Christmas in Germany

We just got back from a wonderful Christmas in Freiburg, Germany, where we spent a week with my sister Jeanne, brother-in-law Mark, and my niece Clara (4.5 years old). Here are a few highlights: salted pretzels, sugar-coated pretzels, Christmas lights everywhere, the streetcar in Freiburg, a cable car ride up the mountain, gingerbread cookies, and daily cappuccino courtesy of Mark. Topi met Clara for the first time, and they enjoyed dancing together, reading books together, and Clara tolerated Topi following her around everywhere saying "an-ne" to everyone for everything. We miss them already but are so happy we were able to spend Christmas together.

We went to Colmar, France, for a day just by taking a streetcar, regional train, and short bus ride. The whole trip took less than an hour, and when we got there, we were greeted by a Christmas market in full swing. People milled about drinking mulled wine and hot chocolate while munching on pretzels or pastries. Clara rode the ferris wheel four times, and we all enjoyed exploring the little side streets and peering into shops.

Topi is walking!

Happy Hat

Today was a frustrating work day for me... stalled projects, unfinished things, deadlines, so I'm throwing a little happy boy in a hat on my blog today to change my mood. Happy hat with pom-poms.

And then, for a little elfish fun, I turned us all into elves!

Hey, I just made a total elf of myself. Check it out by clicking the link below.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=9556424811

Duomo, Milano Italy, November 2005

A nostolgic visit to a time before Topi, Devrim and I went to Milano in November 2005 with a legion of Turkish Jinlun motorcyle dealers and their wives. Devrim just returned late last night from the same fair that we attended in 2005, and it made me think to hunt for these pictures. My sister Terri is now proud owner of the Milano tote I made by hand for that weekend and am wearing in the picture.

Happy Birthday, Topi!

Topi is one year old! We celebrated his birthday October 20, 2007, in the company of friends in Izmit.

Oh, Where does the time go?

My last post was August 2, and today is.... ? November 5th. A month-long trip to the US has passed, and a 1-year birthday! Rather than try to scramble to upload hundreds of pictures, here is a photo from an unseasonably warm October day, when Grammy Judy, Topi and I went to Chicago and found a warm little beach for Topi to play on.

And I must post a little video of Topi walking with his favorite toy, a firetruck. (I'd recommend watching it with the sound off, unless you want to hear me sing the Firetruck song!)

A few more moments from our trip:

In the Chrysler 300F

Comet with Uncle Tony

Tractor ride at the farm with: left front (Johanna, Uncle Gary, Rose, Uncle Tony) right front (Topi!, Grammy Judy, Auntie Lois, Jordan)

Meeting Great-Grandma Jeannette was very special and we had a great time!

On the tractor with Dede (Grandpa Mark)!

Here's a link to all the rest on my Walgreen's page.

Topi in the dictionary

My sister Jeanne just sent me a great link to the Free Dictionary, which has a definition for Topi! I particularly like the reference to an antelope. That explains Topi's speed!

Noun	1.	topi - a light-weight hat worn in tropical countries for protection from the sun pith hat, pith helmet, sun helmet, topee chapeau, hat, lid - headdress that protects the head from bad weather; has shaped crown and usually a brim shade - protective covering that protects something from direct sunlight; "they used umbrellas as shades"; "as the sun moved he readjusted the shade"
	2.	topi - a large South African antelope; considered the swiftest hoofed mammal Damaliscus lunatus, sassaby antelope - graceful Old World ruminant with long legs and horns directed upward and backward; includes gazelles; springboks; impalas; addax; gerenuks; blackbucks; dik-diks Damaliscus, genus Damaliscus - African antelopes: sassabies

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/topi

Mama + Baby

At home on a very hot July day in Turkey.

Cherries

Topi has teeth! And other curious habits like opening doors, pulling drawers, getting fingers stuck, toddling about (by holding on to people and furniture), and saying ma-ma, ba-ba, de-de, na-na... He also really likes cherries!

Shorter hair, two new paintings, and... a pink scarf?

At home...

Great Grandma Yilanci and Topi

Rose and Devrim out for dinner

to celebrate Devrim's birthday (April 12), our anniversary (May 21), Mother's Day and Father's Day all in one! :) Izmit finally has a great restaurant... it is next to the train station (used to be the old train station) and there is a nice restaurant, outdoor seating, a bar lounge, and a wagon cafe and bar.

On the way to a wedding, bored in the back of the car

pretzel legs

Table-gripper

Yes, I know we should go buy one of those things like a high-chair, but it is so much more fun to sit like a grown up!

Toys!

And some fast-action arm and leg movement... Topi is officially crawling, climbing, and standing... walking with us... so much fun!