The kitties settle in

Our little kitchen!
 

Arriving in Amsterdam

On our way!!! It's snowy in Chicago.

We left San Diego early this morning and started out our long journey to Amsterdam. Right now we're in Chicago O'Hare airport connecting to our overseas flight. The kitties are doing great and so far it's been smooth sailing for us. Thanks to everyone for the happy travel vibes... they're working!!!

Last day in the USA

We've checked everything off our list, we've jammed our 6 suitcases full, we had our last decent Mexican food meal until next summer... we're ready to go!

And the bronze medal goes to...

MY BROTHER!

He places third for buying a plane ticket to come visit us in Amsterdam!!!

We have four scheduled visitors already and we're not even living there yet. :)

Packing, packing, and...

...more packing.

We are missing Sinterklaas!

Because we were supposed to have arrived in Amsterdam today, we had been looking forward to celebrating our first Sinterklaas. In the Netherlands there is a separate holiday for a Santa Claus-like figure earlier in December as opposed to in America where Santa Claus shows up on the 25th, Christmas Day.

Sinterklaas rides in on a white horse and people paint their faces black, I think these are the elf-like figures... anyway, it's a lot of fun and we thought we'd be there this year. I guess we'll have to wait to experience it in 2009. We'll be a lot less jet-lagged then.

Not leaving... yet!

We were supposed to depart for Amsterdam this morning but our visas were slightly delayed. Now that they are on their way our new departure date has been set: Tuesday, December 9th.

We're glad to have a few extra days in San Diego to get things done... our to-do list is crazy!!!

Wedding pictures!

Quote of the day: Tuesday

"Well, I need to know if I'm bringing my salsa or my syrup."

Kind of friends

December, you're here!

Happy December first everyone... we are awake early on the morning of this new month preparing to drive to the Dutch Consulate in Los Angeles to attempt to pick up our visas to live in the Netherlands.

We are scheduled to depart on Thursday for Amsterdam but we're not sure how long our visa processing will take. We're cutting it quite close. Cross your fingers for us!

And, enjoy December... it is a month with an interesting combination of unique stress as well as added downtime and relaxation.

For us, is also marks the beginning of a big adventure.

.

Visiting us in Amsterdam

#1 winners for booking plane tickets to visit is in Amsterdam were:

Laura and Josh

#2 with the silver metal is my mom, Helene.

start booking tickets now people, before all of our free weekends book up!

my favorite little guy!

My best friend and my favorite 4 month old baby visited us in San Diego this weekend. Is he the cutest or what!!!? Love you guys!

Kitty pandemonium

When you let two kittens loose overnight in a house where a lot of knitting occurs (my mother's house) then you might wake up to this...

Thanksgiving recovery

After a day of eating one must take many naps.

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Take a look at the amazing pumpkin pie I made! Yes, I know it's one of the easiest things ever to make.

Family Roadtrip

On Tuesday we piled into the Jetta, and by piled I literally mean piled everything that was left of what we owned (including the cats), and we drove down to San Diego. Emerson loved sitting in her carrier and looking out the window, but Stuart not so much (as you can see above).

The drive was long, rainy, and exhausting, but we finally made it. And, now all four of us will make San Diego our home until we leave for Amsterdam (which will be ideally next week -- keep your fingers crossed for us and our visas).

Can opener!

So, last night we went to cook our final dinner in our little Palo Alto apartment. Too bad we gave away/sold ALL of our can openers!!! We then had to knock on doors asking to borrow one, and the first one we came across was some weird thing from the 70's... but it worked!

This is how we're living post garage sale... among boxes

Our final days in the Bay Area feel like we're camping in our own apartment! We have no more furniture, only an air mattress, our clothes, and boxes.