Busy Busy Busy

The past month has been super busy. We have discovered so many new places, said goodbye to dear Madelyn, and watched rain turn to snow. There is a lot to catch up on so lets get going.

Alex was a pirate for Halloween. The Dutch don't really celebrate Halloween over here. Our neighborhood is one of the few exceptions and they have a mini carnival and trick or treating. All the kids are dressed as scarey things such as spiders, vampires and witches... oh and pirates. No doctors or clowns here, unless you want to get looks for not dressing appropriately. We went over to our New Zealand friend's house for dinner and by the time we were about to head out for the carnival and trick or treating --- it was super cold and raining. Shocking I know. So we decided to stay all nice and toasty inside and hold off on the kids learning the wonders of large bags full of candy until next year. Nadja (Alex's lady) was a witch and Leo was a spooky spider.











There is a really cool petting zoo close by. They have some of the most ginormous rabbits I have ever seen, goats, ducks, donkeys, pigs....etc. You can buy food and go in and feed all of the animals. We just love going there - Leo and Alex were sharing in their excitment as we drove over there.



This pic should be good for blackmail a few years down the road.





Alex made friends with an especially hungry goat.




Cute - isn't he?






There is also a HUGE building filled with trampolines, climby things, balls, balls and more balls. I know, it's like Alex's dreams have come true! We went on one of the few sunny days we have had lately and no one was there. Literally - no one. It was just us and the guy behind the counter. I guess everyone was out enjoying the pretty day.... either that or we missed the news
report telling everyone about the slime in the ice machine.
.



Taking my lady for a drive. Nevermind the creepy elf in the background.




Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!! Couldn't wait for Mom and Leo to slide with me.










One of our last adventures with Madelyn before she left us... :( ..... we went to the minature museum. Many of the most famous sites in Holland have been consolidated right here in minature form. If you only have 24 hours in Holland - you can come here and see all that Holland has to offer. Personally I believe that someone's hobby has gotten wayyyyyy out of control - but it was fun. Oh - and in case you are wondering after viewing the next few pictures - No, you are NOT supposed to touch the minatures.




Listen super close - you can hear him say "WOW"!!




Hmmmm... I think this car may look better...










here, on the roof of the church. It's asthetically pleasing and solves Holland's parking crisis all in one! Pure genius.






Windmills - windmills - windmills. It is always about the windmills with Madelyn. Ooooo I need to touch the windmill.

Chilling with Madelyn on one of our last nights together.

It has already started to get really chilly. A few days before Thanksgiving it snowed. We were all tucked inside fighting colds. But it looked so cold outside... I'm not sure we are up for all of this jsut yet. Alex stood by the window pointing and saying "wain" (translation - rain) and "brrrr cold". The snow only stuck around for a day or so. We felt bad for the ducks out on the pond so we took them some extra food. Alex will start school in January. I can't wait to have to bike him to school in all this mess.



Crazy person walking in the snow.

Nothing much to report in the way of Thanksgiving. Funny the Dutch don't really celebrate the American tradition of giving thanks for the blessings of life and remembering the indians that saved the colonists from starvation. We had chicken and snowpeas and potatoes. The following weekend we did go to some friends house for turkey and dressing. It was wonderful but still had nothing on home.

The Dutch are in full swing of preparing for Sinterklaas to make his appearance. Sinterklaas and his helpers Zwart Piet (black Piet) come to the Netherlands via boat from Spain. They go to schools and shopping centers and hand out candy. Small toys are left in children's shoes laid by the fireplace. It starts in November and the big day is December 5th. They also celebrate Christmas on the 25th.

Here is Alex getting ready to go meet Sinterklaas and his Zwart Piets.

Pretty excited for the big meet and greet.








Not too sure about the Zwart Piet









Making some crafts with my friend Eleanora. She was brave and got some black paint for her face.





It's hard to believe the end of the year is here. Alex is about to turn 2. We are going to have a little party with a few of our friends we have met. Check back soon for some pics.