Nancy and Kara in Holland!

We sent Nancy and Kara back to Portland today and were VERY sad to see them go. Kaelan has been asking for them all day and I have been wondering why my dishes aren't getting done, veggies chopped or the laundry folded! We really enjoyed having them here and having an opportunity to get to know them here on our turf! It turned out to be a wonderfully busy time!

We picked them up from the airport and went straight to Keukenhof Gardens. The weather was nice enough, a little rain, but we managed to see some beautiful flowers.

Then we headed over to Kinderdijk on the way home and here the weather was not so nice! It was windy with rain and hail! It looked ok when we headed out but we were soaked by the time we got back to the car. At least they got to see the windmills!

When we got home they unpacked their suit cases and the kids found all kinds of treasures in them! Coco has a new dress on (over her clothes) that Nancy made and a head band and sandals that Kara brought for her! Kaelan made out really well too! Thanks Nancy, Kara and Grandma Custer for stocking your bags with fun, yummy, wonderful treasures!

We spent quite a few days in our village cruising around on our bikes, going for long walks, a few runs and lunch in town. We ended up having some great weather which made our outings beautiful! I think the highlight of the trip for Nancy was riding around the Dutch countryside. It really is beautiful here, especially when it's sunny!

We took a day trip to Utrecht. A medium sized university town with lots of canals and history. 

Bikes and Canals in Utrecht

Nancy was determined to visit a Coffee Shop so we made sure she got her chance!

Ha ha, maybe that wasn't her goal but we did see plenty so we had to get a picture in Utrecht.

We rode our bikes out to the Convent/Restaurant/Farm near us for lunch.

K wanted to see what it was like being a baby calf!

We also took a trip up to Alkmaar for the cheese market they hold every Friday in the summers.

They still demonstrate the technique of hauling and weighing the cheese from the last 300 years. Very interesting and this city is beautiful!

Alkmaar

Alkmaar

AMSTERDAM!

We finally made it to Amsterdam!

While Nancy and Kara toured the Ann Frank house Travis, the kids and I went to a beautiful park and found a playground and lunch! Kids had a blast and Travis and I actually go to rest a little!

We took a boat ride on the labyrinth of canals in Amsterdam.

The kids crashed after the boat which was good since this is when we walked through the infamous red light district!

Not so comfy but he slept too!

Stay tuned for pictures of our 5 day, whirlwind tour of Sicily, Italy!

Mother's Day

We had a fun day visiting a farm/convent/restaurant where we had lunch, pet some cows and played a little soccer! Wonderful family day and everything I ever wanted for mother's day!

Daddy and Kaelan playing "football"

Kaelan didn't care who he played with as long as he was playing!

Cow barns on both sides of this Sunday morning soccer filed.

Colette getting ready for the ride home.

She didn't make it very far before she crashed!

Keukenhof Gardens and the Tulip Fields

Out and about this spring!

Colette started walking!

She has been walking for about 1 month now. She is getting confident and walks everywhere. Forget crawling she would rather walk!

This was 1 month ago when we were having her walk between us. She would only take a couple steps but it was the beginning of her new walking adventure!

We are always on the lookout for a new place for K and Coco to play. Well this one was above and beyond what we hoped for! It is a combination of all you can take amusement park rides (mostly kiddie ones) and an indoor and outdoor play gym! Very cool!

Kaelan is all about the bike/trike, or car as he calls them, roads. We spent quite a bit of time at this stop.

There is no more sitting back and watching for sister! She needs to be part of the action!

The kids and I met some friends at a farm we often visit. They have cows that you can watch being milked, pigs rummaging in the mud and chickens where you can see them in their coop laying eggs. We enjoy going there to see if there are any new calfs and to get some fresh eggs! It was a bonus to meet our friends there and then play afterwards.

Coco and the pigs.

We headed to the playground after the farm so the kids could play.

K's new best friend, Ryan! Ryan is 4 and in the Netherlands it is mandatory all 4 year olds start school all day, everyday! So, unfortunately, Kaelan doesn't get to see Ryan as much as he likes. This just happened to be school holiday so all the kids had 2 weeks off. Can't wait for summer!

Swinging together

This is Abby, Ryan's little sister. She is 4 months older than Coco and they like to get in to trouble together! See below!

Over school holiday we met some other friends at a indoor gym where they have about 12 bouncy houses blown up for the holiday. Great way to burn some energy. We found this bike there and it was hilarious and very hard to ride! K figured it out for about 2 minutes! 

We bought a trampoline!

K and Ryan jumping!

 We decided that since we lived so far out we needed to make sure our house was worth the trip! I think we are getting there because after this play date all the mummies said their kids zonked out on the ride home. Good to hear! 

Colette and Abby found the smallest, muddy puddle that was just out of site. Danette (Roman's mommy) on the right found them covered in muddy water and carried them both back over to us! Jennifer, on the left, is Abby's Mommy. 

From left to right:

Jackson and his Mommy Lindsey

Jennifer and her son Ryan

Danette and her son Roman

Kaelan

The only ones missing are Colette and Abby. Probably off to some mischief somewhere!

This is what Rhododendrons do in the Netherlands! 

Since I'm from the high mountain dessert I don't get to see rhododendrons like this! I can't believe how lush they are and full of flowers and in so many colors! Gorgeous!  We have one just out our kitchen window that is almost done blooming, I will have to post it soon.