Season of Advent

Aunt "Teta" Eva and Adela decorating apples

Craft time

Babicka making snowmen

Our Advent Stockings

Tomorrow is the first day of Advent. I have thought a lot about family traditions and how important they are. We really want to teach Adela and show her through our example that Christ is the center in our home. This past week I bought a set of "Advent Stockings" I call them. I'm excited about putting something small (a sticker, page to color, etc) in each stocking for Adela to take our every morning. In the evenings we will pull out a short scripture reading to read together, sing a Christmas hymn or song and light the Advent candles. Czechs look forward to Christmas and have advent calendars everywhere. The most popular calendars are made of cardboard and there are 24 little windows to open with a piece of chocolate inside. Adela and I just returned from spending 3 days in Lipova with Leo's family. Here are some pictures from a craft time at the pre-school in Lipova where we made some decorations for Advent and the Christmas season.

These are some links where I got ideas for celebrating Advent:
http://www.crivoice.org/cyadvent.html

This is a great link for activites with kids.
http://www.homeschooled-kids.com/advent.html

Not a Butterball

This was an important Thanksgiving for us this year - we (I should say Leo) cooked our first Turkey! We had an oven bag from Reynolds Wrap, but the turkey was definitely not a Butterball with a pop-up thermometer! Our turkey weighed almost as much as Addy! Leo LOVES Thanksgiving and all the fun with family and friends surrounding it. Here he is donning my apron which says, "I run this kitchen!" I have to say that I didn't even want to touch the turkey, but Leo happily washed and prepared it.

Adela didn't know what to think of all this fun in the kitchen, but she didn't mind posing!

Three hours later and we have the prettiest cooked turkey in the Czech Republic!

Aren't you impressed? You can call Leo next year to come to your house to cook your turkey!

This year was a special Thanksgiving at Majak because we invited our Czech friends who we are very thankful for. This is Monika and her parents and they have made our life easier here in many ways. Milos has helped us get Majak buildings up to fire code. Adela and I spend a lot of time with Jarka and Monika playing, going to exercise class, shopping and just hanging out. We are so thankful for their friendship to us.

Some more guests

Marian, with her guests

Adela and Moni laughing together.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Lord's Army

No words necessary! Enjoy.

The Things You'd Do For a Grandchild

We visited Leo's family on Sunday and Adela was so excited to see the rabbits, chickens, dog and cat! Leo's mom actually caught a chicken so that Adela could pet it! I thought it was something you just had to see. (Push play twice)

Test of Toddler Patience

Last night we splurged and bought Adela a swing. Leo had planned to hang it up Saturday when he had more time, but it was evident when we got home that Addy wasn't going to sleep until she had swung! As I prepared dinner and tried my best to distract Adela with her favorite activity of the moment - coloring, Leo was drilling holes in the doorway for the hooks. Addy would stand by him saying/crying, "Houpy, houpy....Daddy....houpy, houpy (swing, swing)." It was humorous and pitiful at the same time as Adela's and Daddy's patience was tested. As you can see, she was overjoyed to finally swing. I must say that having the swing is a great bargaining tool: "Finish your dinner first and then you can swing... Let's put your pajamas on and then you can swing..." Getting the dishes and dinner done while pushing the swing WILL be interesting though!

Salzburg in the Rain

Reading a favorite Bert and Ernie sign language book

Castle in Salzburg

Mozart's birthplace

Mirabell Gardens

Walking back to the car

We just returned from a very brief vacation to Velden and Salzburg, Austria. At the missions conference in Velden, we had a great time visiting several missionary families that are serving in Europe. (I'll send more pictures to you personally, Hickory Chapel family!) Adela enjoyed the time with the kids as well. The best part of our time in Salzburg was relaxing in a nice pension and having a pleasant breakfast with some interesting people. The weather was cold and rainy, so we couldn't see much of the mountains or anything else for that matter. I think we were the only crazy people in the whole city chasing a toddler around historical sites in the rain. I guess the rest of the world knows better. The best part for Adela was waving bye-bye to strangers in McDonalds, splashing in puddles, collecting rocks in the garden, admiring the fountain and riding up and and down the escalator in a store for 15 minutes! We drove straight back from Salzburg to Brno last night while Addy was sleeping. The whole trip was a true test of patience and endurance for Leo and me, and I think we have learned a valuable lesson - home is a wonderful place to spend a vacation! I look forward to seeing Salzburg again when Adela is about 20!

Happy 60th Birthday, Daddy!

Today my wonderful father turns 60. For him, I know this day is just another fantastic milestone. Daddy lives his life to the fullest and does his best to look on the bright side of everything. He has a smile and a kind word for all that he meets. He loves his Savior and puts Him first. He is a great encourager. I'm thankful for all that my Dad has taught me and I look forward to all the years ahead that I will have to learn even more from him. Have a wonderful birthday, Daddy! We are celebrating with you across the ocean.