wintersport with the boys

Don't these faces just say it all?

Finally found some time to start on the backlog of photos I have waiting... And when I saw these 2 faces, I decided I would start with Wintersport. We went to Austria and stayed in Hochkrimml at Petra and Rob's 'home away from home'. A beautiful house, in an amazing location, on the mountain, right next to the ski piste.

 

It was the first time skiing for the boys so they were a bit nervous about it all.

 Travis's first day on ski's

Dylan loved it and picked it up very quickly

 My three favourite boys

The sled was Travis's favourite

Selfie in the lift

I was relieved to discover I could still board after all these years

 

Where'd the mountain go?

 What a difference in weather!

It wasn't all about boarding and the kids! We found time for apres ski too and took it in turns to cook which meant many cosy evenings inside with delicious food and really great company!

Travis really loved the big table and especially the breakfasts with everyone together. When we got back he asked why WE don't have such a big table filled with loads of breakfast goodies. 

 

Not to be missed was our traditional Austrian evening. The boys were blown away by the dancing and some of our group had to join in the activities.

 

 

 We were rewarded for our efforts with a giant pan of Kaiserschmarren!

The last day was competition day. It's amazing how much they learnt in a week. Travis had fun with his group of Dutch kids age 4 and 5. His instructor, Eva, managed to get them all skiing by the end of the week. Here's Travis before his race.

Dylan picked it up very quickly and he and his group were exploring the area with his ski instructor, Cor, from day 3 already. He really didn't want to stop at the end of each day.

Here he is all ready to go.

 Can you spot Petra, their proud aunt, cheering them on and ringing the cow bells?

Travis came 3rd and got a bronze medal!

 And Dylan came first!

At the end of the last day of lessons they do a flag run. I had no idea what to expect and was blown away! All the kids and their instructors skied down the mountain holding torches or flags, with music playing in the background, and heaps of proud family members cheering them on!

Wow!

The little ones with a little help.

 

 Dylan getting his gold medal.

All in all, a perfect holiday! 

Thanks again Petra and Rob for letting us stay and for showing us around and helping with the boys. They loved it as much as we did... (and thanks for the photos I borrowed.)

It's been a while

plenty to talk about (holidays, birthdays, new year's ... ) but there seems to be too little time to update the blog. so now a quick photo from the most recent holiday trip (Wintersport in Hochkrimml, Austria), at Petra and Rob's beautiful house there.

pakjesavond

What a lovely Thursday afternoon! After celebrating the 5th of December at school and seeing Sinterklaas, the boys had the afternoon free. We played games and did arts&crafts and sang songs until the boys got tired of waiting for their presents to arrive. By then it was dark (and wet) and off they went outside to see if they could spot any Pieten. I don't know how they missed them but when they got back, there the presents were, at the front door! The rest of the evening was filled with the opening of and playing with all their presents. Two happy boys!

Oh those Pieten can be so funny, did Papa only get old newspapers in his huge present? 

 Pakjes Piet

 Where is Piet?

Kapla time

 how high can we build it?

watch out, it's swaying!

 waaaaaah!

The Sint

So, it's nearly Christmas which means Sinterklaas is back in town. He arrived, along with all his Pieten friends and his horse, last Saturday.

Despite the international attention concerning 'Zwarte' Piet, everything carried on as usual. It may have had racist beginnings, waaaay back when, but nowadays it's really just an old tradition filled with fun, excitement, songs, family, and of course, presents and sweets! I have certainly changed my opinion about it all over the last 13 years. The children LOVE it and get totally swept away in all the excitement. For the next 2 weeks we talk, eat, sleep and breathe Sinterklaas!

The boys were very excited and it was fun to watch Travis really join in the festivities this year.

 

I still have a sore neck!

 

Hey Jan, what are you doing here?

Disco Piet is always the highlight!  

   The parade

(And honestly, they generally get called 'Pieten' as opposed to 'Zwarte Pieten' and I think the painted black faces are on their way out anyway... not that the kids will notice.)