Soccer Season Finale

We have come to the end of our first BSA (Brussels Sports Association) soccer season.  The kids had a great time, and we enjoyed watching them grow throughout the season.  

A little photo shoot before the final games.

For the last day of the season, each team played 2-3 games.  Thomas's team played two games and Allison's played three.

Soccer Moms :)

I love this picture because it looks like they are doing some sort of dance.

They are celebrating because the "Navy Seals" didn't beat them...they tied 0-0.  The Navy Seals were undefeated in the season, and I have never seen Allison's team play so defensively.  They celebrated like they won the national championship.  Great job girls!

Thomas playing his second game with Dad refereeing the game.  Chris spent most of the season as referee.

Look out!  Here she comes!  Just prior to this, Allison scored her first goal of the season.  I was on the upper field watching Thomas' game and walking toward the lower field when I heard cheering below.  It was Allison's team celebrating her goal.  Ugh!!!!  I just missed it!

Another victory celebrated with a cartwheel across the field. :) 

The Golden Eagles 

The Lava Brothers

Dad and Thomas

I won't miss cleaning up this debris from the field.  I just want to get out a giant vacuum and clean it all up. 

Celebrating with friends!

Now, Allison is on to basketball and Thomas is hoping to start horseback riding.    Let the winter season begin!

Until next time,
Wendy

Thanksgiving and Sinterklaas Collide

It was a busy but very enjoyable weekend here in Belgium.  The kids completed their soccer seasons (blog post coming tomorrow), we celebrated Thanksgiving with friends, and today the kids met Sinterklaas and Zwarte Piet.

This meal was delicious!  We managed to have a real American Thanksgiving complete with Velveeta added to the green bean casserole and Cool Whip on the pumpkin dessert!  Yum!   

The men...ready to eat!

The kid table! 

Me, Lisa, and Brandi!  Love these girls.  Thank you to Brandi and her family for welcoming us into their home.  It was a terrific evening!

 On to Sunday...Chris had a holiday party at CAT.  Families were invited to bring their children to meet Sinterklaas and Zwarte Pieten (that's more than one Zwarte Piet. :))  

Thomas was able to talk with Sinterklaas and share what he wanted for Christmas.  Sinterklaas looked up his name in his big red book, and Thomas said it was there!  He was so excited!!!

Read here...http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sinterklaas..to learn about Sinterklaas.
or visit here
Sinterklaas Info
 I enjoyed the humor in this one.  

Only Thomas was able to talk with him because it was for kids ten and under. :(

But, big sis did sneak in for a picture.

And, the best part (in Thomas' opinion) was the present!  Thomas received a new scooter (thank you CAT!)  He was so excited.

We hope this holiday season is off to a great start for you and your families.

Until next time,
Wendy

Black Friday....Kind of....

I woke up this morning with hopes of doing some online shopping for Black Friday...only to find that our Internet wasn't working.  Coincidence???  I'm sure my hubby thought it was divine intervention.  Well, in an attempt to enjoy the season, my friend Lucinda, her sweet little one, and I set out for Makro.  Makro is a little like Sam's Club on steroids!  We were just there yesterday, but there was more to see, so back we went.  Sales in Belgium only happen in January and July.  Yes, only twice a year, so we knew going into it that it would be all regular prices for us today.  

But, I wasn't quite prepared for this one.  These are the cheapy little gloves you buy at Wal-Mart.  You know... the ones that are maybe $1.50 tops.  These are over $5.00!!!  I try not to convert from euros to dollars anymore, but this made me leave the whole department at the store.  Good thing we have plenty of gloves.  Geesh!

As you can see, we did find some good stuff, and we had the cutest little shopping partner.  Every single person we passed in the store stopped and talked to her (usually in baby talk and not English), waved, giggled, etc.  She is a people magnet because she is so darn cute!

Back at home, the Internet was back, and I did get some shopping done.  My poor mom is having a lot delivered to her house.  Maybe she will have the urge to wrap it for me too. :)

Until next time,
Wendy

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving from our family to yours!

Thanksgiving just isn't the same when you have your oldest out the door by 6:40 A.M. for basketball tryouts, a full work day for Dad, a full school day for both kids, and school projects due tomorrow.  But, a shopping trip with two great friends took a bit of my "wish I was in the States today" blues away.  At the end of a busy day, the four of us had our turkey dinner here at home, watched the Macy's Parade, and Survivor.  I was once again reminded that my mom is a terrific cook.  I could have used her in the kitchen tonight.  It was a decent meal, but I'm looking forward to the one we will be sharing with friends on Saturday night.  This was just the practice round. :)  

I am so incredibly thankful for my family, the experience we are having in Belgium, the friends we have made, our friends and family at home, our faith in God, and the list goes on and on.....

May you have a blessed day!

Until next time,
Wendy

Confessions of a Twilight Fan

Over Christmas break in 2008, I was encouraged to read Twilight.  I admit I was skeptical about a vampire book but was curious about the hype.  The movie had been released, and I wanted to read the book before seeing the movie.  On January 1, 2009, I went to that Twilight movie (by myself) as I had already finished all four books by that point.  I was hooked!  The first movie was pretty simple, but I was completely drawn in and hoped and prayed they would make New Moon into a movie.

Over the next few months, the Twilight frenzy started to take hold of central Illinois and my friends.  I was a big advocate for my friends to read the books.  And, from this crazy fandom brought so many good times to cherish.  We would buy tickets in advance and see the movies on opening night while waiting in crazy, long lines with other nutty fans. 

And of course, we wouldn't see the movie just one time.  Sometimes it was two, three, and maybe four times.  Yikes!

I attended an awesome party thrown by my friend Kristi before seeing New Moon.  It was fantastic.  She had thought of everything when it came to decor, food, take home gifts, etc.  And, it was the start of a Twi-Mom revolution! :)  My sister-in-law's friends were even featured on Oprah as Twi-Moms!

My dear friend Cindy was my birthday buddy and went all out with a Twilight theme in the teacher's lounge.  How thoughtful was that!  I have the greatest friends!

I was so excited to meet Chaske Spencer who plays Sam Uley the head of the wolf pack.  Thomas had his picture taken with him, but Allison wouldn't because she thought he was a real wolf. :)

This is Sherrill, my faithful movie buddy.

We did the movie marathon when Eclipse was released...all three movies in one evening.  Today, in the USA, there are movie marathons for all five movies!  I'm not sure I would be able to walk the next day. :)  This is the year I received my Edward cup.  I was originally given a Jacob cup but kindly asked the man behind the counter to dump it out because it was obvious I was Team Edward.  He just looked at me like I was all kinds of crazy but did as he was told. :)

Dinner at Steak 'N Shake after Breaking Dawn in 2011.

Edward and Bella at the prom...Halloween 2011.  I owed my husband big time for being such a good sport.

She was one cute vampire last year for Halloween.

My sister-in-law, Amy, invited me to a Breaking Dawn event at the House of Blues in Chicago last fall. Amy is the greatest Twilight fan I know!

We got to hear Christina Perry sing "A Thousand Years" and other awesome songs!  What talent!  And, she's a Twilight fan. :)

And, we got to listen to a Q&A with the cast members.  Then we met them after and got all of their autographs (including Christina Perry.)  It was awesome!!!!  

I might have a Twilight Christmas tree....it did make the trip to Belgium and looks fantastic with my Twilight ornaments from Hallmark.

My sister really didn't want to get me this for Christmas.  Edward came to Belgium too. :)

I've always wanted to have a Volvo.  We found this great car when we arrived  here.  I totally didn't realize it is the same car Edward drives in Breaking Dawn 1 and 2.  I promise!  LOL!

Last night was the icing on the cake!  Breaking Dawn 2 in Belgium!...One of the first countries to release the movie!!  What are the chances???  The local folks here are not as enthusiastic about dressing for the movie.  I arrived in my Team Edward shirt, Edward necklace, and bracelet...and I can tell you I was the ONLY one dressed for the occasion.  Oh well!

Thank you to Claire and Lucinda for joining me on opening night.  

Edward with my car. :)  We were able to see the movie in "Original Version" but not without French and Dutch subtitles.  We've become very accustomed to the subtitles.

I know this "obsession" must seem so silly, but over the last four years, these books and movies have brought my friends and I so much happiness.  It's been so much fun and yesterday came and went too quickly.  I'm sad it's all over.  But, now I can look forward to Allison being old enough to read the books and enjoy the movies with her.  

Have fun my friends in the US.  I'm thinking of you all today and this weekend.  Enjoy!!!

Until next time,
Wendy