We got a pretty good accumulation of snow on Thursday! It was beautiful. But it did create a bit of logistical drama. Lily didn’t get home from basketball practice until pretty late, and Ty and I gave up on trying to drive to baseball.
December 6 is St Nicholas Day. At Nicholas was known for being a wealthy man that gave away his riches to others. He especially liked making children happy. On the eve of December 6 (the day he died), children set boots by the door and wake to find treats if they were well behaved during the year. The Americans have evolved the tradition into Jolly Old St Nicholas – Santa Claus – who arrives during the night of December 24.
Königstein had a cute Christmas market on Friday and Saturday. Lily and I wandered through and had bratwurst and Glühwein.
Ty had a basketball tournament in Brussels. Jay and Kaycee drove there to watch (and check Brussels off the travel list).
The boys went undefeated for all 4 games!
The girls headed to Nuremberg to visit one of the most popular German Christmas Markets. 2 hour train ride – I love train travel!
Not sure which is cuter – the car or the girls?!
The famous Christkindlesmarkt!
Feuerzangenbowle – apparently this is the world’s largest one. It’s a hot totty that is a little different thank Glühwein, just as yummy!
Prost!!
Lily loved this Langos – a fry bread (kind of like memaw’s Navajo tacos) with cheese, sour cream, and garlic.

The weather outside was frightful – and wet, gross, unpleasant. What’s more fun that walking through a crowded market? Add umbrellas and rain…. As much as people wanted to be happy, the weather was a bit of a Debbie downer. Deanna had the brilliant idea to go tour the Nuremberg Trials museum – indoors for a couple hours to let the rain pass.

Here is Courtroom 600, where the Nuremberg Trials took place. There were many people that finally suffered the consequences of their actions during the war. It was a historical statement – there are international laws to warfare, and those that choose to disobey will be tried for their crimes.
The prosecutors employed a strategy of using as much Nazi material as possible as evidence. Propaganda, letters, etc instructing people to commit war crimes were hunted down – often hidden in old castles – and sent to the lawyers in trunks like the one pictured above.
The sentencing ranged from not guilt, to 10-20 years in prison, to life in prison, to death by hanging (Tod durch den Strang). Someone can fact check me, but I think only 4 of those sentenced to hanging actually received the punishment.
After our history lesson (and our tooshes were warm), we headed back out to the markets. There was a Kindermarkt that was mostly for the children.
I mean, how could we walk by these and NOT buy them? Impossible ask. This might be my favorite picture.
Ok fine, we will take a serious one. 🙂
This church. One of several amazing and really old churches in Nuremberg. I didn’t get a good picture of it, but the square in front of this church was FULL of rows and rows of huts. The Glühwein mugs were sehr schon (very beautiful).
Ah!! So pretty!
Partnerstädte had booths selling wares from a various countries.
Such a goofball! I love her silly spirit.
Hey guys – want to go on a Ferris wheel (Riesenrad)? Yep!!
The view from the top
We timed it perfectly – you can’t see it in this photo but there were fireworks in the distance that could only be seen from the top of the Ferris wheel.
Our accommodations at Das Paul were in a great location – on the River, view of a palace. I would only recommend if location is #1 priority. Was a little small and awkward, and the checkin process was not great. But it was just fine for 1 night.
This was a unique little shop. The artist carved castles out of a piece of wood. They had a huge one that moved each section up and down. how did they do that?!?!
Mystery solved!

My favorite shop was Käthe Wohlfahrt. If anyone is ever looking for a gift idea…. smokers and nutcrackers and villages and ornaments galore!!!!

Cute little street in Nuremberg
And another – with a beautiful church steeple in the background
One last market on Sunday morning before heading home. Had to get a Glühwein to get the boot. Twist my arm.
And Lily liked this mug so she HAD to get a heise Schoko.
All good things must come to an end.
This statue represents how I feel many days after work…. Thankful for little excursions like this one to recharge my batteries. Memories were made with 3 of my favorite ladies!