New Years Eve

We spent the night at grandmas ang grandpas and had fun playing cards. Anna did not make it to midnight.

Bei Macus und Vanessa in Koeln

Pizza und Bier, genau das Richtige nach Weihnachten!

Bei Nori

So'n Frauenabend ist einfach schoen! Wat gibts Neues?

Besuch bei Kuehne-Family

Versuch eines Gruppenfotos auf der Couch...

Gesucht:
Mojan Kuehne. 6 Jahre, ca. 120 cm gross, blaue Augen, mittelblondes Haar. Besonderes Kennzeichen: Zahnluecke, rechter Schneidezahn. Zur Straftat wird gelegt: Hat Jeff C. am 27.12.05 um ca. 18 Uhr getunnelt. Hinweise auf den Verbleib des Taeters sind erwuenscht.

Second Christmas Day

For Americans it is hard to believe, but we Germans have a Second Christmas Day! Inge and Heinz invited us over for Spaghetti with scampis and salmon. Of course they also served a white wine that fit perfectly. It was delicious. Grandma made a mixed berry compote with vanilla ice cream for dessert which I especially enjoyed - as you can see in the picture - and I ate too much of it.

Christmas Day

On Christmas morning, we put together Anna's new UFO learn-to-walk toy that she received from Great grandma and Great grandpa (Heinz and Inge). After that we feasted on goose and played Canasta all afternoon. We were supposed to visit Anna' cousins in Herne, but they were not feeling good and mama didn't want to expose Anna to the 'germs.' Later that evening we had coffee, stollen (German fruitcake), clementines, cookies, chocolate, and peanuts. Steffi and I need another diet. Later on we called Jeff's familiy in Colorado and watched a movie together.

We had a bit of excitement before going to bed. One of Christa's candles almost burned the house down at about 11:30pm, but Steffi saw and heard the fire before it could get out of control and doused it with water. Was messy and a bit stinky, but no major damage was incurred.

Christmas Eve

After we finished our last minute shopping, Anna took a nap with daddy. Then we all got dressed, went to church, came home to a Fondue feast and finally opened up Chritmas presents. In Germany, Santa does not bring gifts. Rather, the "Christ child" brings the gifts on Christmas Eve.

First Day in Castrop-Rauxel

Steffi drove the family to Castop-Rauxel while Jeff sat in the backseat with Anna. Upon arrival we had a nice and quiet evening with the grandparents (Wolfgang and Christa) and Uncle Andreas. The next morning, of course, the rest of the family came over to play with Anna. Anna immediately recognized everyone. It is obvious from her smile that she knows who you are. Of course, everyone was pleased to be recognized. It makes all of us feel special.

Fun for the whole family: educational toys!

That was the last present Anna opened this morning. She was so exhausted that she could barely keep her eyes open. She slept for several hours.

And more gifts ...

And more ... and more ... and more ...

Annas first christmas gifts

Jeff got the idea to let Anna open her own gifts. I really did not think that she would go into it like this! She had so much fun to open the presents... But I think you all can see it.

Pre-Christmas-Eve...

This year we celebrated our private christmas eve a week early. As our euro-car is not big enough for all of our crap. With the weather forecastings snow we want our windows to be clear. And we can enjoy the day as a family and Anna does not get overloaded.

Eine suesse Maus fuer den TickTack-Opa...

Spielstunde mit Opa

Anna ist hier jeden Abend der Mittelpunkt. Sie geniesst das sichtlich!

Abends auf der Kuscheldecke...

Anna sitzt auf dem grossen Ledersessel und wird von Oma und Opa bespasst. Opa hat so Faxen gemacht, dass Anna lauthals gequietscht hat.

Anna mit Mama in Opas Buero

Vor dem Schlafengehen wird immer nachgeschaut, ob der Papa uns eine Mail geschickt hat. Wenn Opa dabei ist und Faxen mit Anna macht, dann ist sie ganz zufrieden, ansonsten mag sie die Naehe eines PCs nur bedingt!

Kat and Megan

Jeff has been in Denver last week to visit his family. He met his sister Kat with her new born baby. How you can see she has fire red hair and big blue eyes.

Das ist Steffi als Baby! This is Steffi as a baby!

Eigentlich ist das ja Annas Blog. Ausserdem gebe ich zu, dass Anna Jeff aehnlicher sieht. Aber... ich muss doch nun auch mal dieses Foto als Beweis anfuehrn, dass zumindest die Augenpartie der meinen aehnelt, oder?!

This is normally Anna's blog. I admit that Anna looks more like Papa, but I think this photo of Mama shows evidence of Mama's genetics as well... especially around the eyes.

Der Nikolaus war da!

Anna guckte heute Morgen nicht schlecht aus der Waesche. Sie war noch nicht ganz aufgewacht, da gab es schon Geschenke. Zwar passte in ihre kleine Adi-lette nicht viel, aber der Nikolaus hat grosszuegig darueber hinweggeschaut. Neben dem Babybuch gab es zwei neue Schnuller und das grosse Loewenzahn- Geschenkepaket mit sechs Geschichten aus Natur, Umwelt und Technik. Hoffentlich wird sie die Loewenzahn-Geschichten mal genauso lieben wie ihre Mama.

Fuer Papa hat der Nikolaus eine Spielesammlung und das Gesellschaftsspiel "Cluedo" hinterlassen. Mama bekam die neue Eros Ramazzotti-CD. Alle waren zufrieden.

Dieser Morgen hielt aber noch andere Ueberraschungen fuer uns bereit. Bei der Kinderaerztin erfuhren wir, dass Anna absolut gesund und wunderbar entwickelt ist. Das war fuer uns das schoenste Geschenk! Was ein toller Morgen!