Happy Halloween 2013

As I work on this blog, I am enjoying all of the Halloween posts on Facebook.  Halloween day is uneventful here in Belgium.  The holiday is not "officially" celebrated here, but the shops have been carrying quite a bit of decor and costumes...even more than last year.  Maybe by the time we leave, it will be an official holiday here. The expat community does a great job of celebrating though, so here's a look at some of the fun we have had over the last couple weeks as we celebrate Halloween Belgium style.

The American's Women's Club hosted a "Trunk-or-Treat" for the kids.  The event was a huge success. I tried to count the kids and got to somewhere around 70.  So exciting!

Thomas helping Dad hand out candy at our trunk.

Our kids had come straight from riding lessons, so to make my life easier (not nice....I know),  they were equestrian riders for Trunk-or-Treat.  

Family pic

Trick-or-Treating is always the Thursday before fall break because so many expat families travel during the break.  It is a huge event!  You must register online, pick up a wrist band at McDonalds, and join several hundred other trick or treaters in the town of Overijse (an event is held in Waterloo as well.) The homes that hand out candy are impressively decorated, and this year they even had a Thriller show.  The kids (and Chris) loved it.  I was too short to see from the back. :)

For this year's costume....they wanted to be nerds.  Costumes are hard to come by here (they still have the plastic masks with the elastic strap on the back) so you have to be creative.  I thought they were adorable nerds.

We met at the Smith's house for a pre-trick-or-treat party.  Thanks Karin!

Then, it was time for the big event.

Allison and friends from ISB.

These three are growing up too fast.  They went off by themselves. Sniff sniff

The neighborhood for trick or treating is beautiful.  

They asked that I send this to their teacher.  She loved it!

The mamas 

Thanks for a fun after party Justiniano family!

Two days later, the Keown family hosted their second annual Halloween party.  This year, the adults decided to join in on the fun of dressing up.  

Thanks Mary for letting me borrow your dress!

Shirley and Pat

Brandi is going to eat Allison's brain.  Her eyes still freak me out!

Cutie pie Karin

Melonee, Ericka, and Shayna

Sweet girls enjoying the party

The zombies were my favorite!  Sam and Cori....not usually creepy people.

"Rick" (Mike) and his zombies.  They were quite a group.  Loved it!!!

All ready for Oktoberfest!  Not as cool as the zombies.

That's gross, Lucinda!  But still our beautiful hostess.  LOL!

Jo and Misty

My dear friends!

My trusty assistant....gotta teach 'em young.

"Maverick" and "Charlie" aka John and Melonee

Family shot

Pat is so sheik!

My lovely Lucinda

I guess this is the sign of a good party.....

It was another successful Halloween!
Happy Halloween 2013 to all of our friends in the USA.

Until next time,
Wendy

ISB Takes Over Disneyland Paris

I love to visit Disney.  In fact, one of our first European trips was to Disneyland Paris just two weeks after we moved here {Disneyland Paris 2012.}  Thanks to ISB, we were able to take another trip to Disney.  The ISB band, orchestra, and choir would be performing on Sunday, so we decided to make a weekend out of it.  Allison left on Friday with the orchestra, and we arrived early Saturday afternoon.  We stayed just off property at the Radisson Blu.  The rooms were very spacious, and we found it to be much nicer than the Disney resort we stayed at last time.  There was a shuttle that ran every half hour to the park, so it was super easy and cheaper than staying on property.  Now that I think about it....maybe we have just adapted to European accommodations since our first trip here. :)

Let the picture taking begin.  I am fairly certain I am the #1 reason why Chris hates Disney.  Apparently, I take too many pictures.  

Two of my favorite things....Disney and Halloween!  Our first trip to Disney was when the kids were 4 and 2 and during the month of October.  We attended Mickey's Not So Scary Halloween Party.  That is still my most favorite night I've spent at Disney.

Not just any castle...a PINK one!  This is Sleeping Beauty's castle.

Around 4:45, we finally found Allison.  She was having a great time walking around the parks with her friends from school.

Allison and her friends asked if Thomas could walk around with them for awhile.  Are you serious??  So, we took a leap of faith and let our two kiddos go off alone at Disney.  Who are we???  That gave us an hour to catch up with our friend Melonee and give the kids a little independence.

Sunday morning we were back at the parks.  The ISB performances were due to start at 12:30.  There was fun to be had beforehand though.

Lunch was at the Blue Lagoon restaurant.  It is located inside Pirates of the Caribbean.  You can watch the boats going by while you eat.

He will never give up on this.

Time for the performances!

They played beautifully....and I'm not being biased. ;)

The ISB Choir ~  They sang numbers from Rent and Phantom.  I was in heaven!  We were disappointed we didn't make it in time to hear the band.  Allison said they were terrific!

iPhone Pics

You're probably not supposed to take a picture of this. ;)

I just want him to stay like this forever.  Growing up too fast!

You're never too old. :)

Until next time,

Wendy