January in Tubingen - SNOW!!

Well, as we debated about whether or not to buy snow tires for the winter, several Germans said, "It only snows for a day or two, then it's gone."  NOT.  It has snowed nearly every day in January!  Needless to say, we didn't pay the $750 dollars for snow tires so we've been homebound or taking the bus.  They really don't use much salt (costs too much) and so now we know why they actually buy snow tires!!  The "regular" tires aren't considered all weather like in the States.   We even had one day that we woke up to a crystal world - icy crystals were on everything.  The pictures say it all.

As you may have guessed the snow has proven to give the girls quite a bit of entertainment that they never get in Texas.  We've been sledding more days than I can count and we've had a few days where the snow would actually pack and we could make a snowman or fort (see above - it kind of looks like a toilet paper fort, doesn't it?).  Karissa has gotten a little bored with the regular sledding so now they are making "ski ramps" and she's trying to snowboard on a sled.  I hope to get her to a ski slope nearby if we can ever work out the rental details and the snow and roads are good at the same time!  There are many slopes within 1 to 1 1/2 hours that would be perfect for a beginner.  Dayna isn't sure she wants to try but Karissa can't wait.



The second to last picture is taken from the apartment tower next to ours overlooking Tubingen.  The other is a picture of our apartment from the street (ours is right above the top of the swingset).

Today is officially our 172nd day and we have 172 left to go.  I'm buying our return tickets tomorrow for a July 22nd return to Texas.  The second half will fly as we have several trips planned.  The girls get at least one week off every month except for March until we leave (school doesn't end until July 28th!).  Jay begins his second session of German classes tomorrow which will last 3 weeks.  He is the oldest in the class and feels every year his age in terms of his ability to soak up the language.  The girls are doing quite well although Dayna doesn't think she is.  My German is basically non-existent.  It is a tough language and we are in an area where there is a strong dialect which many northern Germans find hard to understand!!  That adds to the confusion!! 



Happy February!