Keukenhof Gardens - Tulips and more

We did a visit to the Keukenhof Gardens to see the tulip and flower gardens.  Driving in their were fields of flowers blooming.  It reminded me of the flower fields north of Seattle in Skagit Valley.  

The weather was pleasant that day and we enjoyed several hours walking through the emaculate gardens.  There were so many types of tulips that we saw that I never new even existed.  

We couldn't help the photo op of putting Sylvie in the wooden shoe.  It was the perfect size for her to sit in.  She thought it was fun and there were several tourists enjoying seeing her in it too.

Neena and Jay-Boo Visit and we go to Paris!

We have been lucky enough to have Campbell's parents visit us from New Zealand.  They were here for three weeks before leaving us to tour Italy.  They will be back for another two weeks before jetting off to Scotland.  Then we will have them one more time before they head home.  They are "Nana" and "JimBob" but Archie's version comes out as "Neena" and "Jay-Boo".  We like his versions and hope he sticks with them a little while.  It is super cute.  He asks where they are everyday since they have been gone.  We say they are one a plane and will be back.  

At the petting farm watching the kids in their wooden shoes.  They weren't their real shoes.  It is just something fun the kids can do while at the farm.

Playing with the tractor.  Pushing the tractor, then pushing Archie in the tractor.  It went on for 30 minutes.  

While they were here, Campbell and I took our first trip away from the kids to visit Paris.  I had never been and it was wonderful.  Everything lived up to its reputation.  The food was beautiful and yummy, the sites were amazing, the cafe culture was busy on the warm sunny streets, the shopping was the best in the world, and it was romantic.  So happy we were able to enjoy it with out strollers, naps, diapers, tantrums, early bedtimes, etc.  The song, "I love Paris in the Springtime" describes the feeling well.

The pedestrian bridge where couples in love put locks on it with their names and dates.  Very fun and sweet.

Notre Dam Cathedral

Old Church with modern stained glass by a famous artist.  Very different and beautiful.  It was a little chapel near where we were staying.

Of course, we had crepes!  They were SO good.

Nice sunny day at the Eiffel Tower.  We had lunch in the park overlooking the tower.  It was a gorgeous day.

Local market in the street.  This was the butcher selling lovely meats.  The cheese was next to him.  

This is an old palace that holds the French Parliament now.  It has the most amazing public gardens that seemed to be full of French people rather than tourists.  There was tennis, tai chi, biking, running, pony rides, toy boat racing, sun bathers, readers, and us.  It was really lovely and so relaxed.

The yummy bakery near our hotel.  The French know how to do pasteries.  SO beautiful and SO good.  I gained 3 pounds in 2.5 days.

We stayed in the St. Germain Des Pres neighborhood (near the Latin Quarter).  It was so scenic and stereotypical French looking.  We walked everywhere and it was so easy and close to.  I think our favorite part was the Museum D'Orsay.  It is an old train station converted to a museum.  There is a little bit of every great master's work.  We spent a morning there and then went out walking.  We didn't have time to spend much in museums, so we spent our time there.  It was the #1 thing to do on Trip Advisor and they were right.

See you again Paris!

Auntie Susie and Delft

We were lucky to have a day that we spend with Auntie Susie and 2 of her good friends.  They were on a Europe trip and had some time in our area.  So we were able to meet up.  We chose to meet in the city of Delft.  It is know for its pottery and the painter Vermeer (think Girl and the Pearl Earring).  The day started out cloudy and cleared up to a sunny enjoyable afternoon.  We did a little walking, chatting, and eating.  We were so lucky to get to see her here and it was so nice for her and her friends to meet up with us.

Delft-ware

Vermeer painting

Archie liked the cow.  We were happy with the cheese!

Susie and Sylvie - 

both were good sports for letting me take a couple photos

 

The Dutch version of hot chocolate.  You have to be sure what you are ordering here.  Susie and her friends ordered what they thought were hot chocolates, in Belgium, and ended up with large hot fudge sundaes!

We tried the obvious photo-op but he was having none of it.

The "New Church" in Delft.  They call it new but it is still several hundred years old!

Happy Birthday Archie!

Archie had his 2nd birthday a couple of weeks ago.  We were lucky enough to be joined by Campbell's parents who are visiting from New Zealand.  It was the first week of their visit and a great way to start it off.

I hosted a Mom's n Tot's playdate at our house (which occurs every week at a volunteer's house).  You never know how many people can make it.  To my surprise, we had 21 children under the age of 4 and 15 adults......we have a tiny house.  Amazingly, everyone fit and the kids played well.  I think we were at FULL capacity though.  It was a really nice way to celebrate Archie's birthday with new friends and buddies to play with.

I had great plans on making a cake for Archie.....but then the reality of living here thwarted plans A, B, and maybe C.  And then I learned some valuable lessons about baking in a gas oven which I knew none of the settings for.  The first cake I baked was inedible.  I baked it a couple days ahead to have time to frost it.  I tried a new recipe for the second (after I read the owner's manual IN DUTCH on how to work the oven, plus I did a search on the internet on tips for baking in a gas oven).  The second recipe called for whipped egg whites to be folded into the batter.  Well, I don't have a mixer and I discovered that an imersion hand mixer will definitely NOT make whipped egg whites.  So we took turns whipping by hand with a whisk.  NEVER AGAIN will I whip egg whites by hand.  I will just skip the recipes calling for it!

Then, I had grand ideas for making a cake with a road, little hot wheel cars and diggers making the road, and piles of dirt, ect.  But, no cars were to be found here, nothing close to cars or little construction trucks that I could put on the cake anywhere.  So I found gummy cars, made a road, some grass, and called it good.  The cake was great and we all enjoyed it.

 Luckily, Nana was there to take care of a very shy little man.  We were singing to him and it was all a little too much for him to handle.  Fortunately, there wasn't a meltdown!

The next day, we opened gifts and had some playtime. 

 Log Truck!!

 Trash Truck!!

Special Pillow made by Nana and there is a really nice wall hanging to go with it.  Archie has it in his tent where he cuddles up with his blanket.

 Sylvie was so tired she was falling asleep in Jim-Bob's arms and we were having some good laughs as she was so darn cute.

 Music time with Jim Bob (Archie calls him Jay-Boo)

 Who know the bucket was so entertaining.  He wanted to walk around with it on his head.....that ended quickly  before we had tears!

 Archie would only put Sylvie's glasses on upside down.  They were both enjoying this little game.  For some reason, Sylvie had to have her mouth wide open with the glasses on!

 And, we are now bringing out all the fun dresses to wear as well!

 Some random cuddles...notice the fingers in Archie's nose!

 He got her back with some kisses to the ear.