Austrian Snow Vacation

    

We just returned from our first European ski trip in Austria.  We went to a small mountain town, Kleinarl, with two other families, the Pressler and Kincaid.  It was a great time for all.  Abigail took her first ski lesson and loved skiing.  She learned how to ski with her skis together, make a pizza slice (snowplow) and turn...which is more than I can do.  I have a feeling we'll be going back for more ski lessons (for both child and parents).

            

We also took a our first horse drawn sleigh ride in the snow.   

We took a hour ride to a restaurant located next to Jager Lake.  

The kids love the horse and sang songs along the way.  I think the snow vacation will be part of the Tam-Naulty/Naulty yearly vacation from now on, just look at that smile.

Egypt 2007/2008

We went to Egypt (Sharm El Shiek) on Christmas day through New Years Day. Sharm, as the locals call it, is a resort town on the Sani. That is the part between the continet of Africa and the middle east. It is a divers paridise. We had the best intentions to travel to Cairo to see the Pryamids but it never happened. It is OK because we realized this is the first time we saw sun and warm weather since we moved to The Netherlands. We went with two other families (The Talwars and The Hamiltons) 6 adults and 5 kids. A different kind of vacation for us but we had a great time. Lots of pool time and drinks.

On our way - Vijay with all the kids but one. It's about time he did something.

Abigail and Owen - The Movie Stars

Our little fish (she's a Naulty)

This is what several outings in the Pool will do. Doesn't that look peaceful.

My car got stolen

Posting - Stolen black bike with basket in the front and a pink and black child seat in the back. If you have seen it, please contact me (the real owner) or return it to where you stole it from. Signed STRANDED.

Yes - we are now true Amsterdam residents. My car was stolen yesterday morning. Now I remember why I didn't spring for an expensive bike. The good thing is we had three bikes so I still have one to ride. I will be replacing it in the next couple of weeks.

Abigail's 3rd Birthday

Can you believe that our little girl is 3.  She celebrated her 3rd birthday at her new school, the British School of Amsterdam.  She is getting SO big and is full of words...not sure where she got that from.

She's 3 (or 6 if you count the fingers)...

Christmas 2007

Our first Christmas in 

Amsterdam was much more low key than in the US.  Perhaps it's because it's not as commercialized here in the Netherlands or it's because the Dutch celebrate on Dec 5th.  We're still adjusting to all the new holidays.

  

 Abigail has been writing Santa Claus letters (daily) about what she wants for Christmas.  She would like a pink bike with a baby seat for her babies.  The look on her face on Christmas morning when she saw the stockings and the pink bike was priceless.  It was hard for her to focus on the rest of the presents after that, all she wanted to do was go for a bike ride.

 


 

Christmas in Dusseldorf

We decided that Amsterdam just wasn't into the Christmas spirit and heard they know how to celebrate in Germany.  We decided to load up the car with the family and head off for a 5 hour round trip drive to Dusseldorf.  We called Che and Wendy and they said they would meet us.  God bless them.  They made the drive with their 2 month old girl.  They are brave and up for almost anything.   

The rumors are true.  The streets are decorated with lights and Christmas images.  There are markets set up where there is food, wine, beer, sausages, ornaments, and all kinds of Christmas nick-naks.  Abigail ate a one foot long bratwurst (her first ever) and we all had roasted chestnuts.  There are Christmas carolers singing in English and in German.  It did put you in the Christmas mood.  We ended the evening with some large beers and a heart attack on a plate.  There was more sauerkraut on the plate then most people eat in a year.  It was great and on that note we called it a night.  Next year we are going to go earlier in the season.

 

First Goodbyes

We have just learned that we will say our first goodbye to our good friends the Talwars.  We always heard that the hardest part of this experience would be having good friends leave and leaving good friends.  We didn't understand that until now.  We have only known them for a short time but we consider them as dear friends and will stay in touch with them wherever they decide to relocate to.  Amy and I are betting on India and if that comes true, we will be adding a blog entry about visiting India.

Vijay, I thank you for stopping at Amy's office and introducing yourself.  If you did not do that, I am not sure that we would have met and I know our transition to the Netherlands would have been much harder than it was.  Nita, I thank you for including the token "dad" in your daily journeys around town.  I know I got much more out of this experience with you around then I would have without you.  Abigail is sure going to miss your kids but I am sure they will keep in touch.  We want to say thanks for everything and successes in where ever it is you settle on living.

We are lucky that we are going to be able to go to Egypt for the holidays with the Talwar Family before they have to come back and pack up.  I am sure we will have experiences there to talk about for a long time to come.