Christmas is here!

Feeling a bit embarrassed, as I had lost my host family's phone number and we didn't have email access during our travel week, we kind of showed up unnannounced. Well, not really - they knew we were planning to arrive on the 23rd, but they didn't know what time. I hate feeling rude. But, timing seemed perfect as we arrived after Sabine and Susanne, but before Simone and Stefan. In other words, we were just in time for a late breakfast.

We were so busy from the time we walked in the door, there was not much time to really consolidate thoughts and post blog updates. We did manage a round of Internet calls to our folks so the kids could wish grandmas & grandpas a Merry Christmas. We feel quite blessed to be thoroughly welcomed into the home and every ensuing activity. I had not spent Christmas with the family back in my days as an exchange student - so really had no idea what the family traditions were. It was fun and heart-warming to share the season with everyone - and at the same time, we missed our friends and family back home.

First off, a wealth of packages greeted us when we arrived. It was hard not to open them immediately - huge thanks to Lisa, Sandra, our moms & dads and Landon. You really helped make Christmas memorable for us (especially the feather boas...which leave a trail of mini feathers and the screeching stuffed animals - you've made your point. We should be home for Christmas next year).

Christmas traditions where we were are pretty simple. Eat, eat, and eat more! Celebrations started off with a lamb dinner, Norweigan style on the 23rd. Susanne explained the secret was in the brining process and allowing adequate time to rinse the meat - all I know is it was some of the tastiest lamb I've ever enjoyed.

Holy Night (Christmas Eve) saw a late breakfast and a "wander" to town for Gluhwein and socializing with friends. As you can see, we weren't the only individuals imbibing. Seemed like the whole town was out for the afternoon. The middle street was so packed with people that it was easier to walk around the block than to try and push through. Stores closed at 2pm, and would be closed through 27.December.

Later in the afternoon, the Christmas trees were brought in and decorated, including real candles on the big tree! Monika designated the "small" tree in the entry way for the girls to decorate and was happy to have their help decorating the "big" tree in the main living room. The traditional approach would be for the "big" tree to be decorated in secret and revealed after dinner - but we're all pretty relaxed about these things. With candles lit and other lights dimmed, it was quite beautiful. Forgive my photography skills - I seemed to not take many pictures and those that I snapped are blurry.

Megan and I followed Simone and Sabine to church services on Holy Night. We arrived early (or so we thought) and waited patiently for the earlier service to let out. Finally, the rest of the folks waiting started spilling in and, voila! the church was filled almost immediatley to standing room only. Poor Megan was bored - I had warned her that services would be in German, but she was determined to attent. She worked on reading the hymnal throughout the service and tried to hum along with the songs. For the first time during the season, we were hearing Christimas hymns in German. Thus far, we had only heard English carols when out shopping or surfing radio stations. The German lyrics are quite beautiful and it's almost a shame to have not encountered the local language versions earlier in the season.

After a dinner of carp and knudeln (oh, don't forget the Linie Aquavit to aid digestion), we retired to the living room to exchange presents. Our family was simply doted on - lots of new toys for the girls, games, hats, gloves - the unwrapping was overwhelming and the kids simply were melting down by the time we were finished. Poor Megan waited until we were at the top of the stairs (3-stories) to ask for her new PJs from Aunt Sandy... I said "no" (assuming they would need alterations, as usual) and she was just about inconsolable.

The First Day of Christmas was largely one of relaxation. Of course, Santa found the Scherer girls. Megan first went running into the living room, looking at the big tree but there were no new gifts. She thought he had missed her. Alas, he left gifts by the kid's tree in the entry way, of course. New baby dolls for the girls and stockings full of chocolate. They couldn't have been more pleased with the new "stuff."

Christmas dinner was roasted goose and knudeln. Quite tasty - again, followed by our now beloved Aquavit (which has medicinal value, honest). We hung out talking and enjoying the evening together. Without realizing it, we sipped our way through 11 bottles of quite tasty wine (8 people) over the course of the evening. The family started teasing us - this was the finest from the family cellar and we had drank it all! Turns out it was about 2Euro/bottle from the local market. One of the wonders of Europe - if you know what you're buying, you can find some excellent wine options that are not super expensive.

The Second Day of Christmas saw Dan and Sherry frantically fixing an American breakfast of pancakes, cinnamon rolls, bacon and scrambled eggs. We were only 30-minutes late in serving than we initially thought. It's near impossible to pull off such a feat in a strange kitchen, on a distinct lack of sleep and two kids running rampant. Various family members kept checking in on us - I think we looked more stressed out than we were. It was actually quite fun to pull off, but there were some complications (like bacon or "spec" is largely sold in uncut blocks; which we sliced by hand... which were thicker slices and smoke a LOT when you cook them.). We didn't catch anything in fire and we cleaned up after ourselves. People seemed to enjoy the breakfast - though it could be simply because they were all but starving by the time it was ready. =) Funny how what is a no-brainer at home is quite complicated in someone else's kitchen.

Extended family arrived later in the afternoon and we enjoyed a long tea (coffee). Finally the threat was issued, either go for a walk through town with Hans or stay and help Monika in the kitchen. Given our time in the kitchen that morning, we opted for the long walk.

Dinner that night was Venison - which had been slow cooked throughout the afternoon and was served with more knudeln. So tasty - it brought back vivid childhood memories for Dan.

A hearty "thank you" to everyone - we had a very memorable holiday.