Visits from family, and from Sinterklaas

Okay okay, so it's been a while. But it's all about quality, not quantity. And the last month has been a fun-filled one, with visits from Oma & Jon, Tante Ellen & Uncle Marty, Grandma, Renee, and of course Sinterklaas. So here's a full-color reportage of all that.

Off to Belgium we went to see the fish... And, even better: tante Ellen, over all the way from Florida with Uncle Marty (although not featured in this picture. But he was there. you'll have to trust us on that one)!Oma also popped over from the UK to join us continentals. Emile's great-grandmother Omalala was there too! Lots of catching up to do with her, of course...
Then, just one week later - another exciting visit from the US, this time from the midwest:
Grandma Diane! and... 'Neenee' (aka Tante Renee)! Ziggy and Emile clamber for attention, and lap time. [And just fyi, this is one of the things Emile learned from all that American fam: instead of 'nee', he now says 'no'!)

The weather doesn't always collaborate too much, but there's plenty of to do and ample walks to be made - no problem when you're comfortably covered up from the rain! And then it gets better still... Sinterklaas comes to town! Waiting in anticipation for the real one to make his appearance in Amstelveen stadshart (the mall).
Of course Sinterklaas didn't come empty handed... many, many presents for one little boy in particular, who must have behaved very well this year (erhum...) to deserve all that!

Good times were had by all - and the presents made a big impression ~ wow! (The very perceptive viewer will note that this picture was actually taken during Grandma's last visit in July. But it's so cute we had to add it anyway).

After all this excitement a relaxing moment en famille. Yes, there is indeed a little competition going on between Ziggy and Emile for mama's attention...
a promising prelude to when the next one makes its appearance next year!

Of course all that activity makes a toddler pretty sleepy... so sleepy in fact that the unprecedented has now occurred: sleeping in the car!!
Anyway - here's wishing you all happy holidays - whatever it is you celebrate, and a good, healthy and happy 2008! From all of us: Mark, Julie, Emile, Ziggy and ...?