Holland Trip -
Part 2

OUR FIRST DAY in Holland was great! The weather was warm, and we enjoyed several hours outside in Christiaan's parents' garden. They have a huge yard, and it was in full bloom, full color.









An American flag, special for our arrival. That's Jack and Sam next to it.








We had a delicious BBQ for dinner with the whole family: Christiaan's parents, us, and Christiaan's sister, Jacoline, her husband, Paul, and their two daughters, Sam (7) and Lies (3-1/2).

Jack's 6th Birthday!!

We were going to be in Holland for Jack's birthday, so we celebrated early at home in California with some friends and family. I know, you're feeling really sorry for poor Jack. He got to have two parties!










We were blessed to have Jack's party at Super Frank's, where we dined in the glow-in-the-dark "golf room", ate delicious pizza, played glow-in-the-dark miniature golf and ended the night with arcade games and tokens.










We had our friends and family come, and even though all the kids ended up being girls, Jack didn't seem to notice or care, and had a great time with Abby and Faith Spica, Christina (our neighbor), and Mariana.



Jack had so much fun opening all his presents. The theme was "Transformers"and he certainly scored many transformers robots -- more than meets the eye, eye, eye. :)

Holland Trip - Part 1

One of the first places we went to was a HUGE playground called the Linnaeushof (named for a famous artist). It consists of original, unique, fun play equipment for as far as the eye can see. We were amazed at how few staff people there were, definitely different than in America! On most things you generated motion by bicycling or cranking or running on. We went with Marieke and her sister, Marleen, and her family - Arien (husband), Daan, who is 6-1/2, Janna, who is 4, and Naut, who is 2. So I guess the kids are second cousins. We had a language barrier with the kids, but you need few words to have fun at this giant playground!


Jack and Daan

Janna and Naut

Bicycle Merry-Go-Round

Jumping Jack, with about 11 other trampoline jumpers

Mariana and Janna

Jack lost his 1st tooth!

Jack lost his first tooth at the end of our trip to Southern California. He would let us touch it, and we almost lost it when it came out with a bite of pizza! Thankfully, Mommy found it on the ground and he didn't swallow it!