The End of an Era...Farewell to MHS!

On July 10th, my mom's 62nd birthday, she retired!!  After 25 years in the Moline School District, she decided it was time to start the next chapter in her life.  I think I can safely say...a position that started out as a substitute secretary turned out to be one of the best things that ever happened to my mom.  My dad really didn't want her to go back to work, but with two girls looking at college and weddings in the future, she thought it was time to add to the earnings.  Starting in the bookstore, moving to the dean's office, athletic office, and finally to the main office to be the principal's secretary gave her the opportunity to meet so many people and work for a great bunch of bosses.  Her MHS friends were her rock after my dad passed away.  They filled her very sad days with smiles and support.  I am eternally grateful to the staff at MHS for loving my mom and taking care of her.  

I was so fortunate to share in this celebration.  July 9th I set off (without my family) to be there for my mom.  Oh how I wish all four of us could have gone, but those summer airline prices are brutal!  My first night at home we enjoyed steaks, baked potato, mushrooms, garlic bread, and diet Mountain Dew. My mom knows me so well. :)

Wednesday was the big day!  After an early morning trip to Target for me :), I joined my mom and Nicole at MHS for a lunch date with the secretaries and Mr. Rosenthal.  Thanks to Rosie for the sweet ride!

Opening presents to celebrate this special day!

Love it!

Back at school, my mom finished her last afternoon at work.  Look at all of those flowers!  I think she's loved.

It's time!

One last stop at the "M"

After work, several staff members met for drinks to celebrate!

My mom and three of her former bosses.

A little serenade

 Friday night was the big party!  Over 200 people came out to wish my mom well and celebrate her retirement!

Nicole and family

Look at that crowd!  And, that's only one of the rooms.

Time for a speech.

Recognizing her bosses and the secretaries.

Celebrating with her brother...my Uncle Joey.  I wonder where Allison gets those blue eyes?? :)

The fabulous secretaries of MHS!

There was dancing....

and lots of hugs.

My dad's family came in from Iowa.  It was so good to see all of them again.

I like this one much better!

Marcia wearing my heels.  Yes, Nicole is short, but Marcia looks like a giant!

I got to see my cousin Aubry.  And, Cathie you are officially on the blog.  LOL!

 It was such a short visit, but I was so happy I was able to see my Morton girls on Saturday!  We met in Galesburg for lunch.  It was so great seeing them.  I miss them so much!

The only picture I got of the three of us before the party was with my phone!  Ugh...epic photographer fail!

My sweet sister

 Other highlights from the trip...I forgot to take a picture of Target and Whitey's. :)

Dinner along the river.

Seeing my Papa

Being back home with my family and taking a bike ride to beat the jet lag.

What a special trip!  It meant everything to me to be there for my mom, and I'm so glad we could make it happen.

Congratulations, and I love you, Mom!

Until next time,
Wendy

A French Connection

Our next set of visitors didn't come to us, but we were more than willing to go to them.  They were in Paris!!  They had a couple days in Paris prior to their river cruise through Europe.  Danielle and I have been friends since college when we met on the ISU Danceline.  Andy, also an ISU grad, was added to the Danceline family in 2001. :) Here is our whirlwind day in Paris on July 6th!

First stop was the Eiffel Tower!  We actually met up on the other side of the river under the tower, but you have to get that great view across the Seine.  No matter how many times I see it, it is still breathtaking.

 I needed an updated picture of the kids in front of the tower.  These make me smile. :)

 Then, we were off to Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur.  What a beautiful site in all it's glory on top of the city.

 We stopped for lunch around the square with the artists.  Well, I guess these two stopped for dessert.

A stroll along the Seine was in order.

The lock bridge near the Louvre.

Making our way to Sainte Chapelle.

20 years of friendship...We are so lucky!

It was so nice to be able to get some family pictures.

Sainte Chapelle

Amazing! 

Next up...Notre Dame!

You can't leave the island of Saint-Louis without having Berthillon ice cream, which is said to be the best ice cream in Paris.  I have to agree! 

Wearing the better part of his ice cream on his shirt.  Yes, they had ice cream twice. :)

Hôtel de Ville

A beautiful walk through the Tuileries.

Love this interpretation of "The Hangover."  Just wondering why they would translate it into English???  And, an English version that doesn't even mean the same thing???

Even more beautiful later in the day.

iPhone Pic

I had this revelation (terrifying realization really) as we drove through the city that I was going to have to drive on the Arc de Triomphe roundabout.  I'll admit I got a little panicky, but it turned out to be a piece of cake.  I was happy to exit at the 5th exit rather than needing to drive all the way around.  Phew!

And, that was our whirlwind day through Paris.  We arrived around 11:15 AM, and we were back on the road headed home around 9:30 PM.  We pulled into the driveway at 12:30 AM.  What a great way to spend a Saturday.

Until next time,
Wendy

Visitor Season Has Begun! Hooray!

Our first day of summer vacation (July 1) started off right with a visit from my friend Beth, her sister Sheri, and their mom Anne.  We were thrilled they made Belgium a pitstop on their European tour that included London, Paris, and Rome.  It was my job to show them "Belgium" so with just two days we discovered Brussels, Brugge, and Leuven.

And, of course we made sure they discovered Westvleteren beer. :)

 A stop in Brugge was in order.  If you visit Belgium, the first question most people ask is, "Did you go to Brugge??"  I almost feel obligated to take people there. What kind of tour guide would I be if I left off Belgium's "Venice of the North??"  But, it really is the most terrific little city that you must see if you are in the area.

Photo opp along one of the canals.  Thomas was our photographer.

On our Brussels sightseeing day, I wanted to take the group to see the Atomium.  It's one of the symbols of Brussels.  But, I hadn't driven out there since we moved here.  Coming from the Grand Place, I put the address in the GPS, but of course it was going to take me the shortest (always more difficult) route.  That route just happened to be near the North Station and right on past the Red Light District of Brussels!  Did you know most major cities have a Red Light District...not just Amsterdam!?!  To make matters worse, we were in bumper to bumper traffic all the way down the street.  Did I mention the kids were with me???  And, Sheri slept through the whole thing!  LOL!  So, once we escaped from that eye opening experience, there was still the task of making it to the Atomium (which I might add is not worth all this.)  We (I) went down a road with some construction, which turned out to be closed, which then turned into a tramline with an oncoming tram, and then the group witnessed some true Belgian driving on my part.  I'm happy to report we made it alive, and we have the picture to prove it!

Survivors...plus the little man taking the picture.

But, before all that drama, there was touring of Brussels with the Grand Place, Manneken Pis, waffles, and shopping at Longchamp.  Everyone needs a little souvenir, right?  

Nice photo bomb by my son.

Waiting patiently outside the cathedral.

The smaller cities of Belgium, and those that are less touristy, are really a treat to visit.  Leuven has been mentioned on this blog a number of times, and it continues to be one of our favorites.  It's a college town, so it has a great vibe.  A friend recommended the restaurant Mykene, and it did not disappoint.  We had a nice table on the terrace and enjoyed a delicious meal.

I asked the waiter his recommendation....wait for it....KANGAROO!  I'm not very adventurous but figured, "What the heck!"  It was delicious!

The beautiful town hall of Leuven.

And, that concludes their quick tour of Belgium. Thank you again Beth, Sheri, and Anne for spending time with our family in Belgium.  We were delighted to share our home with you.  Our door is always open!

Until next time,
Wendy

Riding Lessons - A Dream Come True!

My kids have dreamed of riding horses since we arrived in Belgium 18 months ago.  Riding is HUGE here, and watching the locals ride around on their horses everyday has been torture for my kiddos.  I was dragging my feet on lessons due to language barriers I was afraid we would encounter.  Recently, a dear friend enrolled her kids in lessons and raved about the barn and the instructor who spoke English.  So, we went for a visit and fell in love.  The kids couldn't wait to start.  This was on a Monday and lessons would start on Sunday.  Of course, they had to be outfitted (I highly recommend Decathlon for very affordable riding gear) and the long wait for Sunday would begin.

For the first lesson, the kids shared a pony named Dolce.  The first order of business was to teach the kids how to tack.  Brushing and cleaning the horse, as well as cleaning his hooves, are necessary before riding.  They also learned how to saddle the horse and how to properly put on the bridle.

That pesky tail :) 

 Then, the fun could begin.  Marc took turns with each of the kids.  They learned how to sit properly, make the horse go, turn, and stop.  And, they even started to post while they trotted.  Not bad for a first lesson.

Love that posture. 

Look at that smile!  Priceless!

 Allison's turn!

She was so serious!

So happy!

Hiding an apple behind his back to share with Dolce.

Giving Dolce a well deserved sweet treat.

We are now more than a month into lessons, and they still love it.  Thomas did fall off a couple weeks ago, but they got him right back on the horse (as the saying goes.)  It's so rewarding to have them in an activity they can't wait for each week and are all smiles about when it's over.  That is money well spent!

Until next time,

Wendy