Grandma Alice in Brussels

My mom, also know as Grandma Alice, flew back to Belgium with Maddie and I after James and Melina's wedding. We were so lucky to have her spend two weeks with us. Here are some of the things we did while she was here.

Went to the local commune to get our offical Belgian residence cards and driver's licenses.

Went to the Saturday morning Flagey Market to buy all of our fresh produce and took a walk around the park.

We visited the Grand Place.

A visit to Grand Place always includes a stop by our favorite waffle shop for a Belgian waffle with Speculoos. 

We went on my normal walk to Woluwe Park.

We walked around downtown Brussels and to the King's Palace.

Maddie loved having Grandma in town because there was always someone to play and sing with her! One day we took a short road trip to Bruges. 

We got to see Michaelanglo's statue Modonna and Child, which was featured in the recent movie Monuments Men. It was the only one of Michaelanglo's works of art to leave Italy during his lifetime. It was so lifelike, yet made of stone.

We spent the whole day wandering around the darling little town of Bruges.

The entire first week Kellen was still in Houston working. After he returned to Belgium we picked him up from the airport on Saturday and headed straight to the market for an African brunch.

Here is baby Maddie and Grandma in their Sunday best.

Sunday afternoon walks are our favorite!

The next pictures are at the La Hulpe Chateau. It is an old chateau and you can go walk around its beautiful gardens. We took a picnic lunch and spent the day enjoying the beautiful weather.

Maddie got to see some pretty flowers. Of course she just wanted to see what they taste like!

Grandma shared a little bit of a pear with her instead.

We loved having my mom here. She is up for anything and always willing to help out and play with Maddie. Sadly, during the last two days of her stay in Brussels she and Maddie got very sick, so I got to take care of both of them. We are so lucky she came to stay with us for so long!

May Day aka Labor Day

May first is the European equivalent of Labor Day and celebrates the law that was passed in 1919 for an 8 hour work day. I sure wish the 8 hour work day applied to Kellens job😉 

I have spent past Labor days at the beach, lake, or at the first college football game if the season. Usually enjoying sunshine, warm weather, and good food. Today was quite different. My mom, Maddie, and I had a lazy morning after staying up way too late watching our new addiction- Parenthood. Finally, we headed out into the rain at about 2pm. Our destination was about 20 minutes outside of Brussles and was the site of the Battle of Waterloo. 

The Battle of Waterloo took place in 1815  between the French with Napeolean as their leader and the "allies" which consisted of England, Belgium, Peursia. The "allies" were victorious and Napolean was sent into exile changing the course of European History and Politicas forever!

There is a small museum and two movies you can watch to learn about what happened there almost 200 years ago.

But the highlight was the massive hill that was built as a monument for this battle.

After climbing 260 steps we made it to the top! Where we were able to look out over the beautiful surrounding countryside.

We ate a picnic lunch next to the monument under a huge tree which protected us from the drizzling rain. 

Cold, rainy, weather, learning about history may not be how I picture a perfect Labor Day, but I would not trade today for anything! (Well except for having Kelen with us) I loving having my mom here to explore Belgium. And it melts my heart how sweet she is with my little girl! 

Happy May Day!!

Lazy Pool Days!

Maddie meets her cousin Priya for the first time. Maddie is 5 months and Priya is just over 1 month. 

Just getting some sun at the Stonegate pool.

Maddie loved swimming with her Grandma Alice!

Home Sweet Home

For weeks I have been anxious and nervous about taking Madison alone on the flight back to Arizona and then to Utah for my brother James's wedding. We were scheduled to leave Brussels on Thursday, April 10th and arrive in Phoenix about 20 hours later. Then to our suprise a miricale occurred as we were informed that Kellen would be assigned to a 3-4 week in Houston, TX! I know it is very ironic, we move all the way to Belgium to have Kellen be assigned a case back in Texas, but we felt so blessed that now Kellen could fly with me and come to the wedding! Thank you BCG. On Tuesday night before I had to leave we were able to book Kellen a ticket on my same flight. 

Madison spent her 5 month birthday sleeping on the floor of an airplane-I would recommend this to any parent flying with a baby on a long and very full international flight!

We finally arrived in Arizona, welcomed by excited grandparents and warm weather.

I love coming home to a place where the sky is always blue and the sun is always shinning!