From our home to yours...

we send you lots of kisses...

and hope you get all that you wished for...

Enjoy a moment of relaxation with the ones you love...

and enjoy delicious treats...

this holiday season (and all year long!)

Merry Christmas!

xoxoxo

Fluffy Snow, Christmas Markets, and Holiday Visitors

Yesterday I woke up to a fresh layer of glistening snow.

It covered everything.

It was beautiful.

Gnocchi was still admiring it this morning.

Despite the snow, a friend and I (this California native drove in the snow, it's true) made the drive to Strasbourg, France to visit the famous Christmas Market there.

It was -10 degrees Celsius outside. That's 14 degrees Fahrenheit. It was cold. Too cold for our toes. We routinely popped into small cafes and restaurants ordering food and beverages just to give our bodies a chance to thaw.

It was very beautiful there despite the frozen toes... each building decorated differently with the fragrant smells of vin chaud (hot wine) and roasting chestnuts.

This following picture does not do this alley justice. Unique and gorgeous chandeliers hung every few feet above us...

When we were officially frozen to the bone, we went to the mall (along with the entire population of Strasbourg) and stopped at Paul's bakery for goodies.

Then we drove home.

And my brother is coming for Christmas and gets here tomorrow!

it's official...

When I woke up this morning Chad led me to the window to see a wonderful sight.... our first snow this year. I was very disappointed when Stockton got snow before Stuttgart but something tells me we'll win in the end.

Meatloaf frolicking in the snow.

Gnocchi and Chad were not nearly as excited as I was.

I'm so hoping for a white Christmas...

p.s. Did you know my brother is coming? He is. I hope he brings his long underwear!

December 6, 2009

-One Year-

Got married, honeymooned on the coast, moved to Germany, lived in a hotel, lived in temporary housing, got another dog, filed our taxes, played in the snow, bought a new car, turned 25 (me), turned 24 (Chad), went to Washington D.C, moved into a German house, traveled to France, got degrees and graduated, traveled to Switzerland, traveled to Bavaria, got in a car accident, argued, yelled, screamed (especially after the accident), loved, hugged, and cuddled. We volunteered, had visitors, traveled to Italy, Austria, and Slovenia (?), got a job, spent time apart, spent time together, won awards, racked up frequent flyer miles (Chad again), with more love, hugs, and cuddling. We cooked our first turkey, spent time with new friends, and yesterday we got our Christmas tree. Today, we celebrate One Year. Tomorrow, we don't know but...

we're sure it will include more love, hugs, and cuddling.

Some pictures from the occasion (we celebrated on Saturday because we live in Germany and nothing is open on Sunday except for Church ya know.)

Chad knows how I like to start my morning...

We went to dinner at the famous TV Tower in Stuttgart...here Chad is holding on for dear life while trying not to get blown away at the top.

Sorry for the blurriness.... it was crazy up there.

We had dinner at the bottom, cake at the top, and then we went home and decorated our Christmas tree.

It was a lovely celebration of one exciting and challenging year....

(topped off with love, hugs, and cuddling).

It only took me 6 hours but the jello is complete...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO THOSE BACK HOME!

.WE LOVE YOU.

Chad, Amy, Meatloaf & Gnocchi

Diary of a Visit: Vienna

Oh, you didn't know that everywhere my mom goes she makes new friends? Take my cousin's wedding this summer. She married a man whose originally from Austria and his family came to the wedding in California... my mom made friends with his cousin, Julia, who lives in Vienna. My mom had the brilliant idea of exchanging emails and letting Julia know they'd be in Germany. We also conveniently drove through Austria (twice) on our way to/from Italy. Mom decided that a stop in Vienna to meet Julia would be fun. And so it was (except the fact that Chad and I were sick... grumpy... cold... borderline miserable... which always makes for a fun vacation).

-Vienna, Austria-

I decided to post this picture regardless of how fat my head looks because it sums up our feelings towards the symptoms that decided to plague us.

At the base of a really cool Mozart statue... unfortunately, my mom isn't that handy with the camera and could find no possible way to fit us and the statue in the frame. And... I didn't really care at this moment.

Opera House at Night

Our Carriage Ride Through Vienna...

And last but not least... we braved opening night of Vienna's Christmas Market... and then went back to the hotel where the vicks was...

Vienna was a beautiful city with delicious food and kind people. We hope to visit again... and be able to enjoy it MORE since we'll hopefully be able to breathe and taste food again.

ciao.

Diary of a Visit: Grado & Trieste

Grado, Italy

Trieste, Italy

I have no words... and I'm halfway done with the book New Moon and I'd rather be reading than typing. For now anyways...

I promise more commentary when I blog 'Vienna.'