We celebrated a wonderful Christmas this year–it was everything we cherish in our Christmas celebration! We were all together and we had lots of restful, peaceful time at home.
It wasn’t exactly the Christmas season that I anticipated, however, thanks to COVID. I had plans to visit lots of Christmas Markets in Germany during the Christmas season and then Keith and I tested postiive for Covid after returning from a weekend trip over the first weekend in December. Of course, the virus traveled through our entire family, taking about two weeks for us to be fully recovered. I had to cancel so many plans!
Here is a short recap of some of our favirite memories and activities this Christmas.
Advent Calendars
During our time in Germany, we have fully embraced the fun of opening a daily Advent Calendar. This year we all chose different calendars to suite our individual interests.
We had lots of fun opening up these little suprises every night after dinner!
Christmas Markets
Wiesbaden
We were able to take a couple trips to our local Christmas Market in Wiesbaden. It is still one of my favorites!
We went on the opening night with the whole family, Keith and I returned on a date night, MC and EA took a trip there together to do shopping and ride the ferris wheel and Keith and Jenny went on the last day.
Cochem
Keith and I took a weekend trip to Cochem, Germany which is located on the Mosel River. Keith pretty much stayed in our apartment not feeling well during the whole weekend. Thankfully, we had a beatufiul view of a castle right outiside the window! I walked down to the Christmas Market one afternoon.
Rudesheim
We went as a family to the Rudesheim Market and had the best time!!! It was such a beautiful day!
Christmas Food
I always enjoy baking with the kids during the week leading up to Christmas. We tried some new recipes this year–working around the Commissary’s lack of needed ingredients for some of our favorites.
This year’s baking run down…
Pecan Chewies made by me
Loaded M&M Oreo Cookie Bars made by EA
Muddy Buddies made by Will
Snowball cookies made by MC
Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies made by Jenny
On Christmas Eve Keith and I walked down to our favorite bakery and picked out pastries for breakfast along with a nut cake for breakfast on Christmas Day. There were some beautiful Christmas Tortes on display and I splurged and brought home a beautiful Christmas Cake!
Jolabokaflod “Book Flood” Tradition
Jolabokaflod is the Icelandic tradition of giving books on Christmas Eve. This is one of our favorite family Christmas traditions. On Christmas Eve, after watching Polar Express, we unwrap presents of a book for each person and then spend the rest of the night reading together.
Here are the books we received this year:
Monica – Nora Goes off Script by Annabel Monaghan
Keith – The Boy from the Woods by Harlan Coben
Elizabeth Anne – Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree
Mary Catherine – The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani
Will – Diary of a Wimpy Kid book 17 Diper Overlode by Jeff Kinney
Jenny – Ava & Carol Detective Agency Series Books 1-3 by Thomas Lockhaven
Christmas Books and Puzzles I Received
I received the perfect Christmas presents this year!!! The kids gave me a cozy blanket and socks along with a mug and hot chocolate mix to enjoy reading during the winter. Keith’s mom gave me comfy pajamas.
And I received and assortment of puzzles and books from my mom and Keith this year. I cannot wait to delve into all of them!
Here’s a list of the puzzles and books I received along with links in case you may want some of these for your own enjoyment.
Merry Mountain Skaters 500 piece puzzle
Florette 500 piece puzzle
Serenity Meow 1000 piece puzzle
A Day at the Bookstore 1000 piece puzzle by Michael Storrings
Cherry Blossoms 1000 piece puzzle by Michael Storrings
Doctors and Friends by Kimmery Martin
Followers by Megan Angelo
Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead by Elle Cosimano
The Wisdom of Your Body by Hillary McBride (nonfiction)
I pray that you and your family had the best Christmas celebrating the coming of Christ born into our world as a humble baby so that the world may know peace and salvation.