Happy Leap Day!

How are you spending your extra day in 2012?  Wishing you a day filled with love and happiness.

Until next time,

Wendy

Oscar Recap

Did you watch the Oscars?  I stayed up until 2:00 A.M. watching the red carpet.  This is one of my most favorite nights of the year, so I had to watch at least part of it live.  The dresses, the jewels, the beautiful people, honoring impeccable talent...I just love all of it!  I remember going to see Star Wars with my dad when I was only four years old.  And, it is still my most favorite movie...ever!  I have a husband that quotes movies all.the.time....but I love it.  Okay, okay...most of the time it's Billy Madison, but he likes going to the movies as much as I do.  So, the Oscars are just really special to me.  So, here's my two cents worth on the Oscars this year. It you're not into movies, famous people, Hollywood, or shallow thoughts...then you can just stop reading now. :)

1.  Billy Crystal is absolutely hilarious.  It was so good to have him back!
2.  Nick Nolte looks really, really scary!  On the other hand, Michael Douglas looks great!  So glad he beat cancer and is doing so well.
3.  Angelina Jolie is incredibly beautiful.  Really, couldn't she share a little of that??!!  Say whatever you want about the scandal with Brad.  She is still breathtaking!
4.  Apparently, I need to see Hugo.  It won a ton of awards.  But, I'm okay with not seeing The Artist.  No desire to spend my money on that!
5.  I didn't see Rob anywhere!  Bummer!
6.  Did you have trouble with the sound?  There was a clanging, tin sound in the background during dialog.  Anyone else?
7.  Will Farrell and Zach Galifianakis made me laugh out loud.  When Zach said his own name wrong, I almost lost it.
8.  "Man or Muppet" won best song...really?  I guess they didn't have much to choose from.
9.  When they did the movie montage toward the beginning of the show, I got really teary-eyed.  It featured most of my favorite movies....including Star Wars.  I just love movies!
10.  Time for Brad Pitt to cut his hair!  But I still love ya anyway hot stuff!
11.  Loved the actors thoughts on movies they love.  How those movies have shaped them.  I totally get it.
12.  Love, love, love the bridesmaids!
13.  When The Shore won...it made me think of my friend Tiffany up there in Northern Ireland.  Hooray for the little guys at the Oscars!
14.  The Johnson's commercial where the babies are "talking" to their moms made me cry my eyes out!
15.  Emma Stone has staying power.  Such a talented actress and just embodies Hollywood.
16.  Remember when Billy C. talked about James Earl Jones saying, "Baseball"...He totally nailed it.  Oh that voice. James Earl Jones is really aging though.  What will we do without him or Morgan Freeman?  I can't even think about it!
17.  The whole Governor's Award section made me cry too!
18.  "What a Wonderful World" was so beautiful!
19.  And who doesn't love George Clooney?!  I can't look at him without thinking of his character in the Facts of Life with all the hair.
20.  Congratulations to the Frenchman on his leading actor win.  Prior to this move...that would have bugged me.  And, now it doesn't. :)
21.  Oh, I really wanted Michelle Williams to win.  What an amazing gal.  For being so young, she seems to have been through a lot.  She strikes me as a class act and a wonderful mom.  But, congratulations Meryl.  You're pretty classy too!
22.  Someday...I will be a seat filler in my long, beautiful gown, hair all done up, and hopefully looking fabulous!  Can anyone out there help me make that happen?

I love movies.  I love the way they make me laugh.  I love the way they make me cry.  I love sitting in a theater and sharing the experience with those around me.  I love the celebration of the amazing talent.  Looking forward to the 85th annual Oscars next year.

Until next time,
Wendy

Butte Du Lion

After an intense game of mini golf...where I took 1st place in the family, we drove over to the location of the Battle of Waterloo.  It is hard to believe that this battle took place just 7 miles from our house.  This is the battle where Napoleon was defeated.  And, that's about all you can get from me regarding this portion of history.  On this site is a massive man-made mound with a lion at the top.  A couple weeks ago, we drove past this and said, "What the heck is that thing?"  And, now we know. :)  Please pardon my ignorance all of you history people!  You can read below to learn the history behind the Butte Du Lion below.

Of course, we had to hike up all 226 steps.  Can you see Thomas?  He's already halfway up the steps!

Allison and Amy...See that face on Allison?  She is still complaining about all the steps!

Checking out the scenery.  Not sure how though because he spent all of my money in the arcade at the mini golf place.

Our little family overlooking Waterloo.  Too bad it was an overcast day.  Bummer!

Strategizing

The Lion up close

My girlie

Our Motley Crew....the Vastines and the Cundiffs

They are all mine!

The kiddos!

The fun is over!  Back to school tomorrow.  But, I am sure my children will give me plenty of blog material.  Enjoy the Oscars!  I'll be watching them tomorrow night. :)

Until next time,

Wendy

Checking out Leuven!

We decided to hang out in Leuven today.  This is just 25 minutes from our house!  Chris was excited to see the Stella Artois Brewery on our way in.  We're going to have to see if we can get a tour of that place.  This was a really cool town!

They were having a really nice market.  That's dry sausage just like my grandpa makes!

and huge grapes!

Leuven also has amazing architecture

and ice cream!  We haven't had ice cream since we left the US.  I had Nutella flavored ice cream...yummy!

There was fabulous shopping.  I love European fashion.  But, I just couldn't talk Chris into this little number.  This place was a bit expensive, so we spent much of our time at H&M.

and, well....I'm really not sure what a gigantic, upside down fly on pole has to do with anything.  I'll keep you posted on that one.

Another reason I was interested in Leuven was the movie theater.  I've been wanting to find it and take the kids to see a movie here.  We saw Journey 2.  It was in 3D, and it was in English. :)  And, it was 45 euros with no snacks.  Yikes!  Leuven also boasts the oldest Catholic University.  We didn't see it, so we'll have to check that out on another trip.

It was a great day though, and we had sunshine all day.  So thankful for this beautiful Saturday!

Until next time,

Wendy

Never a Dull Moment

My family and Amy's family ventured out to Aqualibi today.  This is a really cool water park just 20 minutes from our house.  Check it out! http://www.walibi.com/aqualibi-landing  We bought a pass for the year because it is also good for the amusement park which has some really awesome looking roller coasters that are just the right size for my kids.  The Rapids was the kids favorite part of the water park.  It's an intense water slide type course where you walk, slide, and crash into everyone around you.  I was with the kids the first time they went down, and I just kept thinking I wasn't really sure this was something that would go over so well in the USA.  It was really fast, really dangerous, and I don't know how there aren't daily drownings.  So, after about the fourth time down, the kids decided to head over to the slides.  It was at this time that I noticed Thomas' chin was bleeding...quite a lot really.  After Amy and I had a look at it, we decided he should go to the first aid station.  Well, they looked at it for about 15 seconds, called me back to where they were looking at him, and told me he would need to go to the hospital for stitches!  Are you kidding me????!!!!!  I don't have a clue where the hospital is!....I don't even have a doctor here!  I'm not joking....it is something every day.  Thankfully, I had Amy with me.  She is so calm and cool.  She said we would head to Leuven where the hospital is located.  They had to fill out an accident report before we left.  Of course, the lifeguard really only spoke French which makes everything more interesting.  He did seem genuinely impressed that we were Americans.  Not really sure why??  I just felt so badly that we had to leave early.  Poor Mckenna didn't even have a chance to go down the slides.  To help ease the pain for all, we grabbed waffles before we left.  Amy made a call to the doctor's office in Hoeilaart, and they told her to come there first because they thought they could take care of it.  And thankfully, they could.  The doctor...Dr. Docx (sounds like docks or docs...ha!) saw him right away.  He felt that just a couple of sticky strips would do the trick.  No needles needed.  He also didn't seem to think a boy should go without a few scars.  They are boys after all. :)  But, he said that if he did a stitch it would leave more of a mark than the actual cut, so I appreciated that he went with the sticky tape route.  My little guy was so tough, and I'm really proud of him.  Here's a pic of him after all the drama.

Until next time,

Wendy

Vacation with Imagination

Today was one of those days reserved for total relaxation.  Allison requested that they leave their pajamas on all day.  And, I happen to think it is good to have days like that.  I actually just told them they needed to go up and get their pajamas on for bed, and they laughed....at least they could put clean pajamas on!  Being home all day is rare for us, but it was good to get caught up on laundry, do a little organizing, and make a quick trip to the grocery store.  The highlight of the day was when my kids were actually playing....not on the DS...not on the computer...not on the iPod touch...they were really playing!  Pretending!  It was music to my ears.  They created pet stores and took turns shopping at each other's store.  Oh of course it wasn't all bliss.  They had to fight over who could use the tape, and they didn't shop at the other person's store frequently enough...blah, blah, blah!  But hey, they were playing, so I was happy.

Allison's Exotic Pet Store

Thomas's Pet Store

With spring break coming up, many friends have commented on family and friends that are coming to visit.  And, we had just received a call that my brother-in-law, sister-in-law, and nephew would not be able to come this summer.  It has just totally bummed me out.  I didn't realize how desperate I was for someone to come and see us here.  I don't have a big desire to go home yet...I just want someone to come here and see how we live.  I want to share our life with the people we love.  And then, during my pity party, my mom called and said she was looking at flights for the end of May.  And, she booked her tickets!!!  It's still three months away, but it will be so nice to have her here for two weeks.  I don't feel like I need to have a lot of plans because it's my mom.  And, all that really matters is that we'll be together.    Did I mention I gave up soda for Lent?  I'm a BIG soda drinker, so this is truly a challenge for me.  I think my mood has been deeply affected by this as well.  But, I've gone two days now, and that's the most time I have gone without soda in years.  I can do this!!!

Until next time,

Wendy

The Ultimate Beer Run

Today, I earned "wife of the year" status.  Amy and I traveled almost two hours (with the kids) to pick up two cases of beer for our hubbies.  Now, this isn't just any beer.  This is beer made by monks at the Trappist Abbey of Saint Sixtus of Westvleteren.  Amy called a few weeks back.  After hitting redial for a half an hour, she was able to order two cases...the limit.  She had to give her phone number and license plate.  She is not allowed to return for more beer with that license plate and phone number for the next 60 days.  We were required to be there today at 4:00 P.M.  This is serious beer making business.  

This brewery was founded in 1838, and all of the brewing is done by five monks. Since 1946, only 60,000 cases of beer are produced each year.  

Here are some shots of the brewery. 

Thomas spotted this field and thought we really needed to take some pictures while we waited.  He has quite the eye.  I think he'll be into photography one day.

When it is time to pick up your order, you had to pull around the side of the abbey.  You can't find a drive thru in Belgium...but of course they have a drive thru for beer.

The bottles do not have labels.  All of the necessary information can be found on the cap.

Here's Amy!  We are very proud of our purchase. :)  For two cases and the deposit for the crate and bottles, the total was 92 euros.  That better be some good beer!

On our way home, we stopped in Oostende to see the Belgian coast.  Here are the kids running around in the North Sea.  Pretty cool!  Literally!  I was FREEZING.  It will be more fun to visit here when it is warm.  But of course, the kids didn't care one bit!

And, here is the happy hubby holding the beer rated "Best Beer in the World!"  It wasn't long after this that he grabbed one of his new Westvleteren beer glasses and enjoyed his new beer.  This day was a total success!

Until next time,

Wendy