Every year on December 6th as St. Nikolaus Day is celebrated here in Germany, I always remember Lissie's first reaction to the concept of Nikolaus (pronounced Nee-Ko-Louse). She had just turned four and St. Nikolaus was scheduled to visit her German kindergarten class the next day. So I excitedly said to her, "Lissie, Nikolaus is coming to your school tomorrow!" And she thoughtfully replied, "Nikolaus? . . . Mikolaus? . . . Mickey Mouse? Mickey Mouse is coming to my school tomorrow?!" Our dear little Lissie celebrated her 15th birthday on December 3rd, but every year during her birthday week our thoughts hearken back to her delightful first interpretation of "Nikolaus."
(Lissie with her birthday guitar)
In addition to preparing for the holidays, our past few weeks have been busy with high school play auditions (Lissie got a part in the chorus), ballroom dance and piano recitals (see attached pictures), and an Eagle Board of Review for Christian (he passed with flying colors). We only have a few more things to prepare before our good friends, the Clarks, arrive from Georgia on Monday. We are so excited to have them stay with us for two weeks -- definitely not long enough. Their visit will be just the remedy we need to help us cope with only having three children home for Christmas this year.
Just this past week we had our first snowfall of the season . . . very light, but just enough to lift our spirits and raise our hopes for a white Christmas. We hope you all feel the joy of the season as you celebrate the wonder of Christ's birth together with your families.
We love you,
Lisa & Tracy
C, L & B
