We made it!

After 24 hours, four plane embarkings, two mechanical difficulties, and lots of failed attempts at slumber, we made it! Truly, our shared excitement seemed to mask a lot of the trials of travel. My excitement largely stems from Chad's. As mentioned in previous posts Europe is a place so dear to my heart, a place brimming with family, that it is something amazing to watch the man I love fall in awe of a place so special to me. Here are some snapshots of our adventures so far.


Gouda's town hall, dating back to the middle ages.


Ah! Kattensingel 79 welcomes us! (Our room-in my Tante Tineke and Uncle Kees' home) are the two windows on the third floor-it's larger than it looks.


I am quite taken by Tineke's garden.




Scrumptious breakfast



We were welcomed to Den Haag by the Prime Minister of the Netherlands himself (left) and the Vice Prime Minister of Russia (right).


Queen Beatrix's working palace in Den Haag (the flag is up which means she's in).


Chad and (cousin) Floortje at Lucie's first birthday party!


Lucie's 1 jaar! (with brothers Jules, left; Vince, right)


Opa (Uncle Kees) and five of his six grandchildren (Jules, Lucie, Vince, Ocean, Lenta)


Eva and baby Lucie


It didn't take long for me to fall in love with the sweet babe (with her Oma, Tante Tineke).


The girls (twins, Ocean and Lenta) loved their coloring books from America!


Jules with his Tante Floortje


No good cup of coffee in Gouda is complete without a stroopwafel (a delicious honey wafer)



The endless supply of Gouda cheese-yum!


Today...Amsterdam (in a bit of rain...)


Stay tuned for more... K + C

The best of the South

Growing up, my extended family was, quite literally, scattered all over the world. I always wished I had a large extended family living just down the street; many aunts, uncles, cousins. I finally got my wish when I married Chad. 

Chad's father is the youngest of seven; four girls and three boys. All but one live in the greater Charlotte area. All but Chad's dad have grandchildren of their own. The patriarch of the family, Harold Christenbury Keith, is alive and kicking at 96. For every celebrated moment, the entire extended family gathers together for a good homemade southern meal. Below are some snapshots from Father's Day.


Chad's Pawpaw's home.



His Pawpaw has lived in this house for over 50 years; this stump is indicative of the history.



Chad remembers his Mawmaw's hydrangeas reaching well above his head. Aren't these gorgeous?



Carolyn (aunt) prepares lunch



No meal is unaccompanied by sweet tea



Lindsay (uncle), Chad's father Wayne, Dick (uncle) have some of the best stories



Mawmaw's counted cross-stitching   
        

                              
Chad's great great grandfather (top), great grandmother (bottom)                 



Mawmaw and Pawpaw



Mawmaw and Pawpaw were married on October 16, 1935