Leslie's Baby Shower!

Weeks before we left for the Netherlands, we got the exciting news that my sister was pregnant! Her mother-in-law, aunt and my mom hosted a lovely shower in Winter Park over the holidays. I was so glad to be home to be a part of it and to get to see my sister pregnant and feel my future niece move around! We cannot wait for baby girl to arrive! Hoping for a quick and easy delivery and recovery for momma and baby! 

Excited grandmas-to-be!

Baby girl clothes are the cutest!

With the quilt I made for my niece! 

The Down-and-Out Durneys do Miami

I had been looking forward to our trip home for the holidays for a long long time. Our first leg was to fly to my parents' house in Miami for a few days before driving north for my sister's baby shower in Winter Park. I had envisioned long stroller walks in shorts and t-shirts through my parents' leafy neighborhood, Jude's first dip in my parents' pool (which they designed close to 9 years ago with a shallow entrance they specifically dubbed "the baby pool" - subtle hinting!), and maybe a trip to the beach. What I hadn't anticipated was the toll the 10+ hour flight would take on all of us. Of those 10+ long hours, Jude slept 45 minutes, I slept 20 and Pete slept 0. Not that Jude wasn't adorable on the flight. Calling out to passersby and giving his new wave (one arm extended out in front of him). He really fell for a Czech baby 2 days younger than him whose hand he reached out and grabbed as she made her way to the bathroom. When the mother came down the aisle towards the end of the flight without the baby I jokingly asked where Jude's girlfriend was. She replied that her baby had slept all but 20 minutes of the flight...sigh! When we finally cleared immigration and customs, to say we were haggard was an understatement. My mom sent my sister an oh so flattering photo of us just landed and her reply "looks like they could use some relaxation!".

Jude's cold that he had in Germany had progressed into a barking cough, Pete's sore throat from Cologne turned into a full on head cold and within a day I was also sick as a dog. We managed a few outings while home, but after an hour in the sun my head would feel like it was splitting in two, my throat about to catch fire. So then we would retreat home and nap while my mom worked double time watching Jude and prepping for my sister's shower. Here's to healthy Durneys in time for Christmas!

I made sure to extra document the good times we had. We made it to the Fairchild Tropical Gardens where they had a new Chihuly exhibit. The butterfly hall was a real hit! 

"Shorts in December? I don't care if I'm sick!" 

My favorite piece of the exhibit 

Butterfly!

Fish!

Decorating the tree. Mom: "Look your best! We might be on the blog!"

Santa Land in Coral Gables. Sand instead of snow. I can deal with that!

1: Shock

2: Who the heck are you?

3: I don't like this!

Ribbons! Ribbons I like!

German Christmas Markets Day 2: Cologne

As charming as the markets in Dusseldorf were, we were slightly underwhelmed. NYC has its fair share of Christmas markets so they didn't seem all that different in Germany. Cologne, however, was pretty spectacular. Before you have even arrived into the train station, you can see the looming Cathedral and its presence is clear no matter where you are in the city. It has the largest facade of any church in the world and rivals Sagrada Familia and St. John the Divine in size. 

Parental confession: Pete and I had a really fun time exploring Cologne, the markets, the spiced wine, Kolsch beer (the specialty of Cologne) and it really got us in the Christmas Spirit. Jude, however, was sick and not having the best time. Exhibit A below. 

Poor baby

Cologne Cathedral

Facade so large, I couldn't capture it in one image!

The markets in Cologne were really special. Starting with the largest one at the side of the Cathedral. From here, the markets just flowed one into the next. My favorite was the one with the ice skating rink and gnome theme. We bought one souvenir mug with a butcher gnome!

Cathedral Towers in the background

We headed down to the Rhine for a stroll and found another nautical themed market. Pete had a salmon sandwich, smoked to order. I had a soft pretzel and chunks of Austrian mountain cheese- a happy mama! Jude liked the pretzel, too.

We went in search of the best Kolsch beer and Pete had done his research. We stopped in two very darling breweries oozing with character.

Dad said no apples until you finish your beer (you cover your beer to indicate to the servers that you don't want another- otherwise they keep them coming!)

Inside the cathedral. Jude must feel very at peace in churches. He had a similar incident as in Delft!

Remains of the three kings are said to be buried here!