We made it back to the Netherlands!

On November 22nd, we kissed our kids goodbye and left them in the tender care of my mom, who was armed and ready to be "super-grandma" for 10 days, while we gallivanted off to Europe in final preparation for Brant's doctoral promotion at the VU!  This trip had been a long time coming, and even with the utmost planning, list-making and organizing I had accomplished, it was still a significant feat to finally make it to departure day.  

After a sleepless, movie-filled, 11-hour flight, we arrived safely in the Netherlands, greeted by Brant's parents who had arrived just shortly before us from Oregon.  Bleary-eyed and excited, we found our dear friend who was there to pick us up and take us back to Kampen.  The 1.5 hour drive through the lowlands was so picturesque and like a dream; did we really just arrive in Holland?  Were we actually back?  Well, the moment the Kampen clock tower and church steeple appeared on the horizon, my heart burst and I broke into an ear-to-ear grin; yes!  We had made it back!!

We spent 4 wonderful days in Kampen, occasionally venturing past the city gates and exploring a few nearby destinations.  Our time was filled with reminiscing, coffee dates, cycling, happy reunions, dinners with friends, long conversations over wine, and brushing up on a few key Dutch phrases that had become a bit rusty.

First time out on the bikes -- no sleep for close to 30 hours!

An all too familiar route.  It was second nature to be here again. 

A glance down the canal that I rode along each and every day to take Maddie to school.  My favorite scene. 

We rode by our old house (the door is right next to the maroon wall in the center of this picture).  There were people outside, so I took this from a distance as I was pedaling, so as not to disturb them (and, let's be honest: I didn't want to look like a creepy foreigner either!).

"The Bridges," as this was fondly named by Maddie.  We would walk out behind our house to this place, multiple times a week, and tromp around in the muddy grass and over a few little dams and bridges, exploring.  It was a favorite!

Christmas cheer against the clock tower.

A trip down Oude Straat (Old Street) was definitely in order.  Throughout our visit, it truly felt as though we had never left.

We visited the charming city of Elburg, with our friends, Nelleke, Reinier, David and Annamaryn, who were also our amazing hosts for the duration of our stay in Kampen. 

Our first day -- very jet-lagged, but still managing to get right out and explore the country!

Such sweet friends!  David is Maddie's age and they were in the same class at school when we lived there.

So many beautiful boats in these harbors.

You can't miss God's beauty.

On our second full day, we went to the Kröller-Müller Museum, which is an art museum and sculpture garden, located in a National Park within the Netherlands.  There were several amazing paintings to enjoy, and we found particular interest in the Van Gogh collection.

Next to the road, scattered throughout the park, you would see these giant wooden frames, that were intended for photo-ops!  Naturally, we took advantage...

...but what you don't see in this picture, is the sky spitting rain and snow down upon us.  This was the only time we got out for such a photo-op. ;)

After the museum, we enjoyed a cozy lunch at a nearby restaurant, and continued along, touring more of the local towns as we made our way back to Kampen.  

A stunning castle, located in the smallest town in the Netherlands.

A shot of our ride, and the other 5 adults who wanted nothing to do with getting a picture of the castle.

Later in the afternoon, Brant and I enjoyed a delightful coffee meet-up with several friends and colleagues from the TUK (the Theological University of Kampen), and made a stop by his old office for yet again, wait for it...another photo-op!

The following two days were filled with much of the same: touring Kampen, visiting with friends, and just taking advantage of being back in our home-away-from-home.

Ready to go!

It was a beautifully crisp, clear morning.

Quaint alleyways.

Not sure how we missed this before, but our friends showed us the smallest house in all of Kampen.  I used myself as a point of reference...I mean, I know I'm tall, but seriously -- this is a tiny house!

The waterfront of the IJssel River.

The clock tower and the old city hall.

The mantelpiece of the council chambers in the old city hall.

The beauty of Kampen.  Simplistic, serene, stunning.

Biking through the tunnel of one of the city gates. 

The TUK, Brant's school. 

Looking back on the city gate.  On the right side of the street, where you see the white walls, was the house we lived in for the first month.  Across the street is where the TUK is located.  

We also had a chance to walk around the inside of the old church in the city, which is a marvel to be seen and enjoyed. 

We also made sure to enjoy an afternoon coffee at de Einhoorn, our most favorite in all of Kampen.  

My favorite father-in-law, enjoying his cappuccino with me!

Such a beautiful sight at dusk.  What the picture didn't capture was the delicate stream of smoke, puffing from the chimneys.

Our sweet friends, Janneke and Hans, opened up their home and table to us, on Thanksgiving nonetheless!  We enjoyed a traditional Dutch feast of boerenkool and stamppot, surrounded by family and friends, and it was picture perfect.

 

How rich my life has become, by growing friendships all over the world.  

Celebrating our main man's birthday!

Our family's yearly holiday season does not kick off with Halloween, but rather a week prior, with Brant's birthday!!  We took great care of him, between a picnic lunch, thoughtful gifts, a special night out with dear friends and an obligatory trip to Disneyland (in 95 degree heat)!

We've seem to make it a yearly tradition to have a picnic lunch at the park with Daddy, when his birthday lands on a workday.  No complaints from Geoffrey!  For Daddy's birthday, Geoffrey was pushed on the swing, chased around the playground, and challenged to races down the double slides! :)

Missing our little lady, but we made do! 

Brant managed to get home from work about 30 minutes before the babysitter was set to arrive, so we showered him with hugs, kisses, and presents -- the kids practically opened them up for him before he even had a chance to sit down!

Reading the card she wrote for him, which she labeled, "To Daddy (Brant)."

Maddie came up with the idea months ago, that she wanted to give Daddy a cup with a pencil on it -- we tweaked it just a bit, and she painted a ceramic mason jar, labeled, "Daddy's Pencils" for him to have on his desk at work.  It was so sweet to watch her excitement in giving.

Geoffrey also created a special gift for Brant; a piece of wood that he painted a picture of the two of them "waiting at the train station."  Brant now has a beautiful piece of artwork in his office at work.

Everything about this is perfection.

And there they are - waiting at the train station!

Friday night, we went out for a long, relaxed, amazing dinner at the 4th Street Mill restaurant in Old Town La Verne, with our close friends, Micah and Hannah.  Unfortunately, I don't have a picture, but the memory will always be there.  It was a special request of Brant's to be able to have some uninterrupted grown-up time with friends, over delicious food, drink and dessert.  The evening definitely delivered!

On Saturday afternoon, we headed over to Disneyland, where we were greeted with hot temperatures, crowds, and lots of Halloween decor.  It actually turned out to be much more enjoyable than we led ourselves to believe when we were driving there.  (Yes, it's true.  We can talk ourselves into thinking it might not be such a good idea -- I mean, when you go as often as we do, its easy to decide to just go-another-day when the temperature is miserable, with one exception, and that is for any of our birthdays.)

And because I have limited my blog posts about Disneyland this year, I thought it was time to bring one back in the queue - so enjoy! :)

Riding the Zephyr in California Adventure

That birthday button has been around for several birthday trips to Disneyland, and he still dawned it and wore it proudly, as though it were the first time.  I've trained him well.

Happy girl and such a happy place. 

You can see a little marking on Geoffrey's cheek - he had his face painted earlier that day at his preschool's Halloween party.

Always the same decorations, and always the best. 

We got photo-bombed by a whole slew of people. I didn't care. I requested the picture anyhow, regardless of the crowd!  I should pull out all the picture we have in front of this pumpkin to compare how we've grown!

My heart and soul.  Love this man!!

Best friends on Casey Jr.

Happy Birthday, Daddy!!

We love you so much!

What a wonderful way to celebrate this amazing guy!

Trying to rock my Ray-Ban sunglasses. 

My tea-cup travelers!

God's beautiful gifts to us.  Love these precious faces. 

Final photo of the night, atop Tarzan's Treehouse.  It was a fabulous day and a wonderful weekend! HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BRANT!!!

Family bike-walk-run-ride around Bonelli Park

Our family went on an adventure this morning, and called upon our "Dutch roots" to inspire us.  We piled three bikes into the back of our van, as the temperature was climbing into the 90's (by mid-morning!) and drove to Brackett Air Field, where the Bonelli Park Trail begins.  Three bikes, you ask?  Well, yes.  I do not own a bike, so I was given the ever-so-wonderful task of sticking with the littlest one of the bunch, as he pushed those legs against the ground on his balance bike and tried to keep up with the "big kids."  Needless to say, we all agreed it was a great kick-off to our weekend!

The biking trio - complete with baby Cinderella up front! 

He did great keeping up with Daddy in the beginning!

Washed out by the sun, but needed to show I was there, too! 

About 7 minutes into the ride, Geoffrey decided we needed to raise his seat.  ;)

I have to put this next bit into writing because it needs to be documented that I RAN throughout many chunks of this outing (which lasted over an hour)!  Me. Yes, me.  I felt 100% like my own mother, running alongside the kids riding their bikes (and I say that because I know she is reading this), but I'm scared to say that I *might* have enjoyed it, too!  It was easy for me to keep up with the crew by jogging alongside Geoffrey ---or sprinting, as he was beginning to lose control on his balance bike down a very big hill!  I was very pleased with the ease that came with the running for me, and I know my hard work at home attributed to that. 

This was one of those moments when the littlest one began to fall behind.  And I don't blame him!  A balance bike can be a lot of work for those little legs!  

He thought maybe this way of riding would make it easier to climb the hill. :)

Awkward face, but I was trying to capture that I was running (although you can't tell), while getting a glimpse of Geoffrey trying to push his way up the hill.  I was amazed that he kept his spirits up the entire time! 

Eventually, Brant came walking down the hill and I told Geoffrey to see if he could get to Daddy first, before Daddy got to him --- it actually worked! ;)  Geoffrey started pumping those legs to get to Daddy first!

A vista point overlooking Puddingstone Reservoir.

Family selfie with the phone -- but we all managed to squeeze in!

 After some debating, the kids convinced us we could keep going (we had been gone for 35 minutes at this point, but it was definitely getting hot).  We went down a big hill - which is where my intense and sudden sprinting after Geoffrey commenced, and then Geoffrey decided to announce he was ready to go back.  Sigh.  So, Maddie and Brant went on a little further, while the littlest one and I began walking back up the hill.

We made it to the top of the hill!  He remained in good spirits, but wasn't convinced he could ride the entire time, so we broke it up into small sections: walking (with mama holding the bike), followed by riding (and mama running alongside).  That seemed to do the trick, and we managed to make it all the way back with zero complaints.  He was a trooper.

A HOT trooper, who insisted on helping me carry his bike. 

Maddie did an outstanding job, too -- for some reason, she kept repeating that she felt like we were "on TV because we were out in nature riding our bikes!"  Hmm...

Hot and happy!

It was a fun morning, followed by a long swim in the pool, and relaxing afternoon -- nothing like weekend family time!!