November Visitors: Part 3

Thanksgiving 2013

 

This Thanksgiving, we were grateful to spend the week with Mike's parents.  It's always nice when your family comes in town.  Taking them around to see the sights is fun, but it's the best to just be able to catch up over coffee in the morning or a glass or two of wine in the evening.   On the eve of Thanksgiving, we all pitched in to help with the food prep for the Thanksgiving meal. 

 

 

 

Unfortunately on the eve of Thanksgiving, Mike's dad had a fall on our dark driveway while trying to be nice and take our trash out for us.  On Thanksgiving morning, Mike and his mom and dad went to a local ER.  Once there, they were met by a patient liason who translated everything for them.   It seemed to be a good experience for them (well, as good as going to the hospital can be).  They were in & out in 2 hours. 

 

 

 

Thanksgiving evening was spent with Mike's mom and dad, and our wonderful neighbors & friends.  The kids had a kid table in the kitchen and had a blast too.  We were all in good company! 

 

 

Bruges

 

 

The day after Thanksgiving, we took Mike's mom to Bruges.   His dad wanted to rest up at the house, and actually seemed to enjoy a quiet day to himself.  Bruges is a quaint old city with lots of cobblestone, so it would have been too difficult for him to traverse with crutches.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The day after Bruges, we drove Mike's parents up to the Netherlands and had a lovely visit with their Dutch relatives.  It was the first time meeting most of them for Colin, Aidan, and I.   Mike's mom took the pictures, so I need to get them from her.

 

 

 

Around the house

 

 

 

Trimming the tree on our last full day together

 

 

 

Taking a walk around our home

 

 

 

Making sugar cookie cut-outs

 

 

The beautiful tree is complete!

 

 

We sure did a lot in those 9 days with Mike's parents.  We truly enjoyed being able to show our family about our life here in Belgium and all that it has to offer.  When you haven't seen your family in a long time, the time spent together and the family meals mean that much more!  We will forever cherish our time spent together in Europe!