A quick look at December

And by quick, I mean really quick. December sort of flew by, just like it did for you all, I'm sure. I must say that I really do love Christmas in Vienna. The schedule is way less hectic, and the overall feeling in the air is more Christmas and less commercial. We only made it to two Christmas markets this year, but enjoyed them both. Here are a few pics. Jake is holding the rest for ransom, jk.

Kim and I spent a morning making cookies at Karen's. We all had such fun, and I got to use a Kitchenaid mixer again. sigh.


We spent Christmas Eve with the Greg and Karen also. It was a cozy evening.

Just a pic of Abby. Her new fav pose is with her tongue hanging out.

In other news

A brief photo essay of what has been going on around the Haskew household.

First, up Abby went and turned six on us. I was a bit sad when we asked her to show us how old she was and she had to use 2 hands.

Abby had her last Lichterfest at Kindergarten. This is one of her good friends.

I just really like this one. Two peas in a pod.

Katy had a little cold.

Headed Out for the Weekend

We're gearing up for our annual trek to Rothenburg, Germany this weekend. This will be the third year we've traveled to attend the Euro American Family Retreat. We absolutely love this new tradition of ours. It is a time to get our spiritual cups filled and get a little rest from the daily grind here in Vienna.
We hit our first Christmas market this afternoon, as well. There is a small one not far from where we live and we had never been before. It was sort of odd to me to be doing something Christmas before Thanksgiving, but by the time we left I could feel a bit of the Christmas Spirit stirring.
I hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgiving Dinner next week, too. We'll be coming back from Germany on Wednesday and will celebrate with team and some friends on Sunday. It's always an adventure figuring out how to make a grand meal in a smurf size oven. I think everyone just about has in down by now.
Here are a few pictures from the market tonight. First off, it's just not Christams in Vienna without scary, devil like creatures called Krampus.

In one of the building there were these displays about Christmas in the countries of the Donaudelta. This one is of Bulgaria.

Abby got to help make some cookies. Love the little hat.

Furlough Pictures

Is this thing on?

Well, howdy out there in blog land!!! I see it has been quite some time since my last post and all I can say is.....Well, I don't know what to say. We had a whirlwind trip to the good ol' USA this summer and have been back home in Vienna for about 1 month now. That sounds like a long time, but it sure has taken that long to get back into the groove around here. We had a great time visiting friends and family while we were in the US and maybe I'll get some pictures up here soon.
The biggest news today is that Katy is 5 months old. She is such a sweetie and we all love her so much. I'm not sure how much she weighs, but a month ago she was tipping the scales at 15 pounds. The girl isn't missing any meals I'll tell ya. She can roll over from back to front, but not the other way yet. She can sit up with a bit of support, but I don't think it will be long before she'll be doing this on her own. This girls likes to be moving and in the thick of things. Jake says her theme song is, I Just Want to be Where You Are. She loves watching her big sister, who by the way, can always get her to do a real laugh. I'm loving watching her grow and learn so much everyday.
Abby is a vorschulkind this year. Which means this is her last year of kindergarten. She will start first grade next year. She is loving her new title and uses it to her advantage whenever possible. Like any time Jake or I tell her she can't do something, "But I'm a vorschulkind now." Gotta love it. She is totally cracking us up lately, too. She makes us laugh out loud everyday. She's a good big sister, though the newness of a baby has worn off. We sure are blessed to have such sweet girls.

Stateside

We have been back in the good ol' USA for a week now. We're in Colorado and will be here for 2 more weeks before we go on to Kansas, then to OKC for 3 weeks. In so many ways it feels good to be home. On the other hand, a strange thing has happened, I find I am missing certain aspects of our life in Vienna. I am pleasantly suprised by this. It means Vienna has become home to us also. When we landed 2 years ago "over there", I didn't think this would ever happened. It is nice to know going back will not be so heart wrenching.
We are having a great time here in God's country as Jake calls it. Some of Jake's cousins who we haven't seen since we got married are also here. It has been great seeing how much the girls have grown and talking to their parents. I'm not sure what we have planned for the rest of our time here, but I know I will be doing some sewing.
Jake and Abby had a wreck in the wagon last night and now Abby has a nice case of road rash on her face. I'll try to post a pic if she'll let me take one. Everyone escaped seroius injury and Abby was proposing a new method for riding the wagon down the drive way today. I guess she's over it.

Happy 4th of July

Today is the day more than any other of the year that I miss being able to drive up to my Mom's house. I always love going there on the 4th. Today I am missing homemade ice cream and fried okra, taking in all the excitement of small town America on a national holiday and just hanging out with my Mom. So, enjoy your holiday everyone, and eat some homemade ice cream for me. Love you, Mom.