A Fun-Filled Saturday!

We tried out two new things on Saturday, and the first was the ISB football game.  We were all excited to take in some real life American football.  It was a very warm day in Brussels and a perfect one to spend outside.

The half-time entertainment brought to you by the Vastine children and their famous shadow puppets.  No marching band today. :(

Go Raiders!

When your team is clobbering the other team, the Turtles to be exact,  you tend to find other things to do besides watching the game.  These two made up a "knock over the can with a crushed can" type of game.  Hey, they were entertained and there was no fighting...go for it!

Then it was on to downtown Brussels, via the metro, for the comic fest or Stripfeest, but I didn't want you to think we were dragging our kids to something inappropriate.  So, comic fest it is. :)  Did you know Belgium is known for comics?

There was a parade on Saturday afternoon that boasted "Macy's like" balloons.  They were certainly big balloons, but I'm thinking maybe not a the same level as the Macy's parade balloons.  Here is the Atomium.

And of course, no parade in Brussels would be complete without a Manneken Pis balloon.  What a crack up!

Allison was shocked by the size of his....cheeks. :)

The redcoats are coming!!!

Comic book creators were on hand to sign autographs and several were creating drawings inside the books purchased by fans.  Okay, I think this is what was happening.  I didn't actually hear anyone speaking English, so I'm just running with this version of the story.

This is our comic in Hoeilaart!

Smurf treats...the Smurfs also come from Belgium!

Strolling through Brussels on our way to the Grand Place to do a little shopping.

Such a GORGEOUS day!  We just don't get too many weekends like this.

Thomas and his new friend at the market near the Grand Place.

I finally talked him into some Vans.  I think he likes them.

For our nephew.  Too bad he's only 12.  

Ahhhh....now that is a lovely, familiar sight!

My fave of the day!

And, while shopping at a sports store today, we picked up this new soccer ball.  Love it!!!

Until next time,
Wendy

Good Old American Shopping

One of the things I like best about Brussels is the food!  Waffles, chocolate, fries, fresh fruits and veggies, bread, cheese, etc...  But there is just something about good old American food that I miss from time to time.  Today, I had the opportunity to go shopping at the commissary (grocery store on the base.)  The minute the doors opened, it was the familiar smell of an American grocery store.  I suppose I wasn't really expecting a full fledged grocery store, but that is what I got!  And to top it off, they were also American prices, and I was able to pay in US dollars!  

It was a little bit of Heaven on Earth! 

My selections.  Oh so healthy!  Ha!  I had a list when I arrived, and I can assure you that it was not this long.

Three of us went, and this is what our vehicle looked like to return to Brussels.  The turns had to be taken very carefully.

This was my seat. :) 

Unloading the goods.  Most of it is still sitting there because I really don't know where I'm going to put everything.  Oops!

Some close ups of the goodies.  Note the Tums...I'm going to need them when I start eating all of this food.

The Bubba Burgers were such a great surprise.  They were our favorite back in the states.  Chris was pretty much giddy with excitement!

Had to get some candy corn, of course!

Last week, I paid $12.00 for a box of Lucky Charms at the British store.  I swore I would never pay those prices, but that has apparently changed.  It was the first week of school after all.  This price was much more reasonable!

I even found a pumpkin Yankee candle.  Just in time for the Morton Pumpkin Festival! :)  It just wouldn't be fall without that fabulous scent!

Thank you so much to my dear friend who made the Vastine house a very happy one this evening.  We are going to thoroughly enjoy our feasting!!!

Until next time,
Wendy

ISB BBQ

It was a fun and busy weekend!  Here's a little recap of Saturday and Sunday.

I've been practicing with my new lens.  I love it, and I appreciate this poser that lets me practice. 

This was the first trip to Tervuren Park (about 10 min. from our house) for my family.  I used to do bootcamp here...yes...that was past tense.  It was nice to enjoy the park at a leisurely pace, rather than the bootcamp pace. :)

Chasing the geese.

What a perfectly, beautiful day! 

It's not uncommon to see horses in the park, or anywhere around these parts.  But with that comes their land mines.  Watch your step on the paths!

Look who we ran into...the DeKunder family!

Sunday was the ISB back to school BBQ.  What a fun day!  The kids loved the face painting!

Thomas was a werewolf.

And, Allison went with the ever popular mustache. 

Chris donated his time to serving in the beer tent.  Yes, that's the beer tent at a school function, and obviously you can drink on the job.  I'll be lucky if we ever move out of Europe. ;)

All of the happy ISB families enjoying the BBQ.

Allison and Canon goofing around at the Family Association booth where I was "working".

Chris and his favorite little peanut!

Until next time,
Wendy

HHI Viewing Party

Friday evening, we hosted the House Hunters International viewing party for our friends, the Wheatleys.  Forty-six of us piled into our house for a really fun night!

A little decor for the table.

Mr. Social and the menfolk

The men were outside guarding the Belgian beer....

and the women were inside guarding the yummy Mexican food!

Aren't they gorgeous!

Dinner time!  Thankfully, the rain stopped about an hour before the party started!  Phew! 

Ready for the big show!  I was the only one to see it prior to the party.  The suspense was killing everyone...which home would they choose? ;)

Mackenzie and Canon

Danny and Klein...Danny was nervous about the show.  He did a terrific job!

Poor Canon...they called her Connor on the show.  Mackenzie said it's her new stage name. :)

A view of the other side of the room.  I didn't know this many people could fit into my house!

Yay!!!  They picked a great house!

Time for s'mores!

All of the boys were running around the yard with no shirts...it was a  Lord of the Flies moment.

The stars of the show!

This is "Little E".  I'm thinking about keeping her.  She is such a doll. :)

I looked around while everyone was watching the show and got a little teary-eyed.  We have been so blessed over the last eight months.  Who knew I would be in this new place with all of these amazing new people.  My friend Shirley said this is my new "framily".  These are my friends...but also my family.  
My cup runneth over!

Until next time,
Wendy