Brussels Highlights

Salt Lake City we are prepared to initiate launch sequence. 10...Days left in Brussels! It's crazy! I can't believe that it's already time to start packing up to leave. Unbelievable. 

Living here has definitely changed my life. From things as simple to eating more fruits and veggies to understanding the significance and importance of being a mother. We've made INCREDIBLE friends who have been there through the thick of the terrible Brussels weather and we have grown so close as a family. We've also grown a ton too! Our little Brussels Sprout has gone from crawl-lessness to a walking tornado of destruction. Ben has done some incredible research and I have turned into quite the amazing mother. Brussels will always mean a lot to us and be our first home as a family. 

Since our time here is drawing to a close I decided to do a little Brussels highlights blog. Tons of pictures that show our families exciting adventures and some highlights of our time in Belgium. So sit back and enjoy our little collage of Brussels.

As most of you know Ben had to move here before us and spent two months living in Europe alone. He did what most husbands would do, grew out a beard, ate things like mashed potato sandwiches, and stayed up late watching ever war movie known to man. But he did have his own adventure in Durham England (pictured above) when he spent two weeks working with a professor there.

After two lonely months we were reunited once again and Brooklyn was once again spoiled by two parents (though the grandparents back home spoiled her pretty good). Brooklyn was only six months old and was still learning to crawl and move around on her own. Here's the first video we took of her in Brussels.

Luckily for me Ben was a social highlight at church so when Brooklyn and I arrived he already had a posse lined up for us! We were able to spend our holidays with some great people like Flint, Chris and Betsy, Brian, and Kelly. If that weren't cool enough there was this cool sister missionary, Sister Murray, who happened to be one of my best friends since 6th grade. It was great to come and instantly be surrounded by wonderful people during the holidays.

Once we were settled in I was ready to travel and so was our little sprout.We started small by going to places in Belgium like Bruges and the Atomium. But once family came to visit we branched out much further.

The Dam Square: Amsterdam

Ben fist-bumping a statue at the British Museum.

Big Ben: London

Chillin with the Coats in Fussen Germany: Home of the Neuschwanstein Caslte. 

Fussen Germany

Among all the fun Brooklyn was growing and began attempting to walk. Though the Coats encouraged her during their visit with us she waited until just after they had left to take her first steps. 

After that we just tried to keep up with her all summer! From the water fountains in Flagey (a square near our home), to chasing her around Austria and Italy.

Brooklyn chasing Bruno (Kelly's Au Pair Family)

Kelly and I enjoying the warmth!

Clara, Bruno, and Brooklyn. The whole gang!

Ben at this amazing park we found one summer's day.

Brooklyn attacking the sandcastles in Blenkenberge

The Amazing Maureen and Autumn Henson (Our distinguished best friends :) 

The Mozart Statue: Vienna

The Vienna Philharmonic

One of my favorite memories in Brussels itself was when Ben and I rented bikes for the day. We rode from downtown Brussels out to the forest. We enjoyed a nice three hour ride and the pizza from Pizza Hut afterwards. It was a great afternoon.

Brooklyn enjoying some time out of her bike seat!

The Flower Carpet: Brussels

The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Swimming in the Cinque Terre: Italy

Florence (we went on a Monday so most tourist attractions were closed,
including the infamous David statue). 

Pisa was probably one of our favorite trips while here. It was beautiful, warm (well roasting), and relaxing. Unfortunately it was little more expensive than we expected so we had to hold off traveling until more guests arrived. 

Brooklyn and her Uncle Mike
(one of her favorite words to say)

 That didn't take too long :). My parents came out to see us in September. It was so great to have them visit us. We jumped right in to traveling and hit Budapest, Hungary the day after their arrival. Unfortunately I didn't bring my camera so I don't have pictures from there but trust me, it was amazing.

Point du Hoc: Normandy, France 

After a week of recovery and some Belgium exploring we hit up Normandy and Rhine Valley Germany. It was a great trip!

Dinant, Belgium. An awesome city and great daytrip with my Mom, Dad, and Bro! 

A few short days later my wonderful cousin Nanon came out for a visit and my European adventures continued with a road trip through Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, and France. Also it included a much needed visit to the LDS Temple in Hague, Netherlands.

The Hague Temple: Netherlands

Beaufort Castle: Luxembourg 

 One of my favorite moments with Nanon was at the Schoenfels Castle in Luxembourg. Brooklyn loves riding the little rocker horses at parks and usually I sing the "William Tell Overture" while she rides. Well I waited too long to sing it this time because she just started without me.

After Nanon's visit we decided to cool the jets on traveling and to really enjoy the holiday season. Thanks to Maureen we were able to see some cool things, like Santa arriving by ferry with his helpers "Black Pete" and the ice sculpture festival in Bruges. She also recommended Ghent so when we needed to clear our heads after losing my Grandpa we headed there.

Yes, They were scary.

Santa Claus definitely looks more like
St. Nicholas in Belgium :)

Our little Christmas

I've said it before but this was seriously
the COOLEST thing I've seen in Belgium

Gravensteen Castle: Ghent, Belgium

Ghent: Belgium

Our final adventure, courtesy of Maureen and Jacob, was to Rome. We decided that since we had an IOU on babysitting and found cheap tickets to Rome that we couldn't pass it up. It was a great 24 hours!

St. Peter's Square: Rome, Italy

The Colosseum: Rome, Italy

And now here we are. About to leave. We're trying to keep our last days interesting by enjoying various activities like blowing bubbles with Brooklyn or having a water fight with Ben but we're just trying to savor these last few days in our little Isaac home. 

Oh did I mention that Brooklyn now loves computers

Am I the only one who finds it cheating to throw
your opponent into the bathtub with your bathing
child during a water fight?