It's hard to believe that today we mark six months in Belgium (and yet, some days it feels like we've been here for six years!) We have learned so much in that short time, and we have said numerous times that if we can do this, we can do anything. It is challenging. The language is more of a barrier than we anticipated. It is a very different culture from the US, but that is what we appreciate about it. We came here expecting something completely different, completely different is what we got, and we wouldn't have it any other way. I think in many ways, we have all changed. Our minds are more open, we're more outgoing, and we cling tighter to each other because each other is all we have (and our terrific new friends who are now like family.) Here is a recap of our first six months in pictures. My friend, Mackenzie, has been here just two weeks longer than us, so I totally stole this idea from her blog. :)
Please note...for the most part, this post is in chronological order, but there are a few exceptions, I am lacking patience with the blog right now, and I fear losing the whole post. Please forgive me. :)
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| We left the US on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 and arrived the following morning in Brussels, Belgium. |
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| Our sea container arrived just four days later! Great timing! |
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| Ice sculptures in Brugge..Amy was terrific about filling the time with great activities before school started. |
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| The house was mostly put together in just a few days. |
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| Visiting Brussels at the end of the first week. |
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| Our first big trip was January 14, 2012, to Disneyland Paris. We promised the kids this would be our first trip! |
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| Ghent, Belgium |
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| Off to Edinburgh, Scotland with the Kirschenmann family. |
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| Beer run to Westvleteren! |
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| Leuven, Belgium |
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| Cologne, Germany with the Westercamp family |
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| Monshau, Germany is so adorable! |
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| Celebrating the USA and all of the countries of the ISB students at the International School of Brussels. |
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| Jerry and Amy had a layover in March. Wish they could have stayed longer. |
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| Thomas turned nine at the end of March. |
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| Cinquantenaire Park in Brussels |
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| Villers Abbey in Villers-la-Ville, Belgium |
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| Daddy's first trip to Brugge |
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| Our spring break tour started with a stop at Legoland in Germany. |
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| Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria, Germany |
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| Breathtaking scenery on our drive from Germany to Austria |
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| Munich, Germany...the Glockenspiel and Hofbrauhaus |
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| Dachau Concentration Camp |
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| Salzburg, Austria |
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| The Sound of Music Tour in Salzburg |
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| We loved this city! |
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| Rothenburg ob der tauber, Germany |
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| The Nightwatchman Tour was fabulous! |
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| Celebrating Daddy's birthday at the end of April. |
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| Keukenhof, Holland (the Netherlands) to see the beautiful tulips |
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| Dustin, Tiffany, Miles, and Liam were our first overnight guests! |
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| London, England with Kolin and Christie |
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| The kids survived their school trips to the Belgian Coast (Thomas) and Trier, Germany (Allison). |
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| Namur, Belgium |
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| Chris did an awesome job running the Brussels 20K! |
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| Grandma and Mike arrived on May 28th! |
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| Flanders Field Cemetery on Memorial Day |
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| Paris, France |
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| Allison turned 11! |
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| Girls trip to London! |
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| The Grand Place with Mom and Mike who came to be known as M and M. |
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| Back to Brugge |
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| The Belgian Coast (North Sea) |
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| Waterloo, Belgium and the Butte du Lion |
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| Mechelen, Belgium |
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| Antwerp, Belgium |
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We found a church we love!
Last day of School!
Beach day in De Haan, Belgium.
It has been a very eventful six months. I have no regrets, and I can't wait to see what is in store for the next six months....okay, I have a pretty good idea...but you'll have to wait and see. :)
Until next time,
Wendy |
Dear Wendy,
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the delightful photo recap of your six months in Belgium! I am "living the dream" with all of you in my heart!! Blessings and looking forward to seeing you soon.
Love,
Julie