Amsterdam

I think me and Amsterdam need a second chance to meet under different circumstances. We were blessed with beautiful weather and did the three things we hoped to given we had our munchkins with us but our schedule was tied to the only available slot available for the Anne Frank museum . . . a 7:45pm admission. My kids usually head to bed at 7:30 most nights and are ready for it. This meant the kids had no naps and would be in a museum after bedtime. Oh yes, and we didn't have a stroller in the bustling city because we rode our bikes to the train station.

On the agenda for the afternoon/evening: the Rijksmuseum's Dutch Golden Age master painters, a canal cruise, dinner at a local pancake house, and Anne Frank's museum. The other things on my list just weren't going to happen with the munchkins but that was fine.

We had a lazy morning and then rode over to the train station. Wouldn't ya know it, I forgot our Anne Frank museum tickets?! Grrrr! Ryan saved the day by biking like a mad man back home to get them and making it back just in time for our train. PHEW! Morgan loved being on a choo-choo and they were all curious what snacks were in the big bag.

We got down to the Rijksmuseum by taking a tram and got right in to the museum. Big bags had to be checked into the cloak room so I scavenged for the kids' candy bribe stash before turning it over. There's just no way we could survive a museum without a stroller AND candy bribes! Luckily, I'd read beforehand about the paintings I wanted to see and with the museum under renovation, all the master works were collected into ten rooms -- totally doable, right? BARELY! The kids all took turns with my audio guide and Ryan had the other one. I got a good minute or so with each of my favorites before little ones necessitated moving on. Not enough time, but it's what we gots!

It was so interesting to see how the Netherland's history so completely influenced their art. Duh, right? Their masterpieces reflected a love of everyday simplicity and regular folks or prominent citizens rather than royalty and much less religious art. Oh the amazing color, technique, and detail captured by the masters - Rembrandt, Vermeer, Jan Steen, Frans Hals and so on. The Dutch were conquered by the bigger, more powerful empires throughout time, but cherished their independence, religious and social tolerance, and industries. I'll refrain from sharing more of my nerd-side now. But I really liked learning more about this country's history and art. Wish I'd had more time . . .

Did I mention Morgan was overdue for her nap by now? At one point she sat on one of the benches in the middle of the room with a couple beautiful Vermeers. She cozied up with the headset and snuggled into the back of a young grandma who was beyond thrilled a lil gal had picked her. Morgan sat there for a good ten minutes, never even looked at the woman, but liked the head rest she provided! When Morgan was done with the museum, she was done and her meltdown began and her and I got real familiar with the elevator. Oh well!

We headed over to the Vondelpark to let the kids run while Ryan and I decompressed in the lovely sunshine. A little later we walked down to catch a canal tour. It was great to see different neighborhoods, canal life, and building facades with the characteristic hooks that were used to help heft large items into the upper stories of homes and buildings. The kids played and snacked, and it was fun to see them having a good time together.

After our canal cruise we were headed toward the pancake house when Ryan stopped at an ATM. Easton and McKay were with Ryan while I walked on with Morgan on my shoulders. Suddenly the boys were all bursting with laughter such that Easton couldn't walk straight or stand! Come to find out, that Easton had let rip a rather loud, long "wind" to which a very elderly gentleman in a tweed jacket and cap standing behind him waiting to use the ATM replied. He said a few words chuckling while Easton and my guys realized Easton had had an audience and couldn't hold in their gut laughter. It was the laugh that keeps on giving!

We made our way to the pancake house and McKay kept lagging behind with his usual thumbsucking. We were all hungry and tired. As we crossed the street to the pancake house, I looked back and told McKay to get a move on it as he neared the curb. We arrived and took our seats but no McKay! Ryan went to look for him but came back a few minutes later without him. Now I was in a panic! Easton and I said a prayer - the pancake house was 20 yards from the crosswalk we'd been on where I'd told McKay to catch up. What a horrible, horrible feeling! Luckily Ryan found him. He'd walked into the wrong building and got scared.

Our Rick Steve recommended meal was fine but took forever because the cook decided to get on the phone and go on a 20 minute tirade about some money she'd lost instead of cooking up our order. Good grief lady, I've got a hungry family that just wants some pancakes! And we were nervous about missing our Anne Frank timed entrance. Aack. Did I mention Ryan had a severe headache? When the food finally arrived, it was fine and we got out of there as fast as we could. Good times.

The Anne Frank Museum was really neat. Having read her book and seen a good movie about her this past year, it was all pretty fresh for me. Easton seemed to enjoy this museum more than any other we've taken him to, he read a lot of the displays and the entire booklet. Luckily the museum is pretty easy to do in an hour with a lot of movement from room to room where her family and friends hid from the Nazi occupiers.

I loved the closing clip of her father talking about his daughter. Her diaries were found by one of their helpers after the family was arrested and sent off to concentration camps. When her father returned to Amsterdam, the friend gave them to him and he got them published. His closing remark was something to the effect that parents don't really know their children. Anne's diaries are very astute for one so young. It seems we all have expectations and understandings of who our family members and friends are, but sometimes miss their depth and where their heart is. I can't hardly imagine the stressful circumstances that small group endured in such close quarters for the duration of their hiding.

We lost McKay again in the museum as it was closing. We barely caught our train back to Amersfoort. We got quizzacle looks as our crew rode bikes home at 10:30 that night. But a good day in the end which we all survived. Having a stroller in a big bustling city is rather a life saver. Not bringing one seriously makes you want to cut the trip short fast so I'm so thankful Ryan stuck with me on this one! Ahhh, it was so nice to have soft beds to crash into! I remember just watching Easton drift off to sleep thinking how fast he's growing up and how handsome he is. Love these kids!

You'll notice there aren't any pictures of Amsterdam here. The camera battery was dying and our hands were too full keeping track of our crew. That's our story and we're stickin' to it!

Amersfoort, Netherlands

As I mentioned, we stayed in Amersfoort at the Johan B&B. It’s the first place we’ve been that I absolutely want to return to for it’s location and family-friendliness off the tourist route. Amersfoort is within an hour by train or car to pretty much anywhere you want to go there. And this meticulously renovated B&B is ideally located in the heart of the old historic town in a very quiet neighborhood. The young family who runs it is so kind and welcoming that I wish we’d had time to sit and share a meal together! When I told Ingrid we would be celebrating McKay’s birthday on Sunday, she provided me with everything to make our first poffertjes – the local version of pancakes. Yum! And so nice of her to make it possible for us to do on our own on a whim!

So back to our arrival. As we drove into a neighboring town getting close to our final destination, it was about 3pm Friday. It looked like school must have just gotten out and there were just people everywhere on the bike paths! Cars were seriously outnumbered and you didn't see a chunky kid or adult in sight. It was such a drastic change of scene from the hills and cars in Germany. And I thought Germans rode bikes a lot but this was a whole new landscape! Munich and Berlin are much more flat and bike-friendly than the hills of Stuttgart, but bikes rule in the Netherlands!

We got to the house around 4pm Friday evening after a difficult time maneuvering our way close enough to the vacation home. However, once we arrived we were greeted by our lovely hosts who were at the park across from their place playing field hockey with their daughters. They helped us get settled and rent bikes as the local shop was closing up for the weekend. We’d taken the boys' bikes along but didn't have room for ours so it’s a good thing we were able to catch the shop before it closed. Phew!

We spent the rest of the evening riding around the old town as a family. Morgan was perched in a child’s seat behind the handlebars of Ryan’s bike. She was in heaven! All weekend long she kept saying, “Daddy, I happy!” and “Daddy, I wike a bike!” and "I a wide on Daddy bike!" anytime we mentioned or headed toward the door. Her little face always had tears streaming back as the rush of air blew them back.

And the boys couldn’t get enough riding! If we were at the home, they were always asking to go out and ride on the quiet road in front of the house. That first evening, the locals seemed to enjoy our show. Both boys had only been riding bikes for a week so Ryan and I were duly nervous for our maiden family spree. And for good reason we found as McKay almost landed himself in a canal as he came off another canal’s bridge and stopped himself on a tree trunk. We had come across this little spot a few times already as we circled and explored the town on bike. A mother and daughter were sitting across the canal enjoying an evening beverage. They smiled encouragingly each time we passed, but their nervous laughter after McKay’s near miss was so endearing! For the rest of the weekend, we joked as a family that we were not trying to go swimming on this ride, ie. steer clear of the canals!

New favorite recipe(s)

Last week I was having some serious pasta cravings, knew I'd have a couple extra mouths to feed, and wanted to have meals I could finish before school got out so I could take the kids out on the bike trail to wear them out enjoying gorgeous weather. Phew! That was a mouthful! I've also recently felt guilty that the 4-5:30 timeframe has me in the kitchen making dinner and the kids pretty much on their own. I get so little time around Easton with his long school days, it's just not working for me. He's one darn cute good kid and I love that his brother and sister are eager to have him home every day. The cousins too - they seem to come alive when he's home. No pressure, dude!

Back to the kitchen: So I have tried many alfredo sauce recipes over the years in search of one that Ryan will think lives up to his favorite Olive Garden dish. This is the closest I've found but sadly his spring allergies have stolen his taste buds so he couldn't give me a rave review on this maiden voyage. My kids were weirded out by bowtie pasta and "stuff" in it -- bacon, green onions mostly. A couple friends helped me eat the leftovers for lunch the next day and requested the recipe so I thought it worth passing on. I liked that it was easy to make ahead, freeze, or drop off as yummy comfort food for someone else.

I made this dish with their recommended "Guiltless Alfredo" sauce and should have made more sauce for my entire 12 oz box of pasta to stretch it to a 9x13 casserole pan rather than the 8 oz of pasta for an 8x8 dish . . . and because we love extra sauce.

Baked Chicken-Bacon Alfredo

Recipe by Our Best Bites found at www.ourbestbites.com

8 oz. penne or bowtie pasta

1 recipe Guiltless Alfredo Sauce (1 16-oz. jar would work in a pinch)

2 chicken breasts, grilled and chopped (about 2 c. chopped chicken)

6 oz. (1/2 package) cooked bacon, chopped

1 14-oz. jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1/2 c. chopped green onions (about 1 decent-sized bunch)

1 c. shredded mozzarella cheese, divided

Salt and pepper, to taste

Preheat oven to 350F / 176C. Prepare pasta according to package directions. While pasta is cooking, prepare Guiltless Alfredo sauce. When pasta is done, drain and add to the sauce. Toss with chopped chicken, bacon, artichoke hearts, green onions, and 1/2 c. mozzarella. Season to taste.

Transfer mixture to an 8×8″ baking dish and sprinkle with remaining 1/2 c. mozzarella cheese. Cover with aluminum foil and bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until heated through and cheese is bubbly.

Serve with a green salad and breadsticks or a loaf of garlic bread made with Garlic Bread Seasoning.

Biking to the Keukenhof Gardens

We finally made our way up to the Netherlands to see the beautiful spring flowers this year. My brother Ben served his mission in the Netherlands as did an old roommate and so I'd heard tales of how bike-friendly a country it was. We couldn't park our car near the house in historic downtown Amersfoort so we would ride our bikes to the van or train station.

The first morning when we planned to do the Keukenhof Gardens, we biked to the van and began loading the kids and bikes. It proved to be a challenge to fit everything in and this kind old woman came out of her house to tell us how much she was enjoying watching our family and came out to get a closer look once I'd waved at her. The three kids were so excited about the little morning ride to the van and anticipating lots more riding that they fluttered around us like butterflies. We were parked on a main road so while Ryan was loading, I was trying to keep the kids safe on the sidewalk and then load them up. As we finished loading, the woman went into the house and came back with some shortbread cookies for us! She was so sweet and her English was pretty good too!

Amersfoort is pretty centrally located and it took us about 45 minutes to get near the Gardens. The main exit to the gardens was backed up pretty badly so we made our way to the next exit which also had slow traffic. Rather than sit in traffic, we found a quiet neighborhood and parked the van so we could enjoy the beautiful day biking to and from the gardens. Our GPS said it was only a couple miles away and we figured we could follow signage and traffic there. Here's our fearless leaders with McKay getting his wheels a movin'!

I seriously felt a deep sense of satisfaction as we rode as a family!

Deep, deep happiness!

Ryan (and Morgan) led the way with Easton as a close second. McKay inevitably trailed as a third with me bringing up the rear. McKay's little legs and wheels had to pedal three times as fast as the rest of us and he did a great job! But he DID NOT like being behind Easton and Dad. Whenever he got fed up with his placement, he'd just halt abruptly and many times I bumped into him. He'd say he needed a rest or break and plop his bottom down right in the middle of the path. Cute and aggravating all at the same time. It was his own ploy to make the leaders stop and have to wait for him or back track. One of his stops happened on a busy road in front of a man's garage. Right as McKay plopped himself down, Easton's chain came off his gears. The man kindly asked if he could fix it and as we entered his garage we saw a number of bikes and a beautiful black Harley Davidson. Great place to stop, McKay!

By the time we reached the gardens, me and Ryan's nerves were shot! Yes, the bike lanes were wonderful but riding with novice riders took it's toll. It was about noon when we arrived and I was starving. We steered ourselves to the playground in the center of the park to eat our sack lunches and unwind. PHEW!

But then the boys (big and small) saw these enormous cotton candies and went off to find them. I can't believe they each got one, look how big they are!

And what a mess! Between his helmet hair and trying to figure out how his face got covered in pink candy, he's a looker isn't he?! The sugar seemed to kick in and then the kids seemed to run, run, RUN!

They really loved the zip line and Morgan wasn't about to be let out of that experience! Easton had a big nervous grin and giggle for each of his rides. McKay hunkered down and endured each ride with a grin finally emerging at the end of his rides. Luckily I was able to distract Morgan with another playground area so I didn't have to display stellar parenting of a major toddler tantrum. We hadn't really gotten any good pictures of her by the time she'd rolled in the grass and gotten filthy. But we did get a few now and then - funny that most weren't of the gardens, just of our cute kiddos!

Oh wait, here's a couple of the gardens!

We sadly didn't spend much time, enough time in the four hours admiring the flowers because certain little people were pretty worn out and done being photographed.

So we took a round about way back to the van so we could ride by those never-ending fields of blooming tulips.

Once in the van we drove to the coast and froze for fifteen minutes on the beach while the kids enjoyed how the wind was captured in their hand-held windmills. Not ten minutes back on the road home, I got a classic picture of McKay and Morgan sacked out in the van. A wonderful long day as a family!

Sayin' Somethin'

Yoohoo! I'm still around, I promise. My head has been full of things to blog about but prego exhaustion at the end of the day and too much to do during the day have conspired to keep me away from my chronicling. We've had a couple of fun trips and now another camera with pictures to sift through.

Spring is in the air and while my old roommie Amanda loves that mulch smell, I'm more partial to catching the scent of blossoms on the wind! My favorite thing this spring is that Ryan taught the boys to ride their bikes sans-training wheels a couple weeks ago and they have taken to it like fish to water. It is so fun to watch! It totally made our trip to the Netherlands!

All day today I wanted to get here and start putting things down, but there are six kiddos under 8 years old to feed, entertain, and put to bed so this will be short. We've got the cousins for a couple weeks and it's been fun to see the boys and Lizzie enjoying some good time on their bikes on the path below our house. Morgan and Miles anxiously watch the big kids now and then but are pretty busy playing in and out of the house. It's busy morning ta night 'round here and hopefully I won't be remembered by them as the Wicked Witch's long lost sister. We all have our thresholds ;) Fun things are in the works for them so I'm not too worried!

So here's to many posts to come!