Saturday, December 29, 2012

Bruges, Belgium with Papa & Grandma!

My parents really wanted to do a little side trip while they were here. At first we had decided on Paris... After we went in November... we decided that wouldn't be the best place to go back with my parents and three little kids. So, we decided to go back to Bruges. 
We stayed three nights. The weather was rainy off and on for the first two days. But it didn't really stop us from getting out and seeing the sights. I love this place! 
We all thoroughly enjoyed the waffles and Belgian chocolates! I loved knowing where to go to get the best chocolates. 
The last day we were there was beautiful. 

 I snuck out on the last night to take some photos of Bruges in the dark. All the buildings are lit up so beautifully, so it was pretty easy to get some good photos. 








This is probably one of my favorite spots in Europe! So we had to take a million pictures!

We had a good system down (after the most relaxing dinner in a really nice restaurant on the first night with three kids...NOT). So after the first night, Ben and I went to dinner first and my parents watched the kids and then my parents went out by themselves and we stayed with the kids and got them ready for bed. On the last night, we both went to The Olive Tree A Greek Restaurant. It was fabulous. Ben and I were the first people there, so we got chatting and made friends with the owner. My parents did the same thing when they had dinner there later that night. Ben and I only had a 20Eruo bill on us... so we left that as our tip! That is a HUGE tip in Europe... The next day we were walking by the restaurant... I looked in and saw the owner there so we waved. He invited us in and wanted to give Bella and Ethan ice cream. And then we all had lattes... He was so sweet to us. And wanted to give it to us for free. 
If you go to Bruges, you have to eat there. Tell him we sent you :)



 I have to say Bruges is still one of my favorite places in Europe. I would honestly go back again! It was that good. the chocolate and waffles help with that too! Thanks for a great trip mom and Dad!






Monday, December 24, 2012

Christmas Eve & Christmas Morning!


Christmas Eve was so much fun! 
We went to the Christmas Eve Service at church and then headed home for a feast!
My mom cooked the traditional Hungarian Christmas Eve dinner that we have always had. We started with homemade chicken soup with carrots, then we moved to Rakott Kaposzta a layered rice, sauerkraut and pork dish, then we had pork loin and oven fried potatoes and fruit cocktail. It was all awesome!
After dinner, we read the Christmas story... Actually Bella 'read' the Christmas story this year. and did a fantastic job at her own little rendition. 
The kids were allowed to open two presents Christmas Eve. 

OUR TRADITIONAL CHRISTMAS PICS! 
Just look at these kids. I couldn't get all of them looking at the camera at the same time if my life depended on it!!!! I love all their little personalities. 

Bella reading the Christmas story with Daddy. 






 WE had a wonderful Christmas Eve. 
And then... it was Christmas morning! It started with the annual pajama stair picture! 

 And then it was pure pandemonium opening presents! 

My parents got us this beautiful print of the Banff Springs Hotel. Where Ben and I got married.


 It was a great Christmas morning too. IT just goes by too darn quick!