Happy Thanksgiving!

We have so much to be thankful for. To our family and friends overseas, we love you and miss you.

We are most thankful for the gift of Jesus. We are excited to celebrate His birth over the next month and thrilled to live where there is a lot less apology for Christianity.  There is a nativity at each of the Christmas Markets we've seen so far, a whole schedule of live Nativities in Luxembourg and even as we have been traveling in France, Germany and Switzerland, Jesus' birth is obviously present in most all of the Christmas decorations around.

Second for God giving us two crazy little boys who are sweet and bring us so much joy.  

We are SO blessed to have the Cantando family here to celebrate our first European Thanksgiving with us! 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving lunch was a little less traditional, but how can we go wrong eating smoked reindeer ham with candied walnuts and cranberry sauce?  Sounds pretty festive and tasted even better!  

Where do you eat reindeer meat on thanksgiving??  At the top of a mountain in Luzerne, Switzerland, of course!

Definitely one of the most spectacular views seen in anyone's lifetime.

The Pilatus Gondola took us to the top of the mountain and was well worth the cold 40 minute ride.  We loved the views and the boys had fun guessing what kind of animal footprints we saw below in the snow. The last quarter of the climb was almost vertical in a large gondola.  Matt, who is afraid of heights, probably wouldn't have agreed to this had he known before we got up there.  When it was over, he agreed it was well worth it!

After lunch, there was a snowball fight and a memorable ride back down the mountain.

We spent the rest of our day in Luzerne, sampling Swiss chocolate and window shopping at all the watch and jewelry shops!

Our First Snow

We woke up to snow for the first time (that the boys can remember).  Our street looks so pretty covered in snow!

The boys remember going to the snow last year in Washington, but to wake up and find it in your yard is super exciting!   They had a great time playing in the snow before school and I'm so glad we enjoyed it and were a little late to school because it was melted by the time they got home.

The Grund

The area of Luxembourg city that is down below the city walls is called Grund.  There is an elevator that takes you down through the old walls.  On a sunny day, it's a pretty area to visit.  While the city center bustles up above, it's pretty quiet in Grund.

Ariane and I were just out for a walk and a little adventure on a Wednesday morning.  After walking through the parks, we arrived at a restored abbey where we stopped for a coffee and looked around the old building.  On our way out we couldn't help but notice the amped security detail and a navy blue Audi with the crown on the license plate.  Unfortunately, I did not see the Duke or Duchess, but I might have to check back there more often. :)

Looking at the Casements (city walls) from below is quite impressive.  Luxembourg was often caught in the crossfire of Belgium and Germany battling for land.  Apparently the walls have an intricate series of tunnels used to live in or escape during wars.

After taking the elevator back up to centre, we stopped by the Wednesday market for some flowers!

I also introduced Ariane to a Charles "Simply Bacon" sandwich.  I forgot to snap a pic again!!  She is hooked now also!