More Family Time

We've just left the Netherlands after three weeks of (mostly) family time and probably the nicest stretch of weather I've ever experienced in the country. It was fantastic to be able to go out for long bike rides in the country and really get to see the farmland and lovely homes in the area near Rijnsaterwoude (where Michiel grew up and his father still lives). For much of the time, the skies were blue, the sun was shining and the storks, herons, swans, ducks, goats, cows and sheep were frolicking - a glorious time to be in Holland!

For one week of our time there, the entire family rented a couple of bungalows in a holiday park. We played lots of games (including laser tag, a newspaper fashion show and casino night), ate incredible ethnic food (prepared each night by one of the siblings) and celebrated Bonpa's (my father-in-law) 80th birthday with a day out in the Biesbosch National Park. Our day in the park included a horse and cart ride and a boat tour of a water area that has long been managed by dikes.

Here is a collection of photo highlights:


Celebrating Marilyn May's 6th birthday



Bonpa and his sister, Marion


Ton and Oneida on Queen's Day (thus the orange shirts)


All contestants in the newspaper fashion show



Team one: Seneca, Wilbert, Gwendolyn, and Ton


Casino night: Seneca, Marilyn, Joey, Gwendolyn and Tonny


Marie-Birgitte and Anne-Charlotte


Cocktail hour: Marie-Birgitte, Wilbert, me and Chantal


Ethiopian food!



The brothers-in-law: Bart, Perry and Ton