It is very cute how much excitement Christmas does instill in little boys, so all the adult aversions against faith-based kitsch and over-emotionalized consumer and debauchery culture are hereby overcome (until the boys hit puberty at least). We started christmas eve the classic way with singing and reading. Both Karl and Henri are really into the whole ritual thing and do know the words to quite a few carols by now.
Let's make no mistake though, high-point of the season is of course the unwrapping of presents. Which are preferably action-based and not necessarily pacifist.
I'm kinda into the over-serious assembly spirit that comes with giving boys Playmobil and Lego kits that are rated a bit beyond their age group. We all got to stay up past our bedtimes, despite the fact that we had a substantial drive up to grandma's and grandpa's in Bensheim.
Fred's whole family was there. Which was a full-blast affair, so nobody really expected to have this group-shot work. It was worth the try though (for family non-mebers (clockwise from Kung Fu Karl): Anna Lynn (almost 2), Henri (almost 3), Tomas (almost 6), Max (5), Thora (almost 9)
There was a great walk up the mountain before the celebrations. With some straggling (Anna Lynn having the luxury of being still young enough to be carried by Jessica).
Some old bonds were renewed (Carolin's daughter Thora proudly wrangling Opa's dog Nelson).
Some new bonds were formed.
A castle of course is a great destination, even if it was built in 1910.
There was some toppling of uncles.
And finally a semi-coherent group-shot of lots of cousins who are missed very much already. Let's hope it's not until next Christmas that we'll see them.
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