Looking for the Easter Bunny in California

This year we went for egg hunting to North California. 

We walked the steep streets of San Francisco and enjoyed the gorgeous views: 

over the water, the mountains 

and of the Golden Gate Bridge. 

Of course, we took the ferry to Alcatraz, too. It was on Jakob's wish list, though he visited it before: when he was 6 years old! 

Where else do the foodies and wine lovers go?? To The wine country! 

We toured through Sonoma and Napa Valley and made stops at some good wineries. 

Jakob enjoyed the hotel pool most, as usual.

I almost forgot (after seven years) how beautiful California is. I think the better word is "breath taking"... 

I could imagine myself enjoying this view there every day. And all the good food and wine which comes with it, too...

One year older...

 

March is the birthday month. At least for Olaf and me. 47 and 46!! I can't believe it! 

What is the best way to celebrate a birthday: to spend the day in NYC!
Even the sun came out, so we could enjoy our coffee in Central Park. 

Our birthday gift (besides a new bed) : a jazz session at the Coca-Cola Dizzy Club, dinner included. The music was great and the view just spectacular!

We had our small celebration with a cake at home, of course.

And some fury guests...

Ps. A friend send me birthday wishes and this:

He truly nailed it!!! Thanks Chris!

Our small "disaster zone"

This picture only shows my wishful thinking... Spring, come please!!! 

Instead we have school closings. For one week by now! 

First we had this crazy snow storm on Thursday and Friday, then we needed a holiday on Monday to recover (ha,ha) and now, the schools remain closed until....nobody really knows. 

Oh, I forgot yesterday. The kids finally arrived at the school after a delayed opening and had to go home earlier, because the roof situation was not safe. All school roofs in our district must be checked. 

What the hell was the super intendant doing in the last days?? Enjoying his additional vacation?? 

I just love this winter in NJ!!! Like most of the other parents.

Snow, more snow, snow storm, blizzard...

Didn't I say it clearly enough: no more snow!!!! Obviously not. 

We've got around 30 inches in the last three days. 

Our small town even was declared to "disaster zone" for one day. And we were on the news! 

The kids are having a blast: unexpected winter vacation. (The one week spring break in April already is gone, to make up for the snow days.) 

Olaf is having a blast, too. He finally can use all his "magic" tools! 

But there was a light at the end of the tunnel: a jazz brunch at Blue Note in NYC. 

Good to know, there always is NYC for a small escape from our "disaster zone". 

But only for a short time, new storm storm coming tonight. 

Yeah, life is good in New Jersey!?

Enough!!

No more snow, please! We had enough! 

After we survived the arctic cold (and our heating bill), we've got this insane amount of snow. To top it: covered with ice! 

Our snow blower definitely paid off this winter. 

The kids are happy, they barely saw the school from inside this week...

A Super Bowl Sandwich

Even after almost eight years in the USA we still are discovering something new, for example a 6 foot long sandwich! 

We hosted, as usual, our annual Super Bowl party ( though we never watch a football game...) and our friends brought the food. 

The typical Super Bowl food: insane amounts of fried chicken wings  and a 6 foot long sandwich. Thank God, it already was sliced. And surprisingly... it tasted really good! 

But we should have invited the whole neighborhood...

A summery...

I can't believe it!!! Almost three months since I posted last time! 

Well, I have an excuse (except the crazy busy holiday season, of course): my son constantly is occupying my lap top. To do his homework, as he says...yeah, right! 

Anyway, he got his own laptop now (birthday gift) and I am back.

So, here a short summery of our last three months...

Olaf and I went to Philadelphia again (Jakob was on a camping trip with the scouts). 

We visited the Barnes Foundation and a great photo exhibition at the Museum of Constitution.

We hosted our annual Thanksgiving turkey dinner for our friends.

We went for a christmas tree hunt, 

put out all our decorations and baked cookies. 

Jakob played at the Christmas concert in school and then...

Christmas was over.

And, as every year, we went for skiing to Vermont. In my case it was more snow shoeing. Fun!

As for now, we are shoveling a lot of snow and trying to keep warm. Polar Vortex is the word of the months. Trying very hard not to think about the heating bill...

Ps. I almost forgot: we had an amazing weekend in NYC, Jazz concert, dinner and hotel included! A gift from St. Nick!