The Past 2+ Weeks

So what have we been up to? Here are a few of the things...

A few bike rides around the neighborhood (I love the cobblestone streets and sidewalks.)

Breakfast on Valentine's Day.

Finally making the gingerbread house that's been sitting in our cupboard for the past 2 months.
First bubble bath for the baby.
But mostly we have been trying to catch up on our sleep since we haven't been doing much of it at night. We've all been sick (Jarom and Jimmy got it the worst).

On a more positive note, Jarom and I bought plane tickets and reserved hotels for Spain! We'll be going in March. Oh an even more exciting event...my little brother, Matt, proposed to his girlfriend and are getting married May 29th! Thus I will be coming home to Utah in May with the little boys.

I am beyond excited!!!

Difference #3

This one is more obvious on some days than others...

#3. The Weather

Here's a clip I took from iexplore.com... Weather for the Netherlands can be described as a "mild, maritime climate. Summers are generally warm with changeable periods, but excessively hot weather is rare. Winters can be fairly cold with the possibility of some snow. Rainfall is prevalent all year."

A man knocked on our door and said he would wash all our outside windows for 11 euros. It was raining. That fact didn't even phase him. :) If he waited until it wasn't raining or no rain was in the forecast I don't believe the windows would ever get washed. The boys sure enjoyed watching him climb on the ladder. He was thorough but very quick. Maybe because we were all staring at him!

Difference #2

#2. The Shopping Carts

I believe I've briefly mentioned this before, but I thought you might enjoy a picture. Here are the shopping carts from our local Albert Heijn all locked up. You have to insert a 50 euro cent coin in order to get a cart out (see picture below). When you return the cart and lock it back up your coin pops back out. I used to carry a 50 euro coin in my pocket but I rarely use a cart so I don't carry one any more. Instead Jimmy will usually push one of the really small carts (which is free) and I put a basket (also free) on the back of the stroller where Jimmy usually sits.

What's interesting is there is a grocery store inside the mall here and it's not unusual for people to use the shopping cart from the grocery store in the whole mall. I first thought it was rather funny to see people pushing a shopping cart around the mall!