Haarlem Canal Run

We went up to Haarlem this weekend so that Bas and Luna could participate in the annual "Grachtenloop" or Canal Run.  He has run in this race for years.  We also managed to introduce Tess to her Opa... finally!

Luna teaching Opa to use the iPad.

Our two little Dutch girls with Oma.

Always lots of fresh, beautiful flowers in the house!

Luna ran in the 800 meter race.

She quickly dispensed with her little, orange crown.

I think that's a grimace... did I say she ran?  Maybe pulled was more like it!

And at the finish... begging to be carried. :)

A hoot from Mama, and she was inspired to sprint to the finish!

The racers...

Cousins keeping busy while we wait for the start!

At the half way I could tell he was running fast!

And here he comes down the home stretch... lookin' good!

And after achieving a personal best of 42:47, we celebrated with everybody at the Brinkmann cafe on the Grote Markt (main square).

Proud Opa.

Luna loves staying with Oma and Opa while we are in town... they get to have tea.

And play in the princess castle.

Everybody commented on what a smiley baby Tess is.  She is.

We visited some good friends, who also had their second daughter 10 days after Tess was born.  Bente.

They weren't really sure whether to be friends or duke it out.

Luna and Florine, their older daughter, who is almost 3.

On Sunday morning, we celebrated Father's Day.  The envelope for Luna's card says Papa Anmny. After she wrote it she asked me what it said... :)

She made the flower on the front, refusing all help from me.

It has a rainbow inside.

The girls and I had lots of "fun" making Papa's gift.  I'm pretty sure they did anyway! (I\m not complaining, it was just rather stressful trying to get both girls picture ready, and posed all by myself!)

Joke got the girls matching shirts and sweaters, so we brought them to wear while we were there.

Before we left, Bas's sister and her family came over for a visit.  Here, Luna and her cousin Dana are playing princess!  They manage to communicate somehow, though Dana speaks Dutch and Luna replies in German.

The littlest cousins, Tess and Steef.

Bas and Merel with all the kids.

And the in-law -wife, -husband and -dog respectively!

As usual, we had a great time!  Although after getting a speeding ticket on my way there, I swore that Bas was going to have to drive on these trips in the future!  Oh well, it was worth it!