Christmas on the Baltic Sea

We spent two wonderful weeks in Christian's home town for Christmas. His family is so good to us. The kids love to be there on the farm. We went sledding several times in all the snow, built a snowman, went to the movies and ate and ate and ate and ate!

We drove half way to Neubukow (Christian's hometown) and met Christian's parents. They took Hanna with them so that she can spend the summer on the beach. We will be there in another week. On the way home we stopped at a beautiful park (Wörlitzer Park). We walked around for a long time. The boys rode their bikes and we had a little picnic. It was perfect weather - so fun!

I've always been a little concerned about Max. He is not real aggressive or anxious to try new things. He's never really been daring enough or even interested in riding bikes. That is, until he discovered the LAUFRAD. Now he begs me to go outside so he can ride his bike. It makes me so happy. And, when mom is happy, everyone is happy - right?

Since Jentz is the only unbirthday kid at this time of the year, we'll spotlight his awesome gymnastic abilities. He had a state meet last weekend. It lasted all day! It made me really appreciate and feel bad for my mom when she had to sit at our meets all day with all her little kids. Wow! Well, just when I thought I wouldn't last another minute Jentz got his first medal. It made the long day worth it to see his excitement. We are so proud of him. He got the bronze medal on the parallel bars.

Hanna had birthday number 3. It just so happened this year that her birthday was very eventful for many people. In Germany, the 1st of June is Children's Day (kindof like Fathers' or Mothers' Day). It was also Pentacost Monday, which is strictly observed in our part of Germany. Finally and most exciting, she had a little baby girl cousin, Olivia Jill Kerr, born on her birthday and almost at the same time. They will be exactly one decade apart. Cool birthday, huh? Julie and Derek also came all the way from Utah to celebrate with us.

Max had birthday number two. He turned 4. For his birthday we went to this amusement park where we have a season pass. It was fun. He is a sweet little boy and very funny - the clown in our family.

Obviously I am very new to the blogging setup, so that last one wasn't really in the right order or anything. Oh well. I won't give up just yet.