IT'S THE MOST WONDERFUL TIME OF THE YEAR!

These pictures are totally out of any kind of order--just a mixture of our activities this past week. I didn't take enough pictures when the Eberle's were here. But it is what it is. We were so glad to have company for Christmas. Shareen and Mike and girls came Christmas day.

Christmas Eve dinner.
Sometimes it can be difficult to get a perfect group photo. The Eberle girls were not cooperating. You can see how happy Anya is.

It's better, but not so perfect. Oh, well, they look cute all ready for church.

Christmas Morning.
Waiting their turn.

Christmas Eve Photo Gallery

The Kindrick bunch!

Santa's helpers

We visited the nativity and visitors center at the temple.

The Kindrick kids decorated a gingerbread house.

Sometimes a little expert help is needed.

Getting Started.

NURNBERG CHRISTKINDLEMARKT PART I

We had an enjoyable day seeing, tasting and enjoying all the sights of the Christmas market with Christa and Beldon.

There was a kinder market  for the little ones.

It might be hard to tell from this picture, but this was a really cool two-story carousel.

We had to taste almost everything.  This is a waffle on a stick dipped in chocolate.

This display shows the most famous of the treats. Nurnberg is famous for its lubkuchen.  As you can see there are many varieties, shapes and flavors.  It resembled gingerbread, but not exactly.

Yes, it was cold.  Elder Toolson and I bought something there to keep our ears warm.

There were, of course, lots of displays and booths to entice us to buy.

More goodies to try.

At the noon hour the church clock opened up and the little figures came out and played music for us.

These types of nativity and other scenes are what Germany is famous for.  They do lots of very cool things of wood.  I didn't buy a nativity but some really cute wooden figures called "smokers". I'll post a picture of them later and you can see my apartment decorations (what there is of them).

 Continue on for more pictures.

NURNBERG CHRISTKINDLEMARKT PART II

WE ARE GRATEFUL

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner prepared by Christa Durtschi.  I volunteered to bring something, but Christa would have none of that.  I did bring some sparkling grape juice, so I had a very relaxing day.  

It was nice to visit with Beldon and Christa and make some plans for our  P  days with them.  

That's Beldon and Christa at the head of the table, Page (Rachelle's sister), Rachelle, little Julian and Elder Toolson.  Her two twins we were seated at a table by themselves.  

We were thankful to have such nice company for Thanksgiving.  How was your day? 

ANOTHER GOODBYE

Wednesday was transfer day for the missionaries.  It is always a day that has mixed emotions.  We lost Elder Harrison.  He is on the far left.  He has been here for four transfers and was here when we arrived.  He is an unusual young man, very kind with a wonderful spirit and a great teacher.  We call him Elder Sunshine because he never has anything bad to say about anybody or anything.  We will be missed in the ward and especially by us.

Tuesday was our last District Meeting together, and when an Elder goes home we have a little last get together at a local restaurant.  Elder Williard will stay here and gets to train a "greenie" right out of the MTC.

I AM A CHILD OF GOD

LAST NIGHT WE HAD A SWEET SURPRISE.   FOR THEIR ACTIVITY "DAY" THE PRIMARY CHILDREN WALKED OVER FROM THE CHURCH AND SANG TO ELDER TOOLSON AND MYSELF.  THEY SANG A FEW SILLY SONGS AND SOME CHURCH SONGS. 

 WE FOUND OUT WE WERE ACTUALLY THEIR SECOND CHOICE. THEY WANTED TO GO TO A NURSING HOME, BUT IT WAS TOO LATE FOR THE OLD FOLKS.  (IT WAS 7:30 PM AND BEDTIME FOR THEM)  SO, THEY CAME AND SANG TO US TWO "OLD FOLKS".  THEY WERE CUTE AND WE APPRECIATED IT, AND THEY COULD REALLY SING--NO MUMBLING.

P DAY WITH THE ELDERS

YES, IT IS COMING!

Monday we drove to Amberg just to have something to do.  It was raining and not too pleasant

 to be out.  They are getting ready for Christmas which is exciting. They were decorating the big

Christmas trees. I can hardly wait to go to the outdoor Christmas markets they have here. 

I have put up pictures of this church before, but it is one of my favorites.  Most are so dark, but 

love the whiteness of this one.

One of our favorite things to eat is a "doner".  Here the Elders are enjoying lunch.  Elder 

Willard is our new Elder, and he is from Santa Clara, next door to St. George.

It was a wet but enjoyable few hours.  We came back to our apartment, and the Elders did their 

emails.  We had a dinner appointment with a part-member family so all in all a pleasant P day.

A WELCOME HOME

During the next few weeks all the soldiers from Grafenwoehr that have bee in Iraq  this past year will be coming home.  They arrive home in shifts and started coming this past week.  When we were at the gym this morning, I noticed they were getting ready for a welcome home ceremony and thought that it would be nice to attend.  We have seven men from our ward who will be coming home.   This was a small group of about 30 returning.  This picture shows some of the family waiting for the soldiers to arrive. They have been gone for one year.

Marching in

A smart salute and then dismissed.

Families reunited.  It was nice to be there.  I hope we can come when some of the bigger groups come home.

OUR BIG WEEKEND

NURNBERG

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Enjoy a few more pictures of Nurnberg. 

I can't get enough of the timbered buildings.

Cute, don't you think?

When we were in Nurnberg before my camera died and I didn't get pictures of the castle.  It is quite an impressive structure.  Inside the walls are many buildings, gardens, etc.

They were having some kind of a dog contest.  Some were in halloween costumes.

Coming soon to a theatre near you.  Yes, even to Nurnberg.

The dining room of the hotel we stayed in.  They served a very nice breakfast.

Have you ever seen an elevator for one?

Our hotel in Nurnberg.

BAMBERG, GERMANY

It is always hard to select which pictures to put on the blog.  I took lots.  But hopefully this will give you a bit of idea of this beautiful city.  This city was lucky in that it sustained virtually no damage during the war.  We were told that when the bombing was going on around the area that there was always a fog or heavy clouds over the area.  They claim angels we watching over the city.  I'm glad they were.

The river Regnitz around the old Town Hall built in 1440.

Beautiful paintings on the old Town Hall.

This is called Little Venice.  I really liked the colorful houses you can see along the shore.

Of course, a massive cathedral.  The present structure was finished in 1442.  How did they build such things back then?

Not too any roses left in the garden.  The one standing here looks a little like one of those wilted roses in the background!

I'm not sure what this is up on the hill.  We didn't go up, but it is very impressive.  We will still have plenty to see next time  There are several castles we missed.  Always more to see.