Celebrating Bigna's nine month birthday ...

This past weekend, we celebrated Bigna's nine month birthday. It was a special birthday since we traveled with Oma to the Netherlands to visit Opapa (Mama's grandfather). We went with the airplane which was a great adventure for everyone. We all agreed that it was a lot easier when Bigna was only four months old to fly and that it would have been even harder to travel with her from Oregon to Switzerland at this age ... But Andrin was a great trooper and enjoyed the flight and was really excited that we got to take the train again to get to the airport. Once in the Netherlands, we had some obstacles to overcome since we had to debark the train in Utrecht due to construction and then had to take a bus. We learned to appreciate the Swiss organization skills. There were too many people trying to get on the bus and of course we could not make it and there was no other bus for about 30 minutes and then we were only able to get to Zeist due to the bus driver's willingness to stop there ... We checked into a nice hotel close to the castle and then went to visit Opapa. He was already waiting eagerly with Clasin, his friend, in the assisted living housing. Opapa is still the same, just older, having more trouble hearing (even though he insisted that he can still hear fine and that it is practical that he can hear whatever he wants to hear:), and more forgetful. It was the first time for Mami to see him without Oma around. But it was not awkward having Clasin there since she is such a sweetheart and likable person. Andrin liked her right away as well. On Sunday, we went to Utrecht to meet with a friend and her children that I last saw when they were really little. We went to a museum and ate some pannekoken (a Dutch pancake). On Monday, we went for another walk by the castle in the morning and then picked up Opapa and Clasin for lunch at the hotel. After lunch, we took a quick shopping trip to the city and then headed back to the airport with the train. The flight was late, but both of the children did great. Andrin fell asleep in the airplane and not happy to be awoken, but once we were at home, I took off his pants and laid him down and he just continued sleeping (he woke up in the early morning, surprised that he had not his pajama on). It was a great trip, also thanks to Oma. And it was great that Bigna and Andrin had a chance to meet their  Opapa. We are doubtful that he will take another trip to visit us here in Switzerland. 

Waking up in the morning in the hotel.

Walk by the castle in the fog.

We discovered a poisonous mushroom and Andrin was fascinated.

Bigna decided that it was too cold and that it was better to sleep all bundled up.

Visit at a museum in Utrecht.

Andrin was so happy because he found a coat-hanger. And this in the middle of a city ...

In front of the museum, there were old tires and the children were able to jump on them and make music.

Enjoying his "car" pancake.

We were getting everyone ready to leave the restaurant and I suddenly discovered that Andrin was gone. Of course I got worried because of the water/canal and this is how we found him in front of the restaurant ... He got himself a chair and was watching everything ...

With Clasin, Oma and Opapa.

Andrin was so happy because Opapa has chickens ... and goats and rabbits.

Another walk by the castle. This time with sunshine.

Andrin found himself another friend.

Stopping to feed the geese.

Oma and Opapa.

Andrin waiting for his french fries ... nothing compares to Dutch french fries ...

Oma enjoying a little dessert after our lunch. The hotel was actually founded by Swiss people at the turn of the century and they were bakers and they kept this tradition alive and are making wonderful pastries.

Waiting for the taxi. Andrin was so happy to get a pink suitcase with a new tea set.