To the West

We had sort of a 'trial week' to get used to being separated. I only had two days of work, but it was nice to figure out what our routine will be like. I will be spending about 15 hours every week just commuting. Naomi will have to deal with traffic jams and being a single mom for much of the time.

Moving in proves to be a long process, one in which the end doesn't really seem to be in sight as we have so many other things to do. We need a trailer for the bike to put the girls in and they need a place to play in the livingroom. They have outgrown their box. Today I will try to turn it into something else.

Hopefully I can make more progress with the kitchen as well. The girls have had their shower and we should be able to get a lot done today since it is a rainy morning anyway. Lots of adjusting and re-adjusting. At least the jet lag has worn off...

Back to the NL

Wednesday Abigail and Amélie turned one year old! We had a day filled with packing but also a really nice birthday dinner. Steaks on the grill with twice-baked potatoes and an apple crisp. They both liked their special cuisine! After opening up a few nice presents they went to bed for their last full night of sleep for awhile.

Our journey back went better than I had feared it would. Didn't start out well though. We got a call a few hours before we left for the airport that our flight out of Detroit had been cancelled. My mom had to spend 45 minutes on the phone trying to get us seats in the same neighborhood. Luckily it worked out, and we even convinced the stewardesses to allow us to use our car seat (in one case appealing to the pilot who overruled her) which is against FAA regulations! Flying with babies is not a good idea...

When we got to Amsterdam the train system was in tatters. It took us an hour to get a train, but we felt fortunate to have one at all given the situation. Still not sure what went wrong. Erna was able to pick us up in Deventer which was a huge help, and Gerda stocked up the fridge so that their was food to eat, and the babies behaved incredibly well through it all. Naomi had to get off one stop before us so that she could make it on time for her first day of work. Ouch. It went well though!

The nights have been a bit rough until about 2am as nobody is inclined to sleep. I am also overwhelmed with all the stuff that needs to be unpacked and sorted from the trip and the move. Definitely won't be ready to head back to the West on Wednesday so I can start working, but at least I don't have Naomi's schedule! Things would be much worse if Mom wasn't here to help us out, so we are really happy with the way things are going.

Here is a video of Amélie's impression of Grandpa Jack.

In the Basement

We have had a busy week of cleaning out the basement, painting the walls, and filling in some holes in the concrete. This will prepare some space for a new bedroom so that my mom can use ours for her stained glass workshop as it has better windows. Progress is slow but we are making a big difference.

Today Naomi noticed our first tooth! Abigail has one coming through on the bottom. No whining or fussiness from her though...and the whole row seems ready to pop! Nothing yet from Amélie. They sure have changed since we have been here!

Today might be the first day at home that I haven't been able to fit in a round of Golf. We were busy taking a truck load to the dump this morning and it just started pouring outside. Perhaps tonight...

Yesterday we got to spend the day up in Marquette. We were scouting it out as the place to move to permanently when we come to the States. We had a great time and were both positively impressed by the town and feel of the community. Seems like the perfect place for us to live!

In a week we will be on an airplane or in an airport. I am dreading that. Good thing mom will come with us! Naomi is feeling ready to head back but I wish we could stay longer. Lots of work left to do in the basement...

On the Road

We did a lot of traveling this past week. First, Naomi and I spent a few days in Central Wisconsin. Without the girls. It was great. Started out at the Pike Lake Cabin for a couple nights. Grandma and Grandpa met us there and left after a nice dinner. This was followed up by a beautiful, relaxing day. The next morning we cleaned things up for the realtor. Unfortunately, the cabin needs to be sold. We were happy to spend a bit of time there before it happens.

We spent another day with family and then headed back to Escanaba. After three days it felt like I almost didn't recognize the girls. Amélie's hair color had changed and Abigail was starting to take steps on her own. They did really well with Grandma and Grandpa - just the routine and peace that they needed after so many visitors.

I was only home for a day before heading down to the Grand Rapids area with Dad for his family reunion. We decided that 7 hours in the car was way too much for the little ones, so just the two of us made the trip. Friday evening we spent in Grand Haven checking out my friend Andrew's new location for his coffee company, Aldea. It is coming together really well. They share a space with a brewery and an art gallery. A food business will be opening up there shortly too. Pretty cool business venture.

Saturday was the reunion and it was a lot of fun to spend the day with family. The food was good and we had a really nice spot at a park. Sunday morning I met Andrew for some disc golf and after lunch we made the drive back to Escanaba, stopping at Kitch-iti-kipi, an incredibly clear, spring fed lake that you can take a raft across on our way home.

Now Naomi's friend Amelia is visiting from Cleveland, and the basement project has begun. We are clearing things out and will be building a new bedroom down there so that Mom can take over ours for her stained glass workshop. We shall see how far we get...wish we had more time here!

Goodbye to the Pike Lake Cabin.

Paula's - a great lunch spot with a strange mix of decor - the owners don't even like tea.

Coast Guard Festival in Grand Haven.

The Aldea Coffee Location.

Sunset over Grand Haven's Beach.

Kitch-iti-kipi.