The Weekend (and Windmills)

 This past weekend brought with it some typical Dutch weather (on again and off again showers).  That didn't stop us from venturing out to the small town of Kloosterburen for Jeremy's soccer game.  I think I have mentioned before how much I love windmills. And, along the journey to Kloosterburen, we drove through several small Dutch towns, and I was able to spot ALOT of windmills. There is something about them that I love to look at when they are standing alone in an open field...they are just so pretty.:)

Pretty Dutch house we passed by along the way.:)

Canal with houseboats..Very Dutch:)

 We also passed by several farms along the way and many farm houses.  Farm houses here are different from the ones in the U.S.  The Dutch farmers actually have their barns attached to their homes...

You can see the barn attached to the house in this picture.

Another farm house

Horses on a farm.

Yet another house with the barn attached to it.:)

Arriving in Kloosterburen

 When we got back to Groningen after the soccer game, there was a festival going on in de Vismarkt for Ascension Day, the day observed by Catholics as the day jesus ascended into Heaven body and spirit.  It is a national holiday here and you can read more about the celebration here.  (The kids are actually getting a week and half off from school starting the end of next week beginning on Ascension Day.  We will be heading off to the south of France at that time so stay tuned for some French blog posts!:))  I don't think Jeremy and Elizabeth really cared what the festival was for as long as they got to climb into some giant bouncy balls and spin around on them in water!:)

 And of course a day at the fair wouldn't be complete without a ride on the Ferris wheel overlooking the City Center.:)

It did rain on and off that day, but I think that even I am becoming Dutch...I was soaking wet, but it didn't bother me at all!:)

Tot zeins!:)

A Weekend in Pictures ( Mostly)

Last Friday, Guy had the opportunity to work from home, and we decided at his lunch break to head to De Vismarkt for some fish and chips from one of the food trucks...

Saturday morning, had us heading out to the small Dutch town of Feerwerd for Jeremy's soccer game...

 Sunday brought birthday parties for both Jeremy and Elizabeth. Elizabeth went to an indoor skiing/ sledding party (on carpet!  who knew!!??)

And Jeremy went to a paintball party for a classmate.:)  I have always said that living in a place is completely different than visiting.   We are still enjoying being "tourists" in our town, but have also really started to make some great friends and feel at home here at the same time.:)

Until next time, doei!:)

Lagniappe

I thought I would add some lagniappe to my blog.  For those of you who don't know what "lagniappe" is, it means "a little something extra".  I got used to this term when we lived in New Orleans and it has stuck with me ever since.:)  There was a lot happening this weekend, but none of it is really related.  So, here goes...the lagniappe in our family...

Just in case you were wondering...no...I am not naturally beautiful!!! LOL!!! I do have to visit the hair salon and I found a great one in Haren. I got my hair cut and colored for the first time since AUGUST!!! WOO HOO!!!

Looks like I am preventing an alien attack!!:)

The finished product:)

Then, it was Saturday and we were off to Jeremy's soccer game.  He got to play a very good friend of his from school.:)

I forgot to add that when we walked out of the house, there was frost everywhere.  I had to take a picture of the cobwebs on a bike I saw when we got to the soccer game...

yes, folks...that is a frozen spiderweb!!

On Sunday, Guy saw that the ice skating rink near De Vismarkt in Groningen was open and thought it would be a good idea to take everyone ice skating...

Let's just say that the kids got the hang of it...but me..not so much.  You'll have to ask Jeremy about what happened when I tried to stand up on the skates!!:)  Needless to say, there are no pictures of me actually ice skating, but the kids got the hang of it pretty quickly!:)

And when we came back home, we decorated the Christmas tree.:)  The kids always love to put the ornaments on the tree,:)

I think that about sums up our weekend over here.  It's always busy and I am sure I'll have more lagniappe to share with you soon!  It is definitely beginning to look (and feel) alot like Christmas over here in Holland!:)

 Doei!:)

Happy Halloween

I remember when we lived in Lagos that holidays just weren't the same when we were living outside the U.S.  Today is Halloween, and as I know my friends and family had fun Halloween parties this past weekend and are going trick or treating today, I really do miss that.  I have learned to make the best of the holidays no matter where we are.:)  Here, in The Netherlands, we carved jack- o- lanterns...

Don't ask me why Elizabeth cut the nose out to make one giant nose/mouth!

And toasted pumpkin seeds...

and went to a really fun food and wine festival on Friday night...

Jeremy was having no pictures taken:)

band playing on the stage under one of the tents:)

where I had some really delicious Dutch soup...

and there was even a tipi....

 with a fire to keep the kids warm...

Jeremy's soccer team won on Saturday!:)

Who wouldn't like a giant chocolate Euro coin for Halloween on Halloween morning??!!

To all of my friends and family back in the U.S. celebrating Halloween today, I wish you a Happy and safe Halloween and don't be too jealous when we are out collecting candy on Nov. 11 for Saint Martin's Day!!!!:)  Oh, and we turned our clocks back one hour this weekend....so nice to have anextra hour of sleep!!   Just sayin!:)

Doei!