to stay open long enough to capture the picture. I finally gave up, but thought I would try again as we neared the Eiffel Tower on our way out of town. We had been sitting at a stop light for a long time when I attempted this photo. We started moving in the car when the shutter had been open about 3/4 of the total time for this picture. Even though it's a total mess-up picture, I thought it was fun and a little funky.