Great days to remember.

My parents came for a visit a couple of weeks ago. It was nice, and as always too quick. We surprisingly had some great weather. My parents are really easy to entertain. They would be fine to hang out with the kids in our house or out and around our small little town. We did go on a couple touristy jonts, but nothing big. We visited the city of Gouda, you know, the cheese town. It had an amazing town square with the most incredible city hall--gemeente huis. Of course, we had to visit Kinderdijk. This is a place home to 19 consecutive windmills. We had really nice weather for this visit to the windmills. Ian walked on ahead with my parents and Arden and I stayed behind at the car. She was really tired and not feeling up to the long walk.(Hard day at school?) Well, with much bribing and the promise to carry her for a little bit (not a smart idea), as well as the mention of McDonalds, we headed out on this beautiful day. You could just feel the sunrays soaking into your skin---much needed Vitamin D. I could see my parents up ahead of us a ways so we found a bench along the pathway. We sat down, feet propped up and just let the sun blanket our faces. It was a very good moment. Peaceful, relaxing, and it felt like a special gift just for us. It lasted but a couple minutes but it seemed like the perfect amount to rest my soul and gain perspective. Our little moment was soon over and we spotted my parents and Ian heading back. Arden immediately stood up on a stone table and began to sing a song entitled, "No, no, No". It was pretty catchy, and as you could guess it repeated the word "no", over and over in a jazzy, rhythmic sort of way. It, I think, was a serenade for my parents and Ian as they walked up the pathway!! Ian caught sight of his sister and they began to run toward each other. So cute.

You never know if days like these touch each person involved the same way, but I am glad to have been able to share this day with my parents and my two special little people. I think we laughed and smiled the whole way to McDonalds. . . now that is a day to remember!



Hanging out at a lovely park in Rotterdam.

Eating ice cream at the park, after feeding deer and running around getting dog tired. He is giddy happy!

Gouda's city hall, right in the heart of the town center!




It is so hard to get a still shot of Ian. Constantly in motion and on the go.

Yes, people do still really wear wooden shoes. How cute are these red pair. I hope the girl's parents don't mind that I have their daughter up on my blog as the poster child for "klompen" advocacy. I am thinking about buying some.

A nice candid of Arden with the windmills in the background.

Feet propped and enjoying a gift of a day!!