We got our visas today! This trip has been perfectly smooth and oh so much fun! We have been completely spoiled by Peggy, Jan, and Casper and have seen some incredible sights here in Belgium.
Day One: Peggy and Jan's village and the city of Hasselt
Casper is so big and is doing just amazingly well. We love him and are so happy to see him settled with his forever family!
Those Kaz kids are so happy and sweet!
He loved showing us all of his toys
In this photo we are at Peggy's brother, Kevin's home. Peggy and Jan live in a small, countryside village which is just adorable! Peggy's whole family lives in the same area. On this day we rode our bikes to Kevin's farm.
In the Belgium Countryside!
I hadn't ridden a bike in many years but I had a great time seeing the beautiful sites and enjoying the fresh air We haven't spent much time outside in the last several months!
Most of their homes and buildings here are made of brick.
Casper is very interested in James who is riding behind him
This is a castle in their village. People live here and run a little cafe that serves drinks for those who ride by on bicycle.
Casper feeding the chicken's in the backyard
That night we went to Hasselt which is a smaller city only about 15 minutes from their home.
Beautiful cathedral in Hasselt
Day Two: Kaz embassy in Brussels and visit to the city of Antwerp
We took a train ride to Antwerp to meet Chantal. Chantal is another woman who we met in Pavlodar on our first trip. She is now home with her little boy, Emile. She was a wonderful help to us as she has had much experience in this embassy over the past year.
The Kaz embassy in Brussels...beautiful!!!
Chantal and James are not on their cell phones but they are listening to an audio guided tour through the house of artist P.P. Rubens.
The back of the Ruben's house
The gardens at the Ruben's house
Antwerp
We were treated to real Belgian waffles by Chantal and her husband Frank before we took the train back to Hasselt. They were soooo good!
Frank, Chantal, and Emile!
On this day James and I became the offical parents of Ava! Peggy and Jan met us at the train station and took us to a surprise dinner! They are so supportive and thoughtful. WE LOVE YOU DeBock Family!
Day Three: Brussels
We got our visas to go back to pick up that little girl of ours! It's nice to know that as of this moment she really is OUR little girl. No one can take that away!
"The Atom" in Brussels
When you rub this statue it is said to bring you luck
This is called Butcher street and is one of my favorite things in Belgium! It is a beautiful street with many restaurants and the waiters stand outside and try to get you to come into their place. We didn't eat there b/c everything was little pricey but it was a fun experience to walk through!
Peggy and I in front of the puppet theather
This is a famous statue called the "peeing boy" It was a very popular stop on our tour
James and his "real" Belgian Chocolate
In the middle of beautiful Brussels big market...AMAZING
Resting our feet on these lounge chairs. Not a bad view eh?
James and our tour guide, Peggy, did a great job navigating through the streets of Brussels to make sure we saw everything!
We have been busy form sun up to sun down every day so far this trip and have loved every second! We can't express the hospitality and kindness shown to us by our friends here in Belgium. Tomorrow we will go to Paris and Jan gets to come this time :-) He has been busy working while we all played this week. In Paris we will be joined by another adoptive family, Katy and Mikael. They live in France but are a long drive away from Paris. We are so thankful that they are making the trip. Then on Sunday we head back to Frankfurt and fly back to Kaz. We have missed Ava soooooo much and can't wait to see her and take her home with us. Stay tuned for pictures from Paris and then our trip back to Ava!
8 comments:
Oh my gosh you guys you will remember this as long as you live, its a once in a lifetime experience. We can't wait to see you all and i am sure your days will be filled from here on out being new parents. Your time is just about to start!!! GO!!! We love you and are glad the time is almost here. Give Ava a hug.. Dad your grandpa has already warned us sillers girls to give Ava space, i guess he thinks we are too overwhelming Huh!!! Love, Auntie Kristie & Uncle Steffan
Casper is adorable, so different from the few pictures of him from the first trip. Kaz really does produce cute kids, and Emile is pretty darn cute himself. But of course, our Ava is the prettiest. Thank you Peggy and Jan for taking care of my kids and keeping their mind off missing their baby girl at times and celebrating with them at others.
Have a great time in Paris and make many more wonderful memories. I'm glad Jan gets to go this time.
Love all of you,
Mom
Your pictures are absolutely gorgeous...Belguim is so pretty with so many old historic buildings! You have been treated so well by your wonderful friends! Congratulations on being Ava's parents! Now the fun begins! Easter egg hunts, pretty dresses, baby dolls and lots of smiles and hugs! Can't wait to meet you three at the airport! Love you! Mom
The pictures are amazing! I'm so glad you guys have been able to have a fantastic time with lifelong friends - what a blessing in the midst of all the chaos! Praying for the last leg of the journey!! Love!
I am so glad you two have had the opportunity to see a bit of Europe... Paris will be the perfect ending to a very "successful" trip! The big success of course is that little miss Ava is soon to be with her forever family. The three of you are so blessed to have each other... I can't wait to see you. Peggy, Jan, Casper, Chantal, Frank and Emile thank you for everything!. See you kids soon! I love you.
Congrats to Ava's Mom & Dad and the proud owners of new visa's to boot. I must say you have turned one more big bump in the road to Ava into a wonderful adventure complete with a once in a life time trip to Europe! I hope the rest of your trip is as exciting and fruitful as these last few days have been.
Safe travels home,
Lou Ann & Lexie too
LOVE LOVE all these pictures, especially the one with you guys jumping in the air when you got your visas, and all the pretty landscapes of Belgium. I can't wait to see pictures from Paris! What a wonderful trip it turned out to be! Love you!
Those pictures were beautiful! I am jealous you got to see a little bit of Europe! Love you guys! Tomorrow is the big day! Woot woot!
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