Oops...She did it again!

Pre-Surgery

Well, Rachel made it 17 days injury free. Track season started this week and at the end of practice they were participating in a "fun" drill and racing running backwards on the track. Rachel tripped and landed really badly on her wrist.  Yes, the same one that had just healed. So, back to the ER we went. And yes, the x-ray confirmed another break. This time was a bit more spectacular and because of the position of the broken bone she required surgery and a metal plate to put everything back in its proper place. Upside - no cast and she can still participate in track. Downside pretty impressive scar and removal of the plate at some point. Rachel however thinks this is cool, especially no cast but she also thinks the scar is awesome.

Post Surgery

Thankfully they put her in the children's wing for her one night stay. They originally had her in the adult part of the hospital but the head nurse changed that because as she said, "everyone is really old". Rachel had a sweet little girl for a roommate. Antonia was quite sad that Rachel was leaving the next day and wouldn't be with her.  Rachel read her stories and watched movies with her. It was excellent for her German too because her little friend didn't speak any English!

Antonia & Rachel

Hopefully it will fade over time...

Rachel's Basketball Season

Rachel's basketball team competed at the International School Sports Tournament this weekend. They played seven other teams in Geneva, Switzerland and came home with third place. Rachel was psyched to have her cast off and be able to help her team!

Rachel is Sweet Sixteen!

Happy, HAPPY SIXTEENTH Birthday to Rachel!

Rachel really wanted to celebrate with her friends on her birthday, but her birthday was on a Monday. So we had a sleepover Sunday night and she and her friends stayed up until midnight to welcome in Sixteen! Rachel's friend's parents are thankfully very understanding!

The flowers aren't in the picture but Dad didn't forget!

That evening varsity basetball team needed a player and Rachel needed some time on the court since she had just gotten her cast off, so Rachel played basketball. Afterwards we celebrated with dinner and chocolate silk pie, Rachel's favorite birthday treat!

Cast Free!

Yay!  Rachel's cast came off today! She is so excited to be cast free and just in time for the final basketball tournament of the season!  Clearly that arm needs some strengthening but hopefully she'll be back to normal soon!

Snowboarding and Wrist Breaking

Rachel

As most people who know Rachel know, she's a sporty kid who isn't afraid of much. So it wasn't a surprise that she wanted to try snowboarding. So we scheduled a lesson and headed to the mountains. Her friend Julia joined us to ski in the morning during Rachel's lesson. Meanwhile Steve and I took a cross country lesson.

Rachel & Julia

She had a great instructor, Alex, who was only a few years older and a lot of fun.  She seemed to get the hang of it. 

Rachel and Alex are in the bottom right corner

After lunch felt confident enough to go down the hill with Julia. Unfortunately, although she made it down the hill she took an awkward fall at the bottom.  Julia called and and we got back from the cross country trail as quickly as we could and headed home. Rachel has a high tolerance for pain and the fact that it hurt enough to make her cry made it certain that a trip to the ER was necessary.  Sure enough. the wrist was broken. Cast on and five weeks without sports. Rachel is truly most annoyed that it will keep her from playing the whole basketball season!

Eistock!

AJ, Mary, Joe, Stefanie & Rachel

As winter break comes to a close we are spending as much time as we can with our kids! Unfortunately, Dominic missed out since he was already back at school. First came a movie and a yummy Bavarian lunch.

A new twise on a beer barrel table!

Then we found this behind Augustiner.  Eisstock! Or a Bavarian version of curling, basically bocce on ice.

Mary, Rachel, Stefanie, Joe, AJ & Steve

AJ

Rachel

Joe

Mary

Stefanie

The kids and Steve had a blast playing even though it was freezing outside. After being my usual graceful self and wiping out spectacularly on the ice, I stuck to taking photos!

Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year! We welcome 2017 and the adventures it might bring! One thing we will never, ever get used to is the fireworks on New Year's Eve. There are absolutely no rules. Everyone sets off fireworks wherever they happen to be standing. I am not exaggerating to say they explode literally over our house. This video was taken from our upstairs deck - no zoom!