i love my husband

My little orange boy

My little Stuart had a very hard day today. He had to go to the vet and get an xray so they had to sedate him. But, he's doing much better now! I love you little orange boy!

From Holland with Peace

This March marks the 40th anniversary of John Lennon and Yoko Ono's "Bed-in for peace." On their honeymoon in March of 1969 they stayed in bed for 7 days at the Hilton Hotel in Amsterdam. Over the past week the Hilton has had a photo exhibit called From Holland With Peace with photographs from the "Bed-in" and some never-before-seen pictures from that week. It was super cool.

It's finally daylight savings here in Europe!

A day in Amsterdam with Jenny

Well, I don't know about you, but I AM STERDAM!



Of course we saw some canals...



And then we passed through the Red Light District!

And there were pink cupcakes...

In anticipation...

...of Jenny's arrival... the pink frosting is already out on the counter.

My new favorite thing

When I go to the grocery store, Albert Heijn, it costs 50 cents to get a shopping cart. Of course you get your coin back, but the point is, you need to have the right coin with you all the time or else you can't get a cart. Well, I developed a system where there was always a 50 cent piece in my jacket pocket, but what happens when I'm wearing a different jacket?

So, the other day I went to the counter to break 1 Euro into two 50 cent coins and the lady handed me this key chain. Brilliant! Now I'll always have this thing with me and always be able to get a cart! Why am I only learning about this thing now and I've lived here for almost 4 months???

Look at this adorable boy!

It's time for a post about my favorite baby boy. Look at little Erik! Is he the cutest thing or what? Living all the way over here in Amsterdam there are very few things I miss more than watching my best friend's baby grow up. I love you Mon and Erik!!!

Congrats Laura and Josh!

After many months of his "dis-information" campaign, Josh proposed to Laura one night in Rome. He had been planning it for months and Dave and I were in on the secret in order to help him pull it off while they were here visiting us in Europe. They left Amsterdam for Rome one day ahead of us because we "didn't want to leave our cats alone for too long" and they had a romantic dinner alone with a gorgeous view of the city.


We're so excited for the two of them and can't wait for their big day next Spring! Now I'll have a sister-in-law AND a brother-in-law.

And of course we need a "ring shot." This is the best one I've got as of now. I love the twist! But, we all know I'm partial to twists.

Time to go home... bye bye Rome!

Rome: Day 2

Rome: Day 1

We make it look easy

One thing that you see a lot of here in Amsterdam is people riding on the back of other people's bikes. It's a handy way to "carpool" or pick up a friend if you're going somewhere and you don't want/need to have two bikes. Either way, it's a bit tricky do accomplish, and Dutch people who have been doing it since they were young make it look easy. So, we've been practicing, and we've finally got it down... for the most part.

Laura and Josh asked us for a demonstration the other day, so of course we obliged. Too bad I'm a righty and can only jump on from one side.

Not like I needed an excuse, but...

Today is Jenn's birthday so I decided to order a dozen pink cupcakes from Marcie, an American woman here in Amsterdam who decided to do something about the lack of birthday cake/cupcake situation in the Netherlands. She started her own mini-baking business called Bloomin' Good Bakery and I was so excited to find her!




Don't worry Jenny, the ones you and I make next week when you're visiting will be even better!!!
 

Biking in Vondel Park

Josh vs. Emerson Grace

Our Indonesian feast!

BEFORE:


AFTER:


Josh likes to keep everything separate on his plate!


How many bottles of wine did the three of them drink again?