Ready for my Christmas vacation

It is just after lunch time here in Germany when I write this. It is cold here in Germany. Well, not cold when you compare it to Alaska, but below freezing anyhow. All the trees and fields are covered with frost and a little bit of snow here and there. My car is covered with ice every morning. I enjoy it. This is how the Christmas time is supposed to be.
Today is my last day at the office for this year. I almost finished all remaining tasks and we will have our company Christmas party this evening. And from tomorrow on I am on leave until January 2nd. I am so much looking forward to it. I feel ready for some days off.
Dave and I spend last weekend in Germany. It was very nice and we did a lot. On Saturday we decided to go our for breakfast. That is the easiest thing to do if you want to get a parking spot in downtown Essen during the Christmas shopping Saturdays. We had breakfast before the stores opened and as soon as they did we started some Christmas shopping. First of all we wanted to order the wedding rings. And we did! They will be ready in January and I can't wait to see them.
We also bought some presents for friends and walked along all the German Christmas Market booths. We had some Gluehwein (hot, spicy wine) before we went home.
On Saturday night we drove to a little town next to Cologne and went to a birthday party there. It was fun, but very late (or early in the morning, depending on the perspective).
Sunday was a beautiful and sunny winter day. Dave and I decided that after baking and eating cookies yesterday (yes, we did this after shopping and before the birthday party) we really needed some workout. So we drove to the Lower Rhine area and did some Rollerblading.
It was a fantastic day. The area is a winter site for geese from Siberia. So in addition to the workout we were watching geese and other fowl.

I also got almost all Christmas presents and most of them are already wrapped. No idea how to get Dave's to England. Some stuff is just to big for my small suitcase and the bigger suitcase is in England. Bummer.

We finally got some more information and a reservation form for the Motherlode Lodge in Palmer. This is where on March 15 the wedding will take place. Please, be patient with invitations. Hopefully I have cards for that ready by end of the year, but I can't promise that. I have no idea where to get nice cards in England. Anyhow, everybody should be aware now of the date and can reserve this special day in their calenders. Can't wait to see you all again.

You see, I am ready for Christmas and the new year. And I hope you enjoy this time as much as I do.
Merry Christmas to everyone.