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.
