MERRY CHRISTMAS!

David finally got around to taking out the last piece of chocolate from his Advent Calendar. Yummy!

I stayed up so late wrapping gifts, so I was a little bleary-eyed this a.m. Luckily, I had a nice peppermint tea and a big bowl of oatmeal with brown sugar to wake me up.

If you haven't opened your gifts, ya' betta' get crackin'! (Forgive me; I couldn't resist the pun...ha ha.)

Merry Christmas, everybody!

Check out who was peeking out from my stocking when I awoke this morning!

the aftermath...

Ellen took this picture of me. She stuck the hat on me and snapped it before I knew what was happening. I think it looks totally funny!

Ellen and I decorated the supper table by raiding the tree.

CHRISTMAS EVE IN BUCHHOLZ

Dan's neighbors dressed their window for Christmas. Thought it would make a nice finish to these Christmas Eve pics.

One of the lit trees in town...

We took a LOOOONNNNNGGGG walk in the heide (fields of purple flowers - not blooming now). Lots of people from town drive out there for walks during the holidays, so we weren't alone. Then we drove home, ate a light supper and got ready for the night service at the village church. We entered to the sound of church bells. We sang German Carols, finishing the service with "Silent Night."

When got back home, Dan and Annette took a walk, leaving the kids and me to kick back on the couch. Ellen read (as you can see) while Dave and I drew pictures.

Dan and I stopped by this bakery for a cheese bread.

A view of the church we will attend at 11 p.m. - St Paulus - It's a state church (supported by tax money).

We met up with one of Dan's postal buddies. He spoke decent English, and made the joke that he was working the, "shopping mall route" because he covered the Walking Street district.

The door of that architecture firm...

Creative paint job, yes?

One of my favorite houses in town - an architecture firm. Look! More bikes! They really were everywhere I turned.

Music filled the air as we journeyed back down the Walking Street - these musicians accepted change, but they were also selling CD's.

The view across from the Walking Street...