Archive for Dezember, 2008

Snow and gas for 99,8 cent

Mittwoch, Dezember 31st, 2008

If you think there was snow in Montpellier. No way. With 10C it is too mild. But we made a trip to the Cevennes Mountains, direction Mont Aigoual ( >1200m). Scenic drive, but weather was not so sweet. I also programmed the navigation system wrong and we drove the shortest distance, which means, we used also some unusual roads. But it was fun. Narrow roads, wide enough for one car, climbing up the hills, nice turns and scenic views. Unfortunately the rest of the road was blocked and we can’t go further. So we stopped at a parking where just some leftover snow was left and temperature was 0C. Of course too cold for the kids 🙂 They were complaining that they want snow and ice before. When they heard there was snow and ice in germany, they wanted to see it here was well. But when we told them that there are -10C in germany they were ok with what they saw…

On the way back we filled up the car. The first time ever that I paid less then 1 Euro for Super 95, 99.8Cent and Diesel was 89,8 Cent (EURO). Amazing. It was that low in 2004 the last time.

         

Now we are going through some sickness (cold, sinus) and we are waiting for New Years Day.

A bientot

The 4 1/3 Engelkahles 

Sand instead of snow

Donnerstag, Dezember 25th, 2008

There is no snow here in Montpellier/Baillargues. So we went to the beach today on Christmas Eve with some friends. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset on the beach:

      

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2009

Mittwoch, Dezember 17th, 2008

A breathtaking year 2008 is coming to an end. Several months in the USA, family has followed to Baillargues, france, new school, new languages, new adventures and experiences. The kids found some new friends at the international school. The language barriers are going down more and more for both of us, kids and parents. We just had a christmas party for the kids at work. Friends visited us and we have the very good news, that Dagmar is pregnant again. In 2009 a new Engelkahle will join us if the rest of the pregnancy is going on as good as it was so far.

We’d like to thank all our families, friends, colleagues.. The 4 1/3 Engelkahles

Fabi is a teenager now

Mittwoch, Dezember 10th, 2008

Two weeks before Christmas it is again Fabians Birthday. He turned 10 now. He is a teenager, wow how time flies by. It was his first birthday in france. So we invited some schoolfriends and had a little party. On wednesday the school is off, so that is a perfect timing. Only the timing with snow was bad. Fabi wanted snow on his 10th Birthday, well he got it in germany this year, but we were many miles away. But some presents from LEGO, books etc. helped him 🙂 Some nice cakes from mom and that was it.

A bientot

Two Gingerbreadhouses

Mittwoch, Dezember 3rd, 2008

It is christmastime. Well, not a lot christmaslike here in the south of france. We still have pretty mild temperatures and just a few Christmas lights and signs are present. In the stores we have a lot now. But in germany in starts many weeks earlier. But maybe we will have also a green christmas like in germany. No snow probably here 🙂

Daggie and the kids used the schoolfree wednesday to build some gingerbread houses. With some selfmade caramelised sugar they put the parts together. Some Smarties and gummibears were used to put some color on it. See it yourself. Your Engelkahles

The 1st Trimester

Mittwoch, Dezember 3rd, 2008

Now Fabian and Jonathan finished their first Trimester in the 2008/2009 Schoolyear. Wow, how fast time goes. Dagmar and I are very proud of our boys. Fabian finishes his tests now with good results. In english he is pretty good in grammar (Ray calls him Mr. Grammar) and in french he is good in maths. Bruno and Ray are pretty impressed of his progress.

Jonathan is also happy in his pre-school. His first tests were also very successfull. Yeah, tests in preschool, that is normal here. He is very good in english, also numbers and in french he is improving. The teachers love the little guy. Both boys are going to school with a smile and they have found some friends (mostly english speaking).

Proud parents and proud kids, we just needed some time and patience