Back on the ice.

After two months of therapy and then two weeks of conditioning,

Jan 23rd Jason was back on the ice.

It's been a hard few months for him as he has had

to sit back and patiently recover.

2009 has been a great start so far.

Let's keep our hopes up for the rest of the season and

to be injury free!

Up in the mountains - Sudofeld

Just a short drive away...maybe 20 mins or so...

and we are up in the mountains!

Sudofeld is closeby and offers many activities....

skiing, hiking, ski-schools, snow-tubing, sledding etc.

view from the road

another pic I took while driving...while Jason was driving

one of the many parking areas.

Up in the mountains - Wendelstein

Just on the other side of Sudofeld is another popular tourist attraction - Wendelstein.

There is a tram/train or gondola that takes you all

the way up to the top of this mountain.

The view is unreal.

the top of Wendelstein

up the mountain we go on the gondola!

Spiderman hanging from the rafters...

Bella and mom were quick to grab a seat.

view of the gondola coming up

gorgeous view on a gorgeous day

blue skies on a sunny day

restaurant at the top

having lunch with the Lundmarks

patio area

The Beckers

It just wouldn't be a Becker family pic if the kids WEREN'T looking.

The Lundmarks

Jason, Emily, Owen

discussing the weather..

Hanging with Joe.

We met Joe our Reading, PA Season.

Along with a few other players that we

used to play with in the states,

Joe is playing over in Europe this season and just across the

german border into Austria.

We've had Joe come up and visit a few times now

and we are hoping for a few more.

A trip to Kufstein for coffee....or tea.

I'm the only coffee drinker but Joe helped me out

by testing his tastebuds on tea.

On the train to Munich.

Uncle Joe always gets the kids smiling.

downtown Munich

Brax had to make sure he was in the photo.

Only Uncle Joe gets the kids to look for a family photo.

The Professor.

Like I had mentioned before, I got a job as an english teacher

with the Berlitz language school in Rosenheim.

I already had my first student and taught a "crash" course

of level 3. I loved it. The hours were great and my student

was very eager to learn.
The director of the school called me and wanted to personally

congratulate me on receiving

a high recommendation from the company.

I will be using her for a recommendation letter

in the future, that's for sure!

The "Professor"......add that on to one of my many nicknames.

Perogie Princess

We celebrated ukrainian christmas this year by

making our own home-made perogies.

I was working (thank goodness, I hate pinching that dough)

so Jason and Bella took over.

Now that I've convinced Jason to make the perogies, I just hope

he doesn't expect me to start growing/gardening pineapples

anytime soon!

Bella had so much fun.

Don't worry Baba, soon enough we'll be sending her your way

and the two of you can make all the perogies you want!

Schule Photos.

Bella's class last year only consisted of about 8 kids.

This year there are between 20 - 25 kids

ranging in ages from 3 - 5.

Bella has a boyfriend named Tino who complains

that he is exhausted by lunchtime

because he has to speak english to Bella.
But he likes that Bella's dad plays for the Starbulls

and always comes over at the games to say a shy hello.

She also has a "bestie" or "BFF" Katherina.

The two of them are joined at the hip.

You would think I was lying if I told you how much she loves school.
And by the looks of this picture, I wouldn't blame you.

Storytelling.

Bella loves to storytell.

Whether it be reading from a book or talking on the phone

she comes up with most creative stories.

Brax is always interested in what she has to say.

Even if she is reading to him from the dictionary.

The art of stretching.

These two are quite the act!

I'm not sure what type of aerobic move/stretch this is,

but they are warming up for something.

Mr. Strong better throw in a push-up.

Field Trip - Skating!

Bella had her first school field trip...to the hockey rink!

Her class went on a skating trip. She was very excited.

I was very happy to see her so happy skating and doing so well at it,

on the other hand I was not enjoying being in a cold hockey rink

at 8 a.m. in the morning.

Ready, set go!
Bella's class skating together and posing for a picture for
the local newspaper.

Bella skating with her favorite teacher Marion.

taking a lap with dad.

all by herself!.....with a little help from a push-bar.
She is so determined to skate.

Brax didn't go skating but still managed to slap the puck around.

taking a break on the bench with mom

she shoots, she scores.

All she needs now, is a pink helmet!

Sylvester - New Year's Eve

Happy Neeewww Yeeaar!

Jason and the kids snacking before bedtime

We had NYE at the Becker's.

ALOT of food, drink and entertainment.

the ladies

Emily and the two Jason's

Dylan and Maggie

beer buds

Jason and Ryan

there is always "that guy" that thinks it's so funny to

join in on a pic...it was pretty funny.

FIREWORKS!

not too shabby....

even better...and everyone kept their fingers.

little sparky didn't burn for very long......

remember those candles that you got on your McDonald's

birthday cake? Yep, that's sparky.

cigars and champagne

and apparently alot of smoke in the air!

CHEERS!

bringing in the New Year with friends

wishing you a wonderful 2009!

Happy New Year!