Okay, technically this first picture was still December 2017, but it was our Jule fire celebration and there you see the Jule log burning and me triumphantly holding two horns of mead. When we jump over the burning log the flames cleanse the past year's bad luck and we are ready for the new year to begin. Sadly, this year I couldn't attend the village Julefire we were all too sick. I hope it's not bad luck!

January

In January my mom, brother, and sister came to visit from the United States. It was cool because it was the first time my brother and sister had been to Germany. One thing we did was visit the worlds longest escalator in Hamburg at the orchestral hall.

February

Then shortly after my mom left my brother and his at the time girlfriend came to visit! My brother proposed on a chilly February day in front of this amazing castle in Schwerin.

March

March was a pretty grey and gloomy month here in Northern Germany, but like every year the village welcomes spring with a town bonfire. This year it was raining so the turnout was pretty low. For those who did come there was lots of brats and beer. For us, March is a time of rebirth. We celebrate the new season and take pride in the coming victories of the warmer months.

April

I had my first auto accident in my 15+ years driving. This picture is the other persons car, mine was scratched down the entire passenger side. I was driving about 25km/hr down a side street when an old woman pulled out into the side of me. She was 100% at fault so I didn't have to pay anything but it was a real inconvenience and our twin 1-year-olds were in the car and were pretty shook.

May

We saw beautiful warm weather in May and the Vikings invaded our neighboring town, so we took the kids and saw a mock battle. There were too many people there for my liking so it was pretty hectic.

June

When we immigrated from the United States, we originally moved in with my mother in law. She had an apartment upstairs and was able to help out with me and the kids. We are very grateful, but it was working out and it was time to find our own place. We moved a couple of blocks away so she is still close to help out.

July

July I joined Steemit! Really glad I did. This is the photo from my original introduction post. I had no idea what the hell I was doing or how steemit worked. Learned a lot since then!

August

We laid pretty low in August. My son had ear surgery and the kids were home from kindergarten. We explored the woods and went to a town festival.

September

In September, my bother got married! (the one who proposed). My son and I flew to the states for his wedding. For being only three years old my son did great on the trip! It was a really nice wedding.

October

Lots of woods pictures in October! I guess that is the time to get out there and see the leaves. One thing I appreciate is all the public spaces in Germany. Our town is surrounded by forests open to the public. They are owned by a coalition of farmers who allow people on their land.

November

November was crazy, no Thanksgiving for us! We had lots of Christmas and birthday preparations, and my wife had to put in tons of over time. Our twin girls turned two in November and they had a really nice birthday party!

December

Well, man. I think every week this month the kids have been sick. As I write this two out of three have fevers and one for sure has hand, foot, and mouth! It sure doesn't seem to slow them down though, Christmas time with two two-year-olds and a three-year-old is totally crazy! We sure have made some great memories though!

Steemit Goals for 2019

1. Become a dolphin (self-explanatory)

2. Make dtube movies about metal detecting Germany. Mrs. Badger bought me a metal detector for Christmas, so I am dying to get out in the woods and dig up some lost Viking treasure! We live in the heart of Viking country. I am 100% newbie at metal detecting, but I invite you all to join me on that journey!

3. Finish my dtube audiobook series.
   I am recording an audiobook for my kids and I am posting it on the blockchain for anyone to hear. I have made a couple recordings already and plan to finish up once the kids go back to kindergarten!

Thanks, everyone for a great community here on steemit. Whether is those awesome folks at @steemitbloggers, @larrythelion, or the great @steemmonsters community! Plus many more! You guys are great and I hope this is a great year for Steemit ( and steem of course 🤣 )

Wishing you all a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year!