Hello again! It's been a long time, and since a lot has happened! So lot's of pictures, sorry if there's a little too many!! I also am not computer literate enough to know how to put the pictures in a certain order, so I'll give it a go but be patient with me if we're flying from Holland back to Canada a few times. It is cheaper this way ;)
So much snow in late December! This is our cozy home, made even cozier by the soft white blanket and a few Christmas lights and red ball decorations inside! We'd love to have you come visit!
A little childish and a lot of fun.
I came home to a backyard campfire a few nights ago, so gezellig.
So blessed to be able to call this home.
Croquette making is made much faster with a little dancing it turns out...
In the middle of a 17 hour travel period! So excited. And a little exhausted.
And now we're quickly flying to Holland, this is in Haarlem, the underground passages where citizens would quickly dive into after hearing the air raid sirens. It's incredible to be inside my history text book pages!
Cobblestone streets, tiny shops, smells of croquettes luring lingeringly in the air, friendly smiles, and bikes, be still my heart. Haarlem's a beauty.
Ironic to see German military gear for sale in a vintage store in Haarlem.
No words for this.
Corrie Ten Boom's house, where 800 precious lives passed through on their way to freedom during WW2. On Feb 1944, the Nazi's were tipped that Jews were hidden here and the Gestapo raided the home. 35 people were arrested, including Corrie and her family. 6 Jews were saved, safely hidden in the hiding place. They stayed in the cramped space four three days before they were rescued by the Dutch underground. All 35 of the arrested were incarcerated. A woman acting in faith paid with her life. So inspiring to see this freedom house and hear the story again.
Out for dinner celebrating our seven month anniversary! Where has the time gone?!
The smoochiest cheeks. So infatuated with the nephews!
Famjam obligatory pic ;) So good to spend time getting to know all these people better!
Obligatory Holland picture, happens to be beautiful as well!
Rescuing tired parents for an afternoon couldn't get any better!
Wine and Christmas with special friends.
10:00 jetlagged mornings of speculaas cookies on bread breakfasts (yes that's normal here!! This place is speculaastic! Sorry for the teacherisms...)
Maurits claims that Dutch sushi is way better than Canadian, so we went out for sushi one night!
And now jumping back to Canada, our last day of Christmas break was spent, again jetlagged, on top of Elk mountain! Breathtaking enough to forget that we were on 5 am Holland time! We appreciate these views so much more after being for a while without them.
Two weekends ago Maurits was going four bying with some friends. Someone pulled up with my old beast (landcruiser) from my Smithers days, and I couldn't resist going along! I've never been fourbying in the snow before, but after spending almost 8 hours stuck I think we've all resolved to stick to summer fourbying! Still, so much fun was had in spite of many dents and scratches and sore tired muscles.
Conversation with the Japanese tourist we took along:
Kim: So, are you enjoying this crazy Canadian experience?
J man: I'm cold, tired, sore and haven't eaten in eight hours because we were supposed to be home four hours ago, and nobody knows were we are. So not really. At all.
Kim: Hmm, so you wouldn't do this again?
J man: absolutely NOT.
Poor J man!
The creek turned out to be easier driving than the road...
Until... Bryan found a little drop off in the creek and also needed a tow.
My poor beast got stuck ways too many times to be healthy. Very sad, very sad.
I should really take a computer course with all those old ladies. Anyway back to Holland and our second nephew! So squeezable!
Doing manly things.
A trip to the Kinderdijk with my handsome Dutchman! One of my favorite things about Holland was spending relaxed, fun time together. So enjoy spending time with my hubby!
Skating. Notice how cute and confident we look?
This is more realistic... girls skate without picks here and this girl had a really hard time feeling like an elephant learning to walk...
And evening walks... mmmmm
And morning bike rides...
Out for dinner with the famjam for Maurits' birthday.
Yup, I'm 28! And so fun and shameless and handsome and hard working and considerate and just amazing!!
"O we have a ski hill!" they said. Yes indeed, an indoor 400 m hill with home made snow and this Apres Ski bar! Very fun.
And now were back to work and routine, and as always loving life!
Blessings,
Kim
