Holland Visit to Opa en Oma!

We hadn't been to Holland since Jasper was 6 months ols, so almost 3.5 years. It was time for a visit! I was fortunate enough to be able to attend a biomechanical conference in Dublin Ireland (IRCOBI), which was only a short distance from holland! :) Josh and I went to Dublin for 2 days, while my parents watched the girls and boys for us. The c

onference was really good, Josh got to walk miles and miles to see Dublin, and the kids had a wonderful time with opa en oma. Opa took the girls many times to see the horses, on long bikerides through the forest, adn probably for many ice cream cones. Oma had lego and playmobil for them to play with, and yummy food. Optimel (like a yoghurt drink), and vla were favorite, as well as 'een bakje' elke dag  (a bowl with some surprise treats, like chips, some candy and a cookie). Another daily treat was going to the playpark in the neighborhood and swing and slide. We had some delicious pancakes in Meppel, and got some treats to take back home from Aldi. We had quite good weather, always a treat. It can be quite bad in Holland with rain adn every time we are there, we seem to be dealt with some especially nice weather, perfect!

Of course we HAD to go to the ijsboerderij. This time it was extra special because my sweet friends from Sweden, Jerry and Soile Vennerholm and their family, came all the way from Eindhoven to join us thre! Tack sa mycket, so fun!

Here we are at the pancake boat:

 

Another favorite: de Ballenbak. We had so much fun ont he slide, racing eachother!

 When my dad is around, there is no way you can escape een 'frietje met' of een 'patat speciaal'. Mmmmm, lekker!

A special treat for all, but especially for Sofia: horseback riding. we went all over the forest, everyone got a turn and it was uncomplicated fun!

One of the playparks has a huge sandbox with many tractors and other toys in it. The boys couldn't get enough of it!

 The same playpark has a zip line. Opa is such a good sport to always make them go fast, also a favorite!

 The most special time of all was with grootoma. She is almost 94 now, and we were able to spend a fun afternoon with grootoma at a restaurant. She loved watching the kids faces, and joy they bring (just like we do). Lieve oma. Hopefully we can do this another or even several other times!

 And ofcourse at the end of the day after lots of play, some tv and some zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz time!

 Opa en oma, thank you so much for another very special time! Kusjes