We have had an action packed few months filled with visitors, work, leisure trips, and birthdays! Hope you enjoy the long post. Besides being action packed we have a lot of big changes happening. Teia is now in a big girl bed, just on the tail end of potty training and she had her first dentist appointment.
Kirk went to Cannes France for the annual advertising awards festival. It was a short trip but he did manage to squeeze in some sun, sand, good food, good meetings, and a few awards to boot.
Teia had her first dance recital with the Danspeuter class. Her performance was darling and at times a bit chaotic but she really enjoyed herself.
Savinay arrived for a quick 36-hour visit. We are so fortunate to have Sav as a guest for a 2nd time. Thanks for making it out buddy! The first night we met up with friends Colin and Fran for some outdoor terrace eats at Rose's Cantina. Amsterdam was going through a major heat wave, hitting temperatures in the low 90's - hot hot hot. The next day we went out on a brunch boat with Amber, Josh, Sarah, Courtney, Michael, and their kiddos. It was the perfect way to celebrate the 4th of July. Definitely miss America and our families on the 4th. Teia also enjoyed her first boat ride. Pap even let her drive - she was thrilled!
For the afternoon the boys went on another boat trip up North for some swimming. Unfortunately the boat broke down out in the sea which became a long ordeal to get towed to a marina, but it all ended well. That evening we sat outside at Cafe Toussaint for a lovely dinner, afterwards meeting up with some friends of Sav's (Jennifer and Mike). It was our pleasure hosting you again, Sav - come back anytime.
Kirk then made a trip out to New York for work. More meetings. But he also managed to meet up with our friends Jesse and Molly for a nice Mexican dinner. I'd say he killed at least two birds with one stone on that night.
Our dear friend Dave Waarvick swung through Amsterdam after his work trip to Finland. It was such a blast showing him around, drinking beers and getting in some golf. The first evening Kirk and Dave popped out and went to Gollum and then to the Leidseplein. The next day they biked out to the Amstel Park to play mini golf...which the Dutch call 'midget golf.' That was supposed to be the funniest and most inappropriate aspect of that outing, until Dave decided to fall neck-deep into the pond on the 17th hole. Pretty much everyone around them was in bent over laughing.
That evening we went to Rose's with friends Collin and Fran again. And Saturday morning the boys biked out to golf at Waterland. In the afternoon we went out on our friends boat starting with a leisure ride around the canals, a tour through the redlight, a pizza stop, and then a drink at Hanneke's Boom, and finally ending the night at Roest. Thanks for the boat ride, James. So happy Dave got to experience beautiful weather, boating and some of our favorite spots. Sad to see Dave go and hopefully next time he can bring out his lovely wife Cleary and stay a little longer!
We recently had our 20 week ultrasound and revealed the gender of our little one. Looks like Kirk will be outnumbered now that we are having another little girl. Teia is stoked to be a big sister and we can't wait to meet her! Anne - thanks for the sweet Muisjes!
Next Kirk made a work trip to Rimini, Milan and London with his Corona clients. In Rimini he went to a big party on the beach, and Milan & London were mostly meetings.
For Gay Pride this year we spent some time with some friends at Martin's before making our way down the Prinsengracht where the boat parade took place. Our final stop was at Clay and Nick's lovely canal home which was the absolute perfect location. Teia enjoyed running around the house, watching movies and listening to and viewing all the chaos down below.
Hard to believe it but we also had our 10 year anniversary (August 20th). For the occasion we rented a beautiful cottage in the Ardennes located in a small town called Naninne outside Namur. We had a relaxing week and got in plenty of play time with Teia, catching up on reading and naps, swimming in the pool, visiting neighboring farm animals, and quick trips to small towns like Namur and Dinant.
In Namur we walked around the city center and stopped for lunch and even had a few nice dinners.
Happy Anniversary Kirk, I wouldn't change a thing, I can't wait to make memories that will shape our family and continue on this streak of happiness, laughter and love. Thanks for teaching me to always live in the moment.
My Aunt Shirley and Uncle Dave came to Amsterdam for quick stop during their major European tour. We met for a tasty lunch in our neighborhood and caught up. Family and Amsterdam is honestly the best combination. Thanks for taking the time to meet up and see our home, Aunt Shirley and Uncle Dave!
Our dear friend David Lloyd was in town after a wedding in London. We took advantage of his quick trip and hit up the city and managed to get in an evening boat trip with some friends. I took David to my favorite pancake spot and we even got in a short visit with Kirk at his work and lunch at Cafe No Name. Happy to have you out here finally David and hopefully we will see you in London in October.
For our anniversary dinner we went to Rijsel which has been on my bucket list for some time. We enjoyed yummy rotisserie chicken, salad, and tasty appetizers.
The following week Devin and Katy flew out for a long weekend. Katy came out to the Netherlands to visit her sister who recently moved to Utrecht. Her mom Barbara also came out - a family affair! Devin stayed with us the first night while Katy kicked in Utrecht.
Our buddy Grant who used to be our neighbor was also out from Seattle for a work trip. That evening we took Devin and Grant to De Klepel for an awesome French dinner. The next day we got out on the boat for the the Sail Event in Amsterdam. This event happens every 5 years (we missed it the first year we moved here). Over 600 ships from around the world sail through the North Sea to moor in and around the IJ harbor. This International Tall Ship event is in its 9th installment. Here people can tour, learn and enjoy the spectacular week long event.
We took the boat out for a 5 hour tour with Devin, Katy and her family, plus Jennifer, Michael and Grant. We started with the tall ships and then finally seeing the exit of various massive ships (Sunday was the final day for the event). After cruising around the Ij we made our way through the canals before ending this awesome and memorable tour.
Devin and Katy stayed with us a couple more nights which Teia absolutely loved. She was so sad to see them go. Thanks for coming out and come back soon! Grant's wife Melissa joined him for the second half of his trip. It was so wonderful seeing her. We are both pregnant due within days of each other, if only you were here to share this experience. Over the weekend we hit up Cafe Loetje at it's new location by Central Station.
Teia just turned 3 - I can't believe it! For her birthday she had many little gatherings. First, we did a party at our house with the theme being Cinderella. Her little friends, moms and my friends helped us celebrate Teia's special day. Thanks for your help, Sarah, Melissa and Amber! And thank you ladies for coming over for brunch, a little crown decorating and princess fun!
The next week she had a little parties at her Dutch school and her preschool at Bizzi Lizzi's. Teia is one lucky girl - Happy Birthday Sweet T! And to top it off she attended Mini Disco's Hawaiian theme. Such a fun night!
The last Monday of August was my final yoga class at Yogaruimte. I hope to start teaching again once we adjust to our new family of 4. I have had such a great time building up my clientele, working on my craft and giving my little business a nice jumpstart. Looking forward teaching again!
The Nelsons came to Amsterdam to for a work-trip right before we headed off on our 2-week summer trip. It was so wonderful meeting their new addition, Evelyn. Congrats, Nellys!
Our dear friend David Lloyd was in town after a wedding in London. We took advantage of his quick trip and hit up the city and managed to get in an evening boat trip with some friends. I took David to my favorite pancake spot and we even got in a short visit with Kirk at his work and lunch at Cafe No Name. Happy to have you out here finally David and hopefully we will see you in London in October.
For our anniversary dinner we went to Rijsel which has been on my bucket list for some time. We enjoyed yummy rotisserie chicken, salad, and tasty appetizers.
The following week Devin and Katy flew out for a long weekend. Katy came out to the Netherlands to visit her sister who recently moved to Utrecht. Her mom Barbara also came out - a family affair! Devin stayed with us the first night while Katy kicked in Utrecht.
Our buddy Grant who used to be our neighbor was also out from Seattle for a work trip. That evening we took Devin and Grant to De Klepel for an awesome French dinner. The next day we got out on the boat for the the Sail Event in Amsterdam. This event happens every 5 years (we missed it the first year we moved here). Over 600 ships from around the world sail through the North Sea to moor in and around the IJ harbor. This International Tall Ship event is in its 9th installment. Here people can tour, learn and enjoy the spectacular week long event.
We took the boat out for a 5 hour tour with Devin, Katy and her family, plus Jennifer, Michael and Grant. We started with the tall ships and then finally seeing the exit of various massive ships (Sunday was the final day for the event). After cruising around the Ij we made our way through the canals before ending this awesome and memorable tour.
Devin and Katy stayed with us a couple more nights which Teia absolutely loved. She was so sad to see them go. Thanks for coming out and come back soon! Grant's wife Melissa joined him for the second half of his trip. It was so wonderful seeing her. We are both pregnant due within days of each other, if only you were here to share this experience. Over the weekend we hit up Cafe Loetje at it's new location by Central Station.
Teia just turned 3 - I can't believe it! For her birthday she had many little gatherings. First, we did a party at our house with the theme being Cinderella. Her little friends, moms and my friends helped us celebrate Teia's special day. Thanks for your help, Sarah, Melissa and Amber! And thank you ladies for coming over for brunch, a little crown decorating and princess fun!
The next week she had a little parties at her Dutch school and her preschool at Bizzi Lizzi's. Teia is one lucky girl - Happy Birthday Sweet T! And to top it off she attended Mini Disco's Hawaiian theme. Such a fun night!
The last Monday of August was my final yoga class at Yogaruimte. I hope to start teaching again once we adjust to our new family of 4. I have had such a great time building up my clientele, working on my craft and giving my little business a nice jumpstart. Looking forward teaching again!
The Nelsons came to Amsterdam to for a work-trip right before we headed off on our 2-week summer trip. It was so wonderful meeting their new addition, Evelyn. Congrats, Nellys!
