M and M Day 4

A brief synopsis of our busy little day in Belgium.

Riding the Metro in Brussels...check!

Visiting the Military Museum...check!

Checking out the cool planes!  Check!

Flying a plane...check!  Okay, not really.  Hahaha!

Gawking at the lovely arch in Cinquantenaire Park...check!

Lunch at jumi (pronounced yummy) because she serves the greatest goat cheese salad I have ever eaten!...double check! 

Strange citing in Overijse...just a truck advertising a landscaping business and covered in sod (fake I hope.)  Totally normal, right?  Check! 

  Throw in a two hour French lesson...sorry no pictures...vèrifier!

And a fabulous dinner with friends!  Thank you for having us over Westercamp family.  It was a great evening!!!...check plus!

Until next time,
Wendy

Butte de Lion with M and M!

Unfortunately for Mom and Mike,  I had two meetings that were a must today, so we didn't have as much time to tour.  Life must go on even with visitors.  But, they were able to meet some of my great friends, so that was a plus.  We did take a short drive over to the Butte de Lion and the location of the Battle of Waterloo.  It is 226 steps to the top, but look at the amazing views of the battlefield and beyond!

I asked Mike to take a picture of us in front of the lion.  Uh Mike...where's the lion?  LOL!

Okay, that's better! :)

Napoleon, at the location of his defeat in 1815 at the Battle of Waterloo.

Until next time,
Wendy

M&M at the Market and Gent!

I was a little nervous for the start of this day.  My French lesson was being held at the Stockel market.  I would be forced to speak French to all of the vendors in front of my mom, Mike, and my tutor.  Gah!  But, I must say that it went well, and we went home with loads of goodies.

Here's my fabulous tutor Lili!  She's been so much fun to work with and obviously she has the patience of a saint with this language challenged gal!

After the market, we dropped our goodies off at the house, and we were off to Gent.  This is the area of Belgium where my family is originally from, so I knew my mom would enjoy stopping here.  

St. Bavo Cathedral in Gent 

Here is Gent when we visited back in February...it was a frozen tundra!

And, here is Gent today!  Ahhhhh...so much better!

So, this building was under some major construction.  The heavy duty scaffolding was attached to the front of the building and literally holding it up, and the historic front was the only remaining part of the entire building!!  I certainly appreciate that the original face of the building has been maintained, but I can't imagine what a massive job that must be.

M&M in front of the Castle of the Counts.

We had a delicious lunch too!  I tell ya, the food here is to die for!

Until next time,
Wendy

Happy Memorial Day and Grandma and Mike are Here!

It was an exciting day...to say the least!  Our morning started nice and early at the Brussels Airport.  We arrived at landing time, but we know that is pretty much a waste.  Almost and hour and a half later, Grandma and Mike were finally available for hugs!  It was a great moment!  And so, the picture taking begins....

Waiting patiently...kind of!

Big hugs and lots of tears.  It was five months to the day since we have seen each other 

These are some very happy people!

We headed to the house to relax for a bit before traveling to Flanders Field American Cemetery.  Nothing like dragging jet lagged family out for a busy day.  The Memorial Day celebration was held yesterday, but we were busy with the 20k.  Bummer...But, we thought it was important to visit this site today and honor our fallen American soldiers.

The entrance to the cemetery 

The wreath from the King and Queen of Belgium that sits in front of the chapel.  The flowers were looking very weary from the heat.  Never thought I would be able to write that!

And, the wreath from the American Women's Club of Brussels. 

Inside the Memorial Chapel

The Chapel 

All of the kiddos 

Family shot!  Thanks Scott!

A nice shot by Thomas

Ironically, I found these T-shirt at the GAP...in France. :)  In the future, I would like to take the kids to the Henri Chapelle Cemetery in Belgium but about two hours from our house.  Nearly 8,000 Americans are buried there.  The American Superintendent of Flanders Field said the site of those crosses is breathtaking and very moving.  That's a must do next year!

It was only 3:15, so we headed to the Grand Place.  I mean...why rest?  Grandma got the obligatory picture with the giant Manneken Pis.

Grandma and Mike with Manneken Pis.  So excited for my mom.  You know...she is 100% Belgian!  This is her first trip here, and she has waited her whole life to visit this country.  It's really exciting to show it to her!  What an honor for me.

And of course, there are the waffles.

Rubbing the lady for good luck!  Another must do on the Grand Place.

Enjoying birthday gifts from Grandma and Mike!

It was a great day!  We are looking forward to our future adventures.  But first, these two weary travelers need to get some rest!

Until next time,
Wendy