Belgium

The second leg of our trip (after Ireland), we spent in Belgium and France. We arrived in France late Friday night and stayed in a cheap hotel in Beauvais for a few hours of sleep. Saturday morning we got up early to drive to Leuven, Belgium where my friend Kristien lives. (She was my best friend while I was in New Zealand, and we hadn't seen each other in 14 years.) When we arrived, she and her boyfriend, Jan, served us a traditional Belgian breakfast of yummy pastries and coffee, and then drove us to Antwerp to experience some of the best of Belgium. It was such an incredible day, and it was over too soon. There's still a lot on the agenda for our next trip there, but we did manage to fit in a ton!

• Reuzenstoet This parade of giants is a tradition that is over 300 years old. Giants are a huge part of Belgian folklore, and this event only happens once a year. We just happened to be there on the perfect day!
• Cathedral of Our Lady This was a spectacular cathedral that also housed a huge number of paintings by Rubens.
• The home of artist, Rubens
• Walk through the Grote Markt and all over
• French Fries at Frituur No. 1 (did you know the french fry was invented in Belgium?)
• Belgian waffles
• Belgian chocolates

A photo of us with some of the "giants" from Reuzenstoet (which apparently doesn't happen much, but our friend, Kristien, told them that we came "all the way from America" to see them and we really wanted a picture. The locals were a bit disgruntled when they asked to also have a picture and were dismissed. Oops!)

Cathedral of Our Lady

Cathedral of Our Lady

Cathedral of Our Lady

Grote Markt & City Hall

Aaron and I at Grote Markt

Antwerp and Cathedral of Our Lady

Antwerp from the top of the MAS

Aaron and I at the top of the MAS

Our wonderful hosts, Jan and Kristien

Ireland: Annestown to Galway

Carrick on Suir

Aaron and I on one of the towers at Bunratty Castle

Bunratty Castle

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

Cliffs of Moher

Ireland: Dublin to Annestown

Dunhill Castle

Our cottage in Annestown

Back to School 2013

Summer is finally over and it's time to start back to school. Sunday night's back to school festivities included a [quickly thrown together] back to school dinner and a Missions baseball game. The afternoon was a bit hurried because there was a lot to pack in (and much still to be done for the morning), but I think it was a good way to end the summer!

Carson writing down his goals for this year.

Carson & Daddy at the game

I told her to smile. She was not happy about that.

Monday morning, everyone was up early and raring to go! Abby's fourth grade teacher is Ms. Gilstrap and Carson's second grade teacher is Ms. Bratcher.

Looking forward to a great year!

Walk to the first day of school.

Last Days of Summer

In the last days of summer (literally), the kids and I decided to make one final road trip to go visit my sister and her family. Friday, we drove to College Station and spent the night. It was a short visit, but we had a fun time hanging out together!

Amorette, Jerah, & Carson on the slide

Cute little Benjamin

Andre & Benjamin

All six kids checking out the ducks and turtles in the pond.

Umm... Carson? That's my seat.

Girls Beach Day

 

While Abby was away, Carson spent the night with Jackson, and then he and I had a Mommy/Carson Date that evening. He picked Toys 'R Us and burgers and ice cream at Freddy's. We had really nice time, and I love that he still enjoys the time we spend together. Such a sweet boy!

Boys Beach Trip

This week Carson had the privilege of taking a trip to the coast with his cousin Jackson! Tuesday night, the boys spent the night at Ammie & Poppy's house, and then Wednesday morning, the four of them headed to the beach. It was such a special day, and Carson had the best time! He came back late Wednesday night with a shark jaw as a souvenir and lots of stories.

Carson is quick to point out that it only looks like he was
surfing--he was really falling off!

Beach boy

Of course, while Carson was gone, Abby and I got to have a little girly day--shopping and lunch at La Madeline. It was so nice to get to spend the day together. We laughed and talked a lot, and I can't believe how grown up she's getting.

Ahh, happy summer memories!