first day of school

lunches are packed....

 kids are ready

 off we walk to the first day of school! New teachers, new classes, yet they are all smiles. A bit quiet this morning, but still happy and eager to go. Its going to be a great year and I cant hardly wait for them to get home so I can hear all about it. 

I went to the gym, cleaned the car, baked cookies, cleaned the house and started to plan our holiday for October break...great to get so much done, but I am just dying for the school day to be over so I can pick up these two. miss them terribly. Def one of those mom's that prefers my kids to be with me...except for a hour so I can hit the gym...but seriously, totally a sad day for me. I almost started crying a few times, they really are my world and I try to soak up all the time I can have with them because they are growing up too fast!

Dierenpark at last!

on our own for a week....so many hours to pass...lets stay busy!

9!

How has it been 9 years since this sweet heart was born?! Crazy how time flies. We love you more than you will ever know and are so proud to be your parents and watch you grow and change the world. You never stop thinking and creating and questioning everything. You hunger to understand everything to the nth degree. You insist that everyone be treated the same, its a rare quality that I pray you never lose. You are a gentle boy, yet you can hold your own in any fight or argument. You love your family. You love your sister more than anything and you two are the best of playmates. You take your friendships seriously. Your best friend is Felix and you tow can laugh for hours about the silliest things. You love playing the piano and swimming. You and dad go for walks almost every night to just chat. You are happy, you are settled in our new place and content with life. You are my sunshine and you are a true gift from God! Love you and wish you a year ahead full of adventure and fun and good health.

solar robot?! your aunts and uncles sure know what you like!!

fun day at old Valkaveen to celebrate!

birthday breakfast! pancakes and bacon

Lemon cake!

the tecnic lego you wanted so badly!

happy boy!

love you so much sweet boy!

michelle and fam

on our way to the airport to meet them

 fun in the bushes by Hilli airport

 working away....

 two girls left unattended....and they apply dirt as if its sunscreen....shower time!

 bike riding through the hyde like locals!

 train time....to NEMO

 two peas in a pod...no matter how much time passes between visits.

 true scientist at work

 this one too!

 when she is not performing, of course!

 Lila!

 all four of these crazy kids!

 adult night out...Amsterdam here we come!

 dinner at food haulen

 next day we paid for it...but still ventured to Haarlem to visit a windmill

 learning a thing or two about how the mill works

 three, out of four...not bad

 four...with a goofy pose by Em. of course.

 Chelle and I. so lucky to have this beautiful lady in my life for so long. the best of friends to this day!

 rain walk to get ice cream after swimming at eh big pool in Bussem....the rain cant stop our fun!

Ice cream and Pistache! Lekker!

great visit with dear friends. so fun. thank you for taking the time!!