Brugge and Monschau....check!

We are busy traveling and showing the Ohio Vastines as much as we can in the week they are here.  Yesterday, we headed up to Brugge.  It is the second most popular city for tourists in Belgium.  This was my fourth trip to the picturesque city, and each time I find something new.  My kids, however, are already at that complaining stage.  Do we have to go back to Brugge?  Do we have to go in another cathedral?  Do we have to have fries?  I admit it...I'm even sick of French fries at this point, but I am not tired of Brugge or cathedrals!  

The architecture here is beautiful!  

We took a boat cruise along the canals to learn about the history of Brugge.  Our captain had to speak multiple languages, so we didn't get the excellent descriptions we had on our last tour.  So, I just filled in a few bits of info he left off. :)

Strolling around the city and being very cooperative when we wanted to take their pictures.                                          

The Ohio Vastines at the oldest bridge.

And, our family, of course.

Can you see Brandon's cheeks?  This was his first taste of Belgian chocolates.  He couldn't shove those morals of heaven into his mouth fast enough!

I like the pigeon on his head.

Remembering to do her pose! 

Of course!!!

And, of course!!!

After shopping (got a new purse...yay!), learning all about the beers of Belgium after a long study of the beer wall,  lots of walking, and ice cream and waffles...we headed to Blankenberge to show the Ohio Vastines the coast.  By this point, it was pouring rain.  So we simply looked at the water, and then went to dinner.  We enjoyed some traditional Belgian cuisine, and headed home.  It was a terrific day!

Today, we were off to Monschau, Germany.  "Cute" doesn't even begin to describe this quaint little town just over the border of Germany.  The forecast called for rain and thunderstorms all day, but by mid-day we had full sun and shed our coats.  It was a perfect!

Monschau is nestled down in a valley, so the views from up on top are fantastic.  We had to do a little picture taking session.  The kids were tolerant...it was the dads who gave us the most trouble. ;)

What a perfect chair for the three of them!  

Cousin love! 

Drinks at an outdoor cafe.

I could sit here all day long....

Well done Cheryl!

We purchased venison and boar sausage, as well as mustard and four German beers.  The four beers were only three euros.  Chris was thrilled!  Here, the boys are taste testing all of their trappist beers they purchased in Brugge yesterday.  Tim is enthralled with the beer here.  He thinks Belgium is pretty much the place to be.  We agree!

Visiting the sites around Brussels is on the agenda for tomorrow.  More pictures to come!

Until next time,
Wendy

Oh Happy Day!

It was a super happy 4th of July here in Belgium.  To the rest of Belgium, it was just the 4th day of July, but to our family it meant the arrival of the Ohio Vastines!  Now, that is something to celebrate!  Although it was sad not celebrating the 4th back home, we couldn't be happier about sharing the holiday and our beautiful new country with family!

Here's our little firecracker.  I had to get a picture early in the day before she switched out of the skirt for more appropriate "jumping on the trampoline" clothing.

Aunt Cheryl rocks! :)
In an effort to stay awake (they arrived at what was 1 A.M. their time and had to face a whole new day), we went for a walk around the neighborhood before lunch.

Uncle Tim thought it might be a good idea to get some rest today, but everybody was ready for some adventures.  So, I said, "Brandon, have you heard of Napoleon?"
Brandon: "Bonaparte" (yep, he's 11...Brandon...not Napoleon)
Me: "Yes, that's him."
Me: "Do you know where he was defeated?"
Brandon: "Yes, Waterloo."
Me: "Well, okay, let's go there!"

So that is where we headed.  Off to the Butte de Lion and the site of the Battle of Waterloo.  Yes, you've seen this location before on the blog.  In fact, I just realized I was wearing the same shirt last time I visited with my mom and Mike.  I must really like this shirt. :)

Sweet cousins!  They are all growing so much.  Allison just turned 11, Thomas is 9, and Brandon will be 12 in August...but they are all about the same size (Brandon is a bit off the sidewalk though.)  I'll be anxious to see how they look five years from now.

Up they go!  I'm tellin' ya.  That is not an easy climb (226 steps.)  The first time, I was just so excited to get to the top.  The second time was fine too.  I was doing bootcamp and in pretty good shape.  This time just stunk.  I was hot, and now that I am a bootcamp dropout, my fitness level is in the toilet...but enough about that.

Brothers!

My sweet boy decked out in his 4th of July attire...that ironically, I found in France. :)

Sweet B!  He is getting too old.  We love his Slytherin colored rubber bands on his braces...although we are all Gryffindor in this house!

I love this shot!  He is just wishing I would give him a euro for that thing. :)  This was the clearest day we have had from the top.

And, Miss Allison

The Ohio Vastines

and the Belgium Vastines

I told Cheryl she would need to do this pose at each new location on our travels. :)

Checking things out.

The Outlaws....we're just missing Amy.

Well, of course there was ice cream.  We hopped on over to Chateau de la Hulpe.

Enjoying the gardens.

Well done Cheryl!  You'll only have to do this like 50 more times. :)

And, of course we had to have a little 4th of July food.  I had every intention of making a cute fruit pizza I found on Pinterest, but I have a lot of good intentions.  Maybe next year.

Happy 4th of July to all of our American friends near and far.  Be safe and have fun!!!

Until next time,
Wendy