Day 287 of 364 - Wed 5/16: Mike & Lor-Ann's EuroTrip

Word of the day:   Piramide  (Pyramid)

PARIS... Up and at em early... We left the house by 7am to go to Paris for the day. It was definitely a jam packed day, and maybe we should have stayed at least one night, but we didn't... Next time :)  

This was also my 3rd time this year being in Paris!! And I still love seeing the tower at all different times of the day.

We did the hop on/off bus, Laudree, the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, had some French onion soup and finished the night off with a crepe with filling for dessert (yum!) before heading back to Maastricht! Whew... Definitely a full day!

Of course we stayed for the tower's light show!

I think the long day started to get to me while driving home bc we almost ran out of gas twice on the way home! That is the one problem when you have a gas card and the gas stations are much fewer and farther in between than in the states. Luckily we didn't though!! Otherwise my dad and I would have had a little pushing to do ;).. ha ha. Now those would have been some good pics!

Day 286 of 364 - Tues 5/15: Mike & Lor-Ann's EuroTrip

Phrase of the day:  Verloren in Vertaling  (Lost in Translation)

MAASTRICHT/ ACHEN... Today's activities consisted of going to Aachen, Germany and visiting the town's cathedral, and don't forget Starbucks. I need new flavoring :) It was a bit rainy and gray, so my dad finally believed us about the weather.

Later that evening while sitting around and talking about the rest of the trip my dad took his phone out and opened an app that does word translations. He showed us a few words, and then another one which he says, "key- ow" as he shows us. My mom and I look at each other and start laughing.... We both then say, "Chow!!!"

And then proceed to ask him if he has ever seen the word before, because it is... CIAO... the Italian Word hello/ goodbye. OMG... Sooo funny... LOL!!!

I think we also watched EuroTrip the movie that night... ha ha ... such a stupid one, but funny all at once :)

Day 285 of 364 - Mon 5/14: Mike & Lor-Ann's EuroTrip

Word of the day:  Binnenhof  (Patio)

MAASTRICHT..."I think you guys lie to us about the weather!" is what my dad has now said for at least the second time! It is actually another gorgeous day, warm and sunny. We walked around Maastricht and then sat out on the patio at Cafe Zuid, which is along the river and near a park. Great people watching and sunning. We enjoyed a sample platter and the SUN!

Day 284 of 364 - Sun 5/13: Mike & Lor-Ann's EuroTrip

Word of the day:  Moeder  (Mother)

Happy mother's day!!!!!

AMSTERDAM... I arranged for brunch at Gartine, the super cute and delicious place we ate at back during our first trip to Amsterdam. After we went to the Anne Frank House. While in line "spotted"... A street vendor making some wire contraptions, who just happened to have wire and the tools to cut it. Then we hatched one of the best ideas of the trip... Offer him a few euros to fix the glasses.... Done! Or at least better than they had been and you could barely tell there was anything wrong.

After the tour it was off to the Keukenhof. What better way to spend an actual sunny day than at the tulip garden?!

Day 283 of 364 - Sat 5/12: Mike & Lor-Ann's EuroTrip

Word of the day:  Bril  (Glasses)

AMSTERDAM... Time to pick up the parents :) my parents arrived in Brussels by train from London where they made a "quick" stop, due to their original flight from Chicago being cancelled and having to wait until the next day for their flight (JERKS!!). A little worried at first bc none of us are familiar with the Brussels train station so didn't know exactly where we would find them, but only twice around the pickup zones and "spotted"... Mike and Lor-Ann looking like lost American tourists. Ha... j/k!

We then drove to Amsterdam where we ate the picnic lunch (in the hotel room) before hitting up all the streets and canals of Amsterdam! **Oh and I should mention my dad also had the fortunate unluck of snapping his glasses in half the day before, so he now had some tape across the middle so he could see! Poor guy :(

We did a canal boat tour and walked around. Btw... they were already telling me they were tired from walking... Guess they didn't do their training like I told them to do... Only day 2 and they had planned an 18 day trip!... Good luck :)... Again j/k!

Later that evening after dinner we went back to the infamous "meatball bar". They too wanted to help fix his glasses... Big conversation piece! Bt it was not to be tonight. .... Just drink up!

Day 277 of 364 - Sun 5/6: Trip #14 -- California

Word of the day:  Naakt  (Naked)

Off to San Francisco to see Joy and meet her bf Bill. (In case you don't know, Joy is one of my friends from college and she move to SF right after school. I have tried to get out to see her almost every year since then. Always good times! and she is the BEST tourguide!!!) 

It was a beautiful day in the city so we walked around. Thru a street fest, had some lunch, over to Alamo Sq Park and then into the Castro where it is hard to not see a fully naked man just chilling on the street corner at least once on your walk, and I mean fully naked! We saw at least 4!! ..ha ha. Only 2 laws in SF if you are going to do such a crazy thing... you must wear shoes and can not be erect. Crazy, right?!?

We then headed back to Joy's where we relaxed on her rooftop with some beers and wine... nice relaxing Sunday... and as always great to see and catch up with Joy!

Day 276 of 364 - Sat 5/5: Trip #14 -- California

Word of the day:  Wijn  (Wine)

Today Steve and I woke up early (due to jetlag), worked out, ate breakfast and then drove around the surrounding areas to familiarize ourselves with the area and subdivisions to scope out possible living spots.

It was then about 1pm and we were getting hungry for lunch and decided that heading back up to Napa for some wine tastings sounded like a great idea. We tried to stop at one of our favorite like lunch spots, Oakville Grocery, but it was closed. I am hoping just for renovations! So then we headed to Rutherford Grill which has AWESOME food... tastes sooooo fresh!! It hit the spot! We highly recommend the dip and chips (gauc and cheese) apptz, and the sashimi tuna salad!!!

We then headed to Miner winery, Mumms and Peju for some tastings!!!
I could not have asked for a better day... happy belated bday to me ;)

Day 275 of 364 - Fri 5/4: Trip #14 -- California

Word of the day:  Interview or Vraaggesprek (Interview)

We are in CALIFORNIA today!!! SUPRISE!!! I know I was!

So let me tell you so you understand. Per my previous entry, I was hoping to celebrate my bday on the beaches of France, but Steve had an impromptu trip to CA scheduled for a possible job opportunity with his company. So we changed plans pretty much last minute and made the trip out to CA.

I couldn't have asked for a better bday present, seeing that Wine country in CA is probably one of my favorite places!!! ... and that is where this job would be located... north or San Francisco.

While Steve went to meet with people, I was able to relax poolside at the hotel. It was soooo sunny and warm, probably low/mid 70s but with the sun much warmer. I don't think I had seen the sun in days, actually maybe weeks for more than 30mins max a day.

Later that evening we had dinner with Steve's future boss and his wife, which was great. The restaurant, food and company were all delightful! It was even more interesting bc his boss and family are actually from Europe originally, and have now been in the states now for 10+yrs.

Day 273 of 364 - Wed 5/2: My Bday

Word of the day: verjaardag  (Birthday)

Today was my bday...31... I can't believe it!! Where has all the time gone these past 31 years?!?!
I guess the good side is that it actually takes me a few seconds sometimes to remember how old I am. I swear in my head I am always stuck at around 27. I don't feel like I am 30+. Not sure why?!  I usually realize how old I am when I think of how old all my sisters are... pure craziness. Not even sure how my parents comprehend this?!   Or that matter of fact, how any parent comprehends having adult children?!?!

We didn't do much bc we had an IMPROPTU upcoming trip this weekend to celebrate. Originally we were planning for a trip to the south of France-- around Nice and Monaco. But I got an even better surprise a few days ago!  ...Stay tuned to see where we go!!!

Day 269 of 364 - Sat 4/28: Gimmicks

Word of the day:  Reclame  (Advertise)

Today we went to the grocery store to stock up and as expected when you check out the cashier speaks in Dutch and usually asks, "wilt u de ontvangst?" which closely translates to "would you like your receipt?" So I typically just say yes to avoid any further exchange of words to avoid confusion.

Well today there was any additional question thrown in there so I just said yes. With our receipt we also got a few small packages, which I assumed were samples. Nope.. just small little boxes. No samples to try :(  

Guess you give these to the kids to play with?!?  And for the next few weeks each time they asked I just politely said "no thanks."

Day 262 of 364 - Sat 4/21: Trip #13 -- Reims, France

Word of the day:   Proeven  (Tasting)

We drove with Kim and Jamie to Reims, France to go Champagne tasting! It was about a 3hr drive. Once there we did a private tour of some smaller producers, and learned about Grand Cru, Premiere Cru. That evening we had dinner at Cafe du Palais. The inside is interestingly decorated, similar to a museum!

Shh... don't tell the French, but Napa and Sonoma are waaaaaaayyyyyy better! You can't even compare the two!

Day 261 of 364 - Fri 4/20: -- Another Sister gets married

Word of the day:  Man en Vrouw  (Man and Wife)

Today is my sister Ashley's wedding!!! Congrats Ashley and Trevor!

Though we weren't able to be there in person we planned to skype in for the ceremony. Well, something happened and it did not work out :( But we did get to see pics soon after!

They were married at the Chicago Botanic Gardens, followed by a trolley ride around Chicago to dinner.

*** 4 down, 1 more to go :)

Oh and this is the card I found in Maastricht... Dutch humor :) ...I have translated it for your enjoyment. LOL!

Day 259 of 364 - Wed 4/18: Anniversary #4

Word of the day:  Vrjaardag  (Anniversary)

Today is our 4th anniversary! I can't believe how time flies... when you are having fun!!

We went to Gio's (an Italian restaurant) for dinner, and definitely over indulged, but it soooo good you can't help but clear your plate of every last morsel!!!

You start w/ a huge salad to start with, bruchetta, a pasta dish, steak, plus 4 sides and another salad. Then we finished it off w/ dessert and a limoncello! ...btw this is per person! You only share the sides.

Per my fb status... ‎4yrs ago today WE were in another land of the Dutch... ARUBA and I was marrying the best guy in the whole world. What an adventure the last 4yrs have been!?! Nonstop FUN and EXCITEMENT! Can't wait to see where we go next as long as I am w/ you!
♥ you always and forever!! Btw.. You are stuck w me :)

Day 254 of 364 - Fri 4/13: Trip #12 -- Madrid, Spain

Word of the day:  Boom  (Tree)

Another city with a Hop on/off bus... and of course we took it. Did you doubt us?!?

And of course more tapas at the market, and then for dinner. We also took time in the afternoon to enjoy the sun, wine and ambiance while sitting at on of the squares. This was also Cathy's last day on her European adventures.... we sure hope she enjoyed her time here!

part of their coat of arms.
bear eating from a strawberry tree

lunch at Mercado De San Miguel

Day 253 of 364 - Thur 4/12: Trip #12 -- Madrid, Spain

Word of the day:   Plaat  (Plate)

Tapas, tapas and more tapas!!! Tapas are definitley everywhere in Spain, but they are just so great and honestly should be offered more often at all restaurants! Small dishes that you can share with the group, or just being able to sample more of the menu is always a plus in my mind!

Oh and don't forget the Sangria!!! We'll have another pitcher, please!

Day 252 of 364 - Wed 4/11: Cathy's visit -- Aachen

Word of the day: Stad  (Town)

It has been raining pretty much consistenly everyday that Cathy has been in Maastricht... such a bummer!!! But we needed to get out of the house and we were hoping for a break from the rain. We drove about 20-30mins to Aachen, Germany.

We walked around town and into the city hall building. Cathy also had looked to see if the town had any yarn stores for her knitting, bc in Maastricht we were unable to find anything. We stumbled on a goldmine!! It was great and the prices were fantastic! ... Cathy was very happy with her purchases. If only she had more room in her luggage she may just have bought the store ;)

Of course I knew there was a Starbucks there so that too was a must during our trip!!!

Day 250 of 364 - Mon 4/9: Cathy's visit -- Keukenhof

Word of the day:   Tulp  (Tulip)

Off to the Keukenhof we went... the famous tulip garden of the Netherlands. Again, we were well prepared bc it rained almost the whole time we were there :( but we did not let that ruin our day there. We even had a more traditional Dutch lunch at the park's cafeteria. 
**This was definitely a highlight for Cathy on her European trip!  

Sorry for all the black and white or accent photos but it was raining and didn't think the bright colors really stood out when taking photos.

Day 248 of 364 - Sat 4/7: Trip #11.5 -- Paris w/ Cathy

Word of the day:    Bakkerij   (Bakery)

Today we did the typical Paris tourist activities... and took the hop on/off bus around to do it all!

That eveing we went for dinner at a small place I found on trip advisor, Le Hide. It is definitely worth trying if you are looking for somewhere to eat in Paris!!

Day 247 of 364 - Fri 4/6: Trip #11.5 -- Paris w/ Cathy's

Word of the day:  Champagne (Champagne)

We got to Paris in the late afternoon so we did a little bit of walking, grabbed some dinner and drinks, and then had Steve arranged for a car to take us on a night tour of the city. It was a fun experience in a vintage citroen 2CV!! We were even able to enjoy a bottle of champagne during the ride!!
(*and yes the Dutch say Champagne just the same... afterall it is French!!)

Day 246 of 364 - Thur 4/5: Cathy's visit -- Maastricht

Word of the day:   Mensen en Hond Kijken  (People and Dog Watching)

Today we did more walking since it wasn't pouring like it was the other day! Kim came with us as well and we grabbed lunch at De Comedie. Here is a very "euro" cafe scene bc everyone sits on the same side of the table and looks out onto the Onze-Lieve-Vrouweplein Square. It doesn't matter what day of the week or time of the day, it is always crowded and people are all sitting as if they are watching a show in front of them.

 

We also did our fair share of people watching, playing Cathy's favorite game of watching for those with dogs and seeing how closely the dog and owner look alike. Sorry I didn't get any pictures. I am going to go with at least 80% follow this rule! It is just soooo funny to they do! She also noticed like I have since getting here that dogs seem longer in length and have shorter legs! I find it kind of ironic bc the Dutch are some of the tallest ppl in the world.