Ryan's been having fun with the Istagram app on his phone . . .

So Ryan didn't take this one, but isn't my sister beautiful?!

The 25th

The four of us spent a wonderful Christmas day together.  Stockings were fun, breakfast was yummy, church was a worshipful blessing, gifts abounded, naps were long, and Skype still baffles me.

JOY to the WORLD . . . the LORD has come!

Merry Christmas!!

Gretchen Turns Two

Our little girl turned TWO yesterday!  We had a great time celebrating Gretchen Ruth and the absolute joy she brings to our family.  She is spunky, fun, gives great cuddles, loves babies, and thinks her brother is great.  We love her - bring on the twos!

We started with "Minnie Mouse" pancakes and her family presents - a purple car from Rooke and a booster seat that will let her sit at the big table with the family.  The high chair can take a break for about a year!

She picked out her whole outfit - accessories included.  She's been wearing the "birthday girl" shirt for several months now because I didn't hide it well enough and she likes the polka-dots on the sleeves, but I was glad she wanted to actually wear it on her big day.

"It's my birthday.  Don't mess with me."

After a morning walk to enjoy the sun, she got to open presents from KayeK and Big Daddy!

We had a long tea party with her new tea set!  Thank you!

Naps are better on birthdays. 

After Daddy came home, we opened Grammy Deb and G-Daddy's presents while talking to Grammy Deb on Skype.  She was so excited about the Elmo pajamas, she wanted to wear them right away!  Thank you!

Dinner included french fries and ketchup - her favorite.  Then it was time for cake!

It was a happy day!

Almost Two

I simply CANNOT believe she turns TWO this week.  In some ways, she seems completely two already.  But in many other ways, I'm not ready to admit that she's growing up this fast.  I've been trying to capture some of her personality on video (with grandparents in mind).  Here are a couple snippets . . . they both happen to be just after she's woken up.  I really like my girl.

Gingerbread Houses

Grammy Deb sent a gingerbread house kit for the kids to work on - thank you!  We had a great time decorating together.  The walls needed a little mending . . . nothing a glue gun couldn't handle.

It was fun to see them work together

We had so much fun with the first one, we invited some friends over today to make more houses!  I took my friend's idea and used my glue gun again to hold the houses together - genius.  Gretchen went sugar crazy and had something in her mouth most of the time we were at the table.  Why decorate the roof when you could eat the decorations?!

Indoor Playground

Welcome to the Payne's indoor play gym (and a messy living room preparing for a Christmas tree!)

Christmas Singing (sorta) and Trees

Rooke's preschool class performed some Christmas carols for their families last week.  I kept asking Rooke about the songs he was learning, but didn't get much information.  Ryan was able to join us, and on the way he predicted that Rooke wouldn't sing at all.  I disagreed, envisioning him cautiously singing along with the other kids.  

Checking out his Christmas lantern before the singing commenced.

Isn't he handsome?!  Thanks for the Christmas sweater, Elijah.  This was the look Rooke had the entire time they were supposed to be singing.  Turns out Father knows best.  He literally did not open his mouth once, but he sure looked good and all grown up.  

He may not be into singing for others, but he was pretty excited about the potluck snack lunch! 

 The following morning we went to pick out our Christmas tree!

A certain Little Miss was being less than cooperative for pictures . . .

. . . but I think she's still irresistibly cute in that pea coat.

Germany, part 2

We stayed at the hotel where Ryan was attending his class/training.  We had clear skies the entire week and this was the view we enjoyed each time we entered the gate: 

One morning the kids and I drove down the road to check out Eisbee Lake.  The parking lot felt deserted as we were some of the first ones there.

We made it through the parking lot before a hotel bathroom break was required.  The kids were more excited about this tree decorated with gingerbread cookies than they were seeing the lake.

But I thought this view was better than the cookies!

They were throwing ice/snow to the ducks below.  Rooke said the ducks had ordered lattes!  Yes, Ryan and I do enjoy our fair share of latte treats on holiday.

One evening we went into Garmisch town to walk through the lit up streets and find some mulled wine for Ryan to try.

This was one of my favorite things to see all around the villages . . . tall tables where people would stand with their warm drinks just chatting.

We kept the mug as a souvenir, but his opinion of the actual drink left a lot to be desired.  Guess we picked the wrong stall.

Another mini-castle the kids and I visited.

It was a beautiful sunny morning and the kids were glad for the opportunity to run and check out the grounds.  Thankfully all the other visitors at the time had paid for the tour, so they were inside and not watching my two trample the frozen ground.

She was a lot more safe than it looks.  I promise.

After the castle, we stopped in Oberammergau, a town famous for its production of a Passion Play.  The inhabitants of the village made a vow in the 1600s that if God would spare them from the effects of the bubonic plague, they would perform a Passion Play every ten years.

We found a local meat shop where I managed to communicate an order of two sandwiches and two sweet rolls that were fantastic.  Rooke and I agreed it was our favorite lunch of the trip.

After a week in Garmisch, we started for home.  At a Burger King bathroom stop, I gave in to a craving for a chocolate milkshake.  I ordered a medium.  I paid TWO euros ($2.67).  Then I was handed a cup shorter than an iphone, filled up 3/4 full, with the chocolate flavoring still on the bottom left for me to mix into the milkshake myself.  I didn't take the cup at first: "This is a medium?"  "Yes."  "It cost me two euros?"  "Yes."  "A medium?!?"  "Yes."  "Is there chocolate inside?"  "Yes.  You mix."  And there you have it.

My failed chocolate experience was redeemed in Brussels.  We stayed two nights with friends, giving us a full day to visit, play, and get some real chocolate (Ryan's main request from the trip home).  She took Ryan and I to a chocolate OUTLET where they had a sample of literally every kind of chocolate they were selling.  Oh my word.  The amount of chocolate we sampled . . . it was a fun souvenir at the end of our family get-away.