My wife was a performing artist before she moved to Germany to be with me. Her old troupe of dancers was selected to be in a music video by the Latvian Rock Band “Brainstorm“. She’s not in the video but many of our friends are in the video. If she lived in Lithuania, then she would have been in the video.
Play it here …
We’re packing now for our big BIG trip 
Jim
Here is a pre-holiday update on what’s going on with us.
Migle, Kostas, Greta, and I went to London. I worked most of the time but had some evenings free. All of us really enjoyed it. Greta stayed with Kostas one night and Migle and I were able to grab a show. Then I stayed back and Migle and Greta saw the Lion King. They said it was incredible. And they wandered around London while I worked. Greta had not been to London before so it was good to be able to bring her along.
Thanksgiving was great. Friends invited us over to their house. Thy live a short ride or long walk from where we live in Esslingen. They did it up right and it was one of the best Thanksgiving meals I have had in a while. I brought two desserts that I made (bourbon-orange-walnut pie with fresh whipped cognac whipped cream) and (double chocholate pie with a brownie cake bottom, chocolate mousse middle, and fresh whipped cream top). And I brought some German dessert wine and dessert sekt (german champage) from our town (Esslingen). Everyone ate too much and had a great time. Our friends have children and a Son Kostas’ age so it was cool to see them interact. Kostas hasn’t had much other-kid time yet.
Greta was here for a month. As last time, it was GREAT to have her here to spend time with Migle and to help take care of Kostas and the house. I was traveling some of that time so it was good she was here. We are hoping she can come back again next year for a month or two.
Migle’s Parents are coming to visit for the holidays. They get here next Monday and stay until the 3rd. We’re really looking forward to it. Usually we go to Lithuania for Christmas but with Kostas 7 months old, we decided to stay here and Migle talked them into coming to visit. Which is always a big deal because they don’t particularly like to travel.
Steve (my cousin) is also coming for the holidays. He gets here next Wed. We (and he) are pretty excited about that also. He’s been trying to make it over here for a while!
The Esslingen Christmas Market and Festival is going on now. It is broken into two sides: (1) a pretty standard German Christmas Market and (2) a Medieval Christas Market. The Medieval side is super interesting and unique. We love it! It is one of our favorite things to do in Germany. And it is walking distance from our house. It is very authentic (medieval look and feel) and has great food and drink and things to do and see. It is here until the 22nd. If you live in Germany - I HIGHLY recommend it!
I am planning a package tour of Vilnius for a bunch of friends in March 2007. A large arts and crafts festival is going on then. It should be lots of fun!
If you subtract out the Eczema (which we have under control but only barely), Kostas is going absolutely fabulous! A while back we started teaching him how to eat baby food and that has been interesting. Overall, he’s doing great and growing like crazy.
We bought Kostas a swing and here is a video of him trying it out. Looks like he is enjoying it! Sorry the video is so dark.
My new job is going well. I am learning alot about the other side of the fence. Things I wish I knew years ago. The move has been a great one. I’m glad I did it!
I have a new US address for here. I will email it out to those who need it.
That’s all for now …
Happy Holidays!
Here’s an update since my last post back in mid-September.
My Mom and Pete came to visit. We spent a great weekend in Gimmelwald in the Swiss Alps. The scenery was gorgeous, the weather wonderful, the company excellent, and we had a super relaxing time.
While Pete was here we went to the fest a bunch of times and had a good time. We often ended up eating French Food and drinking French Wine at the French Section because it was too smoky, loud, and crazy in the Beer Tents for Kostas (at least for now)
Mom stayed for a week after Pete left and we went to Garmisch for a few days. It was pretty down there but raining most of the time.
After Mom left, I went to Brussels for a work conference. Had dinner with Lukas and Iza. The dinner was incredible.
Last week I went to AFCEA Technet Europe in Sofia Bulgaria. I really enjoyed Sofia. I had never been to Bulgaria before. Lubo was SUPER helpful in finding a place to stay, rides to/fron the airport, and dinner tour guide! Thanks Lubo!
We advertised for an occasional baby sitter in the local Esslingen paper and found a GREAT one. Her name is Verena and she’s just what the doctor ordered!
Greta is coming to stay with us for November. We’re really looking forward to that.
Today we packed up Veronica’s things and shipped them all to Marion. Now we have new furniture we need to buy!
Pam and Chris set a date of 22 April 2007 for their wedding. I want to bring Migle and Kostas. That will probably be there first Stateside trip. Since we are not moving back anytime soon, I think we will stop pursuing a immigration visa for Migle (for now) and apply for a Tourist visa for April. Wish us luck!
After much talking, discussing, a few raised voices, lots of issues with flights, we worked all out that Migle’s parents will be coming to Germany to spend Christmas with us. We have always gone there so this is a nice change.
And to finish, as always, with an update on Kostas. He’s doing well - much better in fact. His skin has cleared up and he’s sleeping more and crying less. He just turned six months old and, for his birthday, he got creamed carrots (oh boy)!
Click Here to see his latest video …
Hope you liked the long post. I have two more things to add that I forgot to add to the last post – since my mind was fried with the strain of its length.
First, I want to thank Dale (my Dad’s wife) for letting me crash in her spare bedroom while I was in Charleston visiting family and friends and attending Craig/Sarah’s wedding. Her house is in a great location in downtown Charleston and her hospitality was in true Charleston style. Again, thanks Dale.
Secondly, I made a video of Greta and Donatas’ wedding. It’s pretty bad overall but it was my first attempt at recording, editing, and distributing a video. Sorry about the varying audio level, cheesy transitions, and popping sounds
Click Here to see the video …
It looks like Kostas’ has infant eczema. But that is only our non-professional opinion from reading the description of the condition. We’re going to make an appointment on Monday with m dermatologist. His pediatrician is not much help in the skin condition area. The compounding problem (again in my new parent opinion) is that he is not getting enough sleep because his skin itches so much that he is waking himself up while he sleeps by scratching. Wish us luck that this clears up in the near future. We’re not holding our breath.
OK, that’s three things, but who’s counting.
Take care and come visit us ….
Here is a video to update you on Kostas. He’s four months old now and much more of a real person vice the crying lump of flesh that he was during the time of the last video.
Click here to see the first video.
To see the video, click here …
