Grandpa Sam - 12/12/12

Grandpa Sam passed away on December 12, 2012.  He was 98 years old.  He was also called Papa Sam by his great grandchildren.  He will be dearly missed.  I am so sad that I won't see him again and that our children won't get to have him in their lives.  We were lucky to have him for so long.  

You will be missed Papa Sam.

Merry Christmas! and Happy Sinter Claas!

The holidays are here and we are experiencing the Dutch version as well as our own.  In Holland, they celebrate Sinter Claas on December 5th.  Sinter Claas comes from Spain by boat on December 5th with his helpers, Black Petes.  He gives gifts to the children and leaves treats in their shoes.  

That is the simple explanation.  There is a bit more detail that I can't quiet describe well.  Sinter Claas's helpers are dutch people in black face paint, red overdrawn lipstick, afro wigs, and court jester style clothes.  It is a bit uncomfortable experiencing this tradition that if in the US would be viewed as appallingly racist.  But in Holland, it is seen as tradition and no one wants to change it.  They don't view it in the same way people from other countries do.  So we tried it out.  Archie didn't know what was going on so it was more for us to experience.  It seems to be bigger and more important than Christmas.   So here are some photos from the parade in front of the house to the party at Campbell's work place.

They like fondont pigs for some reason....no one could explain it to me.

Sylvie's stink eye look.  Apparently she was not happy.  This photo made us laugh when we say it later.

We went to a Christmas market in Aachen, Germany to experience some fun.  It was cold but we braved it.  What we weren't planning on was the toddler tantrums that slowed us down and sapped some of the spirit.  But I think we will have to just get used to that and keep moving.  We are going to go to another before Christmas in Brussels, Belgium.  The market was really fun with the music, food, traditional ornaments for sale, and all the people.

Post tantrum #1....still not happy with us.

Chocolate store.....yum!

 Archie is into stacking blocks, cups, and toys.  And now he is enjoying his first set of legos.  Thanks Sinter Claas!

We had a week of cold weather which seems to be sticking around.  It is around freezing most days.  On one day, we had around 4 inches of snow.  The photos are from our house upstairs.

The church and clock/bell tower in the background.

It makes if feel like Christmas when I look at this.

Archie is enjoying doing some painting.  He gets a little messy but it wouldn't be as fun if didn't.  He really enjoys using his fingers as well as a little brush gave him.

Sylvie is doing well.  She is starting to roll over and enjoys her tummy time.  She is a very jolly little girl and smiles quite a lot.  She and Archie are getting a long well.  They love to interact.  Archie is into holding (squeezing) her hands.  Today he put his face really close to hers and she was holding his cheek with her hand.  I had to take a mental photo as there was no way to get my phone for a photo.  Most of the best moments we have are not in a real photo.

We will be off to the UK in a couple weeks.  It will be fun for our first holiday as a 4-some.  We will take lots of photos and I will post them when we get back.  Have a lovely and wonderful Christmas.

xoxo The Coopers