Yes, I know we are once again wayyy behind on the blog. Here we are in July and April's photos are below. It was a big month, lots of fun and cute moments. Here are some of out favorite photos.

Alex loves Jack. He likes to cuddle and pet him. When he has a treat he always wants to give some to Jack first. Here he is just lounging around with our little orange prince.










We went to the tulip fields and let the little monster run wild. Surprisingly there were very few flower casualties.



Daddy and Alex checking out some of the wild growing flowers in the tulip fields.

It was super windy, but if you listen super close you can hear him try to tickle the flowers. Perty darn cute!!

One of the aforementioned flower casualties.

Precious moments

Alex is picking out his next victim.

I think we have a winner.

Flower fields almost as far as you can see. Madelyn will be sooo jealous she missed out.

Here we are in the Kuekenhoff Gardens. By far the prettiest park/garden I have ever seen. We tried to get Alex to stand in the clogs all by himself but he wanted Daddy to do it with him.

Alex brushing off some dirt after he went rolling in the grass. In case you were wondering... nope... you are not supposed to roll in the grass.









Alex learned this move from his mommy.










Whew - saved some flowers from Alex's clutches.










Just some pretty flowers.













Alex liked to smell as well as taste the flowers. Nope, not supposed to eat the flowers either.

Easter time!!! So much fun. And thanks to all the neighbors, Alex now has a firm grasp on the concept of candy and sugar. MMMMmmm yummy candy eggs.

You can take the boy out of Texas, but not the Texas out of the boy.

This was at a going away get together for our New Zealand friends. This would have been an awesome picture if I had realized that Alex had but his greasy little fingers all over the camera lens before the picture was taken. Nice diffused look though.

Alex misses Grandma's and Pa's pool. He tried to take a little dip as best he could.

Apparently he found the diaper and shirt too restrictive and decided to try a more "free" (clothes free that is) approach.












Pictures of the Easter egg hunt we had in our backyard.













A Ha! Found one

Tricky little feller.









Yup got them all!!

Alex does his part to keep up the back yard. He waters the plants......










..... and provides regular art work for our enjoyment.










More to come soon..... or not so soon. But there will be more eventually. Love to all. Thanks for checking in on us.

Quick photo catchup

I realize that we have fallen wayyyy behind in our blog, so this entry is going to be heavy in pictures and captions so that we can get to current events. The beginning theme is -- Wow!! It's really cold over here! Enjoy.

We came home to freezing temperatures. Everything was beginning to freeze over. It turned out to be the coldest winter in 15 years! All the locals were so very excited because they were able to skate on all the canals and rivers. Me (warm weather loving Carlye) not so very happy. Our timing is impeccable!




Our pond all frozen over




Leo and Alex walking on the ice. Not quite ready to break out the ice skate for them.










Sledding on the ice. It's starting to warm up here and the ice is starting to melt.






This is the view as I bike Alex to school. Looks cold huh?








Getting ready to head to school




Playing in the snow











Learning to make snow balls







Alex found boys playing with a frozen soccer ball. After this discovery he didn't want to play with anything else. Such a boy!






Alex was finally able to steal the ball away from the big boys.







Noah and his mommy












Being so cold we have to find ways to amuse ourselves inside. This was a good 30 minutes.








Cooking potatoes with block essence. Alex's specialty.










Nadja came over to play and fell asleep.












Time to wake up with a nice wet willy.










Luckily she forgave Alex.












Another 30 minutes down.









"I'm an owl! Whoo Whoo."












Swim time - yes it is indoors.

waking up from a nap

learning to use the potty like daddy

More cooking. Alex wants to help cook almost every night.

I got this move from my mommy.

just looking darn cute. Finally Alex's hair is starting to grow out.

Nadja turns 2. Fire and paper blowy things are a dangerous combination.

The boys helped blow out Nadja's birthday candle.

I had had enough of the cold so we had a girls weekend in Spain. Oh the sunshine, how I had missed it.

Seville at night

Royal palace in Seville

Gardens in the palace.

Left to right: Adriana, MC, Carlye

When Ryan saw the charge on the credit card for this dinner, he thought it was the charge for the hotel. Mmmmmm Mmmmmm worth every penny! So yummy.

MC, Ryan and Collin all have birthdays within a few days of each other. We had one leaning cake to celebrate them all. Pretty disappointed with MC's effort in blowing out her candles. :)

The kids couldn't wait to try the cake.

Ryan cuddling with Nadja. She loves him!! and Leo eating vla. (vla is kinda sorta like pudding)

Alex let Noah play with his precious car computer only if he would also be an arm rest.

Going away party for MC and Collin.

We are going to miss them!

Just looking cute

Having a snack with Jack

Alex just woke up from a nap and is a bit concerned with a bite on his leg. "Kijk an ouch"


Alex found an ink pad while mom was distracted with laundry. Surprisingly he doesn't really like to be messy and is a bit perturbed. Speaking a little more Dutch.

That's it for now. Hopefully we will stay more current, but don't count on it.