I have missed the computer world. My Mac died a few weeks ago...like "You need a new motherboard" dead. Don't cry at the counter. That's embarrassing. It was possible to have it repaired here for the not-so-bargain price of 800 euros! Not happening. So, I went out to the local stores and checked prices (not feeling terribly guilty because the dollar is doing well.) But, there is that issue with that pesky azerty keyboard vs. our qwerty keyboard. I didn't have time to wait anymore. Sigh....So thankfully, I was able able to get a new desktop with the help of a friend with the correct keyboard. Hallelujah! Now to see about getting that laptop repaired in the US.
When I closed out the month of January, I forgot the most important part of the month! Karin and I made a trip up to Westvleteren. It was one year to the day when I had made the trip last year. It must be a quiet time of year to call because I didn't have any trouble getting through again. Karin enjoyed a beer during lunch, but I really only had the Coke. I can't even have one and drive. Too strong!
The goods to take home!
The ISB parents had a tour of the EU Parliament building in Brussels. It was only slightly unnerving that it was just a few weeks after the ISIS turmoil in Paris and in Brussels, so the number of military personnel with assault rifles was more than I'm used to seeing. Oh, and there was a tank too. Pardon me while I pass by on my guided tour. Yikes!
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| A piece of the Berlin wall is in town (outside the Parliament building) to commemorate the anniversary. |
Jenna, Kristina, and Chris did a snowy race in the forest together. They had a ton of fun!
Shoshana, Lisa, and I were tourists in Brussels on a chilly February day. We had lunch at "Chicago" off of Place St. Catherine. The burgers were really yummy.
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| St. Catherine's Church Side note...The only cathedral I know of with built in urnals on the outside. Gross! |
We stopped at Le Pain Quotidien. We learned from Shoshana that this one in Brussels is the original!
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| So let's celebrate with cookies! |
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| Lisa and Shoshana! |
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| And shopping for other goodies in the Marolles! |
We stopped for a pic at the Palace of Justice, which is much prettier once you get past the scaffolding.
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| Now that is graffiti art I haven't seen before. |
Moving right along in the month, we had a fabulous time at the Guven household for their Mardi Gras party!
Saying "Farewell" and hopefully "See you soon" to our friend Gretchen.
Just a little humor as I was walking through town. Those are frozen cobwebs...not snot.
February 13th, we set out for our ski vacation in Austria. As is the case with every February break, we hit traffic, but that seemed to be the easiest part of the trip. Our GPS tends to make some interesting decisions. Her decision to route us over a mountain at 11:00 pm only to reach a road that was closed was not my idea of a good decision. It was a looong night!
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| I think they miss the van. There isn't much space back there. |
This sight was worth that drive the night before.
Dinner on Valentine's Day!
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| Kristina and Torben |
Day 1: I'll admit it. I was intimidated. It had been a year since I skied and starting on the reds was...well...scary. By the end of the day, I was exhausted. I actually quit about an hour and a half earlier than the others. My legs were done. I was ticked at myself for not being physically prepared like I was last year. I learned my lesson. Get in shape before ski vacation!
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| I love ski lunches in the sun. It was sunny ALL WEEK! Glorious! |
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| That was one of my first runs. I could do it much faster at the end of the week than I could on the first day. |
The kids were in ski school for five days from 9:00am - 3:00pm. I missed seeing them (it is a family vacation after all) but having them learn with an instructor is much more productive than skiing with their parents. We loved their instructor. He had them skiing the blacks on day two (slopes in Europe are blue, red, and black.) There is no babying them. They were like little ducks and would just follow where he went. By the end of the week, they were skiing circles around me. So proud of them!!!
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| Catching up a the end of the day. |
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| We made it to the top on the Jochberg side of the mountain. |
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| Our lunchtime view! |
Dinner with the Krings
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| Good thing they gave me a selfie stick for my birthday! I think Torben is regretting that decision. |
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| After she put a huge helping of meat and "cheese" in her mouth, Allison discovered it was actually horseradish. Please pass the milk! |
They really like their schnapps in Austria.
Our ride to the Kitzbuhel side of the mountain...the 3S cable car!
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| A ride up the gondola above Kitzbuhel. |
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| Après ski! Just kidding! |
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| You must be on a ski vacation when your towel warmer becomes the glove dryer. |
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| I love the church in Jochberg! |
Lunch at my favorite spot on the Kitzbuhel side. Gorgeous views!
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| Hahaha! Michelle! |
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| Excuse us boys...we're trying to get a picture here. Move it! ;) |
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| I think he has missed the snow. |
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| Each night, they would all crawl in one bed and watch TV shows or movies. We also had a great time playing games. The four of them had a super time together! Thomas didn't seem to mind being the only boy. |
Friday, the four of us skied together the whole day. It was my favorite day!
Thomas: Mom, do you sing while you ski?
Me: No, do you?
Thomas: Yes, it helps me keep my rhythm and ski faster.
Me: Okay, what should I sing?
Thomas: At your pace, you should probably stick with "Say Something".....
How could I not laugh at that!?!
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| Sausage break on the lift. |
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| Lunch with the Krings. |
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| The last supper! We thoroughly enjoyed our holiday with the Krings. We love making memories with our friends! |
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| The mamas |
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| Look at those crazy ski tans! |
Leaving Austria and arriving in Belgium. Typical!
Back in Belgium, we were due for a trip to Leuven. We all needed some burritos.
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| Have you ever wondered how they keep these old building in such good shape? Well, they rip off everything but the facade and rebuild. Old in the front and brand new in the back! Mmmmmmmm!!!!!! |
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| And we closed out the month with an intense game of Jenga. We're crazy! Until next time, Wendy |
