Summer (2015) - Part 1

We have had a fantastic summer, some spent in Belgium, but most spent in the U.S. with our friends and family. While we were really looking forward to spending some quality time at home, we made sure to have a lot of fun before heading to the U.S. Although some of these things technically happened before school was out, they were in late May and after so I still consider it to be summer fun!

Cole, the boys, and some new friends of ours visited the Antwerp Zoo at the end of May. 

A little over a month after Harrison's birthday, we finally got around to having a party for him (hello middle child :/)! He requested a train party with Gordon (from Thomas and Friends) cupcakes. Since it was a bit of a last minute affair, I didn't think I would be able to perfect Gordon cupcakes, so we ended up buying some from a local bakery. Despite a slightly frazzled mommy, Harrison enjoyed the party!

Our good friend, Mitch, was visiting from Australia and stopped in to make Harrison's day more of a party!

We were very happy to welcome Cole's aunt, uncle, and cousin as well as some of their friends to Gent for a few days in June. It was a very typical couple of days in Gent with lots of rain. Thankfully, they all have fun and adventurous personalities, so a little rain, ok a lot of rain, didn't get in the way of their fun! They even walked the boys to school for me a couple of days! My favorite picture from their visit (I wasn't there), is from their boat tour through Gent. It had been raining alllll day, but the sun came out for a few minutes, so they decided to take advantage and take a tour. However, they didn't realize how crazy the weather is in Gent and it started pouring again as soon as they left for the tour. The picture below if of them on the boat trying, unsuccessfully I think, to stay dry. I'm pretty sure they didn't get any information about Gent on the tour, but instead, lots of crazy looks.

Saying goodbye

Trying to get the pretty ceiling at the train station in the picture

On the last day of school, we went with some friends to an air show in a town nearby. There were lots of helicopters and planes flying over as well as other fun activities for the kids. It was super hot, but lots of fun!

There was an army style obstacle course for the kids.

After the air show, we went to a restaurant nearby for dinner and more playtime (there was a playground at the restaurant). The kids had a great time and played until they couldn't play anymore. 

Fries anyone?

Wonderful friends! 

For Cameron's birthday, he requested a soccer themed party, specifically Barcelona. I, with the help of my good friend, Yasmin, made a Barcelona jersey cake for Cameron's party at school...naturally, he requested another jersey cake for this party, so I made this one on my own.  

We had a friendly little match on the table with our LEGO men.

It was soooooo hot!

Serious business!

Because we didn't have enough parties at our house over the summer, a friend and I decided to have a baby shower for two ladies from church who were pregnant. Neither of them have ever had an American style baby shower as they are Belgian and Venezuelan, so we decided it would be fun to show them how we do it! Despite it being very different than what they're used to, I think they had a nice time!

Mariale and Nele

Measuring bellies

Feeding baby food blindfolded

Sweet friends!

A few days later, we had the opportunity, along with many other students, to meet up with Cameron's old teacher, Miss Corine. We met at the park for a picnic and played until she was able to arrive. The kids all love her and were so happy to see her again!

So happy to see Miss Corine again! 

Miss Corine played and played with them! They had a blast!

When we arrived home from the park, we discovered that Cole had broken down and purchased a portable air conditioner. The boys were very happy (and mommy too) as it was 95°F (35°C) on this particular day. 

Some other random moments from the few weeks before we headed to the U.S.

Birthday party for a new friend

Playing with school friends one last time before they left for Israel

Trying to stay cool

Visiting the construction site right outside our apartment on open day.

Ladies evening out

Cooperation

One of the last things we did before heading home was to attend a birthday party for Sebastian, a good friend of Cameron's.

 

We were very busy, but had a ton of fun the first few weeks of summer. Thankfully, as you'll see in part 2, we had lots of opportunity to rest and relax once in the U.S.