Trunk or Treat

Odd's Farm

While the girls and I were in England visiting Katie, Terry and India, we spent the day at Odd's Farm.

We were able to feed the goats.....

Hug the goats.....

Kiss the goats....

Drive tractors (pretend)....

Be with cousins....

 

 

Swing...

It was a really nice day!

Alley Cousins

 We were lucky to see Megan and Josh in both Georgia and Florida!

Caspermeyer Cousins

We are almost lucky enough to see all of our Caspermeyer cousins this summer in Illinois.  The only ones missing were the boys from Arkansas.

Sadly though, no picture with Brandon.  But the girls love their autographed baseballs from the Quincy Gems game we saw where Brandon pitched. 

Our 2012 visit to Fernandina Beach

On Friday the 20th (of July) we left the hot, hot, hot mid-west and headed to warm and humid Florida.

Our trip to Florida was also full of family, friends, and shopping....but also the beach!!


The girls loved the beach!

I don't think they could get enough.  And it was especially nice to share the beach with their cousins, Megan and Josh, who just moved to Atlanta, and came down to spend a few days with us.

Doesn't this just scream FUN!

We also took a cruise to view Cumberland Island, GA, which is visible from the north end of Amelia Island.  Cumberland Island is a National Park today, but was once the vacation 'island' of the Carnegie family.  But it has a few inhabitants; the most popular are the wild horses.

It's such a beautiful place. It's also where John F. Kennedy, Jr. married Caroline Bessette.

We had a wonderful visit, albeit hot, to Florida.  Here is an album of all of our pictures:  FB 2012

Our 2012 Visit to Quincy

Before we moved to Brussels, we tried to go to Quincy twice a year.  But now that we're here, we will only travel back to the US once a year and split our time between Quincy and Florida.  And maybe Atlanta, next time.

After our brief stop over in St. Louis, we drove to Quincy.  It had been almost a year since we had seen everyone, so we were really looking forward to our visit.


Carol, Taylor and Megan also came up from St. Louis to stay with us for a few days; the girls stayed the week.  Mark drove up from Arkansas, and the Ley family were with us for a good part of the week, less Brandon, who was playing summer baseball in Hickory, NC.


It was soooooooo hot in Quincy. 106!!!  That's hot under normal circumstances, but coming from chilly Europe, it was a shock to our systems.  The girls were up super early due to the time change, which worked out well, since they could actually play outside in the mornings while it wasn't too warm and the bugs weren't so bad.

Grace loved playing in the sprinkler.

Audrey....not so much.

During the week, in between playdoh ice cream cones and running through the sprinkler, we visited with family and friends, did quite a bit of shopping, celebrated Matt's birthday, and the girls both got their first hair cuts.

Matt's grandfather was a barber, and his cousin Tina has her own salon.  As you walk in, she has a tribute to Grandpa.  His scissors, pipe, and an article in the local paper.

Grace did very well for her very first hair cut.  She sat very still.  Tina is a trained professional.  She knew the trick was to put a DVD on for her to fixate on.

Doesn't she look so grown up?  We love the cut!!

Audrey was not a fan of sitting still or getting her hair cut.  Tina was able to do a little bit of shaping up, though.

We had such a great visit!  The girls really enjoyed spending time with their cousins!  

Thank you to Grandma, Grandpa, Taylor, Megan, Kelsey, Amanda, and everyone else that helped make this such a special trip for all of us!

Here is a link to all of our pictures from Quincy:  Quincy 2012

Chateau de Grand-Bigard

 On Sunday, we went to the last day of the Spring Flower Show at the Chateau de Grand-Bigard.  It was only about 15-20 minutes away from our house, right on the outskirts of Brussels.

It was really beautiful.....  some of the tulips had past their prime, but some were just starting to pop.

Next year.....if it's warmer, we'll have to go when it's a nicer day and do a full blown photo shoot.  But as it was only in the 40s, Grace had her winter coat on...

.... which I guess still made for a pretty cute picture.  Which, if you click on it, you can see the remnants of her peanut butter sandwich.  Sigh.

And the two little future botanists were bundled in blankets...... but enjoyed a nice nap strolling through the gardens.....

Here is an album of HUNDREDS of pictures.  Chateau de Grand-Bigard Pictures

I couldn't resist.  It was really a beautiful place, even without the flowers.

Here is a link for more information on it:  Chateau de Grand-Bigard Info

When we were leaving we discovered that we were blocked in by a parade.  It was honoring St. Wivina.  We're not real sure why there was a parade, since her feast day is in December.  But it was so quaint and old fashioned.

Audrey's Cinco de Mayo 1st Birthday Party

I hope Audrey likes Mexican!  Her birthday falls so closely to Cinco de Mayo, I foresee a life long theme.  :)  I also tried to incorporate a flower theme.  After all, April Showers bring May Flowers, right?

We had a few friends over to celebrate, along with the Rawlings.  Audrey loves her cousin India.  She was always trying to hug her. 

 

Audrey's Flower Cake

 Decorations

 

Cake Anticipation

 

Singing Happy Birthday!

Diving In!