Going for a ride!

Zachary figured out today how to climb aboard Matthew's Thomas the Train! Then he discovered how to ride it, kinda. There is a button that you hold down to ride, but instead he laid over the button to hold it down as it took him for a ride down the hallway!


Also, I finally took some pictures of our bedroom as we got our new furniture in. We ordered back in July from Belgium. It took awhile, but we love having it so I guess that it was worth the wait!

Bath Time Fun

Some pictures of bath time!

PJ Party!

Pictures of the boys in their pjs! Zachary is looking a little rough these days with all the bruises. A combination of getting this walking thing down and a big brother that is in his terrible 2 stage!

St. Martin's Day

Tomorrow is St. Martin's Day in Germany and the city next to us, Strohn, had a big celebration. Last week in school Matthew, ok I, made a tiger lantern and tonight the kids all got together with their lanterns and parade up the street to a huge bonfire. I am not really sure of the significance of St. Martin's day so I looked it up on the internet and this is what I found!


On the 11th day of the 11th month at exactly 11 minutes past 11 o'clock a.m. St. Martin's day is celebrated. It is mostly favored by youth and rural population. Martin, the bishop of Tours, lived in the 4th century. The soldier in his past, he was given this title due to his exemplary way of life.
St. Martin's day celebrates the end of the agrarian year and the beginning of the harvesting. The second meaning of this day is the end of the period of all souls, that started on November, 1st with Halloween, or All Saints' Day. That is why St. Martin's day's activities resemble those done on Halloween. People, mostly children, walk down the streets with lanterns and torches, and sing Martin's songs praising the saint's generosity. Then kids come into the nearby houses and by singing songs, dancing, or citing poems earn sweets, pies, or whatever the host can give them.

The symbol of the St. Martin's day is the goose. There is a legend saying that geese have betrayed him with their gabbling when he tried to hide in a stall as he was to be appointed bishop. So, the birds are "sacrificed" being butchered on this day. This is a good time for that, as they are quite ready for harvesting. Moreover, the goose has proved to be multipurpose: feathers are used for pillows and featherbeds, quills are used for writing, the eggs are good for baking, the fat is needed for baking and can be eaten on bread, the bird makes a great "Braten," and even the wing can be used for dusting! Why not take chance and make use of such a wonderful animal?
Besides, it is a great chance to have fun with your friends!

We had a great time although we weren't really sure what was going on. I am pretty sure that we stuck out like a sore thumb. Oh well!

First Frost

Boy is it getting chilly out and us Texas folk are in for a suprise I am sure =) This morning when I took Matthew to school is was only 29 outside! Ouch!! I hope that I make it through my first winter although it isn't looking too promising already and it's only November!! Matthew didn't seem to mind too much though, it gave him an excuse to wear his favorite (although way too small for his big head) hat ;)

Trick or Treat

Some pictures from our exciting night of trick or treating! Germans don't celebrate halloween so we had to go to a military housing area so the kids could have some halloween fun! It was pretty chilly though. The boys were wearing sweats under their costumes and were still cold, but had a great time!