Thursday, November 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's Thanksgiving again, and this is an American tradition that we strongly believe in keeping special in our household. We celebrate it on the real date of Thanksgiving, which inconveniently falls on a Thursday. Evie got to stay home from school, and Tom got to stay home from work, in order to participate in the preparations. Menno also took the day off to join in the good American fun! Liz had a strict schedule layed out starting promptly at two o'clock. While things were going on in the kitchen, Evie was busy making namecards and setting the table perfectly. The meal ended up being perfectly delicious. Another colleague, Sophie, joined us for dinner. After the kids went to bed we enjoyed a few hours of board games. It was pretty much a perfect Thanksgiving Day!
Ready to go!
The table is all set.

Here is one of the namecards Evie made. Each one was colored differntly according to the color preferences of each guest.

The unceremonial carving of the turkey.
Before eating we all gave our thanks. Evie was grateful for Mama, and Felix was grateful for Papa. What more could you ask for??
The meal: Roast turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, candied yams, butternut squash, corn, green beans, cranberry sauce, stewed pears, and cornbread!

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Sinterklaas Journaal

While Sinterklaas is here in the country, there are a couple traditions to be kept. One of them is the watching of the Sinterklaas Journaal, or Sinterklaas news. The show is hosted by Dieuwertje Blok. The kids loving saying, "Sinterklaas Journaal met Dieuwertje Blok." Even Felix says it well! The news is sent out at a pretty impossible time for us to watch it, so every day after dinner the kids watch that day's news on the computer. It has their full attention, as could be expected.

Monday, November 21, 2011

Reading the Bible

Here we have a picture of Evie reading to Felix from her toddler Bible. It is one of her favorite books.

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Beekse Bergen

Today Opa Bas celebrated his birthday by taking the whole family to the Beekse Bergen, a safari zoo in the southern part of the Netherlands. Although the rest of the country was covered in mist, it stayed more or less clear and sunny for the better part of the day. Thank goodness!
Oma Wilma walks with Felix
The stroller was basically used as a carrier of bags... also quite useful.
The two little ones.
Tom got to take some cool pictures of the animals!
Later in the afternoon the fog rolled in again.
Gorilla!
I love this picture of the boy.
I always knew she was a little monkey.
Aunty Monkey!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

Oma Els & Opa Erno Visit

This weekend Oma Els and Opa Erno came to spend the weekend with us.
That of course means two happy kids!
Felix loves to laugh!

Erno took Tom to a gathering of the Socialist Party in the Parliament building.
After putting out the shoes, and singing of course, we were treated to some fun presents from Sinterklaas in the morning.

The carrot we had left out was also chewed on my the Sint's horse.

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Wednesdays with Evie

Tom and Evie are lucky to spend every other Wednesday afternoon together. Today they took a walk along the pier in Scheveningen and had some fish, too. Evie wore her rainboots so she could walk in the water a bit.




Saturday, November 12, 2011

He's Back!!!

Sinterklass is back in town! He arrived this morning by steamboat from Spain, bringing back his band of helpers known as Black Peters. The kids are so excited. They both got dressed up as little Black Peters to wave watch Sinterklaas enter the harbor.
Don't they look cute all dressed up!
Shortly before leaving they got their black face paint.

Opa Bas and Oma Wilma joined in the fun.
So excited for Sinterklaas!
Evie got to chat up a real Black Pete!
Those are more Black Peters on surfboards.
Felix Pete
There he is on his steamboat!
Our Pretty Evie Pete
Black Peters in the parade.
Every Pete has his own unique costume.
Hello, Sinterklaas!
The kids have gone to Opa and Oma's house for the night. They have set their shoes out in the hopes that Sint and Pete will make a visit in the night. Exciting!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Mobro Felix

No, Felix is not about to sneeze in this photo. He just wants to join in the Movember fun, too, which is why he keeps doing this and saying "Felix ook een snor! Felix ook een snor!!" (Felix has a mustache, too!).

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Papa Cuddle

This evening Papa was treated to some extra cuddles. Unfortunately there was a little conflict as both Evie and Felix wanted to sit on Papa's lap, but Felix didn't want to share "his Papa." At one point they did manage to simultaneously give him a kiss on each cheek, but the camera was too late for that!

The look on Evie's face is priceless here as Felix attempts to push her away.

Saturday, November 5, 2011

Bowling with Oma

Today Oma Oma treated the whole family to an evening of bowling and indonesian food. More than thirty family members were able to join in the fun. Photographs are unfortunately not so easy to make in the disco bowling environment, so don't mind that.
Tom bowling
Evie bowling
Oma only took one turn, but it was a strike! GO OMA!!!!
It's quite the handy contraption to help the kids.
My little family of bowlers.
Martijn & Aunty
Felix was way too thirsty to pause to smile for the camera.
Whenever he got the chance, Felix ran off to be with Opa Bas.