Oma and Opa Visit

Oma and Opa are (were) here and they brought good weather (as good as it gets here 70 and sunshine). After one canceled flight and a day late arrival, the anticipation was over and every moment spent together will forever be cherished. It meant so much to finally be able to share our adventure abroad with family. Luke and Audrey could not have been more entertained, cuddled and loved then they were these past two weeks. Derek and I enjoyed adult company and babysitters! There truly is nothing more enjoyable then being around loved ones- even in TIGHT living quarters. So here is a glimpse of the things we did (with a future post on the trip to Germany):

An Indian Picnic in the Amsterdam Bos to celebrate the end of Lukes school year

A tour by bike through the Meusemplein, City canals and Vondelpark

Canal Cruise

The top of the Nemo Science Center, bubble boy and 3-D experiences

The North Sea

A street Market

And what kind of trip would it be if you didn't taste your way through it? 

Dutch Pancake House

Kaas (cheese), Ijsje (Ice Cream), Stroopwafels (waffle cookies)

Chocolade, Vis (fish), Broodje (bakery)

More Dutch Stuff:

Clogs, Cheese and Windmills

But the most enjoyable of all- just plain simple family time that came to an end WAY to Quickly! 

Thanks for being our first visitors! We Love you and MISS you terribly- Christmas can't come quick enough.

The "Cin-cess" is 2

Our little "Cin-cess" turned 2 and celebrated in true "cin-cess" style at the Neuschwanstein Castle (the one Disney castle is modeled from) in Fussen Germany.

She was so into her Birthday this year- singing and dancing while we sang the birthday song to her. She loved all of her "cin-cess" outfits, jewelry, books and purses (She had a lot of practice since we had to sing on several occasions- her gifts were lost with our luggage and some had to stay behind due to not fitting in luggage)

Our "Cin-cess" is spunky, determined, silly, sensitive, caring or as Daddy would call her "beauty and the beast".  She loves, loves, loves to DANCE, play music, eat, jump, balance, climb and slide at the playground, talks A LOT, takes care of her babies and is always in dress ups! She is a great sleeper in her big girl bed and is pretty close to potty training (not sure she knows that yet- but our lifetime supply of diapers is running out - only 2 boxes left!) We love watching her grow each day- she is truly a blessing to us!

Signs of adjusting...

WOW! I just realized that today is the 10th of July. That means we have been here FOUR full months! It seems crazy that so much time has passed- and I can honestly say (even though I feel sad in saying it) I believe we have settled in. I've been thinking about it a lot lately- and here are a few of the reasons I think we are settled:

• I haven't lost anything in over two months- no sets of keys, no wallets, no Iphones -which means I haven't been locked out in the pouring rain with two kids and a week worth of groceries in over 2 months :) 
• I'm not afraid of the rain anymore- I actually enjoy it (okay maybe a little exaggeration)- but I no longer plan my day around when it will rain.

• The idea of grocery shopping everyday is not as daunting - some days I even go twice!
• Riding the bike is fun, easy and cheap- we have only filled the gas tank in the REAL car 3x in four months- one of those times doesn't even count, because Derek left the car on and the tank emptied itself while the car sat running for a day or so

• We have a FRIDAY playgroup- I MISS the Severna Park friday group tremendously- but we have a great mix of moms and kids here too!
• I can now successfully pronounce J's as Y's and W's as V's! Still working on the "clear your throat sound" for the G's.
• The kids are becoming bilingual! Luke is starting to say Dutch sentences and Audrey has her first 5 dutch words.
• I have replaced one of my coffee breaks with a tea break - it's too cold here not to warm yourself up with a hot beverage several times per day.
• Sandwiches with one slice of meat or fried eggs for lunch really can fill you up- I am actually eating a fried egg for lunch as I type.
• we actually eat fish several times a week rather then just talk about doing it- and I can identify the different types of fish when I go to the market rather then be grossed out by them
• I can actually fall asleep with the sun shining and the birds chirping at 11pm- its refreshing to wake up after a night sleep feeling like you took a quick afternoon nap ( the sun greets me at 5am!)
• I can find my way home from pretty much everywhere in the city- it really does pay to get lost while riding the bike to far away playgrounds and training for a marathon!
• I understand the options the phone operator is saying and can successfully navigate my way through a computerized system! (that was a proud moment)
• We have rode an entire family on one bike- all 4 of us in the minivan!
• I own more then one bike- the mom minivan and my new sporty 7 speed for the times I get to go out without kids!
• The smell of cigarette smoke and marijuana doesn't gag me any more (sad but true- Europeans love smoking-Ughhh)
• I don't feel like I am living in the "Truman show" movie anymore- the houses, the people, the outfits, the trams and bikes seem like they have always surrounded me.
• I am getting used to the fact that hundreds of tourist are placing pictures of my minivan and adorable children in their European vacation scrapbook (Say KAAS.... (cheese))
• Our idea of a fun weekend outing is driving an hour to a large national park with free bikes and riding them for an entire day! (as if we dont already ride bikes enough)

Can't wait to see what the next few months bring our way- We are currently counting down the days until our first visitors come- Oma and Opa! (the Wiedel grandparents). And our first trip to another country- Germany and Belgium here we come.

LOVE and Miss you ALL! Tot Ziens (see you soon)

A little warm weather fun!

Well it seems that it is possible for Amsterdam to have a bit of good weather. Its been rather sunny here (for almost two weeks!)- cloudy at times- but sunny!  Temperatures have been ranging from 70-80. I actually enjoy it much more then the hot and humid Maryland summer- which I hear, and even read in the local Amsterdam newspaper has been reaching 100+. So here are a few pictures of what Luke and Audrey have been up to during these warm days....

LOTS of Pirate and Princess time

The petting Zoo

Painting with our feet

Lekker...Lekker (yummy..Yummy)

BUBBLES!

 One messy Princess Bee

 Pool and playground time