Up and running

I can't believe it has been over a month since I last posted!! That has been how long I have been sick or had guests. Yesterday is the first day in such a long time that I haven't felt ill. It hasn't been anything serious (nothing that two rounds of antibiotics couldn't kill anyway). I just have been going to bed shortly after the kids. Anyway, I'm better and have tons to update. I was just trying to load pictures and it is not working for some reason so check back to see them.

Since our ski trip we had my mom, dad and aunt and uncle to visit. They arrived on Feb 25th and stayed with us until March 8th. We had a fantastic time when they visited. The kids were thrilled to see their Mémère and Pépère and enjoyed playing with Uncle Paul and “Uncle Arlene” as Megan would say. We took them to Antwerp, Brussels, and Bruges of course. But they also drove to Lier and back on their own, which is a huge accomplishment to figure out the road signs. On their second weekend visiting we went to Ahrweiler, Germany a quaint, little, very picturesque German village in the heart of wine country. The parents of one of my good friends here, Ute, live there. Ute set us up with two great apartments inside the walled village and a list of things to do and see in the area. We spent three nights and days (playing hooky on Monday) exploring. Family friends, Steve and Teri, just happen to be in the area visiting their son and daughter-in-law and met us in this town for one night and part of one day too. It was really a fun time. My parents, aunt and uncle’s visit was far too short. We were no way near ready for everyone to leave when Alyssa and I drove them to the airport the following day after we returned from Germany. We were all sad but Alyssa had the hardest time.

During my family’s visit it snowed almost everyday that they were here. It never amounted to anything but it was cold! Everyone was a trooper donning long johns and layers upon layers. In the two short weeks since they left the weather has suddenly changed from freezing winter to mild spring. We don’t know if it will stick but it sure has helped us all feel better.

This weekend we went to Tilburg, Holland to an African Safari zoo, Beerkse Bergen. It was great fun for all of us. The camels really gave Alyssa and Megan a fright. Hopefully I will be able to post the pictures and you will see why. We were able to drive through the park and in many areas the animals can come right up to your car. Fortunately the scariest animals, lions and rhinos, didn’t come anywhere near us but the camels were very curious.

This Saturday the 25th we fly to Rome for Easter break week. We found what we think is a great apartment in the heart of Rome. Hopefully we will be returning with plenty of stories and photos. On April 14th our next set of guests arrive, my brothers and their families. Among others things we plan to caravan to Paris for a long weekend. I can’t wait for all the kids to see the Eiffel tower. One of my girlfriend’s here is from Paris so I will be getting some insider advice for that trip.

I will say good night now leaving you with a Meganism to think about:
“When my teeth sweat I lick them and they feel better.”