Family Days

I’m not sure when I lost track of documenting our adventures here, but when I opened up this blog space today, I saw a back log of drafts, pictures uploaded and ready to go, with no words. Scrapbooking, or documenting, has never been my strong suit. And I realize there are so many easy, instant options today that I could be utilizing better, perhaps.

Brian asked me just the other day if I was writing about all our travels and adventures. “You should put them into a book for us,” he said. He’s right. I know these are core memories for them, and I want them to know how much I loved doing all of this with them. I don’t want them to forget.

So, I am dusting off a few posts, ready to send them out in to the world so that I can one day compile them into something very tangible for them. I hope it brings them the joy that it brings to me.

These pictures go back to November 2023. We visited the RitterSport factory and museum and did a special chocolate workshop where the kids were able to create their very own chocolate bar, with whatever toppings they chose. They loved that it was so hands on and so delicious. And I think they really loved filling our shopping cart with chocolate from the store for the Christmas gifts we planned to send out.

RitterSport is actually really good chocolate! I love the unique shape and their story of how the matron of the family realized that the square shape would fit right into the everyday man’s pocket without breaking. It’s fun to live in the place where RitterSport goes out into the world. Our favorite bars are the crispy banana, salted caramel, dark chocolate raspberry, and we love trying out all the seasonal flavors too.

Other November happenings! Emme was selected to attend a European area art conference again this year called “Creative Connections.” She is really turning into an amazing artist and has such an understanding of so many techniques. I love seeing her practice and what she creates.

Mabel is lovingly referred to as our “Hachi” dog, after the loyal Japanese dog who waited for his person everyday at the train station. Every night, around 5pm, she stands post at her perch on the guest bed and looks out the window, waiting for Matt’s car to arrive. She lives for us all to be home together and is such a sweet dog.

Brian moved to the intermediate strings class and is really doing well. I love to see him succeed and gain the confidence that comes with music. Playing in orchestra at school makes it so much fun. I remember all of these things from when I was growing up and am so glad he is getting to experience them here.

Matt and I had a little “staycation” in downtown Stuttgart for his birthday. I love when we get to be together, uninterrupted! We enjoyed the winter market that was already up and visiting all the stores and bookshops downtown that we rarely get to.

Matt had his 44th birthday, and is in love with his “Kenough” fuzzy sweater. We had our annual Charlie Brown Thanksgiving feast, and then got to enjoy Thanksgiving with the funnest group of friends and family ever! Matt’s sister’s husband’s sister (that’s a mouthful) moved to Stuttgart and we were so excited to spend Thanksgiving with her and her awesome husband and amazing friends visiting from England. It was truly a delight.

We went to the Esslingen Christmas Market to end the day, too stuffed to enjoy the market food, which was kind of a bummer.

I learned how to make Poffers, and we went to a beautiful symphony concert with one of my favorite violinists as a soloist performing the Butterfly Lovers’ Concerto. It was a pice of heaven and sweet memories for me.

And that is a wrap on November 2023!