Family Week

This week was a busy one. After all of our visitors from my Mom's side of the family over the weekend went their separate ways, we had a couple days with just my sisters at home, then on Wednesday that changed.

We met some of my Dad's side of the family in a nice park around Green Bay. On the way in, we sure noticed that they are building up the interstate around Green Bay. It is starting to feel like a big city now. The park was really nice and we had fun. It was rare that so many of us could be in the same place at the same time.

Grandma Harriet and my Aunt Caryn came back to Escanaba with us. We had a nice visit with them, and they had a lot of fun with the girls. Went to a great new Mexican restaurant yesterday - what a pleasure to get the real thing!

This coming week will be a traveling week, so I won't get to see much of the girls. Have managed to get in a round of golf pretty much every day so far though!

Kalia going raspberry picking with Amélie.

Playing in the baby kennel.

Grandpa tried to join in, but Abigail got the best of him.

Stateside

Well, we made it. The girls have been incredible. After the morning routine, they got into a strange car, waited at a train station for half an hour, sat in a train for over an hour, spent 3.5 hours in lines at a busy airport, were scrunched into a flying sardine can for 9 hours, barely slept, and they played happily for over three hours at the Detroit airport before falling asleep on the flight to Escanaba. Claire wasn't able to join us as planned for unclear reasons, but enjoyed a big steak paid for by Delta. They said the airspace over Brussels was restricted - as if that has anything to do with a flight from Switzerland to Amsterdam. I think they were just freeing up seats for overbooked flights like ours...

It didn't take them long to adjust to life in Escanaba. They are loving the attention and didn't get too overwhelmed by the family reunion that took place there over the weekend. It was really nice to see everyone, and great that they were willing to come up north so we didn't have to travel!

I got the golf course all set up. Added a couple holes, so not it is up to five. Been golfing every day so far, enjoying the beautiful weather, and plan to continue doing so. Also picked up a set of discs to use on the course as well. Being home is great and I am sure the time will continue to fly by!

Fun in the mushroom pool.

Four generations.

The Big Move

We were able to do all of the things we wanted to do before leaving Rotterdam. Got in a final trip to the zoo, saw our friends, went for some nice walks, and got everything packed up tightly. The house sure did look strange being so empty.

Friday did not start out so well. The van we reserved was too small, so Naomi took it back for a bigger one. Luckily, one of our neighbors came to help us out. Even with all her help, and the help of our babysitter who was there the whole day, we didn't end up leaving until 9 pm. One little delay that could have been much worse was the disappearance of the van keys. I didn't realize they were missing until the van was finished, but vaguely remembered what bag I had stuck them in, so I didn't need to unpack too much to get to them...the crowd in the street from the bar made that process and the avalanche I caused a bit more annoying though.

We made it to the cottage in one piece and on Saturday morning the calvary came to help us out. By mid afternoon everything was unloaded, assembled, and placed in its general area so at least we could use the house thanks to a ton of help from Naomi's family. There is plenty more to be done but that stuff can wait until we find the time for it. Strange to think that we actually live here now...

Lunch at the Zoo.

We will miss the Zoo!

One potential product for the new business.

Empty house - baby heaven.

Our very helpful neighbor!

Goodbye!

All Caught Up

Amélie had been running about 6 weeks behind Abigail with her physical abilities - rolling, standing, sitting, crawling (in that order), but now she is all caught up! She can do pretty much everything that Abigail can, albeit with a bit more caution. Abigail is still the clean one and a good sleeper. She thinks grass is disgusting, and although she wants to explore beyond the picnic blanket, having to touch the grass is just not worth it. Amélie has less desire to explore, but doesn't mind the grass.

They are also learning boundaries - Abigail more quickly than Amélie. They are allowed to play in our living room, but not the hall. Abigail will crawl right up to the line between them and stop. She won't cross it anymore because we have told her a few times it is not allowed. Amélie understands 'no' but sometimes just does what she wants anyway.

The heat wave seems to have passed, thankfully. We had an air conditioner cooling our bedroom for the better part of the week now. That was money well spent. In spite of the heat there were no shortage of spectators going to Utrecht to see the start of the Tour de France.

Going to school with the heat was not much fun though, although my meetings were not scheduled at the worst times. Our students are done now, and this coming week just holds some meetings for me. Plenty to do with the move though! Glad we didn't have to do it this past week!