Amsterdam

Random pix from my iphone while in Amsterdam.

Moving to Europe?!

Yes we are moving to Europe. Network Hardware is sending us out so Chris can help manage the European offices. We will live in a small village in Northern Holland in an area called Het Gooi.

We took a trip out to visit both the London office and Amsterdam office. We determined that we are not city folk. And having a young family we'd be happiest in the county where the kids (Connor) can run and run and run. Here are a random smattering of pictures from our trip. I'd love to write a detailed account but life just got very very busy. Moving to Europe will be no small task and neither was this trip.

Here is Jess and her friend 6 month old Jessy. They took turns waking each other up during the 10 &1/2 flight over.

Connor did much better except while he was sleeping he kept trying to cuddle the strange man sitting next to him. Gross!

The babies in their sky cots.

She did much better here in dads arms.

Mother's day at a true British pub outside London.

Chris rose to the challenge of driving on the right side of the car and the left side of the road.

We were all so jet lagged that the only way to get this kid going was to introduce him to the real thing. 

Shopping at the only store that was open at 5:50pm. Mark's and Spencer.

I wish I had this for Holley's Derby party.

Dinner in South Kensington. It rained while we were having dinner outside but we were still warm and dry. In England they are always ready for the rain.

Good morning London.

Snuggled up for a nap.

Baby Jess was so cute and good at dinner that night. She actually fell asleep right in the high chair. I ended up transferring her to her stroller and she stayed asleep.

We had a great dinner with Neal at a restaurant by the river.

To be continued.

good times & pix

Last week was Connor's birthday and we took him to "Shushi" that's how he says it. Uncle Terry came and Connor was a very happy birthday boy. Then last weekend Chris sent me and Jessica down to Beverly Hills for the night to relax and be pampered. We had a lovely time getting facials, drinking yummy blended fruity concoctions by the pool and celebrity watching. We had a fantastic time.

 The Beverly Hills Hotel is pink and so was our room. The hotel is classic old Hollywood everyone looked like move stars and there were quite a few stars to be seen, the staff had vintage looking uniforms and addressed us by our last name. It was all very fun. It's such an escape from my reality of dirty diapers, pb&j sandwiches, children's books, cleaning up the tornado of a mess that follows Connor around and the loads and loads of laundry I do on a daily basis.

Thank you darling Chris for spoiling me when I needed it most! I love you. 

 The weather was just perfect for laying by the pool. 

Jess and I don't see each other that often but when we do it's like a day hasn't passed. We talked and talked and talked all weekend. I wish I could do this once a month! 

Connor completed several big lego sets the week of his birthday this one was 408 pieces. 

He is seriously a little lego building machine. I'm proud of him for building these. And thank you grandma and grandpa for sending these. They are the perfect gifts.

Sadly Nancy the childcare director from the club resigned. 

She has watched Connor, Bella and Leila all grown from itty bitties to big kids.

And she just loves Jessica. She gives her so many lovey cuddles.

We are really going to miss her.

Watching Connor's T-Ball practice on Tuesdays and games on Saturdays has been so much fun. It's fun chatting with  Jenny and the other mommies while cheering on the most adorable group of boys. Watching them learn the fundamentals is a riot. 

Dinner at Arigato for Connor's 5th birthday with Uncle Terry.

 Not the best pic but proof that I was there ;)

 Connor blowing out his birthday candle. Instead of cake he had green tea ice cream surrounded by strawberries. It was cute Connor kept asking how they got the tea into the ice cream. He didn't really get that they made it with it. Ever since our trip to Europe back in 2010 he has been addicted to tea. On our trip I brought sleepy time tea and he drank it every night before bed and most night he still does.

He loved wearing his birthday crown that his teacher Miss. Laurie made for him at school. 

Connor's 5th birthday party

I cannot believe Connor is turning 5! Five is a milestone birthday. He has grown up so fast. Gone are the days of mommy: clipping him in his car seat, pushing him in a stroller, dressing him, feeding him, bathing him, rocking him or picking out his clothes. Connor is such a mature boy at 5.  Instead of Dr. Seuss we now read chapter books with stories of mystery and adventure, he picks out what he wants to wear, he writes his own thank you notes, uses a knife, puts together lego sets with hundreds of pieces all by himself, flosses his own teeth and the list goes on and on. I'm so proud of him for all the big kid things he can do and the sweet kid he is.

Veronica started babysitting for Connor when he was about 1&1/2 and she has been at all of his birthday parties since then. He must have thanked her for coming to his party about 100 times. Veronica is in school to become a teacher and our hope is that one day she'll be his teacher. 

Baby Jess had a good time watching all the people.

All the boys, Jack, Luke, Connor and the coolest of dudes Thatcher.

 Bella and Leila loved playing with baby Jess and baby Solie.

 Connor's party was animal themed. Here are Reese, Connor and Sam in their lady bug masks.

 Thank you Sarah for making sure we got a photo of the whole family. xoxo

 I love this picture of the kids because Thatcher has his mask on upside down and backwards but he didn't care he just proudly stood in front posing with the big kids.

 All the mommies showed up in stripes. Great minds think a like. 

 The lucky birthday boy getting some love from Reese and Sam.

Happy birthday Connor. We love you!!!