Family

On our way to church we stopped at an old cemetery. This cross had to have been here for some time.

One of the things we miss having in United States is our family. Each time we are in Europe the kids love having all the family relatives around and spending time with them.

 We got to spent some time with Fil's cousins family and their children. Their girls are about the same age as ours and they get along well together. Between Czech, German and English they even understand each other.

The girls had a blast getting into trouble together. They performed the Nutcracker ballet for us and even a doctor show.

 On Sunday we got to spend time with my extended family after church. We all got together for lunch (on Mothers Day). We skyped with Fil (who we miss very much) and enjoyed each other company.

Being silly with my brother.

And my mom.

With my uncle and aunt and my cousins. We will miss everybody very much.  It was a beautiful day outside. I cannot wait to get back and start working on my garden.

 Orchids were in full bloom while we were in Europe and we were admiring them in garden centers and peoples homes. I might give it a try when we get back.

Sunday

Good morning.

When we told the kids that we might drive to church this Sunday they were VERY dispointed. They wanted to take a train to my mom's (and my brother's) church. Forget cars when you can ride the train (and two on one trip is a special treat). They didn't mind that we had to get up earlier to catch the train and that there was some walking involved.

Someone was very happy about the train ride (and it was not my brother, just kidding).

 We had a lovely time in church on Sunday morning. I didn't sing much as I lost my voice completely. I also lost the hearing in my left ear from congestion. Other than that I was feeling great :)

After church we spend some time in Usti nad Labem. We took a nice walk back to downtown. The kids got a huge kick from walking through the 'walk thru' window at McDonalds. We Americans have 'drive thru', here they have walk thru or as they call it the hungry window.

 We had lunch at KFC ( a big treat for my kids), did some shopping and had a treat at the end.

 We stopped at some of the same spots we visited few years ago.

Waiting for our train ride back home. The girls got new backpacks and new sneakers from babi.

Jonas, the strong man :)

Sunday

What can I say. Europeans know how to make a Latte!!!

On Sunday we had lunch with few of our old friends after church.

Girls make friends everywhere we go. Language is no problem for them.

I believe Temple run is same in every language.

Thank you girls (and daddy) for joining us for a lovely afternoon even if it was cloudy outside.

I am happy to write this will not be Nate's car :)

Third Sunday of Advent

My girls were Acolytes this morning at our church.

 When it was time for Elizabeth to have her baby, she gave birth to a son. Her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown her great mercy, and they shared her joy. On the eighth day they came to circumcise the child, and they were going to name him after his father Zechariah, but his mother spoke up and said, "No! He is to be called John." They said to her, "There is no one among your relatives who has that name." Then they made signs to his father, to find out what he would like to name the child. He asked for a writing tablet, and to everyone's astonishment he wrote, "His name is John." Immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue was loosed, and he began to speak, praising God. The neighbors were all filled with awe, and throughout the hill country of Judea people were talking about all these things. Everyone who heard this wondered about it, asking, "What then is this child going to be?" For the Lord's hand was with him.

Luke 1:57-66

Jo got to lit a candle for the victims of Friday's shooting in CT.

Second Sunday of Advent

 

At that time Mary got ready and hurried to a town in the hill country of Judea, where she entered Zechariah's home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's Greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear! But why am I so favored, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy. Blessed is she who has believed that what the Lord has said to her will be accomplished!" And Mary said: "My soul glorifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has been mindful of the humble state of his servant. From now on all generations will call me blessed, for the Mighty One has done great things for me-- holy is his name. His mercy extends to those who fear him, from generation to generation. He has performed mighty deeds with his arm; he has scattered those who are proud in their inmost thoughts. He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers."

Luke 1:39-55

First Sunday of Advent

In the sixth month, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a town in Galilee, to a virgin pledged to be married to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David. The virgin's name was Mary. The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." Mary was greatly troubled at his words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father David, and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever; his kingdom will never end." "how will this be," Mary asked the angel, "since I am a virgin?" The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God. Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have child in her old age, and she who was said to be barren is in her sixth month. For nothing is impossible with God." "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

Luke 1:26-38

Sunday - Happy Easter

HAPPY EASTER This year we got to celebrate Resurrection day with our relatives in Czech Republic. It is great for the kids to see they have second cousins their age.

Here they are all lined up with their loot.

But first we all enjoyed a lovely lunch.

9 kids and 12 adults

Ready to see what the Easter bunny brought.
Still waiting

Emma happy with her little basket.

My smiley girl.

Jo very happy with her goodies. She was given lots of stuff from others just because she is so cute (stinker).

Everybody took a turn on the swing.

Jo got a little push from grandpa.

Living the good life.

On Sunday morning we went to church like we do every Sunday when we are at home. It is always a joy to be with other believers. The kids did not understood much of what was going on but the boys had fun looking for words in czech and trying to figure out what it was in english.

After lunch we told the kids we would go out for ice cream to a castle. The boys told me we went to a castle yesterday, so I told them it was a different one. To that they told me they thought we were planing on going to a castle on Monday and I told them it was another castle all together. Welcome to Europe!!! There is always another castle around the corner. This one had a little play ground where the kids (and their uncle) enjoyed running around.

I have to tell you (write) that this small castle is offices now and it used to be a school.

It is right by the river 'Labe'.

And I cannot forget the dogs. Both Emma and Jo adore them and spend a lot of time with them. Jo even uses them as pillows and they let her!!!

Kiss good night from 'Fido'.