Last Night

The song Leaving on a Jet Plane seems very fitting right now...with some minor wording changes.  All our bags are packed but we are not ready to go! 

Tomorrow morning we'll get getting up bright and early to drive to Amsterdam.  We'll be leaving behind an amazing town and country...and husband!  This truly has been a summer to remember.  We've met so many kindhearted individuals and loved living the expat life.  Who would have thought that this sheltered PA girl would actually be jealous of her husband staying in a foreign country for a while longer?!?!  Today marks 8 weeks since we first stepped off the plane into The Netherlands.  It sounds like a long time but the summer flew by.  There is actually so much more that I want to see and do in this beautiful country...so for now I will live vicariously through Bill.  I'm even leaving my new camera with him so I am expecting some great pictures!       

I am so thankful for Bill!  He followed his dreams and goals and that brought us on this amazing journey of a lifetime.  His drive, dedication, and commitment is exactly the type of modeling that our children need.  Without him and his goals, we would have never had this summer that will provide memories for many, MANY years to come!  I remember when we first started dating that he commented that his career goal was to work internationally.  Here we are, just a few days shy of our 11 year dating anniversary, and he's crossed it off of his bucket list!!!   

Not too many kids can say that they spent the summer gallivanting around Europe.  We desperately don't want to leave Bill but we are anxious to see our friends and family back in the states.   I'll continue to update the blog as we transition back into our PA lives.  I'm sure that the next few weeks will go by in a whirlwind - once we recuperate from our jet lag.     

Pannenkoekenboot

Bill's birthday is on Sunday.  The kids and I are leaving on Friday.   While he was at work last week, the kids and I had a pow-wow and decided to celebrate his birthday before we left.   I let them pick out what we would do.   The kids agreed that they wanted to take Daddy out on the Pannenkoekenboot - The Pancake Boat!  http://www.pannenkoekenboot.com/    We went out on an hour long cruise from the docks in Nijmegen.   It was a beautiful trip up and down the Waal River.  I have run the bridges in and out of the city several times and stopped to take in the breathtaking views BUT there's something about seeing the city from the water that is simply wonderful!!    Tonight was no exception...we saw wild horses running along the beaches, cows wading in the river, the new bridge being constructed, and our wonderful cityscape!   

The pancakes on the boat were delightful.  There were three types - apple, natural, and bacon!!!  There was also a wide variety of toppings - plenty of sprinkle options, fruit, sauces, cheese, meats, hard boiled eggs, and so much more!!!  Each of the kids got to top their own pancakes and we all had a great time!  

Roman's masterpiece

Kayla's deliciousness

Bacon and cheese pancake

Wild horses

Another view of our city 

Yup!  There was a giant ball pit for the kids

   

Flipping About

Last night Kayla took her first class that was instructed completed in Dutch!   What type of class did she take?!?  GYMNASTICS!!!   One of Bill's co-workers teaches gymnastics in the evenings.  He arranged for Kayla to participate in an hour long girls class for her age.  To say that she was ecstatic was an understatement!  She looked forward to last night for a week!  Even though the class was completely in Dutch, she kept pace with the other girls and even did assisted front and back flips off of the trampoline!!!

Full of hot air

One thing that I have loved since we got here is seeing hot air balloons up in the air.  If you are my friend on Facebook, I'm sure you've seen pictures that I have posted.  Besides my family, I think they have been my favorite subjects to snap pictures of with my new camera.

After arriving home after a day of sightseeing in Utrecht, the kids suddenly started shrieking from their bedroom.  Taking off, thinking somebody was hurt, I came upon one fantastic view!

There were 20 hot air balloons sailing across the Nijmegen sky....all directly above our apartment!   Some flew close enough that the kids waved and we were able to see the occupants waving back to us!   Some of the balloons were so neat - Garfield, a bunny, a girl with pigtails, a child with headphones, and a giant monkey...just to name a few!

I think Bill is going to have to send me pictures of hot air balloons weekly, just so I can get my fill.

Utrecht

On Saturday, we hopped the train and headed 50 minutes away to the wonderful city of Utrecht.   It is described as one of the nation's oldest cities....it seems that there are quite a few of those nearby!  The canals in Utrecht are different from the rest in country.  They are down below the street level and lines with small walkways with warehouses, homes, and restaurants.   We took time to walk around the town, taking in the beautiful sights and stores (our favorite store was one that sold Willy Wonka candies!  Bill got his craving for SweetTarts fulfilled), and then went on a canal boat tour.  We continued to window shop and Kayla made the only purchase of the day - she bought a new field hockey stick for when her season starts up in November.   Afterwards, we walked up to a popular restaurant and had some drinks while sitting right above the canal on a bridge.  The scenery and atmosphere was amazing in this small province.  

Utrecht's old canal

The Domtoren

Canal side 

The view from our pit-stop for beverages  

You buy it, you carry it!  Kayla toting around her new field hockey stick. 

Carnival in Oss

On Thursday afternoon, the kids and I set off on the train to Oss.  We met Bill at the train station and we headed over to check out the carnival taking place in the town!  It was a great evening!  We scoped out the scene, rode a few rides, got Roman's hair cut, ate dinner, got cotton candy, and rode a few more rides.   Kayla is a total daredevil and her little brother isn't far behind.  Basically, if it went fast or had flips, they wanted to go on it!  The rides were set up all throughout the town center.   A fun time was had by all!   Bill and I commented a few times that Ocean City NJ needs to adopt a few of these amusements!

Walking on Water was our FAVORITE!

 Notice the water at the bottom of this snapshot

Roman's dutch haircut for the start of school

Go speed racers!

Bungee Trampoline

Spinny Roller Coaster 

Food, Glorious Food!

Grocery shopping is an almost daily event here!  While we've gotten pretty good and now pride ourselves in the days that we DON'T have to go, we still frequent our local AH several days a week.

We've now been in The Netherlands for 2 months and there are certainly foods that we LOVE and will miss dearly when we return back to the USA.  

We've found a few foods that we absolutely adore: 

- for Momma it's a hands down for all of the different types of olives

- Kayla gravitates towards the cheese section 

- Bill is on a mission to try to find Mexican cheese and a hot sauce that may slightly compare to our beloved Frank's Red Hot

- and little guy LOVES the yogurt that comes in a milk carton

The kids also love Vla Flip!  It's a combination of yogurt, custard, and a fruit syrup.  This has become their favorite dessert to request. 

Stroopwafels - OMG!   These are the best!  In my opinion, they are cookies that are a combination of two of my favorites - Pizzelles made by my grandmothers and Girl Scout Caramel Delight cookies!   The cookies are made in a press and they have a caramel center.  Often they are served along side of hot drinks at local establishments.  You sit the stroopwafel atop the drink and the caramel begins to melt within the center. DELISH!  You can buy them in the grocery store but the best ones are served up hot and fresh at the local outdoor markets.  

Licorice -  YUM!   Black licorice is very popular here!  It reminds me of going to Booth's Corner growing up and sucking down the black licorice shoe strings with my dad.   The kids have even taken a liking to the flavoring.  

We haven't really made attempts with the pasty meat products and K and I are still eyeing up the herring. We WILL eat it before we depart!