It is NO FUN being sick

Well for the past week the kids have been sick. First it was Shane and Shaylee, and I kept Sydney home from school as well. Then mid week Silas got it (and still has a slight fever) and Syd is now coming down with it as well. It is basically a fever (for 4-5 days) and a cough. Plus the congested or runny nose - so we just sound awful over here. I feel a head cold coming on myself now....it is NO FUN being sick. We are just going to lay around this weekend - and rest up. I'm looking forward to us all being well again SOON!

Sunday Afternoon in Michelstadt

It was a beautiful sunny day today. We decided that we needed to get outside and enjoy this beautiful weather. We have 2 kids (Shane and Shaylee) that are running fevers - but since they rested all morning we figured getting out and getting some fresh air would do them (and the rest of us) some good. So we decided to go for a little drive to Michelstadt. The drive was gorgeous and very scenic.

Arrival in Michelstadt. We first walked to the Old Town Hall (Rathaus) which is a timber-framed building built on stilts. You can walk underneath - it is really quite interesting and was built in 1484 (earlier I had stated 1888...oops 400 years...that makes it that much more historic!) We then walked around the town, down quaint little streets lined with more 1/2 timbered buildings.

We finished off our afternoon by taking a stroll by an old schloss (I didn't even catch the name) which was also in Michelstadt. It was such a gorgeous day to be outside. We hope this weather lasts for a few more months.....

Fashion Statement

Shaylee came down this morning with this beautiful outfit! What can you say...she's only 4....and she got dressed herself without a fuss! So I let her wear it.

Sunday Morning Stroll

Jer took Silas and Sydney out for a walk this morning. They took pictures of the things they saw while on their walk that they were thankful for. Here's what they showed me when they got back...

The sun shining......walking path on a sunny morning.....lake reflecting the sunlight.

Oak tree tops....feet for walking (although the kids were riding)....daddy's legs and feet.

Beauty in the nature around them....hands....siblings (Sydney and Silas).

Thank you Lord God for all these wonderful things that you have given to us to use and enjoy!

Pretty Bike

It was nice enough on Saturday afternoon to pull the bikes out of the garage again. Shaylee was especially excited to ride hers since she got new "Handle Bar Pretties" for her bike from grandma Bleeker. Here are some pictures of Shaylee on her pretty bike!

Pictures of the Girls

We went for a walk on Saturday afternoon - here are just a few pictures of the girls being silly.

Skiing and Sledding

Today - Saturday, January 17, 2009 - we headed to the Schwartzwald area to go skiing and sledding. We went to a place called Hundseck. At first we weren't sure we were at the right place...but after leaving and going to another place and finding no skis to rent - we headed back to our original stop and found the ski-rental open. Jer and Shane headed off to the ski lift and Silas, Shaylee, Sydney and I went to the sledding hill. We borrowed 3 sleds from my friend Sybille. I love the German wooden sleds - they are so cool - and work great and go fast. Shane did well skiing and after a few runs pretty much had it down. Sydney also had a go at skiing - but hasn't quite got the hang of it yet. It was a gorgeous warm sunny day and it felt good to be outside.



The sledding hill...

The ski slopes...

Look closely - this is Sydney (we had Shane and her switch jackets since his jacket had the ski lift pass on it) - ready to give it a go...

Toothless Sydney

Sydney's teeth just keep coming out! Daddy happened to pull one out today at dinner. It was just dangling in her mouth. He basically flicked it with his finger and out it came! Sydney now has a nice gap in which to stick her tongue through!

Side note: Shane also lost another tooth while at grandpa and grandma's over Christmas...it seems that lately loosing teeth is a regular occurance in the Van Essen household!

Smiles from Silas

The other afternoon Silas was full of smiles as he was playing in the kitchen. I couldn't help but capture a few since he was being so photogenic!

Out in the Snow

Today was a holiday here in Germany - so Jer was off work yet - and the kids aren't back in school yet either....therefore we were all home....but since we just got back over here - we are all pretty much exhausted. Sleeping in til about noon was what some of us did (not all- but most). Later in the day we decided a nice walk would be good for us - get some fresh air - and use up some energy (laying around watching tv just doesn't burn much). So out into the snow we went. The kids (and daddy too) enjoyed throwing snowballs or snow fluff - as its more the dry fluffy stuff - not the wet-good-packing kind. Silas wasn't too keen on the snow (probably because he got hit right in the face right off the bat). And he prefered being held as he didn't like walking in his boots (they are just a tad big). I also think Silas was pretty tired...but we are in that keep them up til late - so they sleep all night stage....we will see how tonight goes. It's back to work and school tomorrow!

Silas and Sydney.....Shaylee.....Shane -having fun out in the snow!

Trying to get Silas to walk...Mommy and Silas....Mommy and the kids (daddy came too-he took all the pictures!)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

We've had a busy couple of weeks. We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas and New Years in Minnesota and Iowa with family and friends. Here are a few of my favorite photos from the past weeks....

Delayed in Chicago....Aunt Kerri fixing up Shaylee's hair....girls with Great Grandma Bleeker

Iowa's WINTER WONDERLAND!!! SNOW, SNOW, SNOW! Warm on the inside looking outside.

Matching dresses....family photo on Christmas Day....Van Essen grandkids with Grandpa and Fay.

Christmas at the cabin with the Bleekers....girls with cousin Kyrianna....Bleeker grandkids.

Silas and Kyri actually playing together....the family....Kimber's siblings by the masterpiece!

Kimber and Ellen....Shaylee, Silas, and Derek....Kate and Sydney.

We had a ton of fun - and got some work accomplished at the cabin too (railing and wood flooring!) I'll post more pictures later - these were just some of the highlights....

We are glad to be back home in Germany -sleeping in our own beds - and feeling better
(we were hit with the stomach flu a few days before heading back). Now to finish unpacking, taking down Christmas decorations, and getting everything back in order - and back to routines.

We loved seeing so many of our family and friends - we love you all! Thanks for making our time in the States one we will cherish and hold dear!