Celebrating the Holidays in Belgium and Beyond

This was our final weekend to celebrate Christmas in Belgium before we head to the US on Wednesday.  We have really enjoyed the season, but I'm going to need to do a better job of planning ahead next year.  I need to set up a weekend of traveling around to various markets in Germany and/or France.  I wasn't aware of how many great markets are out there since we arrived just AFTER Christmas last year.  Next year, I'm on it!  

The weekend started off just right with a day trip to Aachen, Germany with two of my girlfriends.  Around 90 minutes away, this German market was close and exactly what you would expect from a Christmas market.  I loved it and added it to the short list for next year.

Look how excited Shayna is. She just can't wait to get started! What a doll! :) 

Of course, we had to have a sausage for lunch...we were in Germany! 

And, Abbe got a super cute new hat! 

I have a new fondness for Glühwein.  This warm, spicy wine is just one of the perks of visiting the Christmas markets.  You pay a deposit for the glass...and then accidentally take it home. :)

This is what a "to go" meal looks like in Aachen. :)

That evening, we had an adults only visit to Leuven.  The town hall and Christmas tree were gorgeous, the rain held off, and the company was terrific.

Greg took full advantage of the mistletoe.  It happened so fast, I almost missed it.  Phew!  Good thing I'm quick.

Thanks to the free hats, these four looked fabulous all evening long.  They were toasty warm and easy to find.  LOL! 

It was on the way home that we learned of the shooting in Connecticut.  It was that feeling in the pit of my stomach that has no words to describe it.  I've practiced that intruder drill so many times.  Standing in the dark while the kids crouch and giggle in the corner always thankful it is just a drill.  But as you stand there waiting for the drill to end, you know you would do whatever it took to protect those children if the unthinkable ever happened.  I am stricken with grief because the unthinkable did happen.  Little children were lost, educators were lost, and a country mourns at what is supposed to be the happiest and most joyful time of year.  My saddness has turned to a bit of guilt.  Our family has been blessed beyond measure.  I have never been one to take things for granted.  I know how fortunate we are, and I just took in the rest of the weekend with a very grateful and heavy heart.

Since we will be traveling home, we decided to have the kids open their gifts from us here in Belgium.  There were some special gifts that just couldn't be transported across the ocean.  Allison is reading about a pair of boots she will receive upon arrival in the US.  They are just too expensive in Europe.

And, this is the reaction you get when you open the greatest Star Wars Lego set on the market.  He never thought he would receive the Death Star.  It was really a special Christmas memory.  I can't even tell you how many times he said thank you.

I can't forget to include the yummy Nutella.  All 5 kg of it!  Okay, maybe this is a gift for Mom too. 

After Allison's basketball game, we hit the little market in our town.  Flat Stanley joined us for the fun.

Thomas was proud of the giant leaves he found.  They were REALLY big!

Saturday night was a fantastic holiday party hosted by one of our favorite couples at ISB...even though he works for Volvo Construction. ;)  LOL!  There are several priceless shots from the evening, but I'm not sure they belong on this blog. ;) 

On to Sunday...after I finally got my family moving...we headed to Brugge today to see the ice sculptures.  If you've been reading the blog for a while, you may remember our trip last year right after we arrived.  It was a Disney theme.  We were equally excited about this year's theme of Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter.  Except, when we got there, there was no Harry Potter to be found.  The kids were kind of bummed, but there is no denying the sculptures are still fantastic! 

It's -6 degrees celsius in there.  Doesn't sound too bad...until you've been in there longer than five minutes.

Awwww....look at them!  We promised ice skating, so off we went to the center of Brugge to find the ice rink.  It was the first time either of them had ice skated, and after a bit of practice, they really did well.  

The ice was pretty wet, and every time he would fall, he would crawl to the side on his knees.  Needless to say, he was soaked, and he has the bruises to prove just how much he fell! 

It was another one of those pinch me moments.

We were glad the Westercamps could join us for such a fun day!

Wet booty

This is one of the moments I will ALWAYS treasure.  And, I've informed Chris that even when we move home, we will have to travel to Europe during the Christmas holiday.  It is really a special time of year.

I used the panorama feature on my phone to capture the belfry.  It is HUGE! 

I will purchase some of these special Christmas items before we move back.  Better start saving my euros! 

Thank you Brugge for another fantastic day!  You really are an awesome city!

And, that concludes our whirlwind weekend of Christmas fun.  It's hard to believe we are less than two weeks from our one year anniversary in Belgium.  Oh what an incredible year it has been!

Until next time,
Wendy

Le Château de Modave

I can think of about 10+ things I could have accomplished today.  There is packing to be done, a house to clean, a few final gifts to wrap...but going to visit a castle built in the middle ages and decorated for Christmas with my girlfriends sounded like much more fun. :)

We set off after drop off at school.  The drive was probably about 80 minutes, but it felt like a fraction of that with all of the gabbing going on in the car.  Once off the main highway, the drive was scenic and beautiful.  The countryside of Belgium is really very pretty.  Finally, as we drove down a tree lined lane, we were greeted with a lovely castle.  

This castle, and it's festive Christmas decor, definitely did not disappoint as you will see....

Just to the left of the entrance, visitors were greeted with this massive tree!

The ceiling was covered with five generations of a family tree.

The first hall at the entrance.

The place settings are Gien China which is a favorite of many ladies here and sold at the American Women's Club. 

A ceiling in one of the rooms of the home with the year 1666.

This room was unique with a separate, and very ornate, section for the bed.

To the right, not shown, is the fireplace.  Straight away is the bath tub.  Brrr....better have the fireplace going when you are down in that tub. 

Loved the Gnomes!

The Santa faces were creeeeepy!

I think this one is actually a mask with one of those styrofoam heads inside.  They drew blue eyes on the styrofoam head.

What do you get when you have a Canadian, two Americans, and an Aussie?  Too much fun! 

Even the kitchen was festive! 

That's my kind of wine cellar!

Chris would have loved this room.

And some shots of the outside.

The castle itself!

The castle overlooks a river valley that I'm sure is even more stunning in the fall.

This river flows nearly 100 km to Brussels. 

One last shot of a John Deere for my mom. :)

Until next time,
Wendy