Tongeren, Belgium

Tongeren is one of my favorite places to shop for unique items here in Europe. When I went there last May with some friends, I bought our coffee table that I love so much. 

While my mom was here for a visit we took a short weekend trip to Belgium. We stayed in Liege which is located only 30 minutes from Tongeren. On Saturday we drove around to some shops and upon Jason's request went and bought a handful of the yummy Belgium beer.

At about 6 on Sunday morning we drove to Tongeren and began shopping.

This black swan was so pretty!

This is a bread bowl from India I got for 30 euro.

(I bought it from the same man I got our coffee table from.)

 I couldn't pass up the the beautiful golden demi john!

 This is the corner rack I got including two wooden dough boards and one metal one. It is what the dutch used to use (way back in the day) for their dough to rise. According to the woman we bought it from it is from the early 1900's.

I love it!!

 Tongeren didn't fail our expectations at all! I love picking up unique treasures and bringing them into my home to admire for years to come.

Weinwanderweg in Freinsheim

While Jason and Grace were home sick with the flu, we drove about 45 minutes to Freinsheim to the rotweinwanderweg, which translates as the "red wine walk."

A few years ago when my mom was here we did this and it was a request she had during her visit this time. Thankfully, it was just a few days after her arrival.

The snow made the walk that much more beautiful!

Neat picture my mom took along the walk.

Just the beginning of the 7 kilometer walk.

 Jackson brought his razor, which was a good choice to keep him busy and on the go.

 Nothing like being with my mom, drinking red wine along the snow filled vineyards!

 There were 14 food stations along the walk. Each station had different types of food to offer. This one was so good! 

 I was trying to get a picture of Jackson's steam coming from his mouth. But it didn't work out, so I thought I'd post it anyway.

 Having fun jumping in the vineyard paths.

 This greasy pig on a stick looked sinfully good! Everyone eating it had a big smile on their face.

 This will definitely be something that we do each year!

AJ's First Tooth...Gone!

Finally! The infamous wiggly tooth came out last night!

This tooth has been loose for many, many weeks. 

Jason and I have tried to pull this tooth a few times, but it just wasn't the right time. Last night Jason and Jackson came home from Wednesday night church and the tooth was hanging out of his mouth sideways. Gross! So he tried a few times and then asked me to help him. All it took was a little pull...and pop...out it came. His reaction was so funny! He ran downstairs and showed Jason with full joy and excitement. These are some of the things I remember about it:

1.) He wanted to wash the tooth because he didn't think the tooth fairy likes dirty teeth.

2.) He was so excited about writing his name on the "Lost a Tooth in January" board at school.

3.) After we put the tooth under his pillow he wanted to sleep on the other side of the bed so the tooth fairy can get the tooth easily. 

This morning he ran in our room so excited that the tooth fairy brought him a 2 euro coin!

These are the moments that I love being a parent. I know we have many more teeth that are going to come out in the years to come, but there is nothing like that first baby tooth gone. Sweet memories!

 YaYa bought Jackson this tooth box to put under his pillow. He loves being able to put it to use!

Ice Skating at the Gartenshau

To ring in 2013 we took the kids ice skating. They really wanted to do it in Belgium, but the weather was nasty and wet so we didn't do it there. They were so excited when we told them we were going today!

The ice skating rink is indoors in Kaiserslautern at the dinosaur park. It was very nice!

The kids getting ready.

This penguin became Grace's best friend to skate with. She loved skating, but couldn't quite stay up by herself.

 Jackson did absolutely amazing! He went from not being able to stay up without the penguin...

 to me staying with him for a little bit...

 to skating around the rink by himself. He fell down about many, but not once complained about it. 

He is one determined boy!!

 It was a great first day of 2013!

Brugge, Belgium

The second day in Belgium we got up and drove to Brugge which is about an hour from Brussels. This is one of our favorite places, so we couldn't wait to take YaYa there.

 The best chocolatier!

 In the main square by the ice skating rink. 

 Great dinner at a gourmet burger place. Hard to believe we are eating outside in December. This year has been an oddly warm winter. 

 Loved the different color lights they had on the church.

 The kids had to ride the carousel again. This time Grace got to ride the horse.

 Jackson was the captain of the boat.

 These two have turned into two wrestle buddies. They love to play with each other...until someone gets hurt. It usually ends up that way, but start playing soon after.

Great way to end up 2012 for our vacations!

Brussels, Belgium

For Christmas break we took a road trip to Belgium for a few days. It is only about 3 hours from our house into the city of Brussels. Jason has been there a few times, but it was a first for the rest of us.

Unfortunately it rained the majority of the days we were there, but that didn't stop us from enjoying the city.

 The Mannequin Pis statue was dressed up for the "Mannequin Pis 12 km Run" through the city that took place that night. 

 Grace and YaYa enjoying an amazing Belgian waffle.

 With the Christmas Market going on there we were able enjoy that as well. The kids rode on hands down the most amazing carousel I have ever seen.

 Here they pedaled this flying guy which made him go up and down.

 This guy freaked me out. A kid holds on to the handle on the top of his head and it makes it move all around. Very life like!

 Around the ice skating rink.

(This part of the market was around the corner from out hotel.)

 Jason enjoying (and YaYa admiring) a yummy belgian beer called Chimay.

 After dinner we stopped by one of the hundreds of chocolatier shops for some dessert. There is nothing like chocolate from Belgium!