Mothers Day in Holland

A crazy friend and I decided to take our 3 toddlers 4 countries away to Holland for the weekend. It was a pretty long drive but we had a lot of fun once we got there. We just crashed in our hotel the first night. They had a great play area where we could let the kiddos run around. In the corner of the play area was a ball pit. There were 3 pre-teen boys laying in the pit throwing balls at the top. Before I know it Chase wanted to go in and he laid down and started throwing balls in the air as well. I thought it was so cute. Poor guy is around a lot of girls this summer! Our first stop was to head to the famous Keukenhof Gardens. I didn't get as many pictures as I would like because I had to hold Chase a lot of the time but I did try.

They had a little petting zoo. Whenever I squat down to Chase's level he imitates me. Chase with his buddy Kelte are checking out the sheep.

For some reason a little boy in front of all the flowers isn't as cute.

The crazy moms!

We also stopped by a pottery place but didn't dare bring the kids in. Thank goodness for DVD players!

On Sunday we decided we would just do stuff for the kids. We went to the park then the indoor water park.

The water park was great but it was hard to get pictures. I was impressed how it was geared towards kids of all ages. There was plenty to keep Chase busy. The yellow slides in the background were perfect for him!

Look at that belly!!

After naps we headed back out to the amusement park. Again I was impressed with the number of activites that Chase could

Yes, even while doing something as fun as riding a train he had to have a dummy in his mouth.

And what is a trip to the continent without a chocolate pastry!

A special belated Happy Mothers Day to our moms! We love you and miss you!

Rock Tots

Last week we had a little family outing to the library. I have been taking Chase to Rock Tots for over a year now and he loves it. He is so cute doing the motions! I think its great that they offer programs like these for free in the villages.

Here he is being a sleeping bunny!

Here's a couple videos...

My new accessory

I have a small ganglion cyst in my wrist that has lately started bothering me a little more. I finally had an appt. today to have it looked at. The doctor wanted to start with a splint to see if that helps. So here is what I get to wear as much as possible the next few weeks.

And because this is such a stupid post I have a better Chase post coming tomorrow!

Boy, Dog, Bone

Thanks everyone for your sweet comments. The first weekend is probably one of the hardest. We met a friend at the market and let Chase run around a bit. We brought home a bone for Wagner which he devoured. He wasn't bothered a bit by Chase playing with/on him!

Messed with the color a bit in this one...

Hope everyone is having a great weekend!

Family

Took a couple pictures this morning before taking Brad to work. Without disclosing too much info... thanks to all who are keeping us in your prayers. We are so grateful and feel the Lord's grace during this time.

Me and my summer buddy!

Horse or bike?

These girls were riding through our village today. I can just see them trying to decide what to play with their bike or horse.

They came back!

Like I mentioned in my last post, our friends came back to wait out the volcano ash with us! They got to Ireland the day before it errupted and when their flights on Monday and Wednesday got cancelled they took a ferry and 3 trains to get back here. This time around we just hung out and it was so fun! We took the kids to every park around our house and played outside and went on walks. The daddy's got to go golfing and last night we also took the kids bowling. Austin said last night that maybe their flight will get cancelled again. I don't think the parents were hoping that!

We might just have to make one more trip to Italy before we leave!

More Visitors!

Some good friends that we were stationed with in Texas were planning a spring break trip to England and Ireland. We met up with them in London for day then they came to our house for 2 nights. It was great catching up! Sometimes I felt like the daddy's were little school girls and couldn't stop talking!

In London we did Tower of London and St. Paul's Cathedral.

Someone fell asleep on the tube ride home.

We took them to Cambridge and had to go punting. It is definitely the best way to see everything and hear about the different colleges.

All Chase wanted to do was touch the water. He was a determined little fellow. Again we give into him a lot more when other people are paying for something and don't want to hear a screaming child.

The kids had so much fun playing with each other!

On Wednesday we went to the market in Bury and had to stop and get some tea and scones. Maddi was so cute trying it!

The Volcano

So by now I assume you've heard that a volcano erupted last Wednesday night in Iceland. That means we have some friends here for a few extra days while their parents and doing everything they can to get back! The sunsets have been a little more orange but other than that I would have never known. Brad hasn't been able to fly but somehow they find ton of work to stay busy. It also looks like our friends that were just here are coming back for a little bit until they can get a flight home. So I am super excited about that! I do feel sorry for everyone that is affected by it. I think my friend's facebook status update says it best "the volcano is a poopyhead."

Yorkshire Dales

With my parents we went up to the Yorkshire Dales for 2 nights. We didn't have the best weather. At one point we were praying the fog would lift so we could see the area! It is always nice to see new parts of England.

The boys dropped us off so we could give Chase a nap and they went off exploring. I guess one of them will have to fill you in on the next few pictures.

We stopped at Sherwood Forrest on the way home for a quick walk. Here we are with Major Oak.

Windsor

I originally had this post as Bath and Windsor but we didn't have our camera at Bath and I can't find where I put my parents pictures on my computer. After going to church in Bristol we headed to Windsor with all 8 of us. We walked around for a bit and ate then dropped the Kauflins off at a hotel so they could catch a flight the next day. It was sad saying goodbye but I know we will see them again this summer.

My mom trying to get the guard to let us walk around inside. It didn't work.