King's Day and the Big 35

Our buddy Eric was in town from Poland for a meeting so he stayed with us a for a few days.  Teia soaked up every ounce of his attention - she really loves when we have guests. During this time our other  friend Will was in Amsterdam for a quick meeting so we managed to have dinner together which is always a nice treat!

For King's Day we kept it really simple this year.  The chaos of the city and having a 2 year old can put a bit of a damper on the festivities but we managed to get out to our friend Janna's for some Bloody Mary's and good eats. Thanks for having us over, Janna & Thijs!  Later in the afternoon Kirk met up with some friends, ate some street meat, and soaked up the King's Day sun.

A couple weeks later we went to see Odesza (Seattle based band) at a new venue: Paradiso en de Tolhuistuin.  Our friends Fran and Colin joined us for a night of drinks and dancing. The venue is pretty cool - really intimate and just a passenger ferry ride away where we could soak up the sun and fresh air on the terrace. It was a great night!

We celebrated Mother's Day with breakfast burritos and crumpets with blueberries and maple syrup - yum!!!  Afterwards we took advantage of the sunny day and went to a nearby park before grabbing an icy treat!  I love my family - I love being a mom - and I love being Teia's mom.  Thank you my Sweet T.

Sadly, our dear friend Mandy (who lived in Amsterdam with her husband Matt) suffered a stroke while in the very late stages of her pregnancy.  She had been having headaches and went into the doctor. Before having her MRI, she suffered a stroke and they had to immediately perform a c-section (baby Dean is fine and healthy) before rushing her off to surgery.  After a major surgery and recovery we are happy to report that Mandy is on the mend and kicking some serious butt. We are blown away by her strength and courage. She is truly an inspiration and such a strong mama. We love you Mandy, Matt and baby boy Dean.  Big thoughts and prayers with you always!

In early May we drove to Lille, France and met up with friends Eric and Becky (from Warsaw) and Courtney, Juliana and Michael (Amsterdam) for a little holiday. We stayed in the old town at a quaint apartment. The boys golfed each day as the ladies lounged around. We walked around the town, shopped a bit, and had some really tasty meals - crepes, pizza, Vietnamese and even Mexican.  Lille is a darling town - very quiet during this holiday - perfect for taking it easy!

Later on in May, Kirk went to Barcelona for a week for a shoot. Lucky for him the weather was beautiful and he was able to squeeze in one day of soaking it in amongst a busy work schedule. He also got to meet the greatest footballer of all time - Pele! Kirk said he was a very kind and charismatic, a real legend.

While Kirk was in Barcelona, my girlfriend Alison was in town from London. So for old time's sake we went on Paap's boat for a relaxing tour around the canals. The early afternoon was a bit chilly but finally the sun came out and we enjoyed the rest of our ride. Afterward we had frites and bloody mary's at Cafe George. So happy to spend some much needed time with Ali and loved hearing about her new app Zeblist - an app that helps you organize and share your favorite places/recommendations with friends and family.  Check it out when you get a chance!  Proud of you Alison - congrats on the launch!

I hosted a little sprinkle for Courtney - she was due at the end of June with her 2nd girl. We celebrated the occasion at College Hotel for some yummy high tea and bubbles. Update: Courtney had her sweet girl on Sunday, June 14th. Lillian Grace is happy, healthy and just the cutest little girl.  Congrats Courtney, Michael and Juliana!

While I was hosting the baby shower our college friend Devin had a quick stop in Amsterdam before heading off to Belgium and then Africa. It was so great seeing Devin (who currently lives in Washington, DC).  Hope to see you again in August!

Every year Kirk's work hosts a party to celebrate the founding of the agency - aka Founders Day. This year they rented out a hay barn type place and held a 'hillbilly' themed event. The costumes were hilarious, and the day was a blast - punctuated by a mechanical bull (that anyone could operate), beer pong, volleyball, and line dancing on tables.

Teia is finishing up voorschool at Mona-Liesje for the summer holiday. She is super active, fun, sassy and loves to constantly dance, sing, socialize, you name it!  Looking forward to running around this city with her this summer!

Another year goes by and I am officially 35!  On my actually birthday, May 29th, we stayed in the for the night and ordered delivery from The Butcher - amazing flavorful burgers and fries.

A week later we gathered with a group of friends at my friend Erika's shop A Loja Portuguese Delicatessen. She cooked up a succulent meal paired with bubbles, salad, tuna and sardine pate, yummy cheesy dip, balcalhau, arroz de pato, Portuguese wine, port and chocolate cake. It was a spectacular evening and the perfect way to celebrate the big 3-5.  Feeling blessed!

For Father's Day we spent the day lounging around the house watching the US Open (which actually was in my hometown Tacoma at Chamber's Bay). I made some bacon and egg cups (very tasty) and we also snacked on some home-baked peach pie. That afternoon we walked around Amsterdam and did a little shopping. Happy Father's Day Kirk!

Kirk went to Cannes, France for the big annual advertising awards show. As usual, hot weather, sand, water, food and rose' were in bountiful supply. Kirk and his team also won some awards - which is great!

Nelly also came to town again for a short stay.  We always love when Nelly has to head to our hood for work. He also managed to get out on a little boat trip with Kirk and his coworkers - so hopefully he enjoyed his time here.

Also, we are proud to announce that we are pregnant and due in mid-December. We are beyond excited to expand our little family and give Teia the Big Sister title. Currently, we are prepping Teia for little transitions - new bed/bedroom, becoming a big sister, potty training.....the list goes on and on.  Definitely have a busy summer ahead of us filled with major milestones and special family time with just the three of us!

Epic Ski Trip and McCoy Family Visit

In mid-March we flew out to Basel, Switzerland to visit Amsterdam alums Katie, Ryan, Sebastiaan and new addition, Owen. Bright and early the morning after we arrived we hopped in our cars and drove 4 hours to the quaint and beautiful ski village, Saas Fee - known as the birthplace of skiing. Our cozy apartment was centrally located in the tiny town surrounded by cafes, shops, restaurants, bars and obviously the vast Swiss Alps.  Jeannette, Katie's mom, joined for the trip too - it was a family affair.

The first day Kirk and Ryan hit up the mountain for a half day ski/snowboard while us ladies and kiddos got ourselves situated. The mountains offers all levels of skiing/snowboarding. The top elevation is 11,647 ft. 22 lifts, 2 cable cars, 1 funicular railway, 5 gondolas, and many drag lifts, this mountain has a little bit of everything. After the boys were done we met up with them for drinks at the bottom of the mountain - just a little apres ski to start the weekend right.

That evening the four of us popped out for a lovely fondue dinner at Du - a family restaurant that feels like you're sitting in someone's home, making dinner really intimate and special. We stuffed our faces with tasty raclette and yummy fondue. We paired all that cheese with a fantastic wine called Heida Visperterminen from a nearby vineyard - the highest elevation vineyard in all of Europe.

On Friday morning Ryan and Katie took off for a half day of skiing while we stuck around and played with the kiddos at a nearby park. For the afternoon we switched roles and headed up to the top of the mountain. The skies were bright and blue, the sun shining and the mountain groomed and perfect. I always forget how wonderful skiing is - being surrounded by such beautiful snow-capped mountains and fresh air is so surreal. We enjoyed many runs on piste with little breaks sitting in the sun and enjoying the light tunes of Euro techno and sipping on beers!

Later on Katie and I took the kiddos to the nearby pool for some splashing, swimming and slides! The boys hit up the town for apres ski. That evening we stayed in and had some home cooked dishes - thanks Jeanette.

Saturday morning Kirk and I started up the mountain bright and early trying different parts of the mountain discovering amazing runs and a tiny trail leading to a cozy cottage serving up drinks and eats just on the side of the mountain. A great stop for a little rest and relaxation. In the afternoon we took Teia to her first attempt at skiing. With a big smile from ear to ear we think this girl is a natural.
After skiing we ran into Katie and Ryan and did a little apres ski. Again, that evening we stayed in for a home cooked meal and ventured out into the town for the last night's drinks. We had so much fun in Saas Fee - wish I could ski there every year!

On Sunday morning we made the 4 hour drive back to Basel giving us enough time to explore the city center and nearby park. Thanks for planning the perfect trip, Katie and Ryan, and thank you Jeanette for looking after Teia so we could enjoy a a couple nights out!

The next day after we got back from Switzerland, Kirk flew to Portland for work for about 4 days. While he was there he had meetings and wrapped up the week with some golf and a couple NCAA Tournament games at the Moda Center - Utah vs SF Austin, and Georgetown vs Eastern Washington. The next day he headed to PDX to be picked up in a private Epic aircraft and taken to Epic's factory in Bend for a tour and some lunch. Kirk's hosts were very outgoing, inspiring,  and showed him a great time. At the end of the day they flew him to the Ellensburg's Bowers Air Field.

                                      

Kirk was very glad to spend time with family, but everyone's heart weighed heavy over the recent loss of a truly amazing woman - Kirk's Grandmother, Marjorie Harrel. That next morning, Kirk's family held a funeral and service in loving memory of Marge. It's amazing to think about the size and quality of family she and her husband Paul raised. All of her friends. All she did for others. What a legacy. What a person. She will always be remembered in our hearts - we love you, Grandma.

Before heading back home, Kirk swung through Seattle to celebrate birthdays for our dear friends, Jake and Cleary. They had a delicious dinner and cake at Via Tribunali on Capitol Hill. Afterward they headed across the street for drinks at the Comet Tavern - just like being back in college! 

A day after Kirk returned home he had to head to Geneva for work for a couple days. While he was away Teia and I continued our busy schedule with preschool, playdates and the zoo.

Around that time, my mom, brother and sister-in-law arrived in Europe for an epic trip. It was Tyler and Erin's first time to Europe - a trip long overdue! It all started in Iceland for 5 days. The next stop, Amsterdam. While they were here we did the usual tours to Anne Frank, Rijks Museum, Van Gogh, The Maritime Museum, flower market, walks along the canals, 9 Straats, Albert Cuyp Market, and walks through Vondel and other various parts of the city.

In between their days in Amsterdam, they also went to Brugge,  Dublin and London.

While they were gone Kirk & I met up with friends Heather and Matt and their little one, Jack. They are currently living in Germany and made the drive over for the weekend. We trekked through the city in blustery rain before stopping at Gaper for some grub and beers. We are looking forward to your next visit, Matt and Heather, hopefully it'll bring some better weather!

The next week, Kirk made another short work trip - this time to Stockholm. Normally a beautiful city, Kirk found it a little hard to see on his first morning. But the skies cleared up later and he enjoyed some amazing Swedish scenery and food amongst his work meetings.

Teia just started dance class at Dans Peuter Dans. The classes are in Dutch and she immediately fell in love. Her love of dance and music is definitely infectious.

Toward the end of my family's European adventure we celebrated Tyler's 39th birthday at Castell's for steaks and ribs, followed by whiskeys at the L&B Whiskey Cafe. Happy Birthday, Big Bro!!! The day before they headed back to the States we did a boat tour with Paap. The weather was perfect and we finished the evening at Saloon.

The next day we had some Easter brunch together before they flew back home. It was an amazing trip - I am so happy you made it out and that we could make some fun memories. Looking forward to seeing you soon - love you!

More amazing expat couples are parting ways with this awesome city - the Mobley's and Ostrander's. We will miss you all dearly and are so excited for your new adventure in Birmingham, Alabama and Washington, DC. Chelsea was such an amazing support to me since we did the yoga program together - hopefully we can start up a studio some day.  Leslie, I am so glad Adam introduced us - it was a short and sweet time for you here but I am glad we could make some great memories! Best of luck!