Funny Boy

Charlie had a great time flopping onto the couch once JP took the cushion off. Who knew it would be so much fun!

The Learning Process

This was the morning of February 17th, when Charlie officially started to walk. As you can see it is going to be a bit of a process for him to get it mastered! Dont worry...he is fine and is getting more balanced every day!

Helping with the dishwasher

Both little ones like to help with the kitchen chores. It looks like little Charlie is taking after his great grand fathers. He enjoys taking things apart. I it isn't the dishwasher then it's the vacuum cleaner.

Charlie and his girlfriend

Our friends Jeff, Jolene and their 16 month old daughter have come to live in Holland for a few months. They have been staying with us for a bit while they get set up and we have been having a great time. Charlie and Noelle hit it off right away!

It's always about the food for these two, if one is eating the other one wants to be too!

What a lady

Diaper buddies

Story time for Charlie...he loves "Safari Friends"

Mom...I told you, I'm finished

Noelle has taken a liking to JP or should I say..."PG, GP, PG, PG" that is JPs name coming from Noelle

They both love rice cakes

What a gentelman, pushing his girl around on his truck

They love watching Baby Einstein together

First Birthday Party and More

Hi there, wel things are moving along smoothly in the new year here in the Netherlands. Charlie is a one year old, Lies is back into her volleyball training and I'm still the stay-at-home pops. As I said all is as it should be. Charlie isn't walking yet but he does stand up all by himsef on occaision, I'm sure that soon he will get the nerve to take a step or two.

Jeff and Jolene Van Huisen are visiting us from Canada. They are friends of Lies' that are now friends of the family. They are here with their 16 month old Noelle for about 6 months or so. They hve been living with us while they get settled in. It has been great fun for Charlie who has become quite fond og Noelle... as you can see in the picture below.

It looks as though our son is becoming quite a reader as well.

Florence, Italy

We are back in Holland now but spent New Years in Italy. These are pictures from our time in Florence.
This was the view we had after climbing up a small mountain...poor JP had his 30 pound "pack" on (that is Charlie in the middle of us).
A replica of Michelangelo's David, we saw the real one in the Galleria Accademia, it was amazing.
The city of Florence and the famous Duomo.
JP and Cups just chilling
The view on the Ponte Vecchio, a huge bridge with shops all along it
Charlie having his afternoon nap in his backpack
One on the most beautiful churches I have ever seen, the walls are a mosaic of tiny green white and pink tiles
Maxin and Relaxin on the train
Charlie checking out the window on the way to Florence.

This was really funny, Charlie leaning in for a big open mouth kiss! He is a real sweetheart, though sometimes he is not so gentle!

Charlie is learning how things work, he is pushing buttons on the washer and dryer, putting little cars on their track to watch them go around and is also stacking blocks. He can now put three or four on to of each other and is so proud of himself when they all stay up!