New Year's in Prague

We celebrated New Year's with Honza, Zuzka, Marek, Davidek and Akela in Prague. This seems like ages ago...which I guess it was, given that's it's almost February. Fortunately Honza's house had grown along with the size of our families so there was plenty of room for all of us.

We did and saw so many things during our two days in this enchanting city but the most memorable experience was sitting around the inviting kitchen table, drinking tea, and then wine, and then beer, and then champagne for New Year's, and then more tea... And then of course there was the soup upon our arrival into the city. And then the rabbit for dinner. And then pork and knedliky the following day for lunch. And the endless stream of cakes and cookies...

Basti enjoyed his breakfast more than usual since - on top of everything else - his milk was served in a cica-meow cup.

Ilo-Marek

We did manage to leave the house a few times. On our first day we walked around the old city.

Basti-Davidek stopped to have a conversation at a well (I guess one should say, "IN a well," in Basti's case)

Some things in Prague - like street signs - are different from what we're accustomed to back home.

The priest at the church we visited was not quite we expected either.

Honza-Davidek leading the way.

On the Karlovy Bridge. HZDM+2

Adri and Akela were inseparable.

Slurp!

Of course we had to try out the wonderful Czech villamos (streetcar)...

Countdown to midnight...

Christmas (some random photos taken before, during and after)

Basti and his kindergarten class making mézeskalács

(honey cookies), a Christmas tradition in Hungary

The girls in action on Chrismas Eve, busily distributing gifts that the angel delivered while they were playing ping-pong in the recreation room (not part of the tradition)

On Christmas Day we celebrated at Nagymama/Nagypapa's place. In the quiet moments before the horde of guests arrived, Adri and papa played a game of chess while Ilo absorbed some new points of strategy (she only looks like she's just sucking her thumb )

Sparklers - another Xmas tradition at Nagymama's.

Notice Ilona's chic new haircut.

Majom-fészek (nest of monkies) after a sledding outing in Norma-fa (in the Buda hills, the best place to sled in all of Budapest!)

Adri's Budapest recital

Slovakia

During All Saints' Week, we took a trip to the northern part of Slovakia, where we had a wonderful reunion with Honza & Zuzka and got to meet little David and 3 month-old Marek for the first time.

The people who owned the house we rented also ran a small horse farm, so of course that was our first stop.

Adri enjoyed the part about brushing the little horse afterwards (the horse liked it too).

Ilo rode in every position imaginable, forwards and backwards, standing on her feet and then on her head (well, not quite...)

Basti fell in love with a real live meow who, despite being a kitten, patiently let him cuddle her without too many complaints.

On the second day we went for a hike. It should have taken an hour but somehow with 5 kids and a dog it took the whole day.

We spent most of the time relaxing on a lovely meadow on the slope of a hill, enjoying the views and the sun on our faces, and playing with the kids. Zuzka+David.

Special delivery for Honza and Marek!

Adrienn and Akela digging for moles. We prayed to God they wouldn't catch any.

We celebrated Papa's birthday at the cottage.

The girls provided live music.

Our last hike together.

Adrienn, always hungry, found herself a snack. Well, at least it was the right shape!

Meanwhile Ilo and Basti stopped at every puddle to make "hot chocolate."

Photo-duelling with Honza-David.

We couldn't imagine a more idyllic place for a diaper change!

Outings with the big family

Visit to the bear farm with Zsofi, Marci, Emese, Lilla, and Ben

We got to feed honey to the bears with long wooden spoons.

The Bears and the 3 B's (Ben, Basti and Balint-Papa)

At least as exciting as the bears (for Basti) was the antique children's train parked at the entrance to the farm.

Lilla munching on a Lilla-sized zsemle (roll).

(A week or so later), a walk up the hill behind Nagymama's house with Nagymama, Kata, Eszter, Emma, Ambrus, Emese, Ben and Lilla.

Little Emma helping take care of Lilla.

Papa-tunnel, Basti-tunnel.

Nagymama-Ambrus.

Nagymama is always well-prepared - this time with Leibniz animal crackers. I knew this Leibniz was a smart fellow...

Buda + Pest

Mama's favorite building (Parliament) in Budapest, as it looks on her morning commute to work.
...through the arches of the Fishermen's Bastion.
...and with Adri in the foreground.
On the other side of the river, a few weeks ago, we attended a theatre festival, where Ilo tried some new roles.
All three munchkins made themselves some new headgear.
Where is Basti?
Papa can wear it too, in his own way.
Our first Hungarian llama.