Goodbye Seattle, Hello Breda

We ended up leaving a week later in May than planned.  There were some unresolved Visa issues that delayed our departure.  It ended up being a blessing in disguise.  We were able to stay a week longer and enjoy Seattle and more time with our friends!  No chores, moving, purging of our stuff, packing bags, cleaning, etc.  It was a mini-vacation in our home town.  And we are so fortunate to have such wonderful friends, John & Katie (and of course their dog Bob), that let us stay with them for the extra time.  We had so much fun staying with them and seeing everyone for the rest of our time before we left.

 Archie and his best buddy, Isaac.  They get excited when they see one another.  It is super cute.

 What cuties!!!

 Archie, Malia (of Megan and Tony), Hazel, and Quinn (both girls of Sarah and Eric) - We were at a BBQ at our friend Matt's house and it was a great time for a photo op with all the kids.  We were so surprised that they all cooperated.  I was shocked we could get Archie to stay seated that long!  Hazel was such a good big sister to Quinn!

 Archie: Oh, Malia, I like your hat!

 Archie: Oh, Malia, can I stick my fingers in your mouth.....do you bite yet?

 Archie:  Oh, Malia, let me take off your hat!

 left.Archie:  Malia, you're a cutie!

 Archie just couldn't get enough of Miss malia.  Even Hazel took notice of his attention.  I don't know that he has been that curious about another baby....and oddly gentle!  Usually there is a lot more grabbing.

Last week with Nanny Anna and buddy Isaac.  It was really sad to break the trio up with our move. :(  

Last play time at U-Village play area.  Archie loves riding the cars.

He loves the swings.  We are still on the look-out here for baby swings.

And now we are in our new home in Breda.  I will post photos of the house another time.  I wanted to get everything else up first.  This is the living area which is large and open.  Archie has plenty of room to spread our and play.

Campbell bought a Dutch bike with baby/toddler seat in the front.  Archie LOVES going for rides.  They went through the nearby "forest" and had a great time.  We are looking forward to when our family of 4 can go for bike rides together.  At the moment, my bike riding will have to wait until after #4 arrives.

 Our first day trip to Maastricht, Netherlands.  This was our first weekend here and we drove down to a really cute old city in the southern part of Holland.

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 Our recent trip on Saturday, to Antwerp, Belgium.  The weather has been gorgeous...and hot.  It was a neat old city that we roamed around for the day and then came home.  We were lucky to have a work friends of Campbell's join us (Quinn, here from the states).

 Campbell and Quinn

 And this weekend we were also fortunate to have a visit from our friend Mike Jones.  He was in Europe for business and was able to spend the weekend with us.  It was a special treat for us and we had such a great time.  He is getting married this summer to our friend Teresa and we will unfortunately miss the wedding and celebration.  So it was even nicer to have him here in light of that.  This photo is after a bike ride to neighboring Belgium where there is a lovely little town with cafes/bars to quench the thirst.  Campbell and Mike enjoyed the good Belgium beer!  The bike ride is very scenic, green, flat, and on a dedicated bike path (Archie and I arrived by car).  It only takes 30 minutes to get there by bike.  We will be doing this more in the future.

And here is a short video of Archie playing tonight.  He is quite the active little boy.  He likes to go wild after dinner and this was his latest that we caught on video.

April in Seattle

April was a busy, busy month in Seattle.  It was our last month in our house and in Seattle.  We had visitors for most of the weekends which was a special treat, we sold many things in prep for our move, our house was put on the market for lease, we wrapped up our jobs in the US, and we spent time with friends and family before we left. Plus, Campbell was in Holland for half the month!  And, the big event, Archie turned 1 year old on April 13th!  So here is a recap of the events with some photos along the way.  

My younger brother, Josh, came to visit us (in late March).  It was a special treat to see him in Seattle before we left.  

A trip to Starbucks at U-Village....I miss the coffee and the shopping!

We had a family get-away to Whistler in BC.  It was a much needed escape from all the preparation for the big move.  No cleaning, selling, chores, work, or anything else but relaxing.

 Archie and I just relaxed.

And after all that play, it is bath time.  This photo is just for fun! 

The following weekend we had the Darlings (my cousin Traci and her family) come and visit for a weekend.  It was a busy weekend with all the fun and Easter too.  Traci has some cute pics of the kids in bunny ears that I will have to repost when I get them.

Here is Jason (Traci's husband) with Isaac, Marien, Ruby, and Archie. They all wanted to climb all over him....what a good sport!

We had a great trip to the zoo the Saturday before Easter....why would it be busy, even on a gorgeous sunny day?!  Oh, it was crazy because it was the "Bunny Hop" day.  But we had a great time despite the crowds.  The kids really enjoyed spending time together.  The weekend was a special treat as we will miss the Darlings very much.   

And then there is Archie and his first birthday!  Around that time, he started his love of bananas and eating them himself.  He isn't so into them now but still squeals when he sees them in the morning.

Good times with Daddy.

I wasn't going to touch the electrical cord, promise....kind of, sort of, not really.

He loves his books!

 His birthday present and his new favorite, his tricycle!  It is convertible.  We can steer and push now and he can control it later as he is bigger.  He screamed and threw a tantrum when we took him out of it.  

This is Archie's special trip for his birthday was to Top-Pot Donuts (Seattle specialty) within walking distance of our house (a danger for the waistline for sure).  Archie had his first donut and of course LOVED it. :)

I love donuts!

Opening presents and playing!

Grandma Jane and Grandpa Fred came to visit for a week and helped out with Archie while Campbell was away.  We had visits from Auntie Susie, Auntie Mary, Cousin Rebecca, and Uncle Jimmy too!  It was great to see them all before we left.

And some special time with Uncle Jimmy.  We miss you already!  

And he received a special bowl and Kiwi hat from Campbell's parents, Nana & JimBob.

And after all that fun, it was time for bed.  Our darling boy is now a toddler.  We are happy and fortunate to have such a lovely boy.  He is so much fun and such a love.  He gets funnier everyday and is such a joy.  

Before we left he had one more haircut!

We also enjoyed a family BBQ at Auntie Mary Lee's house.  It was a great time to see new baby Evelyn, celebrate Annie and David's engagement/wedding, and say our goodbyes.  It was great weather, yummy food, and perfect company.  We had such a great time seeing everyone.  We love you and look forward to the next time we can do this again.