Son Mark in the Netherlands, 2023

 

The last (and only) time my son Mark visited us here in the Netherlands was in October of 2018, 5 years ago.  Needless to say, it was high time to have him back, even though we had just been with him a month earlier.  He favors the colder weather, so it was a no-brainer to come now.

Thus, from Saturday to Sunday, December 9-17, Mark graced us with his presence!

Don't you just love airport meetups!

Rather than depict each day's activities the way I normally do, here's the overall feel of the week, to show the territory we covered, even though it was rainy most of the time (and still is!).  We all were troopers and did what we could.

Femke and Jeannette, our dearest friends here, always rise to the occasion

whenever we invite ourselves over with my kids.  We all just love it.  Can you tell???

It was a good way to start off the week (Sunday) after Mark's long flight the day before.

After a restful stay-at-home day Monday, Tuesday was a morning-lunch outing to Woudrichem

across the Merwede river from us, ending up as one of our only sunny times all week for 2 hours.

And, yes, that's the nearby Loevestein castle (bottom-right) where we took him last time.

It's an adorable, quaint city we love for our guests,

especially because we can eat on the barge docked off shore.

Sadly, right now the city is so flooded that we would NOT be able to park or walk to the barge.

But that day, we were in heaven.

The next day after lunch, Wednesday, we drove out to the nearby Biesbosch National Park,

to breathe in the silence and beauty of the place.  No sun but also no rain.

That evening was a lovely "platter" meal to meet up with Astrid's son's family,

including both kids and Jaap, Astrid's ex.  Jeroen (age 35) and Mark (age 48) are step brothers, so

 getting re-acquainted was important to them both.  The last time they met, Hailey was just 3 weeks old.

Hailey, now 5, has her own step-brother, Sem (only 5 weeks older), so they, too,

got acquainted with Mark.  Daughter Amy had sent pj's for Christmas for them to color,

which was a big hit...even if it will take them forever to color, even with help.

Our big excursion of the week (Thursday) was the 2.5-hr drive to Cologne, Germany,

not only to add another country-notch to Mark's belt but to visit the Christmas markets there.

Since we parked right at the Dom (cathedral), and it was still rainy, we started with it inside.

It was Mark's first cathedral experience!

By the time we started the markets, the rain had stopped !

Mark specifically wanted a German pretzel, which we all got (and loved),

plus a good sit-down meal with traditional German food (think brats and sauerkraut).

[photo credit:  Mark]

Friday afternoon was our Happy Hour here where we live.

Mark was a good sport to join us, playing 5 Crowns with me to pass the time.

[Truth be known, Astrid, Mark and I played a LOT of 5 Crowns while he was with us that week!]

[photo credit:  Mark]

On Saturday we ate lunch at a favorite restaurant in nearby Leerdam...

after which was our city's annual Santa Run, that we were thrilled to share with Mark.

Afterwards, as we walked through town, he bought 3 apple beignets for us to share 

at home with Astrid's homemade hot chocolate.  What a treat! 

The next day, Sunday, came too soon to say good-bye till the next time, but with the holidays fast approaching, it really was time to bid farewell, knowing the memories would remain...

Mother and son!

By now, Christmas has come and gone,

but the "passing of the years" this week means 2024 is around the corner.

Are we scared, ready or what?????

[photo credit:  Mark--in the Cologne parking garage elevator]

HAPPY NEW YEAR

to us all!