It's Soccer Time!

It only comes around every 4 years and I have to say I am very excited to be in the Netherlands to enjoy it. The World Cup is a big deal here. Before the games even started, houses and stores were decorated to the max. Streamers with orange flags cross over streets from house to house. Orange hats, boas and shirts dress all the mannequins in store windows. To say the Dutch are excited is an understatement. Today I walked into town an hour and a half before the game was to start. There was orange everywhere! Kids had their hair colored orange. Men and women wore orange hats, scarves, and shirts. The candy store was selling soccer ball candies and chocolate soccer players. I wouldn't be surprised if the stores closed during the game. Everyone was hustling around to get their errands done in order to be in front of a TV at the start of the game. I must admit, those 90 minutes fly by. I enjoy watching the games and find myself cheering more for Holland than for the USA. The kids even sit and watch it. If we stay here much longer we will definitely be a soccer family.

One Year Down

We have now lived in the Netherlands for one year. Time has gone by fast and we have had many great experiences as a family. So far we have toured many cities in the Netherlands, Belgium, and Germany. We have also visited France, Austria, and Malta. With in the next year we plan on adding a few more countries to our list. We have enjoyed having visitors from the States and have made many new friends. The kids had a great 1st year of school here and have made friends from all over the world. They have learned many new traditions from different cultures. What an experience it has been. We are looking forward to our next year here and all it has to offer!

Malta

It's not everyday that you have a chance to take a long weekend trip on a Mediterranean Island. Jason and the kids had last Tursday and Friday off, so we decided to go to Malta. It is less than a 3 hour plane ride and well worth it to be in warmer and less rainy weather. Our hotel, The Westin, was beautiful and had both an outdoor and indoor pool. We took the kids to Popeye's Village where the 1980 Robin William's movie was filmed. They had actors walking around town interacting with guests and singing. It was a highlight for all of us. We also took a ferry to Gozo, the second largest of the three islands that make up Malta. There we saw the Azure Window, got lost on roads that the GPS surprisingly recognized, and had lunch (and ice cream). On our last day, Jason and I left the kids at the Westin's Kid's Club so we could sight see on our own. We took a small boat tour to the Blue Grotto. The water colors were amazing. Every night after dinner we spent time in the pool and everyone was ready for bed by 8:00. Our days were filled.

Our trip back was slightly delayed due to the Volcanic Ash from Iceland. Amsterdam's airport was closed, so our 8 am flight didn't leave until 1:30. Than we had to take the train and a bus because we had missed our taxi (and we were with out a cell phone due to Jason getting a little too close to the water on one of our excursions). The kids did great though, and we made it home only 5 1/2 hours later than scheduled. All in all, a great get away!

A Happy Mother's Day

I woke up to coffee and muffins in bed. Then the children showered me with the gifts they made in school. Necklaces from the boys and a key chain and poem from Brooklyn. Then as I showered and dressed for the day, the kids made me another card. Jason had bought flowers and chocolates for me the day before, but went out on a limb and also bought me pants and a sweatshirt to go walking in. He did a good job.

After lunch we went to Keukenhof, a flower park in Lisse. We had been there during my parent's visit in the beginning of April but not much was in bloom then. Brooklyn had also missed that visit due to being in school and she really wanted to go. Everything was beautiful this time and we had a gorgeous day for it.

For dinner we ordered pizza, atleast I didn't have to cook or do any dishes. Then I ended my day with a long walk. My neighbor and I do this almost every night and it's a great way to end every day.

Spring Break Pics

Saltmine tour in Hallein, Austria.

Spring Break Pics