Afslutdijk and Zaanse Schans

From Leeuwarden we drove over the Afslutdijk and then down towards Amsterdam. We also stopped off at Zaanse Schans to see the windmills. (We were here last year with our friends the Beltmans and really enjoyed this place). Unfortunately there was NO wind - so the mills were not working. But it was great to show mom and dad the windmills - and get some more cheese too!

Pictures along the dike. The sky and water were so blue you could hardly tell where one ended and the other started.

Zaanse Schans Windmills

Leeuwarden, Netherlands

Our second destination was Leeuwarden, Netherlands. This is where my grandma (my mom's mom) was born. We didn't really know any more information than that (street she lived on, church attended, etc...) - but it was still neat to take mom to this town, walk around, and see some of the sights.

The Oldehove Toren - built in 1595-1598

After they started building this tower it started leaning (or sinking), so they tried to correct the structure, but it just kept on leaning. So finally they stopped building - as they knew it would probably end up falling over if they built it any higher. It is so neat to see. It is REALLY leaning. The old guide at the tower told us the whole story and even let the kids ring the bell. Sydney 6 times and Shane 7 (as he doesn't turn 8 until tomorrow!)

We then walked along the streets of Leeuwarden.

Along one of the canals.....and we just had to take a picture of mom and dad under this sign....what are the chances of finding your name on a storefront!

I had to take a picture of my dad here...it was really cold out and if you stood in the store fronts the heaters from the stores would blow warm air....so my dad is warming up here.....I liked the name of this store too - so couldn't resist the picture!

Noah's Ark

Saturday, February 14, 2009 - We headed to the Netherlands this weekend with my parents. Recently I had gotten an email about a replica of Noah's Ark that was in the Netherlands. So when we were planning our trip - we looked into where the Ark was located. This weekend it happened to be just 30 minutes from one of our main destinations - so we decided to take it in. This ark replica is not full size - but 1/3 of the width and 1/2 the length. It did give you a good perspective of just how big the actual ark must have been. Now to put REAL animals on there instead of just fake ones.....I can only imagine the noise and the smell then!

Pictures of the outside of The Ark

As you enter the ark you are welcomed by a large giraffe. Since it is lifesize - and you walk right through it's long legs - you really get a feel for how large these animals are! We got an English info sheet and made our way around the ark. You can follow elephant footprints to guide you along. There were 4 levels in the ark. Two levels held mostly cages with fake animals to represent the size and how crowded it must have been on the ark. The lower level had several exhibits of other Bible stories. It was neat to walk through these with the kids and explain the stories - or see if they could guess/remember what story the exhibit depicted. On the top level is a place where you can sit and read books, the kids could play games, or you could eat a snack. You can also look out the windows or even take a walk on the deck.

Oma und Opa sind hier!

Kimber's parents (grandma and grandpa to the kids) arrived safely this morning. We are so excited to have them here in Germany with us! Stay tuned for updates on all the fun adventures we plan to have with them while they are here visiting us.

Burg Trifels

Sunday, February 8, 2009 - This afternoon we headed to the Pfalz region for a nice scenic drive. We drove along the German Wine Route (Deutsches Weinstrasse) which took us through quaint little towns. We also headed up to Burg Trifels...which once was an imerial castle and famous for storing the Holy Grail and the prison of Richard the Lionheart of England who was captured in 1193 on his way home from the Third Crusade. The castle is situated up on a high rock cliff. We walked up to it from a lower parking lot. Unfortunately, the castle itself was closed due to repairs - but it was a nice hike - and the views from the lower part of the castle grounds were okay too.

Burg Trifels - and the view of the Pfalz region.

In the area (on other hills) are natural rock burgs, which we didn't have time to hike to - but thought maybe this summer we'll return for a longer hike.


Looking up at the castle.

Standing by the pillar stating Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned here... arch as you enter the castle grounds.

We could only walk along the lower part of the castle - but it had a nice view of the valley below. I took a picture (of a picture) of the castle on a sign in the parking lot just so we could see what the castle grounds look like from above. It would have been neat to walk all around the grounds - but you take what you can get.

More of Silas - "Playing Wii"

As I stated earlier (in a previous post) - Silas is quite the character lately. This shows up in his silly actions and facial expressions throughout the day. One example: We store all of our Wii accessories in a black cloth box under the TV. He knows exactly where they are - and that he is not allowed to play with them unless Shane (or the rest of us) are playing Wii. I often catch him standing next to the box, pulling it out, and peering inside. I usually say "Silas" and he shoves the box back in place. When we (mostly Shane) are playing Wii then Silas is allowed to take out a controller and pretend to play. He is pretty good at his pretend play....I think he watches his brother more than we think. His little brain is soaking it ALL in!

Silas - before I got his pj's on....someday he'll love me for posting these!

Okay - so I push this button here.....then swing my arm like this....

Here is another one of those funny Silas faces of late....I think he is saying to me "ha ha mom...I'm better at this game than you are!"

Mama!

I know the past 3 posts have all been about Silas - but this is sort of my only place where I'm writing down what he is up to these days (that's the sad part about being child number 4).

Anyway - Silas has few words - but the one word that he has down pat - is MAMA! He says it probably a million times a day. Sometimes it is music to my ears, since he says it so sweetly...and then there are other times.... When he was so sick -he woke up several times in the middle of the night. I'd wake up at 1am to hear Mama....mama....mama...faintly from inside his room with his nose all stuffed up. I'd go in and get him and then lay down with him on our spare bed in the guest room....and every so often he'd say "mama" - in a questioning tone, just to check that I was still there. It was so sweet!

I think he is actually beginning to say a few more words - or sounds - that seem like words. He likes to point to objects and say "was ist das"....which isn't what he is really saying - but it sounds like it...and I should be proud because "was ist das" is German for "what is that/this"...but seriously I don't think he is really speaking German or English....just making sounds.

Other things he is learning recently - animal noises - he can do horse and dog. He is also starting to point to his eyes, nose, mouth, head, shoes, belly, and ears when asked.

Climbing Steps

Silas's other new skill - that he is quite fond of - is climbing (and desending) the steps in our house. I got a few pictures of him mid-way up. He goes up and down these steps several times a day...mostly to get up to Shane's room and find legos and toy swords and such to play with!
Yes - I know....not really a safe place for a kid to play. Fortunately he just goes up and down and doesn't really linger around on the steps themselves. I think we have a few guardian angels in our house as well!

Silas has also become very animated lately. Here he is being silly and giving me a funny smile...he may have even been saying ROAR! Can you tell he is feeling better!

Drinking out of a cup!

Silas has recently started drinking out of a cup. He does really well (when he is sitting down and focusing). If he gets excited he tends to flip his hand up - and all the liquid in his cup goes flying. Therefore I try to stay right by him and keep the liquids to a small amount and refill as necessary. I took a few pictures of him the other day (note he was sick...and looks it).

On the Mend

Sorry I haven't posted much lately - being sick has slowed us all down over here. However - we are on the mend! I took Silas to the doctor on Monday - and he had an ear infection and bronchitis - so is now on antibiotics. Needless to say he is doing much better now. The other kids are also over their colds for the most part. Let's hope we stay healthy now for awhile!