Spring has Sprung!

It's been a fun and busy few months with the kiddos, Kirk's work travel, and gatherings with friends.  I can feel summer approaching with the longer days and the temperatures trying to go up.

In late April Kirk went to Sao Paulo for work. Well that's what he said he was doing, but he came back with pictures of a big EDM festival (Tomorrowland), and of his meal he ate at DOM (Brasil's top restaurant). He said the highlight of the meal was the Amazonian ants! Apparently the ants were actually delicious and naturally tasted very strongly of lemongrass.

During that time I joined a few ladies for a fabulous night of Drag Queens for Rupaul's Drag Race at the Melkweg.

In May the Nelson's moved into our neighborhood - about a stones throw away! How crazy. We're so looking forward to hanging out, playdates, wine dates and more!  On our first night out we hit up the Leon Bridges show in Utrecht - he put on a great show!

Shortly after that, Kirk went to Los Angeles for a week of meetings. While he was away we kept busy with Teia's school, swim class, ballet, and a Mommy-Night-Out for dinner at Salmuera!

                       

      

This year we spent King's Eve on Paap's boat with good friends. On King's Day we met up with the Gillman's at Vondel Park and walked over to Sarah's house to people watch from her balcony onto the Prinsengracht.

Ironically, while Kirk was landing in Los Angeles, Sharon was flying here from Bakersfield. It was Sharon's first time meeting Colette. A bit of deja vu since Kirk was also out of town the first time Sharon met Teia - funny how that has come full circle.

On Mother's Day we took Paap's boat out on the canals with the Haley's. It was so fun watching the kiddos enjoy driving the boat and it was Colette's first time (she mostly just slept).

  

      

         

Kirk was home from LA for a couple days then went to Madrid for a shoot. It was a quick trip full of jamon, tapas, paella and work.

For an early birthday gift for myself, and a late one for Courtney, we finally had High Tea at the Intercontinantal Hotel. What a perfect way to celebrate our birthdays especially since Courtney and her family will be moving to London at the end of the month.

While Sharon was here we wanted to do a mini holiday to Belgium (her birthday gift). We first had lunch in Maastricht on the way down before driving to the Ardennes area and a very small village called 'Sgravenvoeren. We stayed in a beautiful converted farmhouse. There are many hiking trails just up the hill from our place, and below the farmhouse a few quaint cafes. The next day we walked around the neighbouring town of Vise and visited the nearby Val Dieu Abbey/Brewery for lunch.

Once we got back home from Belgium we went to a nearby park for the Haley's going away party.  The Haley's have been a huge part of our Amsterdam experience. We have had many adventures together and will truly miss watching Husky football, brunches, boating, and watching our kids grow up together. Good luck in London!

It was really sad to see Sharon go but luckily we will see her this summer.  We are so thankful we got to celebrate Mother's Day and her birthday while she was here. Can't wait to spend some time at the farm, Seattle, Chelan and my cabin!

For my birthday this year we chartered a massive boat and celebrated the occasion with many friends. Good tunes, all you can drink, beautiful weather, and a pleasant journey. It was a good night!  Thanks to all my friends for coming out and making this birthday really special!

The next day we met up with Chelsea and Taylor - fellow expat friends in Amsterdam who have since moved to Birmingham, AL - for some pizza at La Perla, followed up with some ice cream!  It was a great way to recover and finish off my birthday weekend and head into summer!

Hello Spring!!!

It's been quite busy in the Johnsen household adjusting to our new normal and watching our little Colette taking in her surroundings.  Teia has perfected the big sister role helping me with putting Coco's pacifier in her mouth, comforting her when she cries, and cooing with her on her little mat.  It is so sweet seeing their relationship develop!

My mom came out for a month long visit to help with my recovery and lack of sleep, plus to put in some quality time with Teia and Colette.  Most days were spent lounging around inside thanks to the rainy January weather.  When the clouds parted we would walk around the city, hitting up lunch and coffee spots and doing a little shopping.  Thank you, Mom, for making the time to take care of our family and for being such a huge support.  We always love our family visits and look forward to the next one!  We are so lucky and feel so loved!

Luckily my mom was here since Kirk had to take off on a two week trip, flying to New York, Mexico City, and then finally San Francisco. In New York he barely dodged 'snowmageddon' - hopping on an earlier flight than he originally planned. It ended up being one of the last flights out for a couple days. Once in Mexico City Kirk enjoyed some much better weather. On an off day, before the shoot started, he visited the Diego Rivera museum and went on a gondola ride down the river at Xochimilco - the latter was a very unique and cool experience. All in all Kirk really enjoyed his first trip to Mexico city. After Mexico, Kirk swung through San Francisco for a few days of meetings. While he was there he caught a Golden State Warriors vs Dallas Mavericks game at Oracle Arena. Unsurprisingly, the electric Warriors won easily.

Currently we are in the process of researching preschools for the fall - can't believe Teia will be starting up school!  We are narrowing down our choices and should know soon.

Kirk went to NY again.  This time I didn't have my mom around to help so it was a bit of touch and go at first - planning feedings, tram times, school schedule, etc.  So far so good. A lot easier than I thought it would be but I probably owe a lot of that to Colette being such a sweet and easy baby.

We spent Valentine's Day at the Gillman's for a wonderful and tasty brunch.  The kiddos played dress-up and watched Disney flicks while we devoured fried chicken and waffles, with a side of many savory dishes.  Thanks for the invite and sharing the love!

Then Kirk went back to New York again - boy is that getting old... :)

After that our buddy Grant made it back to Amsterdam for a work trip so we went to dinner at Salmuera to have some eats, catch up, and reminince.  It was awesome seeing Grant and hearing all about their new family member, Preston.

During the week before Easter Melanie put together, yet again, the perfect Easter party gathering for our little kiddos.  Besides the awesome spread and mimosas, we enjoyed crafting with our littles and helping out with the Easter Egg Hunt.  Teia couldn't control herself it was just too much fun!

Kirk back to New York again. It was mostly meetings (as usual), but he did also go out to a cool theatre experience called Sleep No More. Rather than the audience sitting in an auditorium and watching performers on a stage, Sleep No More is an immersive theatre experience that takes place in various locations throughout a five-story 'hotel.' Patrons wear masks to distinguish them from the actors, and are self-guided around the performance - deciding where they want to go and when. Very cool experience. Highly recommended.

For Easter Sunday we joined many Wieden+Kennedy families at the office for egg decorating and hunting.  Teia was super stoked to get a special Easter basket and run around outside finding eggs!  And of course all the sweet treats were a bonus.  The Easter Bunny made an appearance but quickly disappeared after too many tears and creeping out everyone - very Donnie Darko. Later that day the Keyrouse's joined us for some pork tacos and movies.  The kiddos played while we caught up and enjoyed 30 mini tacos!

The Nelly's finally arrived from Warsaw. This has been years in the making.  We can't even begin to express how excited we are that Rebecca, Eric and Evelyn are moving to our neck of the woods.  Welcome to Amsterdam Nelson's!!!