Brussels has become one of our favorite cities. We love taking people there.



It's fun to share Belgium's delicacies with folks from home. The "Frit" for example.



Eating frits out of a cone with a tiny fork... couldn't get more Belgian. After WWI American and British soldiers returned home with the Belgian recipe for "frits" though they called them French Fries since the people who served them were speaking French.... you can imagine that this doesn't go over well with the Belgians.




This is how Huy looked for most of the Sandozes' visit:



But on the last day, wouldn't you know, the sun came out.



We took Phil to "The Wall" where the Fleche Wallone cycling race came through a few weeks ago. There was one lone cyclist making his way up.



This is what the same hill looked like on race day:





After our walk, we walked a little more up to the fort for a pita picnic.




Not a bad view. We had a great time lounging in the sun and pointing out the things below us in our town.






The best part of the fort is the old, deep well. We spent a lot of time there dropping whatever we could find into it. It's about 300 ft deep with 100ft of water at the bottom. Creepy. Did anyone else out there watch Child of Glass as a kid? I don't do wells.



More exploring around Huy.



One last breakfast before heading off to Paris!



P.S. I have to say, this was one of my favorite sights while Phil and Tracy were in Huy. I couldn't help but smile when I looked down in church and saw Tabasco and crawfish socks. Such good reminders of family and home!

It was really fun to arrive in Belgium with the Sandozes. I don't think any of us really gave Belgium much thought before we found out we were moving here 3 years ago. There aren't a lot of pictures your mind can conjure up about a place that you haven't really even heard of, so it makes it really exciting to bring people here, show them around, and give them an idea of what our lives are like.



We had a nice big breakfast that first morning. So fun to have them with us at our table.



You can guess what this means:



One of the only things I was hoping to do this week was fill my freezer with some Sandoz cooking. In one night, Tracy cooked up 2 big pots of chili and spaghetti sauce (to be spread out sparingly over the next 10 months :)



The boys were on burger duty. Bacon-wrapped burger duty. Oh goodness.



We in turn shared some Belgian treats that we have come to love. The Brasilienne, for one. Pastry cream, whipped cream, candied pecans in a light crust. Wow.



We spent one afternoon visiting Ali and Nada and their sweet kids.



They prepared an incredible meal for us and then we just lounged around, talked, and held babies all afternoon.



We also did a little photo shoot for Nagham's 5th birthday. So precious!



Our sweet friends:




We also had dinner one night with Sirin and Xavier. It was fun to share some American burgers with them after all the fun international dinners we have had with them.




Clay brought home a dart board from London and is loving it. Let it be known that Tracy beat him the first time they played...

Alrighty. Whirlwind 2 weeks! We enjoyed our time with Clay's parents so much. Family is incredible. That we can go so long without seeing eachother and still just slide right back into place. Belonging. It felt really good.

Phil and Tracy had already been in London for one night when we arrived, so we headed to find them. It was the happiest reunion. Oh how I love a good hello! Goodbyes were made for them.

After we settled down we turned to go inside, but in all the excitement we had all been locked out of our apartment!

Never fear, Phil to the rescue- and on the 2nd floor, too.




Lots of talking, just so happy to be together.



I didn't know I missed Tootsie Roll Pops until they pulled out the bag. Oh my heavens.



We walked Hyde Park and talked and talked some more.




There is an animal theme to the whole trip. We fed a lot of them. You will see.






We enjoyed several meals in our apartment and it was so nice to relax together. And drink Dr. Pepper. With lime.



A little Mexican food...



And then some Mother's Day Phantom! We had a blast!



In all of our travels McDonald's is everywhere. Guess what isn't? McDonald's BREAKFAST! The rest of the world just doesn't do breakfast like we do, fellow Americans. Sigh. Well, our cousins in England get it. They get it real good. Never has salty grease shaped into food tasted so good.



After some fun days in London, the crew hopped a train on their way to Belgium.



Stay tuned.

2 weeks

London, Belgium, Paris

Hellos and goodbyes

A video project thrown in at the end

Back home again

Head still spinning

The cherry blossoms are blooming!! They are the most gorgeous things I have ever seen.




I remember from reading the Mitford books that one of the characters' dream was to "go see the cherry blossoms" blooming in D.C. I get that now. I cannot get enough of these incredible trees. They are made even more beautiful since they only bloom for like 10 days. Wow. The streets are already littered with piles and piles of pink petals. It kind of makes things magical.

Speaking of things magical, Clay's parents just arrived in Europe. We get to see them tomorrow!! We are 4 very excited people that can't wait to spend some good time together. It's been a long time since we saw those 2. Over a year now. Tracy brought ingredients to make some of our favorite meals from home. I can't wait! How am I ever going to sleep tonight?? Remember this kid from the Disney commercial? That's me :)

In the meantime, we're keeping busy. We expats know how to cinco-de-mayo-it up. Yum.

Pumped up.

Just a quickie: Go read this post by a woman that has been inspiring me lately.

Read about what God is doing in her family's life and how it can inspire all of us to live the kind of lives God desires from his people.

I am blown away. Read back in her blog for the full story. Her words are challenging and good. Praise God.