Amsterdam

What a great city. We spent one night and one day exploring a city we always fly to but never spend anytime in. Steve booked us tickets to see the Anne Frank House. It was my first time and Steve's second. I was moved to tears throughout. The girls were also very touched and sad. There were many questions that Steve and I had to answer after that visit. While we tried to prepare ourselves for how to explain to Anna and Kate why that hide-out was necessary, our plans to deliver an age appropriate “gentle truth” message were tossed-out the window as soon as the kids came face-to-face with photos from the camps. The place left a lasting impression. We bought a children's version of her diary so that we can learn more about her circumstances. On a lighter note, we visited the Vincent Van Gogh Museum . It was very child friendly and had a nice 'museum' hunt which turned out to be a great way to explore Van Gogh's paintings. We also spent sometime exploring the canals near our hotel. This was a good last stop before returning to our Dubai life and the start of school.

Chateau Bellevue in Southwest France

Steve organized the BEST vacation for us this summer: amazing food, unbelievable wine, beautiful scenery, reuniting with family and friends, and complete relaxation. That's how I would describe our the week in France . Joining us was Steve's sister Pamela and nephew Henry, and our friends Kris, Greg and best dog, Taffy. Pamela's long-time friend Michele Consolaro owns the chateau. It is now a family business as her two daughters, Emilie and Charlotte. They were fabulous hosts. Charlotte is the chef and her partner Thomas is the sommelier - he always chose a wondeful local wines for our meals. Though we based ourselves in a city called Cazaubon, we did take a couple day trips to taste wine in St. Emilion (including Cheval Blanc, a wine Steve loves), Pomerol and St. Julian, spent a day in Biarritz on the Atlantic coast where the kid's played in the big waves, and toured some local historic towns and markets. Though the kids enjoyed their day trips, they would have been just has happy to play in the Chateaux's backyard under the big tree and swim in their pool! The adults too enjoyed the leisurely pace of the rural countryside.

July 4th Baptism

It was a very special 4th of July weekend for us. Our Chicago neices, Amanda and Sophie Woolley, were baptised in our church by our favorite Pastor Jeannine with the water we gathered from the Jordan River last spring. Grandma and Grandpa Woolley(WI) and Morales (OK), their Aunt Jenn (MD) and their Aunt and cousin from Minneapolis were also present. The girls were so cooperative and looked like little angels. We were so happy to host the event and become Godparents again. Steve's twin, Aunt Jenn, stayed with us for a week. We so enjoyed the entire Woolley week/weekend.

Ripon Includes a Friend Reunion/Farewell

Grandma Jean and Grandpa Bill graciously hosted us at their home which was under a major remodeling project. Half their kitchen was in the basement, the refrigerator in the garage, and hand dishwashing in the bathroom. But no matter, they even invited my friend Deanna Said (from Dubai via Milwaukee ) and her three kids to join the mayhem! The kids slept in sleeping bags in the furniture-less living room, we ordered food out, and had the run of a beautifully almost remodeled home. We picked a bucket of blackberries in the back woods so that Deanna could try her hand at making fresh jam. It was especially nice of the Woolley's to invite Deanna, seeing as she and her family will not be returning to Dubai this fall.

'The Little House'

That's what Anna and Kate have named Grandma Jan and Grandpa Gordie's lake place in St. Germaine , Wisconsin . We had a chance to visit twice. Once for a short weekend and then later in the summer for an entire week (though they could have happily stayed there all summer). The girls spent their time swimming, learning how to tube behind the boat, fishing, playing cards, making pudgy pies in the campfire, biking, blueberry picking, flower identifying, and all the good summertime fun. There's a beautiful eagle's nest across the lake. We went to check on the eagles and their two young daily. By the end of July, they had left the nest and could be seen perched on neighboring trees. We had a chance to visit with my spunky grandma who is now 96 years old and in amazing shape. I also got to see my good friend Nancy who's family also has a cabin close to my parents. Though I spent most of the day at Urgent Care after tearing my hamstring muscle an hour into our visit (waterskiing), Nancy and her family got to know my kids well and we had a good laugh at my expense (now that I am healing, of course!)

Fun with the Neighbors

It is always great returning home to a wonderful set of neighbors. Early in the summer, we enjoyed hosting a surprise birthday party for Linda Goodvin (not telling her age) along with her hubby, Mark. Neither Mark nor I leaked a word prior which was amazing for both of us. She was totally confused for a while! We did a good job of breaking in our wine cellar too and Steve had fun breaking out a couple of biggies. My neighbor, Kelly and I treated our daughters to a night at the Chanhassen Dinner Theater to see 'Joseph and the Amazing Technical Dreamcoat'. In addition, the kids played with all their friends everyday that we were home. It was a revolving door at Shadyview Lane . And on our final night, we ordered pizza and had a good old fashioned bonfire in the driveway. Everyone helped me that last week as I tore my hamstring trying to waterski. The bruising and pain made for some good sympathy-help with bags and a trip back to the airport!! Thanks everyone. We miss you already and look forward to seeing you over the New Year! XXO

Anna's Blog Entry

Anna camped away for the first time this summer. It was a 5 day/4 night camp outside of Denver, Colorado. This camp has a lot of family history. Her grandma, grandpa, great uncle and dad were all campers and/or counselors at one time or another. She's the 3rd generation to attend this camp and she shared the experience with her Colorado counsin, Hallie. Here's what she had to say;

At Geneva Glen we rode horses three times. It was a fun time. Then the counselors taught us how to ride horses and do an egg and spoon race on the horses. At the end of the five days, we had a Dirty Derby. We got to put ice cream on our heads and we did a jello face race then put our face in a pile of flour. It tasted bad. We rolled in squishy, gushy mud. Then we jumped into the swimmimg pool in our swimming suites and it turned brown. After we changed into clean cloths and then our moms and dads pick us up and I went to my cousins house. I had a fun time at Geneva Glen. I can't wait to go back next year. -- Anna