Our Holland holiday!

Oct. 19

After the 2 days of being in transit from Edinburgh to Holland, we were finally ready to enjoy the break! We stayed for 4 wonderful nights with Jennifer and Jeff, in their home in Wijk bij Duurstede (yeah, don't ask me to pronounce it). For those who don't know, Jennifer is my niece, who was more like a sister when we were children. However, as life happens, we hadn't seen Jen and Jeff for more than 10 years - when Kim was pregnant with Sophia! Fortunately, they made us so welcome, and we enjoyed ourselves so much, it was like we'd never missed a beat! We absolutely loved their kids Persephone and Patrick, and all 5 kids were inseparable when we were together! Jennifer, of course, outdid herself making amazing dinners, with an apple pie that even rivals my own dear Mother's - yes, it would have made you proud, Mom! Jeff was the perfect host, and an amazing tour guide as we spent our time visiting Utrecht, Echternach, Larochette, and Luxembourg City. I really liked Jeff's easygoing manner and his knowledgeable explanations for the kids, that didn't come across as confusing, AND didn't make Kim and I feel stupid. Maybe if this university professor gig doesn't work out, his Ph.D in Medival History will come in handy as a tour guide!

Here is our first set of pics. These all were all taken in our first day in Utrecht.

It would be very strange not to start with a photo of a windmill. This was actually closer to their home village of Wijk bij Duurstede.

On the way to Utrecht, we passed several beautiful estates. I think that I could live here quite comfortably.

This sign is for Kim's mom, Wilhelmina - it's nice to have a street named after you!

A nice little canal and pathway between quiet streets in Utrecht. Lots of nice places like this.

Here are Jeff and Jennifer and their beautiful children!

Patrick and Persephone waiting for the adults to be ready to go!

Our kids - goofing around as usual!

Isaiah and Pepe and Sophie became great friends over the week.


Our family in the cloisters of the Utrecht cathedral.


I love photos like this. Two great friends (most of the time).

Just a short video clip showing me driving on the "funny" side of the car (and eating some very tasty Cheetos). I didn't know that Kim was taping me as I was developing some good material relating to the GPS that we bought. It actually was the BEST thing that I have purchased yet on our trip. "Duchess" as we call the polite English lady's voice, is very patient, and made finding our way around almost stress-free.