Spring Break pt 2

      

 The rest of the day at Keukenhof we visited the greenhouses full of beautiful tulips, so many different varieties, colors, shapes, and sizes. The aroma was dreamy and sweet. I never felt overwhelmed by the smell and the entire place was a feast visually.

 

My most favorite display house was full of orchids. I was surprised at how large and how small the orchid flowers could be. I couldn't get enough of this place (especially with how cold and chilly it was outside). But our time soon ran out and we left ( a little sad we were too early in the season to see the amazing display and flower fields ). Ben and Ben Campbell flew kites with the kids out in the grassy parking lot and the wind was strong enough to let everyone who wanted to have a turn.

AMSTERDAM

 This photo was taken right in front of the Anne Frank house, or where the Frank family hid from the Nazi's during WWII. I was completely touched walking in the home and up into the quarters where this family (along with others) had to keep silent, move very little, and yearn so badly to be outside in the fresh air and away from the hatred that had consumed so many. For Anne her only therapy was to write stories and the latest news in her journals. So much emotion, despair, and worry that at any moment they would be discovered and taken away. Some who have visited this museum have felt underwhelmed or not as impressed with the set up, but I think you can get out as much as you want.

SIDE NOTE: We visited the museum after Justin Bieber. If you don't know he made a comment in the guest book about how "Anne was a great girl... and being a BeLIEBER" I looked into the book and saw references to him and I didn't understand until after we had got back home what the big deal was all about.
....I was somewhere famous....

 Walking through the city was neat. Bikes, canals, and the architecture. A great combination. We kept our map close by, we didn't want to walk anywhere we shouldn't :)

 In front of the Rijksmuseum are the famous letters I Amsterdam. Just like everyone else we couldn't help but climb all over the letters and get the kiddos in there for a M shot. Brecon wasn't quite so happy his tummy hurt, but we got them all together.

CRAZY!

 We knew we wanted to explore the beach and the sand after our time in the city and we all had a great time. Really- our kids could be at a sandy spot all day. Running around and letting go of all inhibitions, digging around for treasure, and the wind constantly in our faces. A perfect (not sunny nor hot) day at the beach!

This kid wants to jump higher, be faster, and go further than anyone else. A small competition issue, but he is still a great kid. He kept saying- "Mom, you want me to do that higher?"... How could I deny him that joy of jumping and landing in the sand? AIR JORDAN!

MAUDORADAM- the Hague

 This neat "little" display of all the big buildings places around the Netherlands in miniature forms. Educational "little" videos, interesting facts, and a "little" bit of fun. Our favorite was to watch a miniature candy truck drive over and deliver a piece of chocolate to our boys. They went wild over that. It really was a "small" world! A little sprinkling didn't slow us down.

 

GOUDA

 Adorable little town, charming city center, and yummy GOUDA cheese in all their varieties. We got the baby GOUDA and shared it with friends. It was so ... cheesy... and perfect with crackers. Even if the weather wasn't warm enough for ice cream, the boys got a scoop each to tide them over until dinner.

 

KINDERDIJK

 To get over to this great spot for the famous windmills we drove through these back road villages that were surrounded by water, a bridge driveway and a house surrounded by water, fields with canals running along on each side by water... EVERYWHERE. As we followed the GPS we got to a spot where there was no road at all. It went right into the water and there was a ferry on the other side. We took it for the adventure and later found a different way home, but still... it was pretty crazy how many cars and motorcycles they crammed onto that thing.

TERRA COTTA WARRIORS

We saw the Hague had a visiting display of the famous Terra Cotta warriors. The video that tries to explain how each warrior was made by coiling the clay was pretty amazing. The scientist now use a mold and it still takes months to make. The effort required from the Emperor of his citizens to build this army to protect him in the afterlife was incredible. Each warrior was brightly painted and covered with lacquer from the lacquer tree which is a powerful irritant, but also a sealant, and it took a weeks to harvest only a small cup. Glad we saw it and learned more about this amazing discovery. Something to look up: CHINESE PURPLE. The color is extinct, but was found on these warriors.

SPRING BREAK pt 1

I had this whole trip planned out exactly how I wanted it to happen. But my plans never do seem to go just the way I would like them to go. The first and most obvious setback had to do with something I have absolutely no control over... the LATE SPRING! Winter was holding on with its icy cold grip which trickled over into the spring flowers which were technically supposed to be in full bloom when we were in The Netherlands, but they were not. Regardless of this somewhat disappointing visit to Keukenhof ( I have seen this place in ALL it's glory) our family was together, we made some great memories and got to visit with some wonderful friends. Let the photos begin:

 

BURG ELTZ

If you read up on Rick Steve's travel books you won't miss him mentioning that Burg Eltz is his most favorite castle to tour through. I had taken the boys a few years ago so this was actually Ben's very first time. We had our own private tour, just Ben, Cael, and I to wander, ask questions and really take in all there is inside and out.

TRIER

Me and my Honey!

We love stopping and staying with our very good friends- The Atwoods. And just because we are cool like that Sabrina and I wore matching shirts on one of our outings and made the coolest four-armed monster. It is a good thing we are so close- this could have been weird with anyone else!

COCHEM CASTLE - renovated by some rich Frenchman a long time ago. Nice little hike and beautiful views of the Mosel River and valley.

OPEN AIR MUSEUM- The Netherlands

We strolled along the countryside and went through many old buildings that were transported here in one location. A fun little trolley car can take you all around and you can get off when ever you want. I really loved the old thatched-roof barn/home, the tiniest little house that was made out of peat, and the school house that was used only in the winter when the children weren't helping their families on the farm with all that needs to be done there. We bought some tiny pancakes and scarfed them down in a minute and also some interesting old fashioned black licorice candy. The boys were excited until they took a bite of the gummy stuff. Connor was seen hunched over and trying as forcefully as he could to get the taste out of his mouth.

So we got this huge suckers that the kids thought were pretty great. Brielle loved them too. Until we took it away from her. Poor little thing had a rough trip and by weeks end was banged up and bruised all over her forehead, nose, and face. Something about flipping out of the stroller, walking into an opened kitchen drawer, uneven surface stumble-- you get the idea.

This is what "taking candy from a baby" looks like.

 

KEUKENHOF GARDENS

Like I said the gardens were beautiful, just not TULIP beautiful. The crocuses and daffodils were blooming and bright, the weather was breezy and chilly too. They even had consolation boxes of tulips along side the benches on the path so you didn't feel too bad ( I still did)  So after we walked into the information display our children drew some amazing pictures so we could all warm up. We were given bulbs to plant in our gardens someday-- there was no way I was going to put them in the ground yet (the timing is wrong and we are moving!)

We packed a picnic and shivered when the wind really started to blow our way. The kids had a great time at the animal petting area, a quick hedge maze, and then we hustled over to the green house where there were pretty - pretty tulips all over the place.

 

Brecon could not contain himself! He loved this place- can't you tell? He was sulking and sad when Ben wasn't holding his hand for some reason. We kept walking and he stayed put... it's a good thing we could spot that frowning face anywhere!

BRIELLE is ONE

How can this baby be one whole year old? I remember quite vividly her pregnancy, being the single mom and taking care of my family while Ben was away on "business". I was so TIRED! I was physically exhausted by 6:00 at night. I was emotional, hormonal, and stressed.

But somehow I made it.

And now she has made our home a different place with a little PINK to it. My mom hassles me all the time to dress her in cute stuff and accessorize. She just doesn't last with the cute stuff on. Oh well! We can do that later :) What we do love is her spunk and crazy screams. Her smiles and giggles draw in everyone around--- her brothers interactions are such fun to watch. When Cael walks in the door from school they just squeal and chase and play. We love our little lady- little mama- sister- and CUTIE PIE!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE MAMA!

Baby Girl

Loving this sweet (and sassy) little Miss Sweety Pie. It is hard to believe that she is almost 1 year old.

Wrestling Season 2013

 The youth wrestling season just ended and Ben volunteered as the Head coach. The first couple of practices were like "herding cats" with all these kids running around like crazy. But we made it through and it was a successful season. I know that I am glad to have our Tuesday and Thursday nights ( from 5:30-7:30 ) back to ourselves as well as our whole Saturdays. The meets this years were a lot further drive away due to all the army posts that are shutting down so the team bus would have to leave anywhere from 2:30 a.m. to 5:00 a.m. and sometimes they wouldn't  get home until 7:00 or after midnight. Such a long bus ride and day to be away, but I know that the boys had a ton of fun. Cael was undefeated this year, he really didn't have any tough matches and did good with his take downs and controlling his opponents. Brecon had a near-perfect record. He lost every match except the first one. Pushing his guy over and taking him down repeatedly. He looked like a dominator!

Connor was the most enthusiastic about wrestling practice and meets. He was always the first one to get his boots and coat on so he would be ready to go and wouldn't get left behind. He would even get right in there during practice and took some pretty hard take downs from the kids that are about 20 lbs bigger than him. He is a tough little guy.

Even Brielle got in on the action. At practice I had to really keep an eye on her because she would bolt onto the wrestling mat every chance she would get, scoot around like a little bug all over the place with a big smile across her face. The kids only tripped over her while running a couple of times :) She took it like tough lady!


I love the way Brielle and Cael play together. When school is out this sweet boy runs over to his sister, spins her around and they giggle and smile. She is walking all over the place and loves her big brothers cheering her on.

LINE THEM UP!
I keep trying to get a good group photo of these crazy kids. This one looks like they are in jail. At least they are all looking at the camera, right?


Connor exhausted from leaving the house at 4 that morning. Notice the soft blanket and coat pile right next to him? He thought the bare floor was a more promising place to rest his head.

ART, Skulls, and the Eiffel Tower

We just got back from our "last" trip to Paris and Disneyland for the kids. We still hadn't been to the Louvre and the first Sunday of the month entrance is FREE. It was crazy-busy, but we didn't feel bad when the kids were ready to leave after a quick sprint through the exhibits. AMAZING!!! It was so incredible to see these statues and works of art that are world famous, and to view them (rather quickly) but to see them was an experience I will never forget. The kids did pretty good too, Brielle only cried for a little while, then she finally fell asleep. And the boys were good to follow Ben around as they navigated their way using the "treasure" map. Of all the amazing pieces in the vast collection, the boys were drawn to the little cherub choking the goose. Ben was attacked as a young boy by a rouge bird and never forgot that encounter. He said "This is what I would have done to that goose" and the boys reenacted the event with stark realism and enthusiasm to one another. It was a funny "Platt" moment.

We also had never been to the underground catacombs and thought we should give it a go. We waited longer in this line to get than at the Louvre, but they only allowed 200 people to be under there at a time. I'm sure the people around us were entertained by our "pass the time" activities, the kids were always doing something embarrassing or completely hilarious. Connor had fallen asleep on the metro ride there and didn't wake up until we were deep underground. He didn't like the millions of skulls and bones lining our path, but he made it through alive. As did we all! It is interesting to think about all the bodies that were hauled there at night across town during this monumental project



I liked the name of this shop- + a little daugher too! :)



Then to end the day we got off the metro at Trocadero to get a good view of the Eiffel Tower for our last photo opportunity with the family. The kids were climbing and dancing, smearing Nutella all over their faces from their hot crepe and waffle, and singing their own little Eiffel Tower song. I am the first to admit we were not prepared for how chilly it got when the sun began to go down. Everyone around us were bundled up tight in their winter apparel and we were in shirts with no coats. We stayed until everyone got their picture taken. My favorites are the ones where Brecon has his arms in the air, smiling so big, and singing some crazy song. We just could not get him to hold still. He loves that dang tower so much! I am only posting the clean shots... so just use your imagination with the Nutella :)

Back to the Louvre... I am having a struggle getting them in the right order