Hello Holland

Well, we've finally moved. It felt like we were talking about it and preparing forever. 

We said goodbye to Santa Barbara and our friends several times :) but on July 27th we said one last goodbye and boarded a flight to Sacramento. It was very anti climactic when after we boarded we sat on the tarmac for almost 2 hrs. They actually let me off with baby Jess and so I could walk her around in the baby carrier and try to get her to sleep. She fell asleep just as it was time for me to get back on and finally take off, phew. We eventually made it to Sac, where Grandma and Grandpa picked us up at the airport. Connor was so happy to see them. We had a lovely visit for several days before we headed off to the Netherlands, but that will have to be another post. 

On to Holland!

Connor as usual was a great traveler. He watched movies, looked at books and ate whatever crappy airline food they put in front of him. Baby Jess on the other hand was very tough. She may have slept a total of 2 & 1/2 hrs the entire 9 hour flight. She did not want to be in her seat. While we were at Grandma's house Jess started to do lots of crawling and a little walking. Of course that is all she wanted to do on the flight. 

 And yes I sat between the kids while Chris was in the row behind us but don't think he escaped the entire flight. He and Jess clocked lots of time walking the aisles as did I. But we survived, that will make anything shorter than 5hrs seem like a breeze.

Upon arriving in Holland we took a taxi straight to the new house. It was an absolute dream driving up to the house. It really looks like a house out of a story book and with the surroundings to match. 

Our landlords Patou & Jos were there waiting for us with a beautiful bouquet of flowers, wine, beer, treats of all kinds (even legos for Connor). They were just about the kindest people we have ever met. They were so empathetic to our situation having moved their family from Holland to Hong Kong to Singapore with 2 young boys. They went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and comfortable in our new home and we will be forever grateful.    

 After a tour  and the hand over of the keys we cleaned ourselves up and enjoyed a glass/bottle of wine out on the patio. It was perfection. 

Jessy got busy crawling all over and Connor was a sweetie keeping her safe, while Chris and I did a bit of unpacking.

Since we have been here we have already had lots of visitors. Our realtor came by to check on us and even came back the next day and drove Chris to the rental car place the next town over. The neighbors came over to introduce themselves and gave us another beautiful bouquet of flowers from their garden. Chris' boss Glen stopped by and his fiance Alyssa has twice as well. 

People have been exceptionally warm and welcoming to us, it really makes such a big change a lot easier.

Lots more to say but I must go feed a screaming Jessica ;)