Beer and Chocolate

If you love beer and chocolate there is no better place then Belgium.  We spent the weekend exploring the cities of Brussels and Gent.

Brussels is the capital of Belgium and the administrative center of the EU.  We don't know what Abigail enjoyed more of, the hotel or Manikin Pies.  

Manikin Pies is the little guy who pees all day and night.  The Belgians have an entire society set up around him and they have been given several thousand outfits from common people and dignitaries around the world.  He was put up at the only fountain in the area where people could go and get the

ir water from.  What a great thing to think about as you eat your pasta.

Lucas made the trip and he enjoyed all of the beer and great food.  He walked more proud knowing he was back in his home country.  He was showing off and it was quite impressive.

Gent is a charming medieval city.  We started our day with a boat tour which took us though the city center.  

The boat gave us a great way to find our next house - the Gravensteen (Castle of the counts).

Amy thinks it will be just a bit bigger fixer upper than what we could take on just now.  Abigail also found where the princesses stay and wait for the prince to come and rescue them.  It is great to see the world with her and learn how to use our imagination again.

Lake Como/Milan

Abigail and I met up with Greg over Easter weekend in Italy.  We spent Easter at Lake Como.  What a beautiful area..

 

  

Abigail and I spent the follow week 

exploring Milan while Greg worked.

Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans is a delightful old city located on the banks of the Zaan river.  The village depict Dutch life in the 17th and 18th centuries.  It was a rainy day (very typical Dutch weather), but the kids had fun exploring the willmills, learning about how cheese is made and shopping for clogs.

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)...