My sister-in-laws wedding day in tropical North Queensland ~ a beautiful day!!

One of our favourite places ~~ great place to explore ....

Some piccies from our weekend in Dusseldorf!

Incredible show! We had an opportunity to see this show which was awesome. All of it was amazing but our highlights were the girl who balanced on canes, the Russian swings, the aerial stunts and, oh, just about all of it really!

At the show ....

on the way home ...

Some piccies ~~~ a fun day!!!

Apparently, there is a dutch saying about the weather in march, 'maart roert zijn staart' which means something like 'march has a sting in its tail'. It has certainly come true this year. The last weeks of winter saw some of the flowers blooming, gorgeous blossems on trees and new buds on the plants ~ spring officially started on the 21st March so these early signs of new life resulted in an anticipation that spring would be here soon. Then the first week of spring brought with it snow, sleet, hail, rain, strong winds, ... so basically, we got the works (sometimes all within minutes of each other!). For three or four mornings in a row we were waking up to a snow-covered backyard and a snow-covered street.

The sting at the end of march has been full of surprises!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my dear daughter!

She has such a great heart and has shown alot of graciousness through the past week leading up to her birthday. We had planned a party on her actual birthday, sent the invitations out a month before and we were making plans. And then poor Marcel gets totally wiped by this virus that's doing the rounds. Sammy had been sick too but thankfully got over it fairly quick! So not knowing exactly how this was all going to play out postponing seemed like the best option.

There is a new date for the party which will be in early April!

Today riding back home with Jackson, he and I were talking about silly things. He said, "Remember when Micah fell off his bunkbed and broke his arm. The doctor had to put his arm back on."

Jackson makes us laugh so!

Finally it's finished!!

Michael's pirate ship!

Marcel has been playing with the main photo on the blog. He knows how much I love this photo of the kiddos being together, exploring in their own way on the esplanade madflats. Thanks Marcel, it looks terrific!

Now that I'm here (you see the change of photo was simply a ploy of Marcel to get me writing ) I can let you know what's been happening with us. Marcel is now back in the Netherlands, starts work tomorrow, looking for a house so that we can then come over. The children and I are flying out to Canberra in the next day or two to see family and friends.

My most loved laptop is on the other side of the world with my most loved dh. And just so that you know I'm doing ok without them both  ...... AND ...... missing Marcel infinitely more than my laptop . It's at times like this that I appreciate technology the most as Marcel and I have been able to talk a couple of times a day and I can see him on the webcam and then there is alwasy email. So knowing that he is around to talk to is great!

We had a lovely day, I had a lovely day! In the morning the kiddos and Marcel made me a cuppa and breakfast in bed. This is something that I LOVE and something that Marcel does through out the year too and I SOOO appreciate it.

That afternoon we all gathered at my brother-in-laws inlaws home (does that make sense??) for a combined family mum's day. My mum was there too.

It was quite lovely to see all the mum's at all various stages. It was Andrea's first mum's day and great to see the 4 generations in their family!

Jacob with his Great-Grandma

Jas and Jacob having a cuddle!

I am very happy to report that Jackson's second swimming lesson was big success! No crying  ....... instead, lots of smiles and water confidence. So from all reports dad and son did extremely well and both enjoyed themselves!

When I was a child growing up in Cairns we enjoyed Waterworks, these tunnels of rushing water that we could slid down while riding on mats. It was the best fun! Well with all the various changes within Cairns the actual slides have been moved to the far southern part of Cairns and transformed into SugarWorld. There is a mix of pools and picnic and BBQ areas and, of course, the most popular attraction ....... WATER SLIDES!

We were there for a birthday party of our newly turned 4 year old relative ~ Maddy!

We celebrated Oma's birthday today ..........

A lovely birthday spread!

Scrummy Tosca cake made by Esther

Singing 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' to the birthday girl!

Oma holding her new grandson

Jackson had his first swimming lesson today!! Mum thought it would be great for Marcel and Jackson to have some special dad/son time together. Well, these 'special moments' don't always go according to plan . Jackson ended up crying and screaming throughout the whole lesson. 'Lesson' being the operative word here! It was a learning time for mum standing at the side of the pool giving encouraging smiley messages on one hand to dad and on the other hand warning expressions not to mess this up and be encouraging to OUR son. And it was a learning time for dad to not let his manly pride get in the way of encouraging his son to be courageous through what was obviously a trying time.

(I know it is SO wrong to capture my son like this!! )

......... to be continued with lesson 2 (LOL!)

We had a lovely surprise when we found out this week that my nephew was coming up with his mum to see us! We haven't seen him for about 6 years and he is now 13yo. Today we went down to the Esplanade Lagoon, now a fav meeting place, for a swim.

Later that day we headed to a local shopping centre where at the stage area there were farm animals

What a treasure of family get togethers!!!

A very social day was had by the vdBs!!

After an easter egg hunt at mum's place first thing we were off to church.

At lunch time we met up with Marcel's cousin and fam at the Esplanade Lagoon

Then is was back to mum's place for dinner with family and the new little arrival

Thankfully, Monday was a public holiday to chill out!!!

Just past 4am my BIL and SIL had a baby .......... and he is stunning! God is so GOOD!!

He has the vdB nose too

This week my father-in-law is in Townsville undergoing chemo and radiation treatments. On the weekend all three brothers traveled down to spend time with him. My mother-in-law and sister-in-law where both down there too.

Marcel started work too. He is working as a trade assistant at the shipping yards doing 12 hour shifts at night. He and his brother G have been working together. This work has been a blessing in so many ways, difficult but still a blessing. The work is long and physically tiring. But Marcel has been enjoying the total change from his usual white-collar work LOL. For me, I've really missed having my hubby around,  missing his companionship and presence. He starts work at 6pm finishing at 6am then coming home to sleep hopefully until about 3pm before waking up to have a little family time. Although the money has been wonderful with giving us means to pay some bills and have more freedom

We received a photo last week from our neighbours back home.

You see here our cat Snuggles and our neighbours dog Patch. You cannot begin to imagine the excitement this photo caused in our family!

Jackson cried out, "I miss Snuggles!" then "I miss Patch!"

Jasmine says "Hi Alan and Louisa. It's quite good here. It is raining a lot right now. I miss you very much. love Jasmine."

Michael says "Just wanted to let you know that I wasn't climbing when I cut my hand" (mum cutting in here: "That's a first, eh, Alan?!!") "I've been having a great time exploring the Netherlands and I like going on trams and buses and trains."

Samantha's turn, "Dear Alan and Louisa, I want to thank you for looking after Snuggles. I would like to see you again and Snuggles. I think Holland is very very big. How are Patch and Snuggles going? love from your neighbour Samantha.

Ps. It's 12 days to my birthday!!" (mum cutting in here again: We have a very excited soon-to-be 7yo who is telling EVERYONE the countdown to her birthday!)