The Netherlands

Over the Easter weekend, we met up with family in The Netherlands.  The weather was very cooperative and the country is beautiful, but it was a very crowded.  Next time, we want to stay for the whole week!

Our first stop was Haarlem.  We tried to get into the Corrie ten Boom home, but of course, the line was too long and only a few English tours are given in a day.  I am reading the book "Hiding Place" right now, so when we go back, I will have a better idea of the setting and history behind the Boom home.  Behind Bryan and Kate, is the church Mozart played at concert in at the age of 10.

 These wooden shoes are just a little too big.

Our second stop was Zaanse Schans.  It is a little tourist trap, but I totally was all for it.  You travel around a little town set up with the windmills, and cheese making factories, and wooden shoe factories.  Their cheese is amazing.  Bryan and I just about ate all of the coconut flavored one we bought while there.

 At the shoe making store. Every hour or so, an employee will demonstrate how the wooden shoes are made.  I bought a pair for decoration that Kate might be able to wear some day.

 Holland Windmill

Our third adventure was Amsterdam.  I wish I could have navigated the city better.  I wasn't prepared and it was so crowded.  You have to watch out for the bikers and the buses and the above ground trains.  We took a canal tour of the city, which helped us get an idea of what was in Amsterdam, but navigating around the canals when you are on the streets is a different story.  I got us lost...

We didn't have tickets to go into the Anne Frank house, but if we go again, I will make sure I have tickets.  The line was probably over 4 hours long.  There is no way Rachel and I would have stood in line with all our kids for that long.  But people do it.  The tickets sell out about 4 months in advanced, so you have to plan way ahead. We also ate at the Pancake House down the street- excellent choice.

 Our fourth adventure- Kuekenhof.  The most famous tulip festival in the world.  It was beautiful and the kids had a great time.

 Stupid photo bomber in the background.  You can hardly get a picture without others ruining it.  Lol.

 I love my family!

 Kate loves baby Myra.  That is all she talks about right now.  

 We stayed at a farmhouse outside of Amsterdam for $45 a night.  They had sheep, cow, horses, chickens, rabbits, and doves.  This is the best way to vacation in Europe.  Cheap and fun for the kids.

Our last stop was Muiden. There was an unexpected festival going on while we were there- some fancy name for the beginning of the sailing season. Old sailing boats were docked for viewing with Easter candy scattered throughout.  

Our main attraction, the Muiderslot Castle.  This is the first defensive castle's we have been to. Inside, they had video games where you throw rocks onto intruders or dress up in clothes from the time period.  Bryan likes this castle because of the mote surrounding it.  "The only thing lacking is alligators" says Bryan.