Winter Under Way

Rebecca's 2nd Birthday

It's hard to believe that she is already 2! She is at a very fun age, talking so well, copying everything, anyone does, a good helper, a good listener, and well mannered! Here are the photos from her big day.

Becca with fuzzy hair from nap-time, ready to open some gifts, and grumpy because the kids wouldn't let her do her own thing!

"Click! Click!" New camera from Grammie & Pa

Organizing playdoh from Aunt Jena

"Choo Choo" (Bad picture because I cut off her head, but you can see the words on her lips!)

It just so happened that we had Skittles for decorating again!

She didn't quite get the blow-out-the-candles thing, so Jess and I had to help a little

"I think I'll try the frosting"

"Still thinking about it"

"And it's good!"
This is quite a different reaction from the 1st birthday, if you remember; if not just check back to the start of our blog. Happy 2nd Birthday Becca and Happy 1st Birthday blog!

Becca sporting the favorite gift, a new backpack. She wants to wear it everywhere now!

Snow in Prague

Even though Prague is at a higher latitude than Utah, snow is not very common (at least to have it stick around). So I thought I'd better snap some pictures of snow here when it finally did fall. Then it kept falling for 4 days straight, and now we have a (supposed) record amount of snow for the last 40 years! It's a good thing because Santa brought sleds for the kids for Christmas!

Our street when the snow started falling

The church and park near the kids' school

Our neighbor's vehicle after the snow

Becca loves to "walk" in the snow (I usually have to pick her up every few steps)

Cam doing a little sledding

Becca loves the sledding, but prefers the bigger hills where she rides on my lap

Becca & I

Jessica

Christmas Festivities

We got a late start on the festivities this year since we waited for Brian to return from the US in mid-December, but I actually think it helped keep the holiday more simple. Here's some photos from the festivities.

Picking out a Christmas tree, and carrying it home with the stroller!

The kids with the tree on the metro

Brian having a short winter's nap while we decorated the tree

Jess with her paper chain for the tree

Cam hanging his toy soldier ornament from Germany

Jess placing the angel that we bought at one of the Prague Christmas markets

The finished tree with stocking in the background

Becca enjoying a sugar cookie

We purchased food to make sack lunches, which we took to homeless people near our apartment on Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve pajamas

Jess got a stuffed/animated dog and carrying kennel

Becca was excited about a rubber ducky and ball

Cam opened the kids' gift from the Grandparents, which was a DS and Jess had a breakdown because she wanted a pink Gameboy! I'm the only one with children who act like this, right?

Prague - Holiday Style

The holidays were definitely different here in Prague, but we really enjoyed them. Here are some pictures of the sites and events.

This is a tub filled with carp. Since the traditional Czech Christmas Eve dinner includes carp and potato salad these booths, where you can choose your fish and have it prepared for you, became a frequent sight as the holidays neared. The kids didn't care for it much, especially the pile of fish heads!

The kids by the Christmas tree on Wenceslas Square

A wooden carving of the Nativity

Christmas market on Wenceslas Square

Jessica's class got to see a traditional Czech marionette show (in Czech)

Lights along the streets

Christmas market on Old Town Square

Christmas tree on Old Town Square

Another wooden carving of the Nativity

Another first for me was attending an accordion concert. There is a member of the Prague Branch who plays, so Cameron & I went to show our support. It was interesting and amazing!

Czech Prague Mission Choir performance at St. Nicholas Cathedral

Branch Christmas program performed by missionaries and branch members

This is a video of the amateur fireworks to ring in the new year at Wenceslas Square. Brian braved the danger while I stayed at home with the kids. I could see some of the fireworks just above the tops of the buildings, and of course they were as loud as gunshots. There seems to be no regulation of the fireworks here in the Czech, and since there are many Koreans living here, they have access to everything that would be illegal in the US!

Fireworks on New Year's Day

Becca enjoying the view from the pack