Although I'm not feeling well, and sick with this pregnancy, I can find it in my heart to report on the WEATHER! It's the worse weather in 44 years here in Holland. It's been snowing on and off for four days. In the morning, it's accumulated on the ground- although NOTHING like back home. But, for a place that hardly ever sees snow, it's pretty amazing!
Erik's mom and his sister arrived last week. They have all been busy going to Amsterdam, Belgium, and playing with the boys. It's too bad that they had to bring all the weather from the USA with them. (:
I'll post pictures soon this week...but just wanted to let everyone know we are still alive!
Monday, March 24, 2008
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Curtis's Spring Concert
The handsome prince is MINE! Also, Johnny joined the class, and is on the left side of the screen in a green shirt. (I know this is LONG, but I had to post it for the grandparents, as it won't fit on my e-mail in an attachment!)
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Past Week
The boys transform our living room into the ocean and play. It's great, because I lay on the ground and play the lifeguard. 
The boys have been waiting for Sesame Street to visit Madurodam. We have a pass, and went last week in the beginning of the week on opening day! They LOVED it!
Johnny thinks he is SO cool!
Last Friday was "Favorite Character" day at school for Curtis. This is a picture of him outside our house waiting for his ride to pick him up for school.
I might not write as much as normal these next few weeks. I'm pretty sick with this pregnancy- Surprise, Surprise! Thought maybe I could get away without it. So, once I'm back in the swing of things, or Erik takes pics of the boys...there's not much to tell you about, unless you want a detailed description of the toilets over here in Europe!
Also, our computer crashed, so I'm using Erik's work computer, until we get a new one or ours fixed. Hope we can recover our pictures off of it...that's the only thing I'm worried about!
Erik's mom and his sister arrive on Thursday. I'm sure the boys will be SO happy to have people around that will be much more fun to hang out with, than I am. All the beach restaurants are up, and so are the trampolines....so I'm sure they'll be out there a lot! Plus, the flower fields are in the bloom! What a beautiful time to visit Holland!
Hope you all have a GREAT Easter, Spring Break, etc! Missing everyone at home!
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Big Congratulations!
Just wanted to tell everyone I'm going to be an aunt again! My sister AnnMarie and her husband Nick have been going through the adoption process for about a year or more. Yesterday, they accepted a baby BOY from Ethiopia! His name is Geremu (pronounced "Ger-a-moo") and he is eighteen months old! What great news for them and our family! I can't wait to meet the cutie. Sounds like if all goes well, they will have him in about twelve weeks or so. Let's just say Christmas next year will be wild with four boys in the family, and maybe a fifth! A BIG congrats out to AnnMarie, Nick, and Cullen! We are SO excited for you!
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
So Cute...
Had to post this video! Johnny sings this song EVERYWHERE- the supermarket, post office, Curtis's school, bath tub, ect!
Monday, March 10, 2008
Edinburgh Scotland 2008
This past Thursday, my girlfriend Lynne and I headed off to Scotland for four days, and three nights of fun and relaxation! The trip started off with a BANG. On Thursday, I was driving to pick up Erik from work, on the way to drop me off at the train station. Curtis and Johnny took and nap, and as they were getting ready, Curtis didn't seem right. He kept telling me that his tummy hurt and he didn't want to go. Of course, I thought it was because he would miss me SO much and didn't want me to go. So, I carried him down to the car, and told him he just had to sit in the car while I drove. As we were about six blocks from Erik's office, Curtis started gagging, and then started throwing up ALL over in the car. He's crying, and SO upset. I am in a foreign country driving and can't pull over at all. I'm looking back screaming that I'm "SO SORRY" and I keep yelling that, and now I'm crying! Johnny is SO scared at the throwing up and his crazy mother, that now he is crying! So, by the time we got to Erik's office, the car was full of puke, and all three of us were sobbing! What a scene for Erik to walk out to. Good thing he is SO laid back, and totally took control. He's consoling Curtis, and telling him they will just have a movie day. He's telling me that everything will be OK and not to worry-just to go to Scotland and have a good time. (Easy for him to say- when this is the first time since I've had kids, that anyone has gotten the throw-up flu! Needless to say, the first night wasn't too enjoyable for me!)
On Friday morning we woke up with good news that Curtis hadn't throw-up all night, and Erik telling me again that he's fine and I need to have fun! After I talked to Curtis, I felt better about it, and relaxed for the rest of the vacation. Friday, we pretty much spent ALL day shopping and getting that out of our systems! It was SO great to visit the GAP, TGI Fridays, and many other "American" places that I miss! We had a great time just bumming around, and were SO tired come Friday night, that we just went to the grocery store and brought salads back to eat in bed!
Saturday we set off to go "sight-seeing", but go side tracked. The biggest Rugby game of the year- Scotland -vs- England in the Six Nations Rugby Tournament was happening about a mile from our hotel. So, we decided that we'd sight see in the morning and watch the game at a pub in the afternoon. The atmosphere around town was amazing and reminded me of an Notre Dame football game day. People were on the street corners playing bag pipes, and all the men were in kilts and rugby shirts! After an hour or so, I told Lynne that I wanted to walk down to the stadium and see if we could scalp some tickets at face value or so. I just wanted to see what it was like. She thought that was a great idea.
We went to a few shops to grab a couple of items that Lynne needed. In an outdoors shop, Lynne and I started talking to the guy at the cash register about all the people in there buying hats and gloves for the game. We told him we'd love to go to the game and were going to try to get tickets. He had a friend selling two tickets for the game and gave us his number. We called like maniacs to try to get a hold of him, but no luck. About an hour later, the guy called us and offered us the tickets at face value! We were SO pumped and 15 minutes later, had the tickets in our hands! Nicest guy who had 9th row seats, and two guys from his party couldn't come. He wanted to sell the tickets to people who wouldn't cause trouble and would be good to sit by! Lynne and I were high-fiving each other ALL the way back to the Hotel, as we got ready for the game!
The game was AMAZING! I really felt like I was back in South Bend at a game! The WHOLE country was going crazy for the Scottish team! They were the underdogs, but pulled off a BIG win and I had goose bumps listening to the crowd when the game ended! What FUN we had!
Sunday, we finally went out to do our sight-seeing, as we didn't fly out till 7pm! The Castle, Royal Mile, Aurthur's Seat, and the Queen's House were amazing! Edinburgh is by far the most beautiful place I've been! It's got so much history, and the scenery is amazing! It really made me homesick for the bluffs back in La Crosse! Holland is SO flat with barely any hills!
Finally, our trip ended with Lynne not having nearly enough space in her bag for all the stuff she bought. (There is also a 20 kg limit per person.) So, we had to go buy her an empty suitcase and try to fit everything into two bags. When we got to the airport, we weighted our bags, and mine was 19.9 kg. (Phew!) Lynne's were 30 kg. So, they made her pay 78 pounds extra to check them in.....that on top of the 30 pound bag she bought= roughly $200.00 US Dollars! We were DYING at the airport, and trying to shove things in nuks and crannies in our purses, and coat pockets to make it weight less. She called her husband and I thought he was about to kill her! We were sitting here drinking hot chocolate and laughing SO hard at the thought of him at home with kids. He was dying that we went to the Rugby game, and then this! It got better, after we landed in Amsterdam. The trains were under construction back to our town. So you had to transfer two times. I suppose they do this at a not very busy time- Sunday night at 10pm. So, with all of Lynne's bags and weight, we couldn't do that! So, we had to get a taxi home- chalk up another $100 US dollars for Lynne to add to her bill for going over the luggage limit! Needless to say, our car ride home was quiet- but every once in a while, I'd get a giggle out of her!
We had an amazing weekend and squeezed SO much into it! It was SO nice to be able to go to Scotland! I highly recommend it for anyone traveling abroad! Erik survived his weekend home, and the house was in "tip-top" shape and he said the boys are SO much easier now, then they use to be! He had a nice time too, once the puking stopped!
On Friday morning we woke up with good news that Curtis hadn't throw-up all night, and Erik telling me again that he's fine and I need to have fun! After I talked to Curtis, I felt better about it, and relaxed for the rest of the vacation. Friday, we pretty much spent ALL day shopping and getting that out of our systems! It was SO great to visit the GAP, TGI Fridays, and many other "American" places that I miss! We had a great time just bumming around, and were SO tired come Friday night, that we just went to the grocery store and brought salads back to eat in bed!
Saturday we set off to go "sight-seeing", but go side tracked. The biggest Rugby game of the year- Scotland -vs- England in the Six Nations Rugby Tournament was happening about a mile from our hotel. So, we decided that we'd sight see in the morning and watch the game at a pub in the afternoon. The atmosphere around town was amazing and reminded me of an Notre Dame football game day. People were on the street corners playing bag pipes, and all the men were in kilts and rugby shirts! After an hour or so, I told Lynne that I wanted to walk down to the stadium and see if we could scalp some tickets at face value or so. I just wanted to see what it was like. She thought that was a great idea.
We went to a few shops to grab a couple of items that Lynne needed. In an outdoors shop, Lynne and I started talking to the guy at the cash register about all the people in there buying hats and gloves for the game. We told him we'd love to go to the game and were going to try to get tickets. He had a friend selling two tickets for the game and gave us his number. We called like maniacs to try to get a hold of him, but no luck. About an hour later, the guy called us and offered us the tickets at face value! We were SO pumped and 15 minutes later, had the tickets in our hands! Nicest guy who had 9th row seats, and two guys from his party couldn't come. He wanted to sell the tickets to people who wouldn't cause trouble and would be good to sit by! Lynne and I were high-fiving each other ALL the way back to the Hotel, as we got ready for the game!
The game was AMAZING! I really felt like I was back in South Bend at a game! The WHOLE country was going crazy for the Scottish team! They were the underdogs, but pulled off a BIG win and I had goose bumps listening to the crowd when the game ended! What FUN we had!
Sunday, we finally went out to do our sight-seeing, as we didn't fly out till 7pm! The Castle, Royal Mile, Aurthur's Seat, and the Queen's House were amazing! Edinburgh is by far the most beautiful place I've been! It's got so much history, and the scenery is amazing! It really made me homesick for the bluffs back in La Crosse! Holland is SO flat with barely any hills!
Finally, our trip ended with Lynne not having nearly enough space in her bag for all the stuff she bought. (There is also a 20 kg limit per person.) So, we had to go buy her an empty suitcase and try to fit everything into two bags. When we got to the airport, we weighted our bags, and mine was 19.9 kg. (Phew!) Lynne's were 30 kg. So, they made her pay 78 pounds extra to check them in.....that on top of the 30 pound bag she bought= roughly $200.00 US Dollars! We were DYING at the airport, and trying to shove things in nuks and crannies in our purses, and coat pockets to make it weight less. She called her husband and I thought he was about to kill her! We were sitting here drinking hot chocolate and laughing SO hard at the thought of him at home with kids. He was dying that we went to the Rugby game, and then this! It got better, after we landed in Amsterdam. The trains were under construction back to our town. So you had to transfer two times. I suppose they do this at a not very busy time- Sunday night at 10pm. So, with all of Lynne's bags and weight, we couldn't do that! So, we had to get a taxi home- chalk up another $100 US dollars for Lynne to add to her bill for going over the luggage limit! Needless to say, our car ride home was quiet- but every once in a while, I'd get a giggle out of her!
We had an amazing weekend and squeezed SO much into it! It was SO nice to be able to go to Scotland! I highly recommend it for anyone traveling abroad! Erik survived his weekend home, and the house was in "tip-top" shape and he said the boys are SO much easier now, then they use to be! He had a nice time too, once the puking stopped!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Playdate
Curtis has this friend at school, Mrinmoy. Mrinmoy is from India, and only speaks Bangladi. Curtis has ALWAYS really liked Mrinmoy, and talks about him all the time! We think it's SO funny, because we aren't quite sure how the two of them communicate. The teachers say they are "best buddies" and now Mrinmoy is speaking better English, and even some sentences. Today, Mrinmoy's mother, Mita, invited us over for a 'playdate" and lunch.
I have to say, I was quite nervous to go there. Living in a foreign country, it's always hard to know what's acceptable at other peoples houses. For instance, when you meet or greet a Dutch person, you kiss them three times. Once on one cheek, then on the other, and then back to the first cheek. When I greet my Scotish friends, we shake hands, and then kiss on the cheek. My British friends, kiss on one cheek. American friends either shake hands or hug. I get nervous about what is right and wrong...but usually I make a joke about it, and everyone has a laugh.
So, today, I was DYING to take pictures of our lunch at Mrinmoy's house. But, my camera, my NEW in October camera, is NOT working. Erik says that most cameras have a life of a few years, but with the amount of pictures I take, I might have already surpassed that!
When we got to Mrinmoy's house, his mother cooked dinner in the kitchen and kept telling me she didn't need any help. Then she comes out and sets the table for four. She brings out all these Indian dishes. I was very courious about what was in each dish- as I have never seen any of these in my life. She put each of the dishes on the plates. Then she told us all to sit. I said, "Where are you going to sit?" She told me that she wasn't, and she just REALLY wanted me to enjoy it.
So, here I am, at a table with three kids, getting waited on by a woman my age. She was like a waitress. She poured water, squirted our ketchup on our plates, took dishes away when we were finished, and even put napkins on us. It was uncomfortable for me, because it was SO wierd that she didn't join us. I tried to persuade her many times, but she just laughed and said it wasn't normal to sit with guests. So, of course, you know me. When I get nervous I turn into "motor mouth" and must have asked her a 100 questions.
The food was really different and good. To my surprise, even my kids tried it and liked it. Johnny would try something and say, "I DO like this- Yummy!" Mita was REALLY loving Johnny and holding him and playing with him. Of course he ATE this right up and felt like a King!
When it came time to clean up, I started to clear the table and help her with the dishes. She kept telling me to sit down, and she didn't want me to help. Finally she told me it was an insult to her, because if guests help clean up, then that means that they won't come to your house again. I told her, that she doesnt' have to worry...where I come from, if we don't help clear the table- it's not acceptable!
It's amazing to me, how different women are treated in different parts of the world. Two of the fathers in Curtis's class won't even make eye contact with me, because I'm a woman and not covered up by cloth. Don't worry, I say "Hi" to them EVERY day and my goal is to get them to talk to me by the end of the year! It really makes you appreciate life in the USA, and it's WONDERFUL to see a woman running for president!
On another note, I'm headed to Scotland with my friend Lynne on Thursday for an "ALL GIRLS WEEKEND!" We have been SO excited for this! It will be filled with loads of relaxing, shopping, eating, reading, and sight seeing! I'll post more on Monday when I get back. My camera broke at the WORST time! Thank goodness Lynne has a good one. She'll be sick of me asking for it by the end of the weekend!
I have to say, I was quite nervous to go there. Living in a foreign country, it's always hard to know what's acceptable at other peoples houses. For instance, when you meet or greet a Dutch person, you kiss them three times. Once on one cheek, then on the other, and then back to the first cheek. When I greet my Scotish friends, we shake hands, and then kiss on the cheek. My British friends, kiss on one cheek. American friends either shake hands or hug. I get nervous about what is right and wrong...but usually I make a joke about it, and everyone has a laugh.
So, today, I was DYING to take pictures of our lunch at Mrinmoy's house. But, my camera, my NEW in October camera, is NOT working. Erik says that most cameras have a life of a few years, but with the amount of pictures I take, I might have already surpassed that!
When we got to Mrinmoy's house, his mother cooked dinner in the kitchen and kept telling me she didn't need any help. Then she comes out and sets the table for four. She brings out all these Indian dishes. I was very courious about what was in each dish- as I have never seen any of these in my life. She put each of the dishes on the plates. Then she told us all to sit. I said, "Where are you going to sit?" She told me that she wasn't, and she just REALLY wanted me to enjoy it.
So, here I am, at a table with three kids, getting waited on by a woman my age. She was like a waitress. She poured water, squirted our ketchup on our plates, took dishes away when we were finished, and even put napkins on us. It was uncomfortable for me, because it was SO wierd that she didn't join us. I tried to persuade her many times, but she just laughed and said it wasn't normal to sit with guests. So, of course, you know me. When I get nervous I turn into "motor mouth" and must have asked her a 100 questions.
The food was really different and good. To my surprise, even my kids tried it and liked it. Johnny would try something and say, "I DO like this- Yummy!" Mita was REALLY loving Johnny and holding him and playing with him. Of course he ATE this right up and felt like a King!
When it came time to clean up, I started to clear the table and help her with the dishes. She kept telling me to sit down, and she didn't want me to help. Finally she told me it was an insult to her, because if guests help clean up, then that means that they won't come to your house again. I told her, that she doesnt' have to worry...where I come from, if we don't help clear the table- it's not acceptable!
It's amazing to me, how different women are treated in different parts of the world. Two of the fathers in Curtis's class won't even make eye contact with me, because I'm a woman and not covered up by cloth. Don't worry, I say "Hi" to them EVERY day and my goal is to get them to talk to me by the end of the year! It really makes you appreciate life in the USA, and it's WONDERFUL to see a woman running for president!
On another note, I'm headed to Scotland with my friend Lynne on Thursday for an "ALL GIRLS WEEKEND!" We have been SO excited for this! It will be filled with loads of relaxing, shopping, eating, reading, and sight seeing! I'll post more on Monday when I get back. My camera broke at the WORST time! Thank goodness Lynne has a good one. She'll be sick of me asking for it by the end of the weekend!
Sunday, March 2, 2008
BIG NEWS
Baby number three is on the WAY! It's still early, but we are VERY excited and wanted to share with everyone!
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