I Love Christmas Markets!

We got to go to two markets this week.  For our Wednesday outing this week we visited the Brussels Christmas Market and it was a blast!  We didn't make it to the main section under Saint Catherine's last year so I was determined to see it this year.  There were lots of things for the kids to do...including an awesome carousel (I've never seen one this cool...a rocket, a plane, a hot air balloon...oh my!), a toboggan slide, a ferris wheel, and an ice skating rink!  We only made it on to the carousel this time, but it all looked like a lot of fun!

And then Friday, Jacob was able to take the day off and we took a road trip to Monschau, Germany.  Our friend had recommended this market as it is set in a charming little town in a valley just across the German border.  And she was right, it was a great little town and would be a great day trip even without a Christmas market.  We strolled around the town, ate some delicious German sausages and then headed home.  The snow made it feel all the more Christmas-y :o)

I loved this lantern with the mini nativity in it.  

I totally want to recreate it!

Christmas markets are so much fun!  And I'm glad we get this second chance to experience them before our time here is over!

A Dog Show & A Christmas Party

I can't believe how quickly time is flying by...Christmas will be here in only a few short weeks...and then only one more month here...it's just crazy!  We're still enjoying every second possible...except for the freezing weather, but the little bit of snow we've had is quite lovely.

This past weekend we had two super fun activities, especially if you're a cute 2 year old named Autumn.  The first was the Brussels Dog show!  I saw this on the Brussels event calendar a few months back and with a daughter that loves dogs I knew we just had to go!  So we headed down to the Brussels expo building, not exactly sure what to expect, but pleasantly surprised!  I was totally expecting a big arena where we sit up in the rafters and watch the dogs and their owners parade around competing for the top honors (I mean...I've seen "Best In Show").  It wasn't like that at all though...it was basically a big open forum where you just walk around, find the dogs you want to watch, and sit on benches around the judging area while they do their stuff.  And there were dogs everywhere!  Getting their hair done, hanging out in cages, practicing their routines.  It was great...you were right down in the action!  Autumn loved it...when we first got there she was just giggling away!  She couldn't control herself she was so excited!  Here are some pictures from the event...

Sporting her doggy shirt

And the winners are...

That's some hair-do!

Patiently waiting her turn

I love shelties...this one was so sweet!

On Sunday, we went to the American Women's Club annual Christmas party hosted by the Mother's of Young Children.  We made some cute Christmas crafts (Autumn mostly just liked glueing everything within reach (her two new favorite things are cutting and glueing...there are little scraps of paper all over the house all the time).  

 Yum...our first candy cane!

And then the big man himself showed up!!  Autumn was a little scared so Daddy had to carry her up to get her present.

 She loved her new microphone!

And we finished the night by making frosted trees...

the best part was licking the icing off!  Yum!

It was a great weekend.  And for next weekend...more Christmas markets!

Future Tennessee Residents

That's right...it's official...we're moving to Kingsport, Tennessee in just a few short months!  The last week of January to be exact.  Not exactly sure yet if we're going to end up in Kingsport exactly or one of the other Tri-cities, but somewhere in that area for sure.  It's hard to believe that we only have a few more months in Europe...we're trying to hit all the Christmas markets we can and take advantage of going to Paris one more time (of course :o) and just enjoying Brussels and all the friends we've made here.  It will be hard to leave our new home, but we're excited to be back in the States too.  Stay tuned for more moving details in the future...

And speaking of Christmas markets, last weekend we visited the lovely town of Strasbourg, France.  This was our first trip to Strasbourg and Christmas market or not, it is such a charming little town and I wish we had more time to spend there.  It was completely FREEZING there last weekend so between frozen toes and a screaming 2 year old (because she was cold, hungry, and tired...and maybe on the verge of getting sick)...we didn't stay very long.  But we did get to see most of the market and enjoy a little bit of the sites around the town.  Here are some pictures from our trip...

Brrrrr!!!

And here was the view out our window 

when we woke up Sunday morning...SNOW!!

It was like a winter wonderland on our drive home...luckily it wasn't sticking to the roads...and it was really pretty.  And the icing on the cake was...our route took us right by the "La Ferme" restaurant with the amazing hamburgers that I've mentioned in a previous post...so guess where we ate lunch!  Yum!!

Technopolis is Totally Awesome!

Ever since we first arrived in Brussels and met Ali & her daughter Reagan (who we miss tons :o) we knew that someday we just had to pay a visit to Technopolis...kind of a cross between a science center and the magic house (for those of you from St. Louis).  They loved it so much they had annual passes.  And today, we FINALLY made it there!

It was our weekly adventure, and although it was just the two of us...we had a great time!  The place is huge and there is so much to see and do.  We really just scratched the surface and I can see why a pass is a great idea.

 Time to fill the tank...luckily this gas was free!

 Shopping anyone?

Don't forget the ice cream!

On to the construction site!  Hard hats required!

I've never seen such big legos!

Driving the ambulance...

And that was just the start...Autumn's favorite things were definitely...

The water exhibit...it was awesome and you could get all wet!

Pretending to be a Rock Star!!

 The drums were her favorite.

And training to be a track star!

It was so much fun and we were both wore out by the time we had to head home.  It was a great day and I would totally recommend it to any Brussels Mom's who haven't visited it yet.  There is so much to do and see!